Four people in red robes were seated at the center of an atrium. They were Klora, Boyun, Ofelia and Zil. They were seated, facing five old men few meters away from them. They were all putting on a white and black robes except for the one seating at the middle, he was putting on pure black.
They were also seating but their seats were raised higher than the one Klora and the other three were seating on.
They all had long beards but the man in the middle had the longest.
At the back of the four in red stood a man in brown robe. He was the one who led them in.
The atrium was a squared Hall lit by daylight from above. There were rays of sunlight at the center.
The old men were discussing quietly as Klora and the other three were seated silently. A lot of thoughts were rummaging in them.
After some moments, the man at the far right cleared his throat as they stopped discussing and faced them.
" Congratulations! You four passed the test placed before you and you're going straight to the third test as you were told before." Said the man.
The man at the far left also cleared his throat as the man stopped talking.
"You were led into the atrium since last night. I'm sure you must be having questions waiting to be answered but those can wait until you're admitted." Said the second man.
The man sitting beside the one at the far right also cleared his throat as he spoke.
" You'll be having more students joining you soon." He paused for a moment and then continued. " your third test will be given to you by the Grand Master and that would determine which Dept. you'll be admitted into."
The man sitting beside the one at the far left also cleared his throat and spoke,
" The skills you have will determine where you'll be placed and if you are devoid of any skill," he cleared his throat again " well….. there's a solution to that as well. The Grand Master will begin the test now.
" of course, a solution like toying with their soul." Klora thought in him as he grimaced.
All of a sudden, the Grand Master stood up without saying anything. The other masters stood as well.
"Stretch out your palms." said the Grand Master in a cool voice. His voice was deep and strong that the air changed the way it was blowing. The atmosphere was disturbed as air rushed towards Klora and the others.
They felt the chilled air as they stretched out their palms.
The Grand Master then drew out a stick and gave it a wave. A light appeared at the tip of the stick, it was twinkling as the light levitated, moving away from the tip of the stick. The light kept on moving in mid – air until it got to the palm of Zil. It landed on her palm and sank into it. Terror filled her as the light went into her palm.
Some moments later, a phial appeared on her palm. It was transparent, so it was easy to see what was in it. The phial has no cover.
Then suddenly, the light appeared out of thin air from behind her and moved again towards Ofelia's palm. After getting there, it sank into her palm too and the same thing that happened to Zil happened.
The same thing happened to Boyun and Klora. Now, they all had phials on their palms.
The Grand Master sat down so as the others. The light then moved back to the Grand Master and went back to the tip of the stick, then disappeared.
" and then the test is done. Bring forward your phials." Said the far right man.
Klora tried to stand but was forced back into his seat by the brown robed man. He collected the phials from them and took it forward to the Grand Master. He collected it and lined them in front of him.
He then took the first phial and turned it over. A parchment suddenly dropped out of it but the Grand Master caught it before it could fell down. He unfolded the parchment and read out aloud,
" Pristinal Ofelia! Gray Dept.!" the Grand Master exclaimed.
"What! Gray Dept.?" Ofelia muttered.
" Brilla Zil! Green Dept.!"
" oh no! I don't want to beco..." Zil exclaimed but before she could finish her statement, she noticed the glare coming from Klora.
" Ihonda Boyun! Gray Dept.!"
Boyun beamed and winked at Klora.
" Gra…. ! Elvis Klora! Brown Dept.!"
" what! But I want to be in Gray Dept.!" he shouted. Every one looked at him with surprise. Zil was all this time free of emotions. She seemed to be sad.
" It's forbidden for students to speak in the atrium of placement but perhaps, you're not yet a student." Said the Grand Master. He looked at right hand side then to his left hand side.
" You merged the coins together, that is something that hasn't been done for ages. And that is the reason why you'll be given a chance to choose any other Dept. you want." he added.
" really?" Klora's asked in amazement. The Grand Master nodded in affirmation.
Klora was bemused. He was also puzzled at the same time. He didn't know what each Dept. is all about, not after Ren had told him about the Green Dept. He should have asked him about the other Dept., what's he going to do now?
He stared around as if he was going to see an answer somewhere.
"Zil!" he suddenly remembered.
" she's in trouble," he muttered as he looked towards her side. He noticed how sad she was, even though she was hiding it, Klora could still see through her.
"Sir, can I use my chance to change another person's Dept.?" he asked.
"What! You want to do what? Are you crazy?" Boyun exclaimed, he hurriedly clasped his mouth as he noticed the stare from the seats ahead.
" That's something careless to say but if that's what you want, it's your chance. Mind you, it's also your last." Said the Grand Master.
Klora looked at Zil again and dropped his head, showing his black curly hair.
"Please sir, let her go to the Gray Dept. She's always wanted to." Said Klora. Zil looked at him with great shock as she widened her brows.
" is that right?" asked the Grand Master as he faced Zil.
" I! Yes… No…. I mean yes sir. "Zil replied, she was caught off guard, she seemed not to had expected the Grand Master to ask her directly.
" If that's the case, Brilla Zil! Gray Dept!" exclaimed the Grand Master. Klora noticed the sadness mixed with happiness expression on her, she even blushed a little.
" Since you now know which Dept. you're belonging to, you'll led to join other students so as for the session talks to begin.? Said the Grand Master.
" stand and follow me!" exclaimed the man in brown robe at their back as he waved his hand forward. He was expressionless and he looked like he had never been happy before.
Klora and the other three stood up and followed the man as he made for the exit. Klora glanced back as they were almost out of the atrium and noticed the disappearance of the Grand Master and the other masters. They were no more on their seats.