"Please hold the portable orb test when you're ready. It will read your energy and a light will shine if you have the potential for an ability." The teacher patiently instructed.
"It is common that there will be no light so don't be too disappointed. We all have our own special skills that can make society better!" The teacher optimistically said to reassure the class and lift spirits up.
Most students knew their fate beforehand, as bloodlines and families already with powers already received abilities consistently.
In the midst of the depressed sighs from the students in the class, there was one or two excited cheers. There were children here that are from the families of the high and mighty after all. The mixed air of excitement and disappointment was interrupted by the teacher directing everyone to move on to the next subject.
Bertram, Mykel, and Nadine gathered together during the brief intermission between moving to the next subject. Bertram and Mykel discreetly revealed their portable orbs to Nadine. Neither orb had even a faint sign of a light shining.
"Sigh no luck, well it was to be expected…" Mykel unhappily voiced.
"More importantly, did you get confirmation of being Vowed?!" Bertram enthusiastic interrupted
"I did, and I'll have to inform my brother first for next steps when I get home. I rather not fling this attention grabber around and have people approach me in hopes of gaining anything by association." Nadine replied as she scanned her surroundings for anyone who might be listening in.
"Makes sense, no need anyways. It doesn't matter if you're high status or even less fortunate than us. You're our friend all the same." Mykel commented.
Nadine was quite touched by this comment, although it didn't need to be spoken. She was confident that the two boys were friends she could trust.
"That's right! You'll forever remain the stoic tomboy that could probably defeat all academy students in a fight like the wild beast you are!" Bertram added jokingly.
"Combat class is next you know." Nadine responded in an irritated but playful manner. "You'll pay dearly for that comment Bertram…" she continued with a mischievous smirk at the end.
"I'm kidding, please have mercy!" Bertram pleaded while bowing with prayer hands.
As Bertram leaned in for the bow towards Nadine, he noticed the portable orb test slightly sticking out of her pocket. It was peculiar because it shined with a dim white light, a sign of being Gifted.
Bertram thought to himself that he must have seen it wrong. Her brother is definitely Vowed and uses his abilities for a living. He quickly erased the confusion from his mind and reasoned that it must have been his eyes fooling him.
After the three young teens entered combat class to join the other students, the teacher for this subject started with safety instructions and what skills everyone would be practicing today.
The lesson for the day would be focused on strikes from the waist up with wooden swords. Both sides were allowed to use all the defense and counters they knew along with waist up strikes, such as upper or body ones. It would be a light sparring with rotations involving everyone, so that all students could face different types of opponents.
The combat teacher made one last stern remark stating, "If anyone goes overboard or seriously injures someone, you will be severely punished." It was extra terrifying coming from an extremely fit man with a bodybuilder physique. Students would surely listen, since we could not fathom facing him or want to imagine the types of punishments we would have to go through.
The necessary safety gear was handed to all students as well as the wooden training swords. Everyone partnered up and prepared their fight stances.
Bertram and Mykel started off as a sparring pair. These two have sparred with each other countless times so they were quite familiar and comfortable with each other.
Both mentally prepared and got their stances ready for the clash to come.
"Begin!" the combat teacher exclaimed.