"Cristina Rose!"
""GOOD LUCK"" The five brothers yelled.
The hyperactive young girl quickly scuttled away and placed herself on the platform. Without any further ado, the Director wished her the best and activated the formation.
Cristina was standing there with high expectations, eventually, the squared rune representing the Metal element grimly lit up, oozing a metallic aura.
"Cristina Rose, Blue Grade, Elemental Affinity - Metal!"
Head Instructor Zoe observed with twinkling eyes and nodded. The other instructors noticed and congratulated her.
"Congratulations, Zoe. You finally have a second student with the Metal element." Instructor Issa kindly congratulated her.
"Thank you, Issa."
Meanwhile at the platform, Cristina was beyond happy as she gained a special element. She was jumping in joy before the Director coughed, interrupting her and before beckoning her to join the group.
"Woohoo, I got the Metal element." Cristina proudly exclaimed.
"Congrats, Cristina." Bryan congratulated her.
'This guy...' Both Ray and Ash speculated.
"Damn, the metal element huh."
"Blue grade and the Metal element, you'll definitely be in the same league as the Director." Isaac praised her.
"Aw guys, thank you!"
"Don't tell me we're gonna be the last ones to be tested again?!" Ash groaned.
"Welp, it seems like it." Ray said.
"Three more and we're next." Asif lightly said.
On the black platform, Old man Reid and the other golden robed man was having a quiet conversation.
"What do you think about them, Zac?" Old man Reid asked.
"From my observation so far, they're just a bunch of mischievous kids." Zac replied.
"Hahaha, that's to be expected."
"Nevertheless, I can't believe it worked, Waylon."
"Yeah, it did."
"1 Purple grade, 2 Purple-Gold grade, 1 Blue-Purple grade and 1 Gold grade. That is beyond extraordinary." Zac commented in wonder.
"I wasn't expecting it either."
"Now, we truly have a chance. Any more longer and we'd have to face the disastrous consequence."
"There's still a year left, it's enough time to train them and show them the ropes. Considering our hopes are literally on them." Old man Reid smiled and looked at the five kids.
"I am curious to what elements they'll attract." Zac said.
"Likewise, Zac!"
"Look, it's about time." Both of them paid astute attention to the upcoming candidates.
At the testing platform,
"I believe everyone's curious right now about the five star candidates of today. That's why I saved the best for the last. Hohohoho!" The Director laughed jovially.
"This damn old man, really be making us anxious!" Ray cursed.
"Now now, I can feel everyone's impatient, so let's get on with it. Ash Frudae, please step up!"
"Oh fuck! Oh fuck! Oh fuck!" Nervous beyond belief, Ash started muttering.
"Bryan, do your thing!" Ray told Bryan.
*Smack*
Bryan smacked the bumbling buffoon's head, immediately clearing his head.
"Aw thanks, Bryan!" Ash thanked Bryan before walking towards the platform. Both Asif and Algo shook their heads.
"Good day, Director!" Ash greeted the Director.
"Good day to you too, young man. Incredible indeed, go ahead and stand on the center."
Ash went ahead and stood at the center as per the Director's instructions.
"Good luck, young man!"
"Thank you, Director." Ash thanked him and became slightly nervous. The Director activated the formation, and the usual lighting up took place.
'Woww! I feel like something is being tugged inside of me. Somewhere far deeper...' Ash thought as the platform lit up. Soon he saw the fire element light up, blazing with absolute dominance.
'I got the Fire element, same as Old man Reid and Melissa. Lit as fuck!' Ash thought happily but soon frowned. 'Why does it feel like there's more to give?'
Suddenly, the dormant snowflake rune lit up in it's dazzling state, exuding a noble air.
On the other hand, the Director was pleased and somewhat disappointed that Ash only managed to get the Fire element but then he witnessed another rune light up, creating a memorable scene for days to come.
'Dual Elements! Finally, our prayers have been answered.' The Director beyond happy with the results. 'Very interesting though, Fire and Ice huh.'
