Class Chamomile merrily strode down the speckless hallways and made their way into the gymnasium.
Upon arriving, they were met with a small group of instructors. The Clear Soul Amethyst was stationed right in the center of the gym basketball court. The instructors sat on chairs near the bleachers with their own cups of tea, treating the soul rank test like some show. The principal, Mr. Chiron, and the vice-principal, Mr. Parshuram, were present among the people. However, the class gulped in amazement when they recognized who the special guest was among the adults. It was Claude's father, Daedarius Asytrea.
The well-groomed man fixed his white suit as he made his way towards the children. Daedarius was the true definition of a noble hero. With his slick-backed red hair and suave face, there was no doubt that he was related to Claude.
"This princess girl greets you, Mr. Astyrea," Violetta held her pearly skirt and bowed in respect.
"There's no need for that, Violetta," chuckled Daedarius.
"What's the purpose of you coming here today, sir?" inquired Violetta. "Did Claude get himself in trouble again?"
"Haha, that boy doesn't even know I'm here. I've visited today to watch the soul rank test and talk to the principal about some things."
Icarus kept quiet on the side as Violetta conversed with the older gentleman. Even though Claude was his best friend, he's barely seen or talked with his father. The only thing he knew was that it was him that talked his mother into training Claude.
The man in front of Icarus was the pinnacle of humanity. Being in Daedarius' position was exactly Icarus' goal. He wondered how much he had to work to get to his level. He was nothing short of his model.
"Icarus, aren't you going to say hi to Claude's Dad?" Violetta cutely poked at the dazed young man.
Caught off guard, Icarus stumbled his words as he greeted the man.
"Uh—hi, I'm Icarus... Claude's friend..."
"I very well know who you are," Daedarius patted Icarus on the shoulder. "Hmm, you're all grown up now. I remember when you were so little. How's Yann—I meant your mother doing?"
"She's doing great," answered Icarus. He was genuinely confused as to why the man was so intimate with him. They weren't that close.
"That's great," smiled Daedarius.
The man took out a silver medallion from his pocket and gave it to Icarus. On the medallion's round surface, mysterious symbols were carved that made it a somewhat cryptic artifact.
"Here's a little something from me," Daedarius handed the medallion to Icarus. "I hope you stay friends with Claude."
"The heck is this? A bribe?" Icarus whispered to himself as he inspected the gift.
"Here." Icarus handed the medallion back to Daedarius.
"Icarus! That's very disrespectful!" denounced Violetta. She couldn't believe Icarus was refusing a gift from such an important man.
"Is... there anything wrong with it?" Daedarius anxiously asked.
"Nah, I was just wondering if you could sign an autograph on the back for me," explained Icarus.
"Oh, it was just that? Sure, but I don't think I have any—
"Here." Icarus swiftly handed him a marker he kept in his pocket.
Daedarius signed the back of the medallion and Icarus finally accepted the gift with glimmering eyes. Violetta sighed at the misunderstanding.
"Well, I better go back and let you children take your tests. I wish you and Violetta luck."
As Daedarius walked away from the group, Richter caught up to say his greeting to his uncle. Icarus and Violetta lined up with their classmates as the test was about to begin. A female instructor adjusted the Amethyst and confirmed that everything was set.
"Class Chamomile, welcome to your Soul Rank Test!" announced the female instructor who looked like in her mid-20s. Then, she continued, "My name is Ms. Lan and I'll be administering today's test. When your name is called out, walk forward and put your hands on the Clear Soul Amethyst. Then. imagine pouring energy into it like this.
Ms. Lan gave a quick demonstration by putting her hands on the crystal. It wasted no time shifting into the colour black, then beige, red, and green. Just as everyone thought it was over, the green crystal spontaneously glowed a bright purple. Ms. Lan had a very high soul rank befitting of an instructor.
"Paulie Abbott."
A plump boy shuffled towards the crystal and cupped it with his hands. Icarus recognized him as the one that was mocked by the girls behind him for having a Drop Bear as his Essence.
As Paulie poured in his soul force, the crystal slowly transitioned into black and stayed that way for a long time until it turned beige.
"Paulie Abbott, Beige Rank!"
Icarus could hear giggles come from within their group, mocking their classmate's Rank. After Paulie, the students were promptly called after one another.
"Mark Cain, Green Rank! Lin Fa, Green Rank! Natalia Ivanova, Purple Rank!"
"Whoa! Another Purple just like Rich!" the class talked among themselves.
"Heh, naturally," scoffed the blonde girl as she walked back to the group.
"Hassan Mahmoud, Red Rank! Aloette Marseille, Green Rank!....Next! Violetta von Zangriss!"
Finally, it was Violetta's turn. Everyone's eyes were on the country's princess. They wondered how talented royalty really was. Despite all the unwanted attention, Violetta calmly walked up to the crystal full of confidence. She closed her eyes and focused on pouring energy into the ball.
The Clear Soul Amethyst quickly shifted colours in order to everyone's surprise and did not slow down until the Purple Rank.
"Another Purple?" Icarus gulped.
Violetta gritted her teeth as she made one final attempt to shove more soul force into the crystal. Jaws dropped as the Purple light condensed into the royal colour of gold. Everyone began to cheer, especially Icarus.
Sweat began pouring from Violetta's forehead. Small sparks of blue appeared from the crystal every now and then. Violetta had taken the test's spotlight. Everyone anxiously watched as she strived to turn the ball into sky blue. However, much to their dismay, Violetta abruptly took her hands off the ball, panting. It was over.
"Violetta von Zangriss... Gold Rank!"
The whole gym erupted so loud that even the people outside began to wonder what all the commotion was about.
Violetta walked back to her group. She ignored everyone's praise and looked towards Icarus.
"I did good, didn't I?" beamed Violetta.
"Yes, you did!" Icarus smiled. It was a wide smile that he hasn't done for a long time.
With that, the test continued.
"Richter Kaiser, Purple Rank!"
"Hoh, so he wasn't lying?" Icarus sighed. He never liked Richter. He wasn't necessarily a bully. But the kid was so far up his own ass that he doesn't think of anyone else.
Afterwards, a couple of names were called. Icarus clenched his fists tightly as the alphabet slowly made its way down to 'V'. Both of his friends had very powerful Essences and were Gold Rank when it came to soul force. What about him? He became racked with nerves as he thought of the possibility that he wasn't good enough to be with the two closest friends that he had, especially the one that he loved.
"Icarus Vermillion."
Time's up. It was his time to shine... or wither. Icarus knew he needed to have a high soul rank. He slowly made his way to the crystal ball. But then, he felt a gentle push along the way. It was Violetta throwing him a thumbs-up with that pure and so ever-vibrant face of hers.
Icarus gained back his confidence and stared down at the crystal-like some kind of domineering overlord. Yes, the Clear Stone Amethyst was nothing but a stepping stone for him. He put his hands down and closed his eyes in confidence.
Icarus felt the energy go out of him and he wanted more and more to be sucked out of his body. The contact between him and the amythest felt like a silent eternity. He tried to hear what others had to say about his current colour. Pure silence.
Finally, he felt that he had no soul force left to give the crystal. He let go of the crystal and took a moment to breathe. Still silence.
"It wasn't this silent when others did it even that Beige Rank, Paulie..." Icarus thought to himself. "Heh, no way. Sky Blue?"
He gulped and open his eyes with conviction to confront what colour the ball had bestowed upon him.
It was red.