The next day, Luke knocked on their door early in the morning. Haruto and Renne were still fast asleep, with Renne's arm and leg draped casually over Haruto, using him as a makeshift body pillow.
"W-who's at the door this early in the mor..." a sleepy Renne muttered, suddenly freezing as she realized exactly what her sleeping position was.
"You pervert!" she shrieked, scrambling back and hurling a pillow straight at Haruto's face.
Barely recovering from the sudden attack, Haruto dragged himself out of bed and opened the door.
"Well, did I interrupt something important?" Luke asked, a wide smirk plastered across his face.
After Haruto frantically explained the misunderstanding, Luke just chuckled. "Well, these types of accidents are common between couples."
"We are not a couple!" Haruto and Renne shouted in unison.
"Haha, alright, jokes aside, I have some news for you two," Luke said, waving off their embarrassment.
He explained that their official registration was finally complete. Now, they needed to identify their elemental affinities. The three of them headed to a designated testing room where a smooth, glassy sphere rested on a pedestal. Luke instructed them to touch the ball.
Renne stepped up first and placed her hand on it. Instantly, the sphere glowed with a blinding, bright red light.
"Woah! That's really impressive," Luke exclaimed, his eyes widening.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Renne asked, pulling her hand back.
"That means your affinity is fire, It is the strongest offensive element."
"Woah, congratulations, Renne!" Haruto smiled.
"Thanks, Haruto! Now it's your turn."
Haruto stepped forward confidently and placed his hand on the sphere. He waited. Nothing happened. The sphere remained completely dull and lifeless.
"Huh? W-what happened?" Haruto asked, glancing back at Luke in confusion.
"I... I actually don't know. Why don't we run the test again?" Luke suggested, frowning.
But even after repeating the test several times, the sphere gave the exact same lifeless result.
"I-I think Haruto is Elementless," Luke finally concluded, sounding baffled.
"What do you mean Elementless?!" Renne cried out, stepping forward defensively.
"Calm down, Renne," Haruto told her, his voice steady.
Seeing the tension, Luke went on to explain the fundamentals of the world's magic. "The five Alkhalidas, who control the five fundamental forces, are the source of this elemental energy. Although very little is known about them today, the 'Gayanadapustaka'—our holy book—mentions them."
Luke paced the room as he recited the lore. "The element of Earth, or Bhumi, comes from the Alkhalida who was bestowed the duty to create all the planets and matter in this universe. The element of Water, or Jala, comes from the Alkhalida who was bestowed the duty to create life. Fire, or Agni, comes from the Alkhalida of Death. Air, or Vayu, comes from the Alkhalida who retains everything. And lastly, Space, or Akasha, comes from the Alkhalida of Soul."
He looked back at Haruto. "Every human has a soul that resonates with a specific element. It is said that every human, upon birth, gains a core."
"So how am I able to use elements?" Renne asked.
"Well, in your case, maybe the soul appeared within you after coming to this world," Luke theorized. "As for Haruto... I don't know."
Renne looked at Haruto's dejected expression and gently grabbed his sleeve. "Don't be sad, Haruto. I will always be with you."
Haruto offered a small, appreciative smile. "T-Thanks, Renne."
Luke watched the exchange and smirked again. "Well, tomorrow I will give you your official ranks. You also need to visit the king before being assigned to your posts."