Chapter 20: Academy Entrance Examination. Part Five
A happy atmosphere sprung from the remaining examinees still standing there.
Most started talking to one another when standing of those who just took the trials appeared on the tower.
Of the thirty-eight people, twenty-nine only passed the second wave, six only passed the third wave, and three miraculously passed the fourth wave.
Coal and the others were astonished by the results, but he could not stay long to chat with his new fellow students from the reminder of the professor to go quickly test for a minor school.
He quickly made his way over to the Earth school looking for Gwen and Gary, but he could not see them. They were either already taking the test or still taking their other test.
Either way, he was spent and tired so he sat down to take a rest while others started entering the tower.
While waiting to recuperate his energy professor near the tower, a very short man, likely a gnome walked up to Coal and told him it would be alright for him to go in because the Earth test isn’t mainly about combat and shouldn’t take too much energy.
Coal thanked the professor for the information before heading inside the tower to hopefully finish the examination, so he could meet up with his friends and go eat and rest.
Different from the fire tower there was no heat wave that hit him when he entered.
A moderate temperature was present and his view was met with a large barren land and at the far end was a mountain.
Coal took a moment to take in his surroundings, trying to spot any signs of activity or any other examinees taking the Earth test.
The landscape looked eerily quiet, with no visible movement or signs of life in the area.
Coal checked his energy levels once more, noticing that he had recuperated some of his energy during his break outside, but he was still feeling somewhat drained from the previous trials.
He decided to start exploring the area, hoping to find some clues or hints about the test or any other examinees that might be nearby.
As he walked towards the mountain, he noticed that the ground beneath him was rough and rocky, with some sharp edges that could cause injuries if he was not careful.
As he got closer to the mountain, he noticed a cave entrance that seemed to lead inside the mountain. He cautiously approached the cave, making sure to stay alert for any potential dangers or traps. He entered the cave, his eyes adjusting to the dimly lit environment.
As he walked deeper into the cave, he noticed that the walls and floor were covered with various rocks and minerals.
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The air felt thick and humid, with a strong earthy smell that filled his nostrils.
As he walked further into the cave, he heard a faint rumbling sound coming from deeper inside.
Coal hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should continue forward or turn back.
He knew that he had to pass this test if he wanted to enroll in the Earth school, but he also didn't want to risk his safety unnecessarily.
He took a deep breath and decided to keep going, slowly making his way towards the source of the sound.
As he got closer, the sound grew louder and more intense, almost like an earthquake.
Coal gripped his sword tightly, ready to defend himself if needed. Finally, he reached the end of the cave, where he saw a large chamber with a massive golem-like creature inside.
The creature was made entirely of stone and minerals, with glowing red eyes that stared menacingly at Coal.
It was at least three times his size and looked incredibly intimidating.
Coal knew that this was the Earth test, and he would have to fight and defeat this creature if he wanted to pass.
Coal took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He raised his sword and charged towards the golem, ready for the fight of his life.
As he charged towards the Golem, the tower voice entered his mind! "Welcome Examinee Coal! This trial can be very simple, all you need to do is showcase your connection to the Earth.” - Tower Voice
Coal paused for a moment, wondering what the tower voice meant by showcasing his connection to the Earth. He looked around, trying to find a clue that could help him in the fight.
“What do you mean? Should I start farming? Is Muddy enough?” - Coal
That's when he noticed something peculiar about the Golem. Its feet were firmly planted on the ground, and its body seemed to be drawing energy from the earth beneath it. Coal realized that the Golem was connected to the earth, and that was its strength.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. Coal lowered his sword and took a deep breath, focusing all his energy on his connection to the Earth. He closed his eyes and began to feel the energy flowing through him.
Sensing the energy around him he could feel a constant flow of Earth energy going into the golem and with a swift thought he let a thin thread of his own energy go toward the energy flowing into the golem.
Once connected he tugged through his thread and began redirecting the energy from the golem to himself instead. He could feel his core getting a little more robust and the golem slowly began to crack beginning with its head.
Less and less energy was able to permeate upwards through the golem and it continued to crack until it completely crumbled.
“Congratulations Examinee! You have showcased your connection to earth quickly and acted just as swift!” - Tower Voice
Coal was once more transported outside, back out with everyone else he was directed to stand alongside other students who had passed.
Looking around he saw Gwen and Gary and quickly walked over to see how their primary school exams went.
“Coal!! Haha, took you long enough, we've been waiting for a few minutes.” - Gwen and Gary
The Dthic party then began to recount their individual trials, each one typically featuring a combat element intertwined with various other challenges.
For instance, Gwen found herself pitted against a swarm of wind sprites as she raced towards an objective, while Gary was tasked with defending, repairing, and reinforcing a towering structure besieged by metal sprites.
After talking for a while, all the people still within the tower were ejected simultaneously. The Gnome professor then told all these people who were ejected that sadly their connection with the earth wasn’t up to par even as a secondary school and that they wouldn’t be accepted.
Those who failed for earth as their secondary school then either left completely or ran towards another tower in hopes of getting another secondary school affinity.
Once they were all gone the Gnome professor suddenly gained height from a dirt stool forming from below him so he could look out over all the passing examinees!
I know I am not your primary teacher, but I am your teacher nonetheless so feel free to come to me if you need any help. Our year may not be as intensive as your primary courses, but I hope what you will learn from me will help you all on your journeys through life.
Welcome to the Earth School, and I shall see you all in two days. A moment later he disappeared into the earth leaving no trace that he was there.
Coal, Gwen, and Gary continued to excitedly talk about their day while heading back to the Fire Boar tavern and inn.
Once back they told Korr about how all of them passed their trials, and they celebrated till the early morning before all getting some rest.