***
It took almost five minutes for the crowd to recover.
As soon as they did, cheers erupted throughout the hall. All the students stood on their feet, clapping; a few noblemen bore looks of envy. The Recruiters couldn't hide their astonishment behind a nonchalant mask no longer, joining in on the cheers.
Leonidas slowly approached the imposing, deep crimson table situated at the center of the chamber with careful strides. He took a seat in one of the vacant chairs, and immediately felt a luxurious robe in scarlet red manifest itself on him, its crimsoned, glowing threads forming an intricate pattern that glittered brightly when illuminated by light. Gone was his former, dirtied robe, replaced instead with finery fit for royalty.
"Celestia," muttered Leonidas under his breath. The eyes of everyone in the room were still fixated upon him, and cheers continued to pierce the air, though he tried his hardest to bear it no mind.
As he sat, he silently reflected. His mind returned to the mysterious woman he had encountered in Thyrandor and her strange use of the name — Mars. She had told him that the truth would come to him when the time was right. Now that moment had arrived, and at long last the secret was revealed.
'I am Mars,' Leonidas thought, a trace of a smile curving on his lips.
He pushed off his thoughts, and turned to his surroundings. To his left, he caught sight of Leo's wide eyes already filled with incredulity. Leonidas couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh at his companion's astonished face, telling him more than words ever could about what was going through his mind.
With a wave of his hand, the Al'Father commanded the hall into silence. "Indeed, this is an extraordinary event that has come to pass," he declared. "But we must not yet forget the last student who remains. Put aside your revelry until the ceremony is through."
The students in the hallway collectively murmured, reluctantly heeding his command, though they continued gazing at Leonidas, their eyes gleaming with interest.
"Leo Al'Gustus, come forth!" The Al'Father announced.
Again, the hallway of students simultaneously muttered amongst each-other. "Is that the disappointment of Al'Gustus," one asked.
Leonidas flashed Leo a reassuring smile, which elicited a smile in return from Leo although it seemed to be forced. He took tentative steps forward onto the podium, and grasped the Matrixum tightly with his trembling hands as he waited for his color to appear. His heart was pounding in his chest; he could feel sweat beginning to bead down his forehead and back in anticipation of what was about to come.
But nothing happened.
Puzzled, Leo released the Matrixum from his hands, and grasped it once more; but nothing transpired. He looked upward to the Al'Father, who watched the situation unfold with a grim expression.
"Al'Father, is the Matrixum broken?" Leo asked. "Why won't my color show up?"
"Leo, my boy, the Matrixum isn't broken." The Al'Father said, his voice gentle.
Leo stood rooted to the spot, a feeling of dread settling in his stomach. Despite knowing the truth, he desperately wished for it not to be true; a spark of mere hope ignited within his chest.
With a deep breath, the Al'Father confirmed his truest fears. "Leo… it appears you haven't been blessed."
Leo uttered a whispered gasp in disbelief. He desperately placed his hands back onto the Matrixum, over and over again, his movements becoming more frantic as he waited for some sign of success - yet no color emerged.
Despair flooded his stomach as a desperate cry echoed from his throat. Tears pooled in his eyes, a sorrowful river of dread flowing down his cheeks. He clung to the Matrixum, white-knuckling the orb tightly in his grasp. Falling to his knees, he stared straight ahead with lifeless eyes.
"Father was right," he muttered sourly under his breath. "I truly am a disappointment."
The hall of students was blanketed by silence, not a word uttered. The Recruiters tore their gaze away from the pitiful scenery, an action mirrored by all. Leonidas couldn't help but feel a pang of empathy; he had only known Leo for a limited time, but he felt closer to him than most people in his past-life.
"Leo, you must step away from the podium," commanded the All'Father, his voice gentle yet resolute. He clearly was not wanting to exacerbate the hopelessness already etched on Leo's face.
"No," croaked out Leo, his hands clenching tight around the Matrixum in a desperate attempt to hold onto his fading hope.
