As a voice gently fell, the already tense atmosphere around them tightened further, becoming somewhat oppressive.
Under the supervision of the black-robed figures, the apprentices slowly stepped forward and lined up in an orderly queue.
Their faces were tense. Aside from a very few, most wore tightly drawn expressions, their hearts filled with solemnity and unease.
"Come forward." Alaong's voice rang out from ahead as he addressed the apprentices standing in the long line.
At the front of the queue, upon hearing him, a brown-haired youth who looked barely grown took a deep breath and quickly stepped forward.
"Place your hand on this crystal." The familiar voice continued.
Alaong glanced at the apprentice before him and gestured as he spoke.
Following his instructions, the brown-haired youth swiftly placed his hand on the crystal ball before him.
"Close your eyes and feel carefully..." An ethereal voice sounded before him, reaching the apprentice's ears with a strong suggestive undertone.
Under everyone's watchful gazes, the brown-haired youth's originally tense expression gradually calmed. His eyes slowly closed, as though he were silently reciting something.
As time trickled by, a change began to occur within the Black Crystal Ball before them.
As time passed, a faint light began to emerge from within the deep, dark crystal.
The light was weak, like a feeble candle flame that might go out at any moment, yet it truly existed and was easy to make out against the pitch-black crystal ball.
"First-class aptitude..." Feeling that radiance, Alaong spoke softly, his tone carrying unmistakable disappointment.
"Take him away."
After a while, seeing that the tested youth still had not recovered his senses, Alaong simply waved his hand. Two black-robed figures at the side quickly stepped forward, hauled the youth away, and tossed him aside.
In an instant, the sound of