Richard arrived in a grand stadium filled with tons of peoples. It probably is the biggest number of people he had ever seen. A lot of people were seated round a large podium, chattering and exchanging greetings and thrills, many with shining and sparkling eyes which really speaks of the intensity of their sheer anticipation and immense joy. He walked around to find a place to sit as he doesn't enjoy being crowded and always prefer to stay in the background, a place of little attention.
' Thud ' Richard bumped into a hooded figure dressed in black.
"Uhmm, I'm really sorry. I wasn't watching the way" He said as he slightly bow to express his sincerity before excusing himself to find a suitable seat.
"Is everything okay?" The other hooded figure, named Regan, asked her companion noticing a slight frown on his face.
" Something smells odd about that boy," he answered with a contemplative expression on his face,
"oh?" she half-raised her brows reconsidering the departing silhouette of Richard.
" but - " he paused for a moment, "I can't say, for certain, what it is."
"is that so?" she asked with a giggle. She was fully aware of the status of her partner, and for him to regard Richard, there must be something interesting about him.
"Stay focused, Regan, you can't be distracted."
" Okay, okay, Randolph"
Unbeknownst to him that he had undergone some kind of evaluation, Richard found a place to sit and continue to observe his surrounding and from the discussion of the people who sat close to him he was able to know that this is the Realmsgate but just a place prepared for the admission process and that the true Realmsgate will only be opened to admitted student and also the fog outside was just a passageway.
Hours later the large stadium was filled to the brim and the event will probably start soon.
"Hey, hey, where are you from?" a boy with a large amber-brown eyes and hazel brows asked Richard.
"Fegnar" he responded.
"Oh you have it quite easy, you know, I had to journey from Radenwolf to Fegnar here, it was long and stressful."
"Radenwolf?"
" Oh it is also part of the empire but really far away from Fegnar. Probably a three months journey."
' Oh some crazy enthusiast '
"By the way, I'm Jackman" He said extending his hand for a handshake.
Richard look at Jackman's hand then his face, and look away, ignoring him while yawning.
"Uhmm, are you here to participate in the exercise?"Embarrassed, Jackman asked while withdrawing his hand
"Nope, I'm only here to watch." Richard replied indifferently
"WHAT! are you -"
And then there was a thundering sound from the stage causing everyone to startle and look at the stage.
"Oh, it's finally happening!!" someone screamed in a high pitched voice.
A portal opened and out of it came a long procession silver robed figures, followed by black robed figures, then three people clothed in greyish green robes.
"Oh look those are the silver guards of Realmsgate, oh handsome and dashing."
"Yeees, and there's also the black warriors, oh I have read a lot about them, they are people who could move mountains and Slayer of a thousand demons, oh they are just so cool."
"Hoohoo, tell me this isn't a dream, cause I would never wake up if it happens to be one"
"And those three, ARCHMAGI"
"Welcome everyone."
One of the archmages said as she moved to the center of the stage. And the whole hall quieted down to listen to what she has to say without missing a bit of the announcement.
"We have all gathered here today to honor the art which has been handed down to us through countless generations and ensure that it is deeply rooted in our systems, in our cultures and in our world" she said while exuding a fearsome aura of magnificence and brilliance, having total control and her voice, which was calm and steady, drifted into every ear and mind imprinting her words and also evoking passion within them. "And every one of us here all know that man is not the only living being in this world and we were vulnerable in time past, but with our newfound strength we stand a chance against all foes, and a greater chance in building a world of great wonders and of boundless possibilities. Together."
The hall cheered and applauded, as they felt their blood boiling and motivated by her mesmerizing speech.
"And to commence today's event"
the hall quieted down once more as this is truly the reason they were here
"I assure you that everything has been set in place to ensure a smooth and credible exercise. The exercise will consist of three major parts each testing your potential in power, talent and compatibility, and insight into
basic magical laws and concepts. And candidates are those in the age bracket of 16 to 20. Good luck."
"Let the exercise begin" she concluded as the stage start to divide into three sections.
...
Suddenly the wrist band wrapped around the wrist of all who are within the age bracket started emitting a blue glow and they were all teleported to the stage.
"What just 16 to 20, b - but I'm just Fifteen and Realmsgate only admits once a decade ahhh!"
"Wait but I'll be 16 next month, why am I not selected arrgh"
...
"The sections are where you will be tested on power, talent and compatibility, and insight level respectively."
"In the first section you will be tested in both physical strength and will power"
"In the second, you will be tested based on your mana capacity and compatibility"
"In the third section, your general knowledge and insight pertaining magical concept will be tested."
"There are seven light indicator which shows your the level of your potential at each section and determine your final evaluation."
"Begin"
...
"It's starting finally, I wonder how many will meet the criteria"
"Oh that is a tough question, as we all know it never gets easier."
A boy stepped out and proceeded to the first section and as he entered the room, his details was projected for all to see.
Name : Alex Richmond
Age : 18
Origin : Lemnom
"Oh look, look, someone is already up"
And afterwards, he saw a big battle drum atop a staircase of fourteen steps within the room and he could feel a terrible and frightening aura emitting from it, threatening to shred apart his body and soul and drown his consciousness in an endless sea of Carnage and trap his soul in the thick darkness of an abyss. As he fought against this bloodthirsty aura, he took his first step and could feel the intensity doubled. He fought and proceeded onward and after taking five steps he couldn't endure anymore and fell back as the pressure repelled him crashing on the floor.
Leaving the room, he looked at the indicator and three lights were shown.
"Oh he's out already and three light on the first trial, that's not a bad start I suppose"
"Yeah definitely not bad we all know that the first trial is always hard"
Then left for the other room, and in this room there was a very thick fog and as he stepped inside he could feel the soothing and refreshing feeling they give to his body and he could feel his body absorbing it at an increasing rate and all of the wounds he had from the other room were being healed. He kept on absorbing as much as he can untill he couldn't any longer and left the room. This time around he had four lights.
"Whoa four lights, great"
"You can do it Richmond, that's my boyfriend."
After a while, he left for the third room and in here he saw a painting in which there was a pink lotus floating atop a river while slowly spinning. As he watched intently, lost in a trance, he was basked in a white light. Sooner the light started turning red, then orange, then yellow, and then slightly green and stopped.
"Four color change, that's four"
Then it was projected :
Name : Alex Richmond
Age : 18
Origin: Lemnom
Status: Admitted
Evaluation:Lower C - class
" Whoa , C class, that's awesome"
"He's got a future ahead of him"
After the first trial a lot of people also took the tests with many Lower C ranks, and some Upper D and Lower D ranks, there wera also some of Upper E ranks and though they were admitted yet they were still ashamed of their results.
" Oh look that is an Upper C class"
" What a lucky lass"
...
" Humm, Agnes I don't think there is much surprise this year. It is just the usual average set nothing more,
If not even lesser" a man dressed in a greyish green robe - one of the archmages said to a lady beside him who happens to be the one who gave the speech earlier on.
" Well the event is still ongoing and I do have the feeling that there are going to be some surprise and I believe it is starting soon" She said with a subtle smile.