"Candidates, please form a line facing towards the stage. The non-candidates step to one side. Instructor Carter, could you take out the crystal ball." The white robed woman instructed.
"Yes, Instructor Issa."
Teacher Carter proceeded to bring out a crystal ball, the size of a football, and gently placed it on the pedestal. Upon contact, ancient runes on the pedestal began to light up signifying that the crystal ball is ready to being testing.
The candidates promptly organized themselves to form a long line while the family members and acquaintances have shifted to one side of the ground. The number of candidates this year has seen a lot of increase in numbers compared to last year. As the elemental energy ushers earth into a new age, the number of candidates also increase in respect to the increase in elemental energy.
Instructor Issa looked at the excited candidates and nodded with satisfaction, "Since everyone is ready, pay attention to the rules that I'll be clarifying. Only one candidate at a time must come to the stage to be tested. When you come onto the stage, place your hand on the crystal sphere. You'll feel a stream of energy flow into your body, do not fight against it. This will help us determine your talents."
"First, we'll be testing your Elemental Aptitude. If a shade of color appears in the crystal sphere, that means you have some kind of talent and you can stand on the empty area on the right side of the stage. If no color appears, then I'm sorry but you unfortunately cannot be an Elemental Mage. Someone from our academy will escort you out of the academy grounds."
The tension in the atmosphere increased considerably after Instructor Issa finished. They all came here with high hopes of being an Elemental Mage regardless of the fact they knew how difficult it was to become one.
"Now that the rules have been relayed, It is time to start the Elemental Aptitude examination. First person in the line, come!"
The first person in line was a young man who looked to be very anxious. He walked to the stage with unsteady steps and stood before the crystal sphere. Instructor Issa beckoned him to place his hand on the crystal sphere. Everyone on the ground looked on with curious and tense eyes.
Taking a deep breath, he placed his right hand on the crystal sphere. After a few seconds, nothing unusual occurred in the sphere, it was still blank and empty.
Instructor Issa observed and just sighed as this would be a common occurrence amongst the many. The young man trembled with defeat and was escorted out of the academy with his family. Looking at this, the candidates in line were even more stiff and nervous.
"Next!" Instructor Issa called out.
One by one, the candidates went to the stage to get tested. After about 300 candidates failed to display any aptitude grade, the candidates who were yet to be tested, had their hopes slowly diminish.
"Are you fucking kidding me? Almost 300 candidates have been tested and none of them have the talent to cultivate?!" Ash was appalled.
"Man oh man, it's not looking good for us." Bryan said.
"True, we're just nobodies. I'm pretty sure there's a lot of distinguished and powerful families present here." Algo just speculated.
"And we're at the last in this long ass line." Ray grumbled.
"Let's just wait and see." Asif spoke. The others nodded at him.
There were around 5000 candidates in total, so the testing was taking place rapidly. Even after 1500 of them have been tested, no one showed a sign of having an aptitude grade. Right now, the 1549th candidate was standing in trepidation before the crystal sphere. He slowly placed his hand on the crystal sphere. After a moment, the crystal sphere buzzed and a light hue of Orange spread across the crystal sphere.
"H-HE DID IT!" Someone from the line yelled.
"He has the Orange grade?!"
"Damn, so lucky!!"
The crowd bustled with excitement and jealousy that someone finally awakened their talent. Instructor Issa sighed in relief after seeing the young man awaken his talent. The young man on the other hand was still in shock.
"Finally someone managed to awaken. Your name, young man." Instructor Issa broke the young man from his stupor.
"My name is I-Isaac Colina, Ma'am." The young man responded in excitement.
Instructor Issa nodded with satisfaction and said with her voice spreading across the ground, "Candidate 1549, Isaac Colina. Elemental Aptitude - Orange Grade."
The young man excitedly walked to the other empty section of the ground meant for those who have awakened. The tension seemed to ease a bit and slowly some of the candidates were once again excited.
"Orange, that's not bad." Bryan said.
One of the candidate standing in front of the five boys heard Bryan and was dumbfounded. She couldn't help but interject him, "Are you serious?!"
"Huh?" Bryan was confused.
The girl rapidly said, "You think Orange Grade is not bad? Let me tell you something, the strongest Elemental Mage in our world is a Blue Grade Elemental Mage. There has been no one, I mean no one, who has awakened a Purple Grade or the legendary Gold Grade."
"Ohhhhh..." Bryan and the others stared at the girl in realization.
"Now do you understand why Orange Grade is still something to look forward to?" The young girl confusedly asked.
"Hehe, Sorry we're new to this magic stuff." Algo said sheepishly.
The young girl shook her head and turned her attention towards the stage, so did the five.
"Candidate 2103, Sabina Soja. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."
"Candidate 2627, Zachary Fry. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."
"Candidate 2969, Monica Rose. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."
-After an hour of testing-
About 4500 candidates have finished their testing, and about 31 have successfully awakened. 23 of them have acquired the Green Grade and the other 8 have acquired the Orange Grade. The instructors conducting the examination were happy with the results so far as the number and quality of awakeners has surpassed the previous year.
*GASP*
Shocked gasps could be heard as they heard Instructor Issa reveal the next awakened candidate.
"Candidate 4865, Melissa Chaney. Elemental Aptitude - Red Grade."
"S-She actually acquired the Red Grade, she's definitely going to rise to the top of the ranks." Someone sighed amongst the awakeners.
"Geeez, I guess that's amazing." Ray said in amazement.
"She's pretty calm though." Asif said while scrutinizing Melissa.
"I think she's a member of one of those distinguished families, I don't know." Alger said.
"Congratulations, Melissa. Please join the other awakeners." Instructor Issa congratulated her. Melissa nodded calmly and joined the other awakeners. With the addition of Melissa, the count of awakeners have increased to 32.
