Chapter 2044 Her Decision After the impressive display of the top three acolytes, Annara noted the remaining ten acolytes among the rest, all of whom seemed to be at similar levels of prowess and potential. One particularly energetic youth caught Shinta's eye—a 16-year-old named Yuebei. He exuded an unrelenting energy, his movements ceaseless as he bounced around the stage. Yuebei possessed a rank 7 mythical monkey bloodline, renowned for its high natural battle power and agility. In stark contrast, the next acolyte stumbled onto the stage, drawing laughter from the audience with his clumsiness. This youth, named Ulong, was not only short and overweight but also appeared unmotivated. However, when the fountain transformed into a radiant gold, the laughter died down, replaced by a stunned silence. Ulong possessed a rank 7 mythical boar bloodline The following two acolytes hailed from mid-tier bloodlines—a rank 6 legendary bat and a rank 6 legendary wolf. As their blood mingled with the water in the fountain, a silvery, almost gold shimmer enveloped the liquid, signaling their impressive gene. Following the mid-tier figures, the spotlight shifted to the next four acolytes, each hailing from top-tier bloodline genes. Among them were a pair of rank 5 dragon bloodline acolytes—a Qilin dragon duo who appeared almost like twins in their resemblance. Their imposing presence and formidable lineage marked them as formidable talents in the eyes of the audience. Another top figure was—a mysterious-looking youth with a rank 5 raven bloodline. Clad in dark attire, he exuded an aura of enigma and intrigue, his presence shrouded in mystery. The final acolyte from the top-tier bloodlines was a young female, appearing even younger than Shinta herself. Despite her youthful appearance, she possessed a rank 5 tiger bloodline—a fact that belied her cheerful and seemingly innocent demeanor. If not for the examination, few would have realized the remarkable genetic heritage concealed beneath her cheerful exterior. None of the preceding acolytes quite captured attention like the final pair of the thirteen figures—a brother and sister hailing from the controversial insect bloodline. The younger sister, at a mere 15 years old, boasted an ethereal appearance with pale white skin, her delicate features exuding an otherworldly beauty. In contrast, her older brother, aged 17, possessed a slightly reddish complexion, hinting at the fiery determination burning within him. Both siblings sported two small antennae protruding from their foreheads, giving them a more hybrid appearance—a characteristic that had sparked much controversy within the bloodline community. As the siblings were called onto the stage, a palpable hush fell over the audience, judgmental gazes lingering on their unusual features. The tension mounted as their palms were cut, revealing not the expected crimson hue, but rather milky transparent blood—a startling revelation that only added to the intrigue surrounding them. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their bloodline, the fountain glowed with a bright golden light, indicating a mythical rank 7. However, the absence of any existing insignia left the audience puzzled as to which category they belonged—high, mid, or low tiers. Many speculated that they were likely placed in the lower tiers, if not worse. As the siblings faced the silent judgment of the audience, a stark contrast in their reactions emerged. While the young girl appeared visibly apprehensive, her brother emanated a powerful and domineering aura—a defiant response to the scrutiny of those around them. With the introduction of these unique siblings, the lineup of thirteen competitors that Shinta had been carefully observing came to a close, leaving an air of anticipation hanging over the hall as the examination continued. It was common knowledge among the acolytes that the overseer would ensure a fair division of the candidates among the five half-blood instructors. However, an acolyte's preference for a particular instructor could heavily influence their placement. This crucial detail could heavily influence an acolyte's placement within the halls. Understanding this, most candidates had likely already submitted their applications before the examinations concluded. Take Elara Greenheart, for instance. She made no secret of her desire to become a disciple under Instructor Sirin. By openly expressing her preference, Elara essentially granted Grand Magus Sirin priority in selecting her for the hall. However, this choice came with a trade-off. By choosing Elara, Instructor Sirin effectively lost the opportunity to recruit four other talents to the other instructors before she could choose another. On the flip side, acolytes could opt to remain undecided, leaving the decision-making in the hands of the instructors. This approach, however, came with its own set of risks. If assigned to an instructor against their wishes, acolytes might find themselves at a disadvantage—denied the opportunity to join the other half blood halls unless granted permission by their assigned instructor. Thus, the decision of whether to express a preference or remain undecided weighed heavily on the minds of the acolytes as they navigated the complexities of hall selection. The intricacies of this selection process added an additional layer of complexity to the