The elder quickly bowed, visibly nervous. "Greetings, Vice Leader Vubia Obsidian!"
Everyone, unable to breathe, listened in astonishment; that was the vice-leader of the sect. Why would she be present at the simple examination of the inner disciples? Then, a robust figure looked up and spoke.
"Aunt Vubia, what's going on?" Thalor said softly. Then, the pressure on everyone dissipated.
The woman snorted as she spoke. "Young one, I came to see your test personally. You fell short of expectations, mainly due to your choice of subordinates. Why did you choose some weak ones? You picked one competent third and the rest, weak. Is that fair to them?"
All members of Thalor's faction lowered their heads. Indeed, two-thirds of them should have been excluded, just like the others. However, for some reason, the robust figure accepted them, seeming like a random decision.
