"Stand in line! Everyone will get their turn so be patient." A grizzled old man stands in front of a crystal ball magic artifact gesturing everyone to line up before the ceremony commences. Quincy and Kellie fall into place next to each other somewhere in the middle of the line. His hands clenched in excitement, Quincy strains his neck to see the first kid walk up to the crystal ball.
"Place your hand on the artifact and it will do the rest." The grizzled man instructs the kid before him. Soon, a faint white glow is seen from the originally clear crystal and a small smile spreads across the boys face. "8th tier spiritual talent, no elemental affinity."
Quincy chuckles under his breath before whispering to Kellie. "Some are just satisfied being mediocre. My dad is a 7th tier spiritual talent! I'm bound for greatness."
"7th tier spiritual talent with no affinity. That's like a bird with no wings. You need talent and affinity if you want to be great!" Kellie looks at him out of the corner of her eye, "You should count yourself lucky if you have any talent at all. Even 8th tier talent is rare in a small village like this. Your dad is just was just fortunate." He snorts in response as the next kid is called up.
"I can already tell I'll have a talent in fire because I like it so much! My dad has a high spiritual talent so mine will definitely be even better than his!"
Kellie facepalms at his statement. "Elemental affinity isn't that simple. Only time will tell though."
Soon, it's Kellie's turn to go up and she stands there hesitantly. Quincy gently nudges her shoulder, "Don't tell me the Ice Queen is getting scared on the first step of her journey." Laughing lightly, her courage returns and she strides up to the ball. "Good luck!" Quincy calls out.
A few moments after placing her hands on the ball, a blue light gradually appears with a rather large snowflake in the middle. A round of gasps echo out through the crowd and conversations can be heard. "A talent in ice just like her mother! The Yin element in that family is strong!"
"Little Kellie would be destined for greatness, its a shame her spiritual talent seems a little low."
The Grizzled old man remains expressionless, "8th tier spiritual talent with a strong ice affinity. Next."
Quincy gives her a thumbs up and smiles as they trade places. Clenching his jaw, he shows no hesitation and puts both hands on the crystal. It emanates a weak light as a flame the size of a fingernail ignites in the center of the orb. Quincy furrows his brows as if willing the crystal to glow his talent to grow. The light shines with a little more luminescence, but the flame remains the same size. "8th tier spiritual talent, low fire affinity," the old man says, showing no mercy.
Quincy's face crumples and he shuffles over to his parents while avoiding eye contact with Kellie. His fathers hand falls on his head to ruffle his hair. "Hard work should never be underestimated," he says. "If your talent isn't the best, you just have to work harder. Nothing is impossible."
Quincy nods his head while staring at his feet. Above the crowd of villagers, the clouds begin to part. A figure slowly descended from the sky amidst the cries of those on the ground.
"It's a celestial immortal!" One person exclaims. "I've heard that only those who reach celestial realm can fly!"
He lands and ignores the reverent gazes of the townspeople, directing his own gaze at one specific individual. Quincy finally breaks out of his stupor and looks up from his feet to see this take place.
The celestial opens his mouth, "I've finally found you. You can't hide from me!"