Stairs leading into the heart of the mountain, it was this place that Lanthim was being brought to for testing. The purpose he did not know, however, since his mother did not object to his going. He followed the maid who was leading him now. The only light he could see was from torches lighting the way.
"How much further till we get to our location?" [Lanthim]
Asked Lanthim his little body struggling, down this ungodly, unending flight of steps into the depths of the mountain.
"Not much further young master we are just about to arrive."
The maids answer was kind but she kept her pace was not stopping even for a moment.
"Where is it we are going? That we would have to travel so far just to get there?"
His feet hurt like mad his legs, even more, truth be told he had it harder, then she because of his current shortness could not make the steps easily. Strange this maid didn't just carry him it might take less time. It seems from the beginning that she had been instructed not to assist him in any way.
"There is a pool in the heart of the mountain it is there that your testing will take place."
Still keeping her pace ahead of him, she answered. As they both continued on the end of the stairs came in sight. A flat that on either side was a sheer drop into the dark depths of the mountain itself. A door on the other side of this flat surface could be seen. There stood two maids, dressed differently then the one he had been following.
"I am here to present master Lanthim Fornost for testing."
The maid that had brought him announced his purpose. Even though he did not know, what it meant in the slightest. The other, two looked at each other slightly confused than one of them spoke.
"Does he have permission to enter from the mistress?"
Neither looks that impressed with the idea of letting him through.
"I have the orders for his testing right here."
Said the maid that brought him. This was starting to turn into an uncomfortable situation for him, being as small as he was and the ledge. Not to far from where he was standing, he would have prefered to be on the other side of the door then here. Time passed by and all the issues for entry were dealt with, aside from the glances he was given when he entered everything went well.
As they moved forward, he could sense something he had not in many months. Excitement filled him with the joy of feeling Natural mana again. However, before he could enter the room where it was the most abundant he was stopped.
"Young master you can not enter that room before you have changed into the proper attire."
It was not a maid that stopped him, this time, a woman dressed more like a witch. With long robes she wore the crest of her clan on her left shoulder. Common for one who was not married. Being submissive was likely the best policy here, a person could never tell what a witch would do when provoked needlessly.
"I thank you where may I change?" [Lanthim]
asking politely, he gave a bow and waited for instructions.
"This way follow me."
So like before he was lead away to a room with the proper clothing so he could change. It did not take as long as he had expected some sandals and a single piece robe was all he needed. Closing the door behind him, the witch from before had waited for him to come out.
"You are prepared I see, that is good now we can proceed."
Her observation was quickly made, as they both made their way back stopping at the door.
"Whatever happens do not forget yourself, when you are in the pool natural mana is in a dense state. What you are about to experience is not something many ever had the chance to survive."
This warning fell on Lanthim's small shoulders, there was a possibility of death doing this.
"I understand I will make sure to be vigilant." [Lanthim]
Opening the door before them, they both entered a large cave within this cave sat a pool of water. There were also, at least, six other witches present all of which were equally spaced around the pool.
"You may enter the pool, if anything happens we will be here to assist you."
The one who spoke did not matter to lanthim, in that moment all that mattered was the mana. It felt so relaxing to him so cleansing. Slowly he lowered himself into the pond, it was not all that deep only up to his knees. As he moved further into the center he could feel the density increasing.
He could feel it entering his body moving though out, purifying almost instantly. Then immediately being drawn into the seals, however, the amount of natural mana. Was so great, that even with this small amount of purified mana. he might be able to do something about the smaller seals on his wrists.
The natural mana in the cave began to react to his purpose slowly. he would prob at the seals using the natural mana, to try and find what it was that could break them. for thirty minutes he stood in the pond probing, fiddling then he found what he wanted. While the smaller seals, acted like the large one on his back. Taking all purified mana and sealing it away. They also acted in reverse allowing him to use a set amount of mana.
Since this was the case if he managed to overwhelm these two smaller seals. With a massive amount of purified mana, they would likely disperse due to overload. Standing as still as possible, with both arms stretched out in front he started his gamble.
Without warning the entirety of natural mana in the cave, began to circulate around lanthim. He could feel it entering him like and endless stream that would not stop. Over time, the amount being purified was such that it looked as if his very being was glowing. Still he could not brake the seals he needed more, much more. As time went by and his strength began to weaken, he could feel the seals buckling under the stress. He himself was no better off, the experience was taking a massive toll on his body.
"Young master you must stop this madness you will kill yourself if you don't stop."
He knew not who spoke only that their concern was genuine, but his course was set and he would prevail. So with one final massive pull, he drew every single speck of natural mana into himself. Like a massive cocoon it encased him. All the witches that were present looked at this with fear never before had this happened.
None knew what it meant or if the young master was okay. Four hours they waited there standing waiting for some sign. The looks they bore were of fear, for if he had died then by some other hand so would they. Suddenly a sound like a great crack was heard, from the cocoon as it fell apart exposing little Lanthim within. He opened his eye like he had just woke from a dream, and looked at his wrist the seals where gone, well and truly gone.