Coming out of the portal and back to the bridge, a Instructor spoke up once more.
"For your second test we will be testing your ability to take in new knowledge and learn it at a deeper level. Everyone will be transported before a rune engraved stone that will have a skill helpful to you. Everyone's tests will have different moves but you must at least gain basic mastery over the skill in order to pass."
With his explanation coming to an end, a portal opened in front of every student. Nodding at Nirin, they both stepped through their respective portals.
The other side of the portal was a simple room with an eight foot tall stone, enscribed with a complex runic structure, at its center. Sitting before the stone, the runes morphed to a picture — the picture of a large wolf howling with a pack of smaller wolfs was shown beneath them.
Looking at the stone an odd feeling of familiarity assaulted Clay. Mind you he had never seen this stone or another like it in his life.
After deeply pondering its meaning for a bit, Clay could only figure out that one thing is that the skill had somthing to do with being the leader of a group.
But what does it mean to be a part of a group, to lead?
To lead is to listen, to learn, to adapt, in the face of adversity, to never be trapped.
To lead is to chart a path unknown,
Through challenges and trials, you've shown.
To lead is to guide with purpose clear,
To inspire, and in others, instill no fear.
Clay could see in the mural like carvings this meaning of leadership. The wolves surrounding the larger wolf weren't just his followers. But also their brothers and sisters, blood or not — Letting them down isn't an option, But without them there would be no purpose to being a leader, for there would be none to lead.
One must never forget those around them, to learn, and to adapt to their conditions, to listen to their concerns, and to not back down when hardships bare down.
To be first, an example for those behind, a path now paved for the rest. Through thorns and blinding mist, to find a way un-trapped, unblocked.
To lead with direction clear, a goal for others to reach, a marker to aspire towards. Like a spear, straight and true, unfettered by the ugliest of storms and most difficult of situations.
That's what it means to be a true leader,that's the message of this stone. The skill to not only lead, but to inspire others to follow.
To inspire growth of strength, bonds, and person.
Contemplating these points till this mark within time the test concluded. Being forcefully ejects out from the test space Nirin turned to find Nirin but found nothing. Assuming they where separated in the crowded area, Clay forgot the matter.
"Congratulations to those who have completed the trials so far! The third and final trial will be a written portion within the main test hall." And without further explanation, the old man with heavy looking eyebrows that flared slightly towards the ends, walked off toward the Acedemy gates.
Following not just the man but the crowd has a whole, Clay found the halls oddly large for their outside appearance. Large grey marble pillars extended from the floor till the ceiling, rows of small arched entrances lined the spaces between. Each entrance like door was randomly placed on the walls, some where near the top while others where halfway into the floor!
Beyond these small cubby like entrances of various fashions, the hall was busy devoid of students or teachers.
Approaching the end of the hall a large set of double doors opened to reveal a theater like room with a desk in front of each seat, a single desk apon a stage in the front.
"Please find a seat everyone. The test will begin when everyone is ready."
About to track down Nirin, Clay felt a hand grasp his shoulder and heard "We have a special seat for you." Before feeling like he just went to the tower of Babylon.
Now being on the stage in the front, he already knew why he was here but dreaded even the thought of so many people looking at him.
Trying to act normal Clay took steps towards the desk an sat.
Holy Tod! Please save me!
Sadly Clays prayer while heard was not going to be answered.
After a few minutes of shuffling around the whole class of people where ready, and the test began.
As a copy of the test was delivered to his desk, a timer appeared in the air before him. Clay had one hour to complete the test; the test itself was multiplie choice and had sixty questions.
Clay found them the first forty seven questions easy only getting slower on the math word problems pertaining to military strategy, as he wanted to apply logic and not just math. Brushing past them nonetheless Clay was now caught on the last problem.
What is the most common class?… Well if can't be mage because I saw few of them within my home city Aria… warrior?
Clay slowly wrote his answer while thinking of any other possibilities.
Finishing his test with seven minutes left, Clay went on to calculate his average number of questions per minute based on time remaining. It came out to roughly 1.1 questions per minute but he knew it was mostly math questions that got him caught.
////////////////////////\///////////////////////
Cliffhanger!
Hope you peoples are having a great day! Please feed me power stones…