Chapter 8: Shattering Expectations
In the Grand Hall of Rainslif's tower, his voice reverberated off the high stone walls as he detailed the rich history of the test he was initiating. "This is the 80th year," he declared, his fingers tracing ancient glyphs on a scroll. "Eighty years ago, upon my ascension to Adept, I was granted this tower. It was then I founded Rancito Cordoba to guide forthcoming mages..."
For Darius, however, Rainslif's words soon became distant. As the mage delved deeper into the complexities of the trial, Darius's thoughts wandered. 'This is the moment,' he smiled slightly, his anticipation building. 'After enduring in this childs body, my journey can restart. Heaven always leaves a way forward,' he corrected himself with a silent chuckle, 'or should I say, Gaia always carves a path?'
Interrupting his thoughts, Darius's parents approached him, their eyes glowing with a mixture of pride and bittersweet emotion. His mother embraced him tightly, her voice trembling slightly as she whispered words of encouragement. "Once you discover your true potential, even if it's modest, I am certain you will astonish us all. Now after you pass, we won't be able to see you for a while," she said, her voice betraying a rush of sadness.
"Amara, we agreed," Jarek interjected, his own voice straining with concealed emotion. "He's probably going to be a knight anyway, so don't get too emotional yet. The Valdene blood is strong in him, I can tell." His mother's final hug left a warmth that lingered even as they departed, leaving Darius standing with the other children.
'I'm sorry, Jarek. I value your hopes for me, but I'm drawn to the mages' path. It was they who created the Manaforged Knights, revealing that their way harbors the true path of knowledge on Gaia.'
With a heavy sigh, Darius watched his parents figures gradually blend into the crowd of watching parents. Once again, the subtle distance maintained by the other parents did not escape his notice, fueling his thirst for knowledge. "Knowledge is power, and power earns knowledge," he whispered inwardly, a mantra that had become ingrained within his being. "Once I'm stronger, they will tell me."
With only the children remaining, Darius stood alongside one other boy and three girls, each brimming with their own hopes and dreams. He noticed the space between himself and the other children was slightly larger, 'this new family intrigue is beginning to become an itch.'
Rainslif descended from the stage, levitating with grace, and beckoned the children to stand in a row. "The first part of the Assessment will involve a written examination." As they moved to take their positions, desks and chairs materialized before them, eliciting a mix of surprise and curiosity from the children.
Suddenly, the scene was interrupted by a voice calling from the entrance of the tower. "Please forgive me for intruding, Master Adept. I was walking back to the tower this morning and happened across a potential candidate. I think he might be a fine addition."
The bearded man stepped aside, revealing a young peasant boy with disheveled hair and tattered clothes. Despite his terrified appearance, the determination in the young boy's eyes was unmistakable. Rainslif, with a dismissive wave of his hand, granted permission for the newcomer to join the test. "Of course," he replied nonchalantly. "Have him sit next to the Hawkberry child, at the end."
Though the young girl clearly harbored discontent over the unexpected addition, she wisely chose to remain silent. With a brief pause to allow the new participant to settle into place, the test finally commenced.
As the children sat in their seats, preparing for the written examination, an air of eager anticipation filled the room. Darius couldn't help but stifle a chuckle within his mind. 'Ah, here we go again,' a mischievous grin playing at the corners of his lips. 'A test meant for six-year-olds? This should be easy.'
Pen in hand, Darius breezed through the questions, his knowledge flowing effortlessly onto the paper. It seemed almost comical to him how he, possessing the wisdom of ages, was being subjected to such elementary tasks. 'I might as well be learning to add with rice,' a twinkle of amusement shining in his eyes. But abruptly, in this lightheartedness, a trace of frustration surface, 'Shame that rice doesn't exist here. Most of my favorite wine recipes are useless now...'
As the examination progressed, Darius found himself yearning for the moment when he could truly unleash his potential. The restrictions and limitations of his current form only fueled his impatience to reclaim his former glory.
