Even was running wearily through the dark, squared tunnel which was faintly visible by the light emitted by the glow stones attached to the grey walls.
The tunnel was like a maze, where each junction separated into four new routes and repeating endlessly.
Echos of his own footsteps along with some creepy sound from the distant darkness were the only sound he was able to hear.
He ran towards the cold darkness, panting; sweat drops covering his forehead.
As he was approaching the creepy sound, the air became colder and more terrific.
His insides were trembling in fear and his breathe became more and more visible.
The tunnel turned pitch black as the glow stones suddenly stopped glowing.
A girlish scream came from his front of the tunnel, causing Even’s body to panic.
He created a small mana sphere of green light on his finger tip and warily walked into the darkness.
Moving forward, his sphere illuminated two small and greasy legs.
He pointed the light forward, to see a young girl’s body lying on the ground. Her clothes were soaked in red from the blood leaking from a deep cut on her neck.
“Ahh...”. He screamed
His pupil enlarged and he started stuttering meaningless sounds.
“Ra...Ra... Rach...”
The glow stones glowed again. The hallway was lightened making the body in front more visible.
Behind her was a large black figure moving, its white eye staring at Even.
It had no limbs, no face but only one big white eye. Its body was blocking the whole path, making it impossible to see what's behind.
Even’s whole body was shivering from the sight of the monster in front. It was releasing a strong and creepy aura from; the strongest aura Even has ever encountered.
He ambled backward looking at the monster and fell down, still eyeing towards it.
The black monster moved to the girl. A hand like structure protruded out from its body, grabbing her head and rising her body into the air.
“He..lp.”
Broken word came from her mouth. She was looking at Even with watery eyes which were seeking for help.
Even tried to help her, but his body was not moving him.
He was afraid.
His generosity was overcome by the terrifying aura released from that unknown monster.
The black stuff was slowly engulfing her head. She screamed in pain while her hand was pushing against the black hand.
As half of her head was absorbed, all her movements stopped.
A familiar fear ran through Even’s body leading his mind to the worst.
“Why didn’t you save me?” her mouth motioned.
“Why didn’t you save me? Why didn’t you save me? Why didn’t you save me? Why didn’t you save me? Why didn’t you save me? Why...?” She screeched the same words.
She continued her same loathing questions again and again.
Even’s wore a confused face, looking to the floor.
He blocked his ears with hands and released a miserable cry.
“I didn’t wanted to die” she continued. "I died because you didn’t saved me. You killed me. You are the one to die. Me dying alone is not fair.
Yes. You are the one to die. Not me.”
Her words arose a guilty face in him.
A feared guilty face.
Instantly, the darkness from the monster spread across the whole tunnel. Nothing was visible.
“You are the one to die.”
A sick voice came from above. A white eye Speeded towards Even, making everything blank.
Even slowly opened his eyes to see a brown roof and light surrounding him.
He looked around and noticed he was on his bed.
It was all a dream.
Morning light entering through the windows luminated the whole room. He was feeling life from the light.
“Again. I did it again.” he murmured.
He put his hand on face, covering his eyes.
Tears came from his eyes.
He stood up, approached his dressing cabinet. He looked at the mirror.
Even was a fifteen-year-old boy. His green eyes and brown hairs perfectly matched his fair skin and slender face.
He left the room and headed towards the dining area.
Ronald was sitting beside the table and wiping his blue arm plate.
He was old man in his fifties and Even’s legal grandfather.
Two cups of tea were placed on the table, steam rising from it.
Even sat on his chair, took a sip of tea.
“You saw it again?” Ronald asked.
Even kept his eyes of the tea and nodded in response.
“I cleaned your Stein also. It is on that box.”
Ronald pointed at a black box above the table.
“You did?!” Even responded in surprise.
“Of coursed I did. Today is my boy’s entrance for Xaven academy. You will use it today, right?” Ronald asked cheerfully.
Even didn’t responded. He grabbed the box and opened it.
Two draggers with green blades and black handles were inside it.
As he touched the draggers, the blades shined faintly emitting green mana.
‘It’s been a year since I used it. I don’t want to use it.
To begin with, is it okay for me use it?’ he thought.
“It’s your blades. You can use it as you want.”
Ronald patted him and put his arm plate inside the shelf.
“Go dress up. I will drop you by the academy.”
“I can go there myself. Grandpa don’t have to come with me.”
“No. Its mandatory for the participant’s guardian to arrive with them. Don’t worry, I will disguise myself if you want.”
Ronald Lazer was a retired supreme commander of Lunas army and also a famous adventurer.
