Chapter 8 - Destiny day

Destiny Day in Havag was a highly anticipated annual event, eagerly awaited by all its citizens. It held great importance as it determined the structure of their society, and was the day when the young adults who had just turned 18 were assigned their life-long occupations.

Only those who had reached this age were permitted to participate in this auspicious event.

The reason for setting the age of 18 as the cut-off was due to the belief that by this time, the young adults would have attained a high level of energy and maturity, having gone through a period of awakening since the age of 5.

The Destiny Day test comprised several parts, with those exhibiting an affinity for magic undergoing different tests to determine their strongest magical abilities. This was crucial as the allocation of jobs within the society was based on an individual's strengths, skills and abilities.

Xylon yearned for a job that could break him free from the confines of his small town. The notion of being stuck in a closed space was repulsive to him, and he longed to venture beyond his limited boundaries.

He was desperate for something that would not only grant him the freedom he craved, but also make him stronger.

Despite his fervent desires, he was powerless in the face of the harsh reality that only a few jobs existed that could meet his criteria, and he lacked the magical abilities required to perform them.

The options before him were scant: he wanted to become a scavenger or a paladin, both jobs that necessitated working outside the veil, but neither of which he would be suited to.

As Xylon stood in the center of the arena at the border of Havag, his thoughts drifted to Eva and the outcome of her test.

He recalled her fascination with healing magic, a field that aligned with their low affinity to magic and was intrinsic to their nature. Yet, Xylon felt no desire to follow in her footsteps and serve the very humans that he detested.

Despite his reluctance, the results of his test would be the deciding factor in his future. He could not deny the weight of this realization, nor the sense of unease that it elicited in him.

The course of his life would be irrevocably altered by the outcome, and he could only hope that destiny had something better in store for him

The arena in which the test was held is a grand and imposing structure that towers over the surrounding landscape. Constructed of sturdy stone and iron, it stands as a testament to the power and importance of the Havag society.

At the center of the arena lies a large, circular platform, surrounded by towering walls that rise high into the sky. This platform served as the focal point of the test, the place where the candidates must demonstrate their magical abilities and prove themselves worthy of their assigned roles.

The walls of the arena were adorned with intricate carvings and etchings, depicting scenes of great battles, powerful sorcery, and epic heroism. As the candidates entered the arena, they couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and reverence for the history and tradition that surrounds them.

Above the platform, the sky was filled with an almost blinding blue brightness, as if the sun itself were shining down upon the candidates. This light created a sense of pressure and urgency, as if the very forces of fate were watching and judging the candidates' every move.

Despite the grandeur and majesty of the arena, there was also an underlying sense of danger and uncertainty. The candidates knew that their futures were on the line, and that the consequences of failure could be dire. Yet, they also knew that success could bring them unimaginable power and freedom.

As Xylon stood among the other candidates, he couldn't help but notice how little he cared about their presence. He had grown up alongside them, and over the years, he had come to know each and every one of them .

He knew about their powers, their grades, their aspirations, and their fears. He had even identified the few who were most likely to come out on top in this grueling competition, watching them as they strutted about with the confidence of those who knew they were destined for greatness.

Despite the thrill of the competition that lay ahead, the atmosphere in the arena was thick with tension and anxiety. Everyone was on edge, knowing that this test would determine their futures and shape the rest of their lives.

Some trembled with fear, their eyes darting around nervously, while others tried to put on a brave face, masking their unease with a veneer of false confidence.

The air was compressed with anticipation, each breath feeling heavier than the last. The very ground seemed to vibrate with the weight of so many hopes and dreams, each candidate yearning for the opportunity to prove themselves and earn their place in the world.

And yet, despite the intense pressure and the uncertainty of what lay ahead, Xylon remained calm and composed. He had never been one to let his emotions get the best of him, and today was no different.

With a cool, collected demeanor, he stood inside the arena, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him with a fierce determination and unshakable resolve.

The grand gates of the arena were sealed shut when the countdown ended , trapping all 150 candidates inside. The solemn faces of the students were illuminated by the faint glow of magical torches that lined the walls.

They were waiting for the headmaster of their prestigious school of magic, who stood in the center of the arena, flanked by his fellow teachers. The tension in the air was palpable, and the silence was deafening.

Then, the headmaster spoke, his voice echoing throughout the arena.

"Let the day mark the start of the destiny day," he declared, and the students fell silent in response.

All eyes were fixed on him, awaiting his next words.