Why would Ze want to associate himself with a human? He told me countless times how weak and breakable I am due to my human condition, yet he still continues to hang around me, being nice to me.

What would a powerful god like Ze—one who is feared by most of his world—want with me?

My musings are interrupted by the sound of a horn reverberating through the air. My gaze snaps forward, my eyes focusing on the fountain where a flash of red announces the appearance of the high priestess. She's sitting on the ledge of the fountain, walking along the thin border in her high heels.

"Welcome, my darlings," she calls out as she spreads her arms. Her voice booms in the entire courtyard, snapping everyone to attention.

"Thank you for joining me on this marvelous day. I cannot wait to get to know some of you over the course of the next week. After the tests are over, one of you will join us at the temple for a permanent position."

Low cheers erupt among the participants, but a severe glance from the high priestess and the entire courtyard falls silent.

"The duty of the temple is to preserve tradition, and from its inception, priestesses have been tasked with protecting the ancient artifacts left behind by the Primordials. This is a duty that no one should take lightly. The temple needs its priestesses to be strong both in mind and spirit. Loyalty, honesty, and perseverance are the three qualities we look for in our recruits. As you have noticed, some participants have been excluded, and that is because they were caught using underhanded ways to secure a spot at the temple. I understand that this is a prestigious position, but trickery will not be allowed." Her eyes meet mine, holding my gaze for a second before moving on.

I swallow hard, somehow feeling that was directed at me. But if she thinks I was trying to use the bracelet to get ahead, why didn't she expose me? Why let me continue?

"Aside from a strong character, we also look for strong spiritual ability, which is why the first test is designed to measure your spiritual ability."

Holding out her hand, she materializes a white sphere the size of her palm. The sphere rotates in her hand, slowly floating in the air until it's above our heads.

I tilt my head back, watching it slither through the lines of participants until it reaches the first line, hovering over the first girl.

"This is the Elegian Sphere. It's empty inside save for particles of chaos that bind onto spiritual power. Depending on the level of spiritual energy, the particles will change color," the high priestess continues. "To establish your level, each one of you shall touch the sphere," she says as she gracefully steps off the ledge. She drifts to the ground, seemingly walking on clouds as she comes closer to us.