The sun continued its ascent over the mountains as Galivan and his father made their way towards the testing grounds, leaving his uncle near the entrance to the small town. Galivan's uncle had quickly caught up to the pair soon after departing their town and was currently browsing the few stalls that invariably sprung up at each testing. Whether as congratulatory or consolation gifts, the stalls tend to sell most of their stock every year. Galivan's uncle was determined to choose something fitting, rather than waiting and sifting through the remains for something little better than a bauble.

Galivan looked around as he and his father joined a crowd gathering around a raised platform. While the testing grounds were not far away from his home town, the atmosphere here was entirely different. The Jackal Academy itself was the heart of the local region, located at the peak of the highest mountain most would see in their entire lives, and directly accessible only from this town where the annual Aptitude Tests were conducted. From this town, in almost every direction, towns seemed to radiate outward at an almost uniform single days travel from one another. Galivan's town, however, was an oddly isolated exception due to the bogs surrounding their small valley.

The crowd gradually thinned and Galivan noticed a man speaking with members of the crowd from the raised platform and taking notes before sending the prospective testees to several locations throughout the field behind him. The various adults then made their ways to a separate viewing area to watch and wait. Soon enough, Galivan and his father were addressed by the note-taking man on the platform.

"Good morning, young man. Welcome to the Aptitude Test for Jackal Academy. It is very important that you answer my questions truthfully so that we can test you properly. So, have you completed the 1st rank warrior foundation?"

Galivan's father shuffled forward, drawing the attention of the man on the platform. "Good morning, sir. Galivan has not completed the 1st rank warrior foundation, but he has been primed on the four basic elements and the four advanced elements. His mother and I hope that he possesses aptitude for magic and can unlock the 1st rank magus foundation."

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"Primed on not only the four basic elements, but the four advanced elements, as well!" The man was momentarily taken aback and appraised Galivan anew. "How is it that he has been primed in so many elements at such a young age?"

"Galivan has a poor physical foundation, but a keen mind. His mother and I teach classes to the children in our town, so Galivan has had plenty of access to information his entire life and his own perseverance has paid off." Galivan's father explained Galivan's determination with pride.

The man on the platform considered Galivan with a measured look. For a long moment, he said nothing at all and Galivan began to grow anxioius. Just as Galivan began to grow worried, the man cleared his throat and began speaking excitedly to Galivan while indicating with a gesture that he was to answer rather than his father. "What is fire?"

Growing serious, Galivan responded cooly, "Fire is energy manifested in reality. It consumes, it powers and it can be extremely dangerous without control."

Satisfied, the man made a note and asked more quickly, "What is the strongest element?"

Looking confused, Galivan did not respond immediately. Deciding to answer honestly, Galivan looked at the man and whispered, "I do not think there is one. The elements are strongest when combined."

Taking another note, the man stared at Galivan as though he could see through his very soul. "Come with me, young man." Turning his attention to Galivan's father, he considered for a moment, "You may as well come along."

To the surprise of the remaining crowd, the man led Galivan and his father away and another man was sent to continue the original proceedings. Together, the three of them moved towards the more important Jackal Academy buildings before enterring one with an ebon black door. Inside, there were only three things: an ancient looking man, a table, and a large glass box. The man bowed immediately to the ancient looking man.

"Master, I would like to test this young man."

The ancient man did not even seem to move, but Galivan felt as though he was being searched. It wasn't a physical feeling, but it felt invasive, somehow. Worried about what to do, Galivan simply stood still as the feeling soon passed. Long moments passed and both Galivan and his father began to feel awkward. The man who brought them here remained bowed.

"Indeed. I will now test you, young man. Place your hands on the side panes and forhead against the one closest."

Doing as instructed, Galivan felt the ancient man place his hands over his own. He watched as the ancient man lowered his forehead to the opposite pane. As he made contact, Galivan convulsed in pain. The last thing he understood was his father's panic.