In a Room with Tinted Glass, Invisible from the Outside
The large, windowless room was cast in soft, ambient light. The glass panels that surrounded the space were tinted, rendering it invisible from the outside. In the center of the room stood a group of distinguished figures, each one attuned to the subtle yet powerful energies within the air. They were evaluators, experts in the study of aura affinities—the natural abilities that defined every individual. As the final test concluded, one of the evaluators spoke, his voice cutting through the silence.
"What did you think, ladies and gentlemen?" he asked, his tone calm but filled with the anticipation of a profound decision.
One of the others, a woman with an air of authority, spoke first. "It's not every day that you get to evaluate and witness a variant," she said thoughtfully. "I don't know about the other four, but this was my first time."
Another evaluator, an older man with sharp eyes, chuckled softly. "Ha! You're right. It was thrilling, wasn't it? But it seems you've taken quite a liking to this young man, old man." His voice was teasing but affectionate.
The older man nodded in agreement, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Indeed, he has a unique way of thinking, but he's still naïve. He reminds me of how I was at his age. This city is fortunate to have such a talented young sprout among us."
There was a brief moment of silence as they all reflected on what had just transpired. The potential of the young man before them was extraordinary—yet still unrefined, still raw. His future was a blank canvas, ready to be shaped by the guidance of those around him.
At the Reception
Mickael was sitting in a small, elegantly furnished room, the dim glow of soft lighting accentuating the sense of quiet anticipation that hung in the air. Across from him sat a woman, an aura specialist, her features calm and composed. She had been there to guide him through the trials, her experience evident in her every word. She handed him a sealed envelope with an understanding smile, though there was a hint of excitement in her eyes.
"Congratulations, Mickael," she said warmly. "You've completed the exams. Inside this envelope are your aura affinity results."
Mickael took the envelope with trembling hands, his thoughts racing. The trials had tested him in ways he had never imagined. Though he had given it his all, there was always the nagging doubt in the back of his mind—what if he wasn't enough? What if the results weren't what he had hoped for?
"Thanks, ma'am," Mickael replied, his voice quieter than usual. "But... I'm a bit nervous about the results."
The woman smiled, clearly seeing the tension in his expression. "I told you before, don't worry," she reassured him, her voice like a balm to his nerves. "I've worked with many candidates, and I can tell you have nothing to envy them. Your performance was exceptional."
Mickael managed a small, appreciative smile. "Your encouragement always helps."
The woman's eyes softened as she observed him, sensing the whirlwind of emotions swirling within him. She had seen many candidates come and go, but something about Mickael stood out. He was different—his aura held a raw potential that intrigued her.
Unable to hold back any longer, Mickael tore open the envelope, eager to see his results. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the paper, the words dancing before his eyes as he tried to make sense of them.
The Results
1st Circle:
Interpersonal: 92
Intrapersonal: 96
Musical: 58
Linguistic: 44
2nd Circle:
Corporeal: 73
Naturalistic: 72
Logical: 60
Spatial: 44
Mickael frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I'm sorry, ma'am," he said, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "I don't quite understand the results."
The woman nodded, her expression understanding. "Let me explain," she said gently. "These results correspond to your affinity with the aura. The aura can take on eight primary forms, or affinities, which are divided into two families, or 'circles.' The first circle represents human-to-human interaction, while the second circle represents interaction with the environment around you. Each of these affinities is then classified into four categories, depending on their strength and potential:
Talents (90-100%)
High Potentials (80-89%)
Medium Potentials (60-79%)
Low Potentials (0-59%)
"The aura instinctively takes on the nature of the activity it is asked to perform, which is why there are eight trials. Each one is designed to encourage your aura to take on a specific nature, and then your aura is measured and analyzed by experts like myself. Please, don't be upset if the results are not what you expected. Many candidates feel disheartened, but remember that the results reflect only your current state. They are not set in stone."
Mickael nodded slowly, trying to absorb the information. "No, I'm okay with them," he said after a moment. "But... how many talents do people usually have?"
The woman's eyes twinkled slightly, as though she had anticipated the question. "Normally, individuals have one talent in a circle, which is considered their primary affinity, and one high potential in the other circle, known as their secondary affinity," she explained. "However, in rare cases—such as with variants —this balance may not be as clear-cut. There may be discrepancies, but there's always some kind of balance in the affinities. From what I can sense, you are a variant, aren't you?"
Mickael's eyes widened slightly. He had heard the term before, but never in relation to himself. Variants were rare—individuals whose affinities didn't follow the usual patterns. They were unpredictable, sometimes challenging to assess, but always fascinating.
"How... how can you tell?" Mickael asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The woman studied him carefully. "It's the way your aura interacts with the environment," she said, her tone thoughtful. "There's a certain fluidity to it, a dynamic that is not often seen in others. It's as if your aura doesn't quite fit into the predefined molds we use to assess others. That's why your results are... unconventional. But don't worry. Being a variant isn't a disadvantage—it's a unique opportunity."
Mickael stared at the results again, the weight of the revelation settling on him. He had always felt different, always known that there was something more to his abilities than met the eye. Now, it seemed that his intuition had been right all along. He was not like the others—and maybe that was exactly what he needed to be.