A small opening at the top of the tower revealed the first hints of the rising sun, casting a warm, golden glow into the meditation courtyard below. The courtyard was filled with students who couldn't sleep due to worries about the placement test. The Talisman tree stood as a silent guardian, its branches reaching toward the emerging light, creating intricate patterns of shadows and light on the courtyard floor. The sight was one of peaceful beauty, caught in time before the busy day began.
Dan and Aiden were awakened by the pleasant aroma of the Talisman tree. When they woke up, they couldn't find Malakai. Just as Aiden was going to ask about Malakai, he came in looking rather energetic after spending time in the meditation courtyard
"Morning, guys," Malakai greeted them, his voice carrying a lightness that hinted at a profound inner peace. "Sorry for sneaking out early. I simply couldn't resist the allure of the meditation courtyard today."
Dan chuckled, already feeling more awake in the presence of Malakai's infectious energy. "Don't worry, Malakai. Let's start preparing for the placement test, which begins at 8 a.m."
They quickly got ready, putting on simple outfits. Aiden took some food with him because he didn't want to starve himself, and he couldn't tell how long the placement test would take since none of them had taken it before. As soon as they finished getting ready, they stepped out of their room and approached the entrance of the Talisman Tower, as did the other freshmen.
The line of students going to take the test that morning was exceptionally long, making Dan and Malakai curse themselves for not carrying extra foodstuffs. As the students came out of the Talisman Tower, a line of buses was waiting to convey them to the elite faculty. Each student had to show their temporary ID that was made for them during their stay at the Talisman Tower before entering any of the buses to avoid the incidence of non-admitted students going for the test. Though the security at MSU was tight, they couldn't tell if a visiting individual joined the crowd of newly admitted students.
Boarding the bus, Dan encountered Frank, engrossed in a game on his device. Frank shot Dan a fierce glare the moment their eyes met. Dan ignored him and continued on the bus with his friends. The drive to the elite faculty was over an hour.
Getting to the elite faculty, they saw Instructor Feng waiting for them at the entrance. They looked so tired after the journey, probably due to a mix of excitement and anxiety. As soon as they arrived, Instructor Feng was at the gate to welcome the students "It's nice to get to meet you guys again," Instructor Feng said with a warm smile. "Elite faculty was way bigger and better than the Talisman Tower, enticing the freshmen who had been working hard to earn their place there. They gawked at the magnificent buildings in front of them. The elite faculty was more like a city with advanced technology and structures. The students couldn't help but pray they passed the placement test so they would be moved to the elite faculty.
Instructor Feng brought the students to the placement test hall, which was big enough to accommodate 500 students at a time. "You all will be going in batches," Instructor Feng explained to the students as they waited in an open field outside the placement test hall. "The first 500 will go in, and those who don't make it to an energy core level of 10 will be escorted out of the elite faculty."
The freshmen had questions to ask, but none of them dared open their mouths to ask after what transpired between the admission counselor and Aiden
"The first 500 should follow me," Eldora declared, her beauty and might as a formidable warrior matching her calm yet authoritative demeanor. As one of the few symphonists to achieve the advanced warrior level, she was stationed in the test hall to support the students' emotional well-being. Her voice was her strength; by simply speaking, she could instill a sense of inner serenity in someone. She has in the past assisted students who had lost hope and thought their path had come to an end after failing the placement test, keeping them from going insane. This method, known as mind control, was applied without the subject's consent.
After the first 500 went in, they were all escorted out of the hall except for one freshman called Xu. The group of students couldn't tell if anyone from the first batch had passed the test; they were just bewildered by the number of students who had failed the test and wondered how difficult it was actually to reach an energy core level of 10.
"Next 500..." Eldora said
From this set, only Frank and six other students passed the test
"Next," Eldora said with her soothing voice, as usual.
"Next"
"The rest of you, please come in," Eldora said
Malakai's hands fidgeted restlessly, his gaze darting around the hall as he swallowed hard, attempting to mask the nerves that tightened his jaw. Despite taking a deep breath as they stepped into the hall, his tense shoulders betrayed his anxiety. Eldora detected Malakai's nervous energy and whispered some words into his ear, calming him down.
Before this set of 500 freshmen, ten big machines were standing erect with markings on their bodies, which depicted the five energies that the machine could read when the energy core level of the individual reached 10. The students were immediately split into ten groups, each containing 50 students.
Aiden was the first to go forward for the test. The instructor there told him to place his hands on the pan that extended from the machine. Immediately, the machine started shaking as the figures being displayed changed rapidly. Soon, it stopped at 12, and the markings on the machine began to emit sparkly white colors. Those around were in awe of the powerful energy that Aiden triggered; some of them could not even look at the machine anymore.
Soon, a voice reverberated from the machine. "Congratulations, elite student."
Category: Healer
Energy core level: 12
Rank: Beginner Warrior Level 1
Name: Aiden
Nationality: Vigoria
The machine announced the details of the freshman, who had just taken the placement test.
"Wow, congratulations, brother." Dan was super excited as he hugged Aiden tightly
Malakai bit his lips with a smile and congratulated Aiden for being the first among them to qualify as an Elite student.
Aiden grinned appreciatively at his brothers, running a hand through his hair as a blush tinted his cheeks. As soon as Aiden passed the test, a white lotus flower appeared on his left arm, signifying that he was a healer-type warrior.
Malakai went forward and touched the pan. The machine vibrated violently the markings on the machine turned Blue
"Congratulations, elite student."
Category: Symphonist
Energy core level: 15
Rank: Beginner Warrior Level 1
Name: Malakai Bukai
Nationality: Euphoria
The machine announced the details of the freshman, who had just taken the placement test.
A silent murmur swept through the room as all eyes turned towards Malakai. Whispers were exchanged between students, eyebrows raised in astonishment, and a few stifled gasps filled the air. Eldora's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with pride as she stepped forward to congratulate Malakai. "I knew you wouldn't let our nation down," she said as she stroked Malakai's hair.
"Thank you, ma."
Dan leaped to his feet, a wide grin spreading across his face. 'Malakai, that's incredible!' he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Aiden joined in, giving Malakai a hearty pat on the back. 'You're a beast, buddy!' Their laughter and excitement echoed in the room.
As soon as the machine completed announcing Malakai's information, word had already spread to the Euphoria kingdom that the prince had successfully passed the placement test with an exceptionally high energy core level. The citizens of Euphoria were already rejoicing over the prince's achievement, seeing it as a symbol of hope for Euphoria to maintain its superiority among other nations and avoid being subdued.
As Malakai and Dan stood together, Malakai couldn't miss the worry on Dan's face. Dan seemed restless, glancing around anxiously as if anticipating the test's outcome. Malakai stepped closer, offering a comforting smile. He gently reassured Dan, saying, "You've got this, my friend. You're a Vigorian; I'm pretty sure you will emerge as an elite student and complete the trio." Dan chuckled slightly and gave both Aiden and Malakai a reassuring smile as he stepped forward to take the test.