Abruptly, Alex found himself back in a hospital room, the bright lights overhead blurring his vision. Initially, he felt too weak to move or even comprehend what had just happened. A concerned voice broke through his foggy thoughts, calling his name gently. With immense effort, Alex tried to open his eyelids and focus on the figure beside him. The person—likely a nurse—calmly urged him to relax and reassured him that he was safe and sound in the hospital, away from the dangers of the icy lake.
It took an extensive period for him to regain his functional abilities. The process was challenging, requiring him to put in a significant amount of effort to relearn how to articulate his thoughts and speak coherently once again. In the beginning, he faced troubling issues such as tremors and nausea. These symptoms initially perplexed his caregivers until it was finally revealed that they stemmed from a preexisting medical condition that he had been unaware of prior to this incident.
As he began to piece together the events that had occurred, he learned from various sources that someone had witnessed a very light-skinned man unceremoniously placing him, drenched and unconscious, onto the sandy beach of the lake. This beach was known to be heavily restricted, which raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding his presence there. A government official from the secret police subsequently approached him, conveying a stern warning that he was never to disclose the details of what had happened.
Fortunately, he was ultimately discovered by a passing stranger who promptly called for an ambulance. Once medical personnel arrived, they were able to successfully revive him and transport him to a nearby hospital. There, he received critical treatment for brain injuries sustained during the incident and severe hypothermia caused by exposure to the cold water.
In a surprising twist, he was informed that the frigid conditions actually played a crucial role in saving his life; the extreme cold had caused his body to slow down its metabolic processes, which, paradoxically, helped to protect his vital organs during the critical moments after he was placed on the beach. This revelation added an unexpected layer to his harrowing experience, transforming it into a complex tale of survival.
Alex felt a sinking feeling in his stomach as he thought about the judgment that loomed ahead. At the age of 16, he was making his way to school in the sprawling Pan-European state, a place known for its stringent educational system and high-stakes decisions. His best friend, Tom, walked beside him, brimming with enthusiasm that contrasted sharply with Alex's anxiety. Today was their final day of classes—a pivotal moment that would mark the end of their schooling and the beginning of their adult lives. They both knew that within just a few short days, the assessments made during the judgment would determine their futures, shaping their paths in ways they could hardly fathom.
The girls were buzzing with excitement, their voices bubbling over as they discussed the possibilities that awaited them once the final judgment was rendered. They could feel the weight of their anticipation, as all their meticulously crafted plans hung in the balance, poised to spring into action at a moment's notice. Each giggle and glance exchanged between them was filled with a sense of joy and hope for the future.
In stark contrast, Alex stood apart from the group, his heart heavy with a profound unease that gnawed at him. The whirlwind of elation surrounding his friends only deepened his internal turmoil. How could the serene aura of divine peace and unconditional love that permeated the proceedings coexist with the concept of something inherently evil? It was a dichotomy he struggled to comprehend, wrestling with the unsettling feelings that plagued him.
The day prior, he had sought solace in prayer, pouring out his heart to God in hopes of understanding. His local church minister had reassured him that all was well in the eyes of the divine, yet Alex remained unconvinced. He couldn't shake off the feeling that the church sometimes tilted a little too much toward defending the interests of the state rather than holding it to account. This troubling realization prompted him to develop a framework of thought, which he dubbed "Thirteen."
Thirteen was rooted in two significant biblical references. The first was derived from the letter to the Romans chapter 13 , symbolizing the concept that all governmental authority was divinely ordained. However, the second reference, stemming from Revelation chapter 13 in the Bible, presented a hauntingly contrasting idea: that the very structures of government could represent the Anti-Christ. This juxtaposition left Alex wrestling with his beliefs, trying to find clarity in the chaos of his thoughts. What was God's true message in the world of human governance, and how could it coexist with the darker implications he feared?
He found himself trapped, with no choice but to accept the judgment once it was rendered. This complex process was traditionally performed in schools on a person's 16th birthday, although it could also take place in hospitals for those unable to participate normally, such as coma patients. It was an all-encompassing test that society relied on to determine the future roles of its individuals.
The testing procedure had already begun, focusing primarily on the academic portion, evaluating knowledge and skills learned over the years. Once the evaluations were complete, each participant would receive a score that would dictate their future path. Those who scored up to 10 were deemed ready to enter the workforce, with the specific academic test indicating the type of job they would secure, ranging from manual labor to clerical positions.
Scores falling between 10 and 25 led to conscription into the military, preparing individuals for service, and instilling discipline and leadership skills. For scores ranging from 25 to 50, candidates would be groomed for roles in civil service, which included a variety of public sector jobs such as law enforcement and administrative positions.