Quickly soon after, the testing continued for the remaining candidates. One more candidate has awakened the Red Grade and joined the group of awakeners increasing the count to 33. Shortly, there were only 6 candidates remaining. It was the young girl, who lectured the five boys, turn to be tested.
She walked to the stage hurriedly and immediately placed her hand on the crystal sphere perplexing Instructor Issa. Immediately, a strong color of blue radiated across the crystal sphere.
The crowd was stunned silly.
Instructor Issa, extremely shocked that someone managed to acquire the Blue Grade talent. She beamed with happiness for the young girl. The young girl, on the other hand, screamed with happiness but quickly blushed with embarrassment.
"Candidate 4995, Cristina Rosa. Elemental Aptitude - Blue Grade."
"Well done, young girl. You're the 4th person to have acquired the Blue Grade talent in the whole world. We have high hopes for you. Work hard to be one of Earth's pillar." Instructor Issa congratulated Cristina.
Cristina joyfully replied with a firm gaze, "Thank you very much, Instructor. I'll do my best!"
"Good, now join the rest."
"What the actual fuck." Ash was amazed.
"Who would've thought that she would get the Blue Grade talent." Bryan said, happy for her.
"Man, we're the last five and everyone is gonna be focusing on us!" Ray commented feeling everyone's gaze on them.
Cristina joined the group of awakeners increasing the count to 34 awakened candidates. The group immediately bustled with discussions.
Now there were only five candidates remaining in the line and they were Algo, Ash, Asif, Bryan and, lastly Ray. They were trying to spot Old man Reid and soon found him walking towards the stage.
"Hmm..." Asif pondered.
The two Instructors also saw Old man Reid walking towards the stage. Without any delay, they hurried over and welcomed him.
""Good afternoon, Vice Director."" The Instructors greeted him. Old man Reid or Waylon Reid, is not just a mere manager of the Rainbow Manager, his other identity is the Vice Director of the Human Federation Academy.
"Good afternoon, Instructors." Old man Reid smiled. "Don't mind me, I will accompany you both to the stage. Treat me as if I wasn't there."
"Sure, Vice Director." Instructor Issa nodded with respect. 'I wonder what's his relationship with the remaining five candidates.'
The three went to the stage and awaited for the last five candidates to begin their testing. The group of awakened candidates were also surprised to see someone, treated with immense respect by the two Instructors, enter the stage.
"I wonder what's the identity of that man..." One of the awakened candidates was curious.
"I think I heard Vice Director being uttered by one of the Instructors."
"Wait a minute, do you think he's the Vice Director of the HFA?"
"Then..."
"Isn't he one of the..."
The awakeners were interrupted by Instructor Issa. "We will continue the examination. The next candidate, please step forward."
"It's your turn, Algo." Bryan mentioned.
"Holy moly, it's my turn, I'm actually feeling kinda nervous." Algo rubbed his head with fluster.
"You got this, Algo." Bryan smiled at him with a thumbs up.
""Good luck, Algooo"" Ray and the others wished him.
"Thanks guys." Algo smiled confidently. The others saw Algo walk to the stage and not long before, he stood before the crystal sphere.
"Place your hand on the crystal ball, young man." Instructor Issa spoke.
Algo turned his gaze away from the Instructor and looked at Old man Reid. Old man Reid saw his gaze and gave him an encouraging smile, "Go on, lad."
Algo took a deep breath, lifted his hand and placed it on the crystal ball. The other four looked on with focused eyes. Instantly, a dark shade of purple rippled across the crystal ball. Unlike the previous testing, the crystal ball rippled with vibrations and a stream of purple haze spread across the stage.
Everyone who witnessed the phenomenon was dumbfounded including Algo. The crystal ball was currently filled with a deep purple color.
"T-This..."
"Hey, can you slap me??"
"That's the P-Purple Grade?!"
""Just...what the fuck!""
The entire awakened candidates were astonished and went into an uproar. The Instructors were stunned with what they were witnessing. Old man Reid looked at Algo with astonishment and relief and repeatedly nodded his head while stroking his beard.
'If Algo acquired a Purple Grade, then I wonder what the other four are gonna get.' Old man Reid thought with immense expectations.
"FUCK YEAAHH, ALGOO!!" Ray screamed with joy.
"WOOOOOOHH" Bryan jumped and excitedly joined him. All four of them cheered for Algo and were extremely happy.
"The foodie of our group got a Purple Grade, huh." Asif shook his head with delight.
"Candidate 4996, Algo Killian. Elemental Aptitude - P-Purple Grade."
"I have no words to say to you apart from well needed Congratulations, young man. Join the group and wait for your friends to finish their test." Instructor Issa shocked and hopeful that a Purple Grade candidate has finally awakened. 'It seems Earth might finally have a chance.'
"Thank you, Instructor." Algo thanked the Instructor and joined the group of awakeners. He was full of smiles when he joined them, they asked him a hurdle of questions but he was too busy eating his winning snack.
"Congrats dude. I thought I was a special talent with my Blue Grade but you just topped the cake." Cristina approached and congratulated Algo. She never expected one of the ragtag bunch to have awakened one of the rarest grade.
From the past 10 years, only 4 Blue grade talents have been awakened if you include Cristina Rose. So, it is arguably observed that the Blue grade is considered to be the peak of humanity but not until today.
"Thanks, Cristina. I never expected it either. I assumed I was getting a Green or an Orange Grade but as the eldest of the bunch, I have to set an example for my cute younger brothers although I also love food very much..." Algo babbled for a bit, confusing Cristina but she just smiled weakly.
Composing herself, Instructor Issa called out for the next candidate to be tested.
"Next!"