Eric and the two others looked at each other, apprehension clear on their faces. Although usually Eric managed to look apathetic to most things, he couldn’t hide the worry on his face looking at the challenge that laid head.The smirk was gone from the young man’s face, replaced by a frown and furrowed eyebrows. Even the serious looking girl hesitated after witnessing the pain caused by the soul brand.

Eric sighed, “if no one else will, I guess I’ll have to go.”

Mayor Bueacanon nodded at him. “As usual Eric, you’re too kind, but we don’t have all day.” He looked at the stern young woman and the, now returned, smirking young man. “I don’t have all day, decide between you too, Audrey and Austin, or I’ll decide for you.” He turned back to watch Eric approach the Talent Obelisk.

In a very Eric fashion, he walked deliberately but briskly towards the Obelisk.He stopped in front of the Obelisk and, like Connor was instructed, placed his hands in the indentions. He stood still for awhile, light leaked from between his figures and his body subtly twitched before the light grew dim and then Characters started to appear on the Obelisk. The light from between his figures raced up in lines to form these characters.

Mayor Bueacanon looked at the symbols with a sigh. He started to slowly clap, chuckling all the while. “Looks like Eastlodge has another talent. Below Average body, Strong mind, and average soul. I assume you know what that means Eric?”

“Yes sir.” Eric replied, glancing at the symbols. Taking a deep breathe, Eric prepared himself.

“Quick as always, I wish Connor were more like you but hey we can’t all be smart or at least mildly intelligent.” Mayor Bueacanon let out a soft chuckle. “You know what’s next Eric so step away from the Obelisk. We don’t have all day.”

Eric let out his breathe and with a shaky step moved away from the Obelisk. The characters wasted no time dive bombing him, once they landed on his army they glowed brightly. At the same time Eric let out a scream of pain and fell to his knees. After a couple seconds the screaming stopped. Eric took a shaky breath and then attempted to stand up but the brand had left him weak, too weak in fact to stand up, but before he could hit the floor Connor caught him.

Connor looked into Eric’s eyes knowingly and hauled him up. “Come on fat ass, you’re heavy. Help out a bit.”

“Screw you Connor.” Eric replied, flipping Connor the finger with a smile. Getting Eric to his feet, they walked away from the platform and waited for the next victim.

“Who’s it going to be, Austin”, Mayor Bueacanon pointed to blonde haired young man, “or Audrey.” He then pointed at the stern young woman.

“Ladies first.” Austin said, giving a mock curtesy and moving out of Audrey’s way.

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“Tsk,I hate you Austin.” Audrey hissed but still moved forward and stepped onto the platform.

“I love you too sweetie.” Austin called back with a devilish smirk.

Audrey Scoffed at his comment but didn’t turn back or otherwise acknowledge it. Placing her hands into the indentions the process started. After awhile the characters appeared and Mayor Bueacanon read them out. “Above average across the board. Congratulations you don’t suck. Now step away from the platform.”

Audrey hesitated for a second before moving away with conviction which soon crumbled with a scream under the pain of the soul brand.

“You know I think I’ll pass on this whole cultivator thing, it just doesn’t seem right for me.” Austin said turning away from the Talent Obelisk and walking towards the door.

“Oh no you don’t.” Mayor Bueacanon said before the temperature in the room increased. He let off a subtle red glow and you could see heat waves physically radiating off him.

Austin stopped mid step and slowly turned around. “Well I better get going, don’t want to take all day and all that Jazz.”

“That’s what I thought.” Mayor Bueacanon said as the heat and glow slowly subsided.

Austin dejectedly walked up to the Obelisk and placed his hands in the indentions. After awhile the characters formed but he didn’t walk away from the Obelisk. “Do I really have to get a soul brand?” He asked Mayor Bueacanon in a pleading tone.

“Yes, now step away from the Obelisk before I drag your ass away.” Mayor Bueacanon answered.

“Fine.” Austin answered with a sigh. He reluctantly stepped away from the Obelisk and without fail the characters flew away from the Obelisk, fast as lightning they struck his arm, then came the pain.

Mayor Bueacanon turned to speak to the 3 others but paused, as if remembering something then turned back to Austin. “Average in body and soul but above average in mind. You don’t suck but you’re nothing special. Work hard or you really won’t be anything special.” Turning back to the other 3 individuals in the room he addressed them. “It’s time to test elemental affinity, wait here while I get the testing stones.”

He then walked behind the platform that held the Obelisk and opened a door. Closing the door as he entered an unseen room the 4 young people were left alone with their thoughts and each other.

“Damn, why does Mayor Bueacanon have to be such a dick.” Austin complained loudly, destroying the silence that had fallen over the group.

“Stop complaining Austin, no one cares what you think.” Audrey responded not bothering to look at him.

“There’s no need to be mean Audrey.” Connor said before walking over and helping Austin stand up.

“Thanks Connor, I knew I could count on you.” Austin responded with a smile, taking the hand offered by Connor.

“No problem. I mean, we’ve all known each other for our whole lives so of course I’d help you.” Connor replied mirroring Austin’s smile.

“I wish we didn’t.” Audrey said with a huff.

“Why do you have to be so mean Audrey. We all used to be such good friends when we were little, what happened to you?” Connor asked in confusion.

“Yeah Audrey, why do you have to be such a bitch?” Austin asked with a smirk.

“What’d you call me Austin!” Audrey yelled, glaring at Austin who proceeded to hide behind Connor. She started to walk towards Austin and Connor anger clear on her face.

“Come on Austin, don’t call her a bitch.” Connor said doing his best to keep Audrey away from Austin.

“What, it’s the truth.” Austin said circling away from Audrey around Connor.

“Well that’s your opinion Austin but if you two are going to fight at least keep me out of it.” Connor said with a sigh, he then started to back away from the pair with his hands raised in the air.

“All right, calm down you two love birds. You can go at each other later but right now we have a test to complete.” Mayor Bueacanon said as he reentered the room carrying a wooden box.

“Love birds, with him.” Audrey pointed at Austin. “No way, not a chance in the infernal realms.”

“I’m glad the feeling is mutual, I wouldn’t want to leave you with unrequited love.” Austin answered with a laugh, quickly running away from her before she could hit him.

“I swear to the divines Austin, I’ll kill you.” Audrey said chasing after him.