However, the scores that exceeded 50 posed a different fate altogether: those individuals were destined to become mages. This possibility filled Alex with trepidation, as he recalled the warnings from the Bible stating that practitioners of magic would be denied any grace from God. The thought of severing his connection to his beloved Lord, which had always been the foundation of his life and purpose, haunted him. In the end, it wasn't the score that worried Alex the most, but the potential loss of the spiritual bond that he cherished above all else.
Upon arriving at the school, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation as the academic test scores were announced. Benjamin, feeling anxious, learned that he had placed in the lower third of the results. The implications of this score weighed heavily on him, as it seemed all but certain that he would follow his father's path into the mining profession, a line of work that had been in their family for generations.
Meanwhile, Alex stood out among his peers. He had scored impressively high, a feat that filled him with pride but also pressure. However, the burden of his family's legacy loomed large. If he were to underperform in his judgment, as had been the trend for his relatives over the last 200 years, he could find himself relegated to a college where the focus was strictly on academic studies. This option, while prestigious, would become a significant challenge for him due to his various disabilities. Nevertheless, he knew that the rules were rigid, and he would have to navigate the challenges ahead, regardless of the obstacles he faced.
Asora was an assistant vice-mage of the 11th rank, a position that came with significant responsibilities in the realm of magical education. He devoted his days to evaluating students across his county, collaborating with various colleagues to ensure a thorough assessment of each pupil's potential and abilities. Asora was tasked with overseeing two schools, both of which had distinct atmospheres and student bodies, making the judgments an engaging but challenging endeavor.
The assessment ceremonies typically took place in a specially designated room within each school, though the locations varied. Depending on the circumstances, he might conduct these evaluations in the local hospital to assess those students who were unable to attend school due to health issues, or even at the youth prison in the nearby town, providing a rare opportunity for the incarcerated youths to demonstrate their skills and aspirations.
The judgment process itself was steeped in tradition and ritual, involving a chicken offering that guaranteed the help of demonic presence and the seeking of guidance from the magical forces at play. Asora meticulously prepared for each ceremony, ensuring that the offerings were conducted respectfully and in accordance with age-old practices.
However, the most time-consuming part of his duties was the post-ritual clean-up. After each judgment, Asora dedicated hours to scrubbing the altar where the rituals were performed, removing the remnants of dried chicken blood and ensuring that the sacred space was pristine for future assessments. This act of cleaning was not just a chore; it was a form of respect for the traditions he upheld and the students he served. Through his dedication, Asora aimed to foster an environment where every young mage could thrive and grow in their magical abilities.
The most attractive aspect of the job was the constant and abundant supply of chicken meat, a delicacy that was typically hard to find. This continuous availability was one of the reasons his on-and-off girlfriend, Lucy, frequently returned to him. However, despite this perk, he faced his own challenges; his judgment score was a mediocre 51, which merely qualified him as a mage. With this score, he could only cast a single spell, one that allowed him to light a candle and perform basic rituals.
In contrast, Lucy had managed to land a high-paying position within the provincial government. Unfortunately, her judgment score was even lower than his at 50. While this score was sufficient for her to secure her job, it also meant she was not classified as a mage. As a result, she often relied on Asora, to help her gain access to the essential parties and social gatherings that were critical for her career advancement. Lucy's situation highlighted the sometimes arbitrary nature of their magical society, where judgment scores determined one's status and opportunities.
Asora was rushing through his morning routine today, fueled by a sense of urgency. It was his appointed day to conduct the worship rituals for the knight demon who presided over the county, a responsibility he took very seriously. He had set out early to prepare, knowing the importance of this ceremony.
The facility housed four candidate rooms, each linked to distinct ritual chambers. Thin partitions separated them, ensuring that the candidates remained completely unaware of the rituals being performed in the adjacent spaces. This secrecy was crucial, as the rituals were meant to be deeply personal and transformative for each participant.
On this day, Asora was set to assess eight students. He had already conducted the first batch of evaluations, and the results were somewhat mixed. One student had performed exceptionally well, achieving a score of 12, while three others fell below 10, resulting in an overall performance that could be described as average. In his experience, he had recorded a highest score of 62 in the past, which served as a benchmark for the students' potential.
Asora was not alone in his task; he was joined by his manager from Mage County Central, a younger individual who was eight years his junior. Despite the age difference, they shared a mutual respect for each other's roles in maintaining the standards of the worship rituals and ensuring that everything proceeded smoothly. Asora was determined to make this event memorable and meaningful for everyone involved.
He had just concluded three more with just an Alexander O. on his list. All was well that day; easy peasy. Then the S**t hit the fan. Not only was a "Hundred" scored, but the altar exploded. That could mean that the score was above a Hundred. He reported this instantly to the province headquarters and called the secret police as detailed in the target operation procedure.
In the meantime, there was a strange sensation that hit Alex, which was superimposed on his vision for 5 Minutes:
Passive Skills granted:
Iron skin
open closed objects
fire bolt
Active skills:
perform Rituals
telepathy
mind control Stun