Darius finished easily, now watching as the other children worked hard, their anxiety growing. Abruptly, the written examination drew to a close, a crisp sound of a bell rung through the tower as each of the children's papers ignited, burning to ashes with bright green flames.
"You all have passed the written examination." Rainslif's casual words shook like thunder in the children's ears.
The thumps of the children falling echoed as the chairs and desks vanished into thin air. Startled, they scrambled to their feet, their attention captured by the sparkling runes emerging to form intricate magic circles around each of them.
"Observe, the next phase of the assessment," Rainslif stated, his voice calm and detached, echoing softly across the chamber. "These circles you see glowing before you are more than just symbols. They are gateways—pathways to uncover your potential and elemental affinity, the very keys to unlocking your destined paths as mages."
The children listened intently, their eyes fixed upon the pulsing circles that surrounded them. Rainslif continued, "As the runes sparkle and manifest, their arrangement and color will determine your future within the Arcane Ascension System."
A moment of hushed anticipation followed as the children absorbed Rainslif's words. "The number of rings that light up within the circle signifies the depth of your potential within the nine-tier Arcane Ascendancy system ," he elaborated, his voice filled with indifference. "From a single ring, indicating limited potential, to all nine rings, signifying unparalleled aptitude and mastery."
The children exchanged glances, their hearts racing with excitement and nervousness. Rainslif's words resonated within them, fueling their determination to discover their true potential. But there was an unspoken truth lingering in the air, and Rainslif addressed it with utmost sincerity.
"However, it is important to understand that not everyone may find their destined path within the mage's ranks," Rainslif's voice grew softer, conveying empathy and understanding. "Should you not possess the necessary potential, fear not. An opportunity to attempt the knight test shall be extended to you."
The room grew quiet. The magic circles, vibrant and full of mysteries, seemed to hold their breath, waiting for the revelations they were about to unveil.
With those final words, Rainslif stood silent, leaving the children to face the sparkling magic circles that awaited them. The room buzzed with a mixture of excitement, apprehension, and a determination to prove themselves worthy. In the moments that followed, each child took a deep breath, even Darius.
Within this pivotal moment, a wave of ecstatic energy surged through Darius as the magic circles burst into a dazzling display of ethereal light, 'this is it!'
The air crackled with anticipation as one by one, the rings ignited, each radiating brilliance and potential. The room was filled with gasps of awe and admiration, eyes fixed on the life-changing spectacle unfolding before them.
Excitement filled the air, and all eyes were initially drawn to the newcomer at the end of the row, his rings continuing to light up, one after another, in a dazzling dance of potential. Whispers of astonishment swept through the room, captivated by the unprecedented display of potential.
"Oh, this is extraordinary," a woman in the crowd murmured, "He could very well become an Archmagus one day."
Her companion, an elderly man with a scholarly air, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, with such innate talent, the lad has a bright future ahead of him. It's been years since I've seen such potential."
Their words stirred an energetic buzz in the hall, with nods of agreement and whispers of awe echoing throughout the audience. The newcomer had, without a doubt, stolen the show.
Suddenly, a gasp cut through the animated chatter, drawing the attention of the crowd to a different corner of the room.
"Look," an audible whisper floated from a woman in the crowd, her finger pointing towards the end of the row. Her eyes were wide with surprise, almost disbelief. "Isn't that the Valdene boy?"
All heads turned, following her line of sight to find Darius standing amidst his glowing magic circles. Yet, unlike the newcomer's, Darius's rings remained eerily devoid of light. The chatter quieted down, replaced by a stunned silence. The contrast between the newcomer's blazing fire affinity and Darius's unlit rings was stark and perplexing.
Darius's heart sank, his mind racing to comprehend the sight before him. The weight of reality pressed upon his shoulders, and in a voice tinged with disbelief, he uttered the words, "This is a joke, right?"