already competitive atmosphere of the academy, as Shinta carefully weighed her options and strategized her next moves in hopes of securing a coveted placement within their desired hall. "It's almost your turn, you better send an application to Instructor Sirin as I advised," Annara whispered, her voice a gentle yet urgent reminder. Considering her chances carefully, Shinta evaluated the potential outcomes of her decisions. With Elara Greenheart positioned as a strong contender for Instructor Sirin's hall, Shinta recognized that she would likely be the Grand Magus's second choice if she followed Annara's advice. However, if she opted not to send her application to Instructor Sirin, she risked being relegated to the third choice, with the possibility of being assigned to Tolano hall instead—an outcome she hoped to avoid. Yet, there existed a potential solution that could elevate her status to Instructor Sirin's top choice: foregoing the consumption of the [Blood Suppressant Serum] provided by Bob, the gene master. This serum was intended to conceal Shinta's true identity, allowing her to lower her rank from mythical to legendary and suppress her wolf gene. However, by refraining from drinking the serum, Shinta would reveal her true identity to all. [Shura Ouroboros] [15 years old] [Acolyte rank: 7] [Bloodline gene: Kimoyin Nightmare Wolf] [Gene classification: Mythical mix bloodline] [Bloodline limit: rank 8] [Current rank: rank 4] With a rank 8 of a mid-tier bloodline, she held the distinction of being the top talent among the 65 first years—a position that surpassed even Rajh, the prodigious wielder of the tiger bloodline. Moreover, her status as a mixed-blood acolyte, a rarity in its own right, elevated her desirability to unprecedented heights. Such a combination of exceptional talent and unique heritage made her not only highly sought after by all the half-blood instructors but also a sensation significant enough to capture the attention of the other top 10 halls. Inevitably, this guaranteed her a place among their ranks, securing her future within the academy. Yet, amidst the promise of prestige and opportunity, lurked a shadow of danger—a danger that extended not only to herself but to her entire Ouroboros clan. She had been cautioned repeatedly against drawing attention to her true potential, warned of the risks inherent in such brazen actions. To act recklessly now would not only jeopardize her own safety but also endanger the delicate balance of power within the academy—a risk she could ill afford to take. As Shinta stood amidst the throng of acolytes, awaiting her turn to make her decision, the staff's words pierced through her thoughts, jolting her back to the present moment. "Shura Ouroboros, you are the last one... Be prepared, next is your turn," the staff announced, signaling that her moment had arrived. However, as she approached the front of the crowd, ready to submit her application to Instructor Sirin and drink the elixir as planned, she was suddenly confronted with a startling sight —'that person' stood mere dozen feet away from her, and she was able to see his face clearly. "That's him..." Instantaneously, her heart surged with a tumult of emotions, drowning out all rational thought. Her mind was consumed by a single, insistent whisper. "Look at me... See me... Pick me...." Emotion overwhelmed her senses, clouding her judgment as doubt crept into her mind. "No... I should not choose that woman teacher ...If I remain undecided, ...he ...he will have a better chance of selecting me." Her thoughts raced, grappling with the implications of her decision. A wave of doubt washed over her, mingling with her resolve. How could he possibly recognize her? Not with the effects of the elixir masking her true identity. As Shinta prepared to ascend the stage and undergo the examination, a desire welled up within her—a desire to impress the man before her, her father, with her unique blend of wolf and serpent genes. It was a tantalizing prospect, one that tempted her to reveal her true identity in the hopes of earning his recognition. Yet, as she took a step forward, a sudden vision flashed before her mind's eye—a solemn image of a grave. With a jolt, she halted in her tracks, her resolve faltering. "No," she whispered to herself, "If he truly is my father, if he truly wants me, he should be able to recognize me without me revealing myself." In a swift decision, she reached for the vial containing the serum, hesitating only briefly before draining only half of its contents—a compromise she hoped would offer a solution to her current predicament. As her red blood mingled with the fountain's waters, a shimmering silver hue enveloped the liquid, prompting a hasty announcement from the staff. "Legendary... No, wait," the staff member corrected himself mid-sentence, his voice filled with surprise. "We have another mythical, rank 7!" The revelation sent a ripple of excitement through the crowd, positioning Shinta on par with Elara Greenheart in her likelihood of being chosen by Magus Sirin. However, none of these seem important anymore, as her gaze was fixed on the man who met her with a gaze of his own. "Father, do you see me?" Unbeknownst to the spectators, as the serpent insignia glowed brightly, a subtle dimming of the wolf insignia went unnoticed by most—but not by one with surprising interest. x x x x