Master Zoltar emerged from one of the doors with a commanding presence, causing the assemblage to fall into a hushed silence without uttering a single word. His piercing gaze scanned the room, eliciting palpable anxiety among some of the familiar faces in the crowd, including Sophia, Lance, Frost, and Samantha. The latter appeared composed, seated between an opulently dressed couple of dark-haired individuals with brown skin, elegantly attired in cream-colored attire.
"Aspirants of the year," Master Zoltar addressed the crowd, "I extend my gratitude for your attendance and tireless efforts during the Trial. The Memora extends its appreciation to the families who have supported and waited for the outcome." He paused, surveying the bleachers. "Nine mages are present and authorized to select up to six applicants each, who will serve as their apprentices for the duration of their five-year tenure at the Memora. This decision should not be taken lightly, as there will be more applicants than available positions. If unselected, it is an indication of your unsuitability for this type of training, for a variety of reasons. Before departing, a mage will explain the obligations of confidentiality and provide protection for yourself and your family."
Fin barely listened to Zoltar's discourse, eager for the proceedings to conclude. The other students fidgeted restlessly, while Frost drummed his fingers on his knees. Fin's father fixed Zoltar with an uncommon expression, as if considering running him over with their modified Duesenberg, despite the risk of damaging the transmission.
"Has anyone any inquiries?" Zoltar inquired, his voice echoing in the hushed room. The room remained mute, as his father whispered to Fin, his grip on the young man's shoulder tightening. "It's alright," his father muttered, though Fin had given no indication of unease.
Zoltar, the senior mage present after Master Raven, who had declined to take any apprentices, proclaimed, "Very well! The selection process shall commence!" and stepped back to stand before the board displaying the scores. "Aspirants, when your names are called, please rise and join your new Master." With a sweeping gaze, he continued, "Lance Sterling."
A scatter of applause resounded, except from Samantha's family, who appeared incensed. Her father leaned forward to whisper in her ear, causing her to flinch, perhaps revealing her humanity. Lance rose to his feet, eliciting applause from the audience, yet he had no family present to embrace or congratulate him, indicating he had arrived alone. He jogged down the stairs and stood beside Master Zoltar, a smile on his face.
Rufus cleared his throat, "Samantha Azhara." Samantha stood, her dark hair billowing, as her parents clapped politely. She walked steadily to stand beside Lance, who gave her a congratulatory smile.
Fin ruminated on the apparent annoyance it must have caused the other mages that Master Zoltar had selected first and immediately chosen from the top of the list. Fin himself was irked by this.
Master Zoltar's piercing gaze meticulously scrutinized the chamber once more as the palpable silence enveloped the audience in anticipation. Finnick felt his heart rate quicken as he saw Frost already rise from his seat. Then, with a stern voice, Master Zoltar proclaimed, "My final apprentice shall be Finnick Black."
This declaration elicited gasps of surprise and confusion among the contestants and a murmur of bewilderment from the onlookers as they searched the whiteboards for Finnick's name, only to find it listed last, with a deficit score.
Finnick and Zoltar locked eyes, each one expressionless. Beside him, Lance offered a supportive smile while Samantha stared at him in disbelief. "Finnick Black, please step forward," repeated Zoltar.
Finnick attempted to stand, but his father pushed him back into his seat. "No way," Landon Black stood up, furious. "This has gone too far, Zoltar. He's not yours."
Zoltar gazed at them with a sense of detachment, as if they were the only ones present. "Landon, you know the rules. Don't create a scene over the inevitable. The boy needs to be trained."
Dark-clad mages began to ascend the bleachers on either side of Finnick, his father holding him back. The mages, with their ominous appearance, seemed ready for combat. When they reached Finnick's row, they stopped, awaiting his father's next move.
Fin's dad had abandoned magic years ago, making it highly unlikely he could fend off these practiced mages. "I'll go," Finnick told him, trying to calm the situation. "I'm bound to get expelled. They won't want me for long, and then I'll come back home and everything will be the same."
"You don't understand," Fin's father replied, his eyes wild with fear, as he yanked Finnick to his feet. The entire room was now fixated on them. "We have to run."
"I can't," Finnick reminded him, but his father was beyond reasoning.
As Fin and his father hastily descended the bleachers, dodging past the multitude of individuals who made way for their hasty progress, the mages on the stairs rushed towards them. Despite the pain throbbing in his leg, Fin focused on maintaining his balance. Suddenly, Master Zoltar blocked their path, declaring with finality, "The boy stays here."
Fin's father came to a sudden stop, embracing Fin from behind in an uncharacteristic wrestling grip. Gazing steadfastly at Master Zoltar, he challenged, "Haven't you killed enough of my family?"
Master Zoltar's voice dropped to a low tone, meant only for the ears of Lance and Samantha, as he retorted, "You haven't taught him anything. An untrained mage wandering around is like a fault in the earth waiting to crack open, and if he does crack, he will kill a lot of other people as well as himself. So don't talk to me about death."
Fin's father stood resolute, "I'll teach him myself. I'll take him and I'll teach him. I'll get him ready for the First Gate."
"You've had twelve years to teach him and you haven't used them. I'm sorry, Landon. This is how it has to be," Master Zoltar replied regretfully.
Shaking Fin, his father argued, "Look at his score — he shouldn't qualify. He doesn't want to qualify! Right, Fin? Right?" The boy was rendered speechless by the situation.
"Let him go, Landon," Master Zoltar implored, his deep voice tinged with sorrow.
"No," Fin's father declared firmly. "He's my child. I have rights. I decide his future."
"No," Master Zoltar replied with equal determination. "You don't."