"FUCK YEAHHHH!"
"LET'S GOO BITCH!!"
"THAT'S OUR BROO!!"
Ray and Bryan beyond excited, yelled at the top of their voices.
"Will they stop surprising us?" Melissa groaned inside.
Jealous of us huh?" Asif smirked.
"Tch"
"If he got Fire and Ice, I wonder what you guys are gonna get." Cristina butted in.
The crowd of students were shocked and happy to witness the birth of a new legend. They cheered and applauded loudly, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
On the black platform, shock and amazement passed through the faces of some of the instructors.
"Waylon, I'm glad I'm able to live to witness this." Zac intensely said.
"We're witnessing the rise of a new era." Old man Reid confidently said.
"Now let's see what those bastards have to say to us now!"
"All in due time, Zac."
Back at the testing platform, Ash was still livid and astounded.
'I got two, two, two elements? TWO ELEMENTS?!?'
"Congratulations, young man! You are now a Dual Elemental Mage like me. Be proud of that."
"Thank you, Sir!" Ash said in his stupor. 'Fire and Ice...'
"Ash Frudae, Purple-Gold Grade, Elemental Affinity - Fire and Ice!"
The Director announced and the crowd cheered in frenzy. It was an unprecedented examination that'll most likely go down in the history books. They were all curious about the others since Ash was just one brother out of the five. Ash walked back to his friends and they congratulated him with hugs and smacks.
"I'm gonna be the best of both worlds!" Ash proclaimed.
"Sure, Ash, sure you will be..." Bryan mocked him. Ray couldn't hold it anymore and laughed out loud.
"Fuck off!" Ash spat out.
"Hahahahaha!"
"I wonder which one of us is gonna be called next."
'Please be me! Please be me!' Ray prayed silently in his heart.
"Settle down, everyone. Haha, it was a good idea to test them last." The Director laughed lightly.
"He always liked to make a big deal out of everything." Zac complained.
"Well, in this case, it's not a bad thing." Old man Reid smiled.
"Next to the platform, Asif Vizier!"
"Go on, Asif."
"Smash the shit out of that!" Ash hyper cheered.
"Relax, Ash." Algo tried to calm him down.
"Hm." Asif took a deep breath and nodded at them.
He slowly walked towards the testing platform and positioned himself at the center to be exact. He looked towards the Director awaiting further instructions.
'This kid seems to be disciplined and to the point.' The Director thought.
"So, you're the one who awakened the Gold grade."
"Yes, Sir." Asif replied.
"Very fascinating indeed." The Director contemplated. Asif shifted his eyebrow at this.
"Do you know what a Gold grade signifies?" The Director asked.
"I know it's the highest grade that can be attainable and it would automatically mark me a genius." Asif carefully responded.
"Not bad. You have a good temperament, so I don't think they'll mind if I tell you. With your Gold grade, it is destined for you to be one of the top powerhouses of our galaxy or maybe..."
"Of our galaxy?" Asif questioned rather skeptically.
"Oh, don't mind me and my loose tongue. Let's get on with the test. Good luck, young man." The Director skillfully skipped answering him and activated the formation.
It worked out as Asif was now concentrating on the platform, curious to which element he would be destined with. The platform lit up and now everyone is eager to know which element the Gold grade candidate would get.
Slowly, the rune shaped like the sun began to beam radiantly, rays of light spewing out from within. After waiting for a few seconds, no other rune lit up.
'So, I got the Light element. Very good, if I do say so myself.' Asif thought merrily.
The Director, on the other hand was flabbergasted for a brief moment before he regained his bearing. 'How interesting...'
"Asif Vizier, Gold Grade, Elemental Affinity - Light."
"Woopity woop, he got light huh." Ash said.
"Asif and Light? What a beautiful combo..." Bryan sarcastically said.
"I'm right here, you know?" a voice sounded beside his ear.
"WHAT THE..." Bryan spooked a bit, turned around and saw Asif.
"Fast as always." Algo said.
