As noon finally approached more people started gathering in the town square until all 17 families were gathered.

At the front of the crowd there are 2 men wearing the imperial coat of arms, distinguishing them as a part of the empires militia. After everyone has gathered the taller one of the 2 steps forward to start talking "As many of you may know the Alpha Imperium has been at war for the past 15 years, yet we are still at a stalemate. With no clear sign of victory the Exalted Emporer has decided that something needs to change." He says.

"One of those changes was to start looking for and training of more mana touched, which brings us to the reason for todays testing all the boys of 12 years and older step forward and form a line" he says before continuing "You will proceed to lay your hand on the orb id you are gifted the orb will change color depending on how gifted you may be the glow will grow in intensity." He says as the first boy steps forward and lays his hand on the orb and after 5 minutes of nothing happening he is excused. "Next!" The Envoy says as the next in line steps forward, this continues until only 3 remains.

As Olie steps forward to proceed with his testing he lays his hand on the orb and nothing happens "this can't be right" Olie says with a dejected face as no one so far had been gifted with mana. Finally its my turn and as I approach the Envoy I gulp down nervously, as I place my hand on the prb I start to feel as if its draining my energy. As the orb continues to drain my energy the orb starts to glow first in a dim light but gradually starts to get brighter.

The glow turns from a metallic grey too a deep purple until finally it stops. Looking up into the Envoys face I see he has his brow furrowed before he askes "What is your name son?" He says in a kind voice. "It's konrad sir but what does this mean?" Konrad asks as he looks into the crowd searching for his family,but when he finally sees them he sees a concerned look on his fathers face which makes him even more nervous.

"It means that you are gifted with a dual element of metal and lightning" he says "very rare indeed to have 2 elements that compliment each other so well" he finishes. "You misunderstand sir what does this mean for me and my future" Konrad says as he finally breaks out of his stupor.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"It means you are now the property of the Imperial family and that you will be leaving with us tomorrow" he says before his face softens and he adds "Go spend the time you have left with your family it is unlikely you will ever see them again meet me here tomorrow at down".

With a dejected face he makes his way to his family 'why me why did I have to be gifted I never wanted to leave' he thinks right before he arrives at his family. His mother is weeping while his father comforts her with a pained expression while his sister just looks confused.

"Hey dad seems I wont be able to help in the forge tomorrow" Konrad says with a grimace which only makes his mother cry more. "Lets head home" Bjorn states as he starts moving in the direction of their house.

When they finally arrive they all take a seat at the table Gema still visibly confused asks "Why is everyone so upset shouldn't we be happy to have a gifted in the family?". "Its because he has lost his free will the second he was discovered the Empire does not let go of any advantage the bastards" his father says venomously.

"What do you mean" Gema asks still confused "The Envoy says that I am now the property of the Imperial family whatever that means" Konrad says before sighing again. "They can't have my baby I wont let them take you!" Cila says before breaking down in tears again."We have no choice" his father says finally seeming to have calmed down "Go pack your bags for the journey" Bjorn says as he looks directly into Konrads eyes "Yes father he responds before getting up from the table and making his way to his room.

'Why me' he thinks while packing his bag for the trip, he only has 3 sets of clothing and 1 pair of shoes so it doesn't take long before he finishes and makes his way back to the dining room. His father seeing that he is finished stands up and goes to the fireplace to take of the sword hanging above it."You will need this more than me" Bjorn says as he hands Konrad the sword "But dad this is one of your most prized possessions I cant take this" he says.

"This is not up for descusion the road ahead will be treacherous so you better be prepared" he says when Konrad finally relented and accepted the sword looking at the blade he checks its balance and edge perfect as usual its a standard issue military falchion "thanks dad" he says with tears in his eyes before givimg his dad a hug.

"Now go to bed you have a long day ahead of you" his father says after breaking away from the hug.

As he finally got to bed he fell asleep shortly thereafter but yet again he saw the man in a field of corpses staring at the heavens and screaming in defiance.