"The effort is futile, my boy," the All'Father added, grimly.
Leo shook his head, as if he were in a trance.
With a weary sigh, the All'Father uttered an incantation in a low voice that Leonidas couldn't discern. As soon as the words left his lips, Leo slumped to the floor in slumber, his hand still tightly clasped around the Matrixum.
Leonidas stared at the spectacle with heavy eyes. Some students around him had the decency to remain quiet and show compassion for the boy. Unfortunately, many couldn't conceal their snickering behind fake coughs, a sound that made Leonidas clench his fists in anger.
After escorting Leo off the stage, the Al'Father returned to the podium. He bellowed: "That is all for the ceremony. Participants, please leave your seats, and embark onto the podium."
Around thirty-five students approached the podium with anticipation, each one eager to prove their worth. Leonidas was first in line, having been closest to the stage when the order was given. The Recruiters approached slowly, awaiting the All'Father's approval as their eyes appraised Leonidas from afar, like a parched man eyeing a pool of water.
As soon as all the applicants embarked on the stage, the All'Father nodded toward the Recruiters, giving them the sign to begin their examination.
Almost immediately, all the Recruiters swarmed Leonidas, paying no mind to the other thirty-five students.
"Leonidas!" A nobleman bathed in a luxurious, silken golden robe bellowed. "Come to the splendid Elysium! We are now stationed in the capital of the Empire! We also have access to some of the grandest delicacies!"
"Come to Xibalba! Our graduates have a one-hundred percent success rate!" A youthful woman exclaimed, her silky gray robe billowing out from her breast and draped to below her knees.
"Anubis awaits! We stand at the top of the Academy rankings!" declared a Recruiter, a tall and muscle-bound middle-aged man garbed in verdant robes. His strength was evident through the fabric, every bulge and contour of his body plainly visible.
More and more Recruiters approached, all promoting the same establishments which consisted of Elysium, Xibalba, Anubis, and Valhalla. Leonidas felt as if he were shrinking under the pressure. The eyes of the applicants were set on him, a mix of envy and awe.
Though, Leonidas had already made up his mind. "I have chosen to enroll in Valhalla." He stated.
The Recruiters all looked at him, their eyes wide-opened in surprise; even the Recruiters for Valhalla seemed astonished.
"But, why them?" A Xibalba Recruiter spat, her voice laced with disdain. "They rank the lowest on the Academy Ranking, their student numbers are dwindling by the day, and their graduation rate is barely above sea level!"
A Recruiter for Valhalla was about to protest when he realized that what had been said was the truth, and his words suddenly died away on his tongue.
"I have chosen to enroll in Valhalla due to being sponsored by a benefactor from the East," Leonidas declared in an authoritative voice. "However, I have one condition. If Valhalla welcomes me into their order, then they must also accept my comrade here." He gestured towards Leo who lay motionless beside the podium. "If not, then I shall be forced to select another Academy from which to receive my education."
'I know that Valhalla is in a tough spot,' pondered Leonidas. 'Therefore, no matter what I ask, they will accept. Even if it means bringing Leo alongside with me.'
The Recruiters of Valhalla stood in solemn vigil, each pondering the same question: was it truly worth the risk of bringing in a possible liability, when in turn it could result in them having an avatar of a deity amongst their ranks as a student? It seemed that the answer lay as clear to them as thunder cut through the sky.
"We accept," they said simultaneously.
Leonidas nodded, "wonderful."
And with that, the Recruiters began to disperse, all, except for those from Valhalla, bore looks of frustration on their countenance, as they set off to examine the rest of the applicants.
A quarter of the thirty-five students had elected to attend Valhalla Academy, each and every one drawn by the same reason - Leonidas. He didn't know whether to feel thankful or not.
Half an hour passed, and the Al'Father had returned; Leonidas hadn't noticed he disappeared. He approached Leonidas, holding a small smile, before stating:
"We need to talk."