They have arrived in the entrance of the labyrinth. The stones that paved their way was indeed a mysterious ingress to rally such a labyrinth. What greeted them was a spectacle, never been seen nor compared from the outside world.
Various massive trees engulfs the sky, making a crafty shade throughout the lengthy trail leading elsewhere in the centre. The artificial sunlight, right across the heavens, radiates through the area which can be mistaken as a weather similar to the surface. But, various reports stated that the weather changes inclusively like a control system right across the core. Even replicas of mountains and oceans found in the outskirts of the labyrinth seemed to be real, despite its feigned appearance.
The director seems to be accustomed through his surroundings, leading the way. He fidgets his ring on his forefinger which produces a dim light, creating a machete out of nowhere.
"director, what in…" Zero asks. Speechless on to the fact that something was created in thin air. He didn't even had the time to finish his sentence when Lilith interrupts Zero, still dazed in awe.
"Mr. Snow is an tinker, a blacksmith, and an alchemists. That thing he just did right now was a space-and-time activation from the ring which creates a substance out of nothing, making the wearers thought be tangible if familiarised with the atoms and materials used from the item he/she could summon."
Such practicality. This tool could be of great help easing the luggage which a person could be bringing. Going back, Zero senses up an eerie feeling around his body, slowly touching him; ticklish as it may be.
Venturing on the long stony trail, Zero states what he's feeling with a worried expression
"Uhm, I don't know if you feel this too but there's this awkward feeling, like being prickled by some sort of insect that doesn't bite… have you been feeling this sensation, too?"
The sentences Zero sprawled was indeed shocking to both Lilith and Mr.Snow. These were one of the few indications, as a part of the assessment, upon being a mage.
"Those vexations you've been feeling are nonetheless magic particles inside the labyrinth"
apparently, mr. Snow was now elaborating the basic insights for the so called 'magic'. He mentions that these particles, invisible from the naked eye, couldn't be perceive with our 5 human senses. But, in some exceptions, those were the mages. It isn't a six sense which people in Hollywood movies or comics per se but to an amount that out of a million, one person could at least sense the magic particles scattering through the atmosphere. These fragments can either be used, stored, absorbed or even be utlised to an imaginable extent in which are the 'magic'. Sorcery, necromancy, and spells that were a mystery through history may prove to be real judging the use of these magic.
As mr. Snow speech goes on, they now arrived to their destined goal which is the "emerald's core".
As both of them had mentioned, this core helps the academy to determine the talent a student or a person has by checking their source of mana in their individual cores. Upon assessment, their attributes will now be classified, indicating a blazing light radiating through the centre core.
seeing the large diamond care at the centre of the forest, emitting an emerald like colour through a distance, Zero couldn't stare in admiration from the beauty which lies beyond.
"Wow" Zero uses his hand to block's the light view casted towards their sight.
The three of them are enchanted with the light 'til suddenly someone walks up to them, revealing a business-like smiling towards us. A young man dress in a completely dark military attire shows up saluting to Mr.snow. He's around 152.4 centimetres tall, befitting for an adult and his hair cut out neatly through his front to his back. A staff imbued with some sort of ruby crystal at the tip replaces the rifle which are usually seen from military personnel's.
"Good day, Director Snow and to you, guests. My name is Leonide and I'm here guarding the core. I am also a staff so if you need help assessing these kids, the professor and I can help you disseminate the guidelines." The soldier stated.
Zero couldn't believe the director of the academy had also been a professor in his prime. Mr. Snow caught his gaze and spoke "yes, I was a professor and Leonide was one of my brightest and toughest students. He's a combat mage, specialised in reinforcing his body." Proud from what he achieved on, Mr.Snow gave Leonide a pat on his shoulder.
"let's begin the assimilation" facing his gaze towards us, he opens his arms as a form welcoming a new asset of a mage, which was Zero
Leonide guided us at the right side of the emerald, staring deeply to both Lilith and Zero. "I remember this girl. She's a mage right? So, this little guy should be the one to be assessed?"
Leonide throws a question to the director, and nodded as a response. They stepped on a side trail, which opens makes them easier to value the majestic flares glowing from the core
"this core proves to be useful in assessing one's core. Place your hand on the surface of the stone. You'll feel a slight tingling sensation but pay them no mind. Try imagining yourself releasing a force or a power that you alone could feel." Leonide briefly instructed me to do so as he slowly stepped back; pushing me close to the stone. I simply complied. Resting my hands beneath the core, I slowly feel sensations which painfully coincides inside my body, deeply through my veins which appeared, metaphorically bulging out, escaping my body. The grimace that I desperately kept hidden was showing unto my face as the people behind me starts to get worried
"Zero, are you alright" the first one to ask was Lilith, clasping her hands whether she should jump out and help or wait for further instructions
"this isn't one of the process now isn't it, Leonide?" the tone of the directors voice became rowdier as the noise from the vibrating core starts to shriek, shaking the ground.
Zero couldn't resist as the dazzling light beams through his conscience, making him falling on the ground and faint.
"ZERO" the trio's shout were in sync
were the last clear words Zero heard before his unconscious mind fades him away