The nobility continued to pass the tests, their high affinities a testament to their pure bloodlines. Each one was met with nods of approval and whispers of awe from the surrounding crowd. They were the chosen ones, destined to wield the power of Devota and secure their family's legacy.
Yet, he couldn't help but feel a spark of hope when he saw Cyria's incredible result. If she, from an unknown background, could achieve such a high score, perhaps there was a chance for the others without noble lineage.
Finally, it was Shin's turn. He stepped forward, his heart racing like a wild beast in his chest. The priestess looked down at him, her eyes cold and assessing. He placed his hands on the crystal sphere, feeling its coolness seep into his skin. He took a deep breath and focused on the rage that had fueled his training, the memory of Katy's sacrifice giving him strength.
The sphere began to pulse with a gentle light, growing brighter and brighter until it was almost blinding. The priestess's eyebrows shot up in surprise, and even the stoic figures beside her exchanged a quick glance. The energy in the room grew tense as the light from the crystal grew more intense, casting a rainbow of colors across the stage. The murmurs of the crowd grew to a roar.
Master's smile grew wider in his mind's eye. "Now, let's show them what you're made of," she whispered.
The crystal sphere before him pulsed with a light so intense it was almost blinding, the number 74% echoing in his ears. The hooded girl before him struggled to keep her composure, her eyes widening in astonishment. The crowd had fallen silent, the only sound was the faint crackling of the sphere as it absorbed his essence.
The priestess's expression shifted from one of boredom to one of intrigue. "What sorcery is this?" she murmured, her voice a mix of shock and suspicion. The two figures beside her tensed, their eyes never leaving the crystal sphere as it continued to pulse with the energy of his affinity.
"It seems we have an anomaly here," the long-bearded man said, his eyes never leaving Shin's. The priestess nodded, her smile cold and calculating. "Is impossible for a lower district inhabitant to have such connection."
Shin felt the power of the constellation surging through his veins, a symphony of rage and determination that had built up over the months of his training. He stepped back from the pedestal, his eyes never leaving the priestess. "Well things change".
The crowd parted like a sea before him as he made his way back to the others. Cyria watched him with a mix of amazement and curiosity, her eyes never leaving his.
Even the nobility couldn't hide their surprise. The whispers grew louder, their expressions a mix of awe and suspicion. "How could a commoner from the lower sector have such a high affinity?" one of them murmured. "It's unheard of."
The priestess took a step back, her eyes never leaving Shin. She raised her hands to silence the murmurs, her palms coming together in a sharp clap. "The test continues," she announced, her voice echoing through the grand hall. "Do not let this distraction deter you from your purpose."
The line of candidates grew tense again, and the next one stepped forward. He was a boy with an elegant and rigid air about him, his aura mysterious even to the trained eyes of the priestess. His robes were adorned with a family insignia, He moved with the confidence of one who knew his place in the world was determined by his birth. He approached the pedestal with a grace that was almost otherworldly, his eyes fixed on the crystal sphere before him.
The boy placed his hands on the sphere and it began to glow with a power that was palpable. The light grew stronger, and the priestess could feel the energy building in the room. The anticipation grew as the sphere pulsed with a light that seemed to shimmer with a rainbow of colors. When the light finally dimmed, the number that emerged from the covered before him was 67%. The crowd gasped, and even the priestess couldn't hide her surprise.
"Your name, young man," she demanded, her voice betraying a hint of excitement.
The boy lifted his gaze, his eyes meeting hers with a confidence that seemed to challenge her. "I am Xavi Albon" he said, his voice strong and clear.
The priestess's eyes narrowed, the name resonating with power and influence. The Albon family was one of the most prominent in the sector, with a lineage that stretched back to the very founding of the constellation academy. Their connection to Devota was said to be unrivaled.
The crowd's murmurs grew as Xavi stepped down from the pedestal, his posture unshaken by the weight of the gazes upon him. The priestess looked from the retreating figure of Xavi to the stoic Shin, her mind racing with the implications of what she had just witnessed.
"Your turn," she said, her eyes locked onto Shin, her voice a mix of curiosity and challenge. "What is your name, young one?"
"Shin"
The priestess' eyes narrowed as she studied his face, she couldn't place why his face seemed so familiar. Something was different, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
The next few moments were a blur as more candidates stepped up to the pedestal, their results varying from a disappointing 3% to a respectable 22%. Yet, none could match the power that radiated from Shin and the noble Xavi.
Then, the two masters who had been observing the test from the shadows stepped forward. They moved in unison, their robes whispering against the cold stone floor as they approached the priestess. The shorter one spoke, her voice clear and authoritative.
"Now for the second trial. It will take place in one of the four arenas. Each of you will face one another in a sparring match to demonstrate your combat skills and mastery over the constellation wave."
With a snap of her fingers, the taller master conjured four talismans, each a different color, and tossed one to each of them. "The color of your talisman corresponds to the arena you'll be fighting in. Do not lose it," he warned, his eyes piercing through the mask of indifference.
Shin's hand closed around the talisman he had been given, It was blue, the color of the sea.
The other candidates, having seen his incredible score and the power that emanated from him, whispered among themselves. They cast nervous glances in his direction, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear. The blue talisman holders grew visibly tense, knowing that they would be fighting or against someone who had surpassed all expectations.
Cyria's gaze remained locked on Shin as they were led to the blue arena. Her grip on her own talisman tightened, the color of the talisman in her hand matching that of Shin. She had scored 44%, an impressive result, but it was clear that Shin's affinity was something else entirely. As they approached the arena, she couldn't help but wonder if if he could beat him in a duel.
The arena for the blue talisman was vast and open, the sky above it a canvas of the constellation Devota, the stars of which twinkled down on them like the eyes of a watchful goddess. The stone walls were adorned with ancient runes, whispering secrets of power and strategy that had been lost to time.
Xavi and many other nobles had been sent to another arena, their red talismans glinting like drops of blood in the torchlight as they disappeared through an archway. The atmosphere in the blue arena was tense, the whispers of the crowd a low murmur.
Cyria approached Shin, her blue eyes searching his for answers. "How were the talismans distributed?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "Was it based on our affinities?"
Shin shrugged, his mind racing with the implications of his own high score. "It seems so," he replied, "But I'm more surprised at how they've grouped us. It feels... personal."
As the blue talisman holders gathered in their designated arena, Cyria stepped forward, her eyes still locked on Shin. She had seen his score, and she knew that he was not to be underestimated. "So, 74%?" she said, her voice steady despite the nerves that danced in her stomach. "I am Cyria, and I look forward to seeing what you can do with such talent."
Shin nodded, noticing the way the other candidates gave them a wide berth. The air was thick with anticipation and a hint of fear. "Yes, it seems we are both blessed by Devota's grace," he said, his voice calm and even. "I'm Shin."
The master of the auditorium emerged from the shadows; his eyes gleaming with excitement at the prospect of the upcoming battle. "Welcome, candidates" he announced, his voice echoing through the vast space. Now "We will start the second trial!"