"Congrats on being the 'Guardian of Light', bitch!" Ray mockingly praised him.
"You know, one day in the future, we'll have to probably fight and I will remember this when I pummel your face with my fists." Asif intimidatingly said.
"Chill your ass man..." Ray said, trying not to be scared.
"I'll watch the fight with my popcorn." Algo added. They both looked at Algo with deadpan faces.
"Two done, three more to go. Bryan Pine!"
"No pressure, Bryan." Ash relaxedly said.
"Fuck you!" Bryan flipped him off and walked to the testing platform. Soon, he stood at the center and waited for the formation to activate.
"Bryan Pine, Purple-Gold grade, same as Ash Frudae." The Director commented.
'Tsk! Of all the people, he and I had to get the same grade.' Bryan annoyingly thought.
"Yes, Sir." Quickly composing himself, Bryan replied.
"Good luck!"
The Director activated the formation and soon Bryan felt the same tugging everyone experienced. Soon, the desolate black circle started to glow mysteriously. It gave off a dark eerie miasma combined with terror and absolute darkness.
'What are the chances...' The Director thought in surprise. 'It seems like he'll finally be at peace.'
On the black platform, everyone amazingly looked at Instructor Shaw and saw him imperceptibly smile for a second before it disappeared.
"It seems we'll all be busy this year round."
"It's good that we will be, it proves how fast we, the Earthlings are growing."
"You're right, the deadline is soon coming up." The instructors discussed amidst themselves.
"Congratulations, Shaw." Instructor Issa congratulated him where he responded with a grunt. The crowd seemed to still go crazy despite the repeated shock inducing one in a lifetime examination being taken right now.
"Bryan Pine, Purple-Gold Grade, Elemental Affinity - Darkness!"
"WOW!" Ray looked at him with shining eyes.
"We have Light and Darkness." Ash thought weirdly.
"Asif, it seems we are destined to fight as always." Bryan joined back and commented.
"It seems we are. I like it." Asif smiled.
"Ugh..." Bryan groaned for his future self.
"Congratulations!" A crisp voice sounded out. Bryan turned back and saw it was Melissa who wished him.
"Haha, thank you!" Bryan cheerfully thanked her.
"Hehe, someone's blushing..." Ash whispered to Ray.
"I know right...what a cutie even though he denies it." Ray whispered back.
"Right right?!" Ash was excited.
From the corner of his eyes, Bryan saw Ray and Ash whisper amongst themselves and knew they were up to no good. 'Ahh fuck it, only for this time.'
"Next up, Algo Killian!" The Director called for the next candidate.
"Aw man, I'm last again." Ray said.
"I'll be fast, Ray." Algo comforted.
"No worries, Algo. Best of luck!" Ray cheered for him. Algo went up after being cheered by his friends and stood at the center of the platform.
Algo looked at the Director and asked, "Sir, is it possible to create food once I start cultivating?"
The Director was slightly stunned before he laughed out lightly, "Haha! Maybe, maybe not. You'll know when you reach a certain level."
Algo nodded happily, "Thank you, Sir. I'm ready now."
'It seems like we got a cheerful glutton.' The Director activated the formation lighting up the platform.
Immediately, Algo saw the wind rune light up, giving off a refreshing vibe. After a few seconds, he saw another rune light up oozing a mystical aura, being the water rune.
"Wonderful, wonderful! Congratulations on being a du-" The Director was going to continue until he saw something beyond describable.
On the platform, beside the wind and water runes being lit up, another rune shaped like a mountain glowed mysteriously before lighting up giving off a natural vibe. Naturally, the earth rune also lit up.
The crowd roared in frenzy and the academy members were all dumbfounded. The Instructors were shocked speechless since they never expected for this kind of outcome.
"Three elements..." Zac muttered in shock.
"A mage capable of commanding three elements is unheard of..."Old man Reid said, his heart was roaring with madness.
'I-Impossible. Just how rewarding was it...' The Director thought. 'Three elements and a Purple Grade. This is far beyond anything what we expected...'