He was well known throughout the Lunas kingdom, and Even hated public attention he will cause on the examination.
So, a disguise was the best option for Ronald.
---
A Raptor cart was waiting outside Ronald’s house with Even standing beside it.
He wore a brown shirt and lean black pants.
Draggers were on either side of his waist hidden under his shirt. He had two rings on his left hand.
One was pure black and other was white coloured with a green line through its center.
“Old man. What are you doing inside? We are going to be late.” Even yelled, calling Ronald.
He came out of the house, wearing a black suit. He locked the door and hurried towards the cart.
“Are you ready?” Ronald asked with a joyous smile.
“Ages before.” Even raged.
“Don’t be angry. We still have an hour before the examination starts. It is only a half hour trip to the Xaven’s.”
Saying, both entered the cart.
Raptor was one of the fastest beasts in Lunas. It was a beast with two legs and long tail.
“Gyaa...”
The Raptor started moving as the coachman whipped it.
Xaven was located at the capital city of Lunas, Baslak. It was the most famous academy of the kingdom.
Most of the students studying there belonged to noble and warrior family.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Each year, only thirty students were allowed to study there.
As the cart moved, Even could see the beautiful city of Baslak.
The sight of Raptor carts moving through the streets, huge and alluring mansions of noblemen and big gardens in the middle exaggerated the beauty of the city.
Half an hour later, they reached their destination.
The Xaven's Academy.
The academy was located above a small elevation. Down the valley, it was surrounded by sparse forest.
The academy was guarded by two-meter-high walls and the only entrance was a big steel gate.
Many noble carts were waiting near the valley.
Noble parents wearing black suits and gowns were waiting inside the cart along with their child.
There were more than fifty families arrived.
A woman wearing a white coat with dark blue collar arrived towards the carts.
“All the candidates taking the examination will have to go towards the academy grounds. There, you will meet your examinant.
Parents should follow me for registration process.”
She ordered.
The Xaven’s academy and all other academy in the country were independent from the Royal family.
They were not under the command of the king, so neither of them feared each other.
The academy officers are not bound to respect the nobles or the Mage council.
Even left his cart.
“I will be going.” he said to Ronald who left the cart along after him.
“Do your best.”
Even waved at his grandfather with a smiling face and joined other candidates.
All the participant along with Even walked towards the academy gate.
As he passed the gate, an immense mana repelled him. Passing the gate was not a problem but the mana is fearful.
Even looked around to see only a handful of participants sensed the mana and wearing the same expression as him.
All others were walking inside like going to a fieldtrip.
The immense mana was the after effect of the mana barrier surrounding the academy.
If the academy hadn’t allowed, it should have been impossible for these people to enter the gate.
Two officers wearing the same white uniform was standing at the middle of the ground.
One was an old guy with spectacles and other was a middle-aged man with thick beard.
“I am Lanent Velvert and he is Robert Layn.” the bearded officer started speaking.
“We are your exam supervisors. We have the authority regarding everything related to the exam. So, if you want to pass the exam, you will do as we say. If not, you will be disqualified.
Here, we don’t want to know anything about you other than your talents.
The examination will have three tests and only ten candidates from the last test will be selected.
If you are prepared follow me to the first test area.”
Lanent ordered the candidates.
The entrance examination was for the admission for students to the second year.
In Xaven’s academy, each year only thirty students can enroll.
For the first year, thirty students are selected through the entrance examination. But only the top twenty will pass to the next year.
To fill the vacancy, ten students are selected through this additional examination.
The top twenty rule is applicable till the second-year students.
So, a year, the academy will conduct one main and two additional entrance examination.
The candidates followed the two examinants.
They reached in front of two large ten meters high pillars.
Each pillar had ten holes facing the other pillar.
“The first two test will be a passing condition type exam and the final test will be a rank type exam.”
Lanent stated.
“The name of the first test is Ball catching.
The rules are simple. You can see two holed pillars in front. From each hole, balls will be shoot towards the other pillar.
After one second of releasing, the balls will disappear.
Your job is to shoot the balls using your own elemental magic balls and destroy it.
The condition to pass is to shoot at least seven balls under five minutes.
The exam will start in next five minutes. You can prepare all you need.
Within the next five minutes, you can stand anywhere outside the radius of twenty meters from the pillars.
Once the game starts, you should not move from your position.
Once you destroyed seven test balls, you can move as you like.
And using any non-low-class magic is prohibited.
That’s all”
Saying that, both the examinants left the ground and sat on the chairs near a stone pavement.
The candidates selected their position.
Most of them were standing near the twenty-meter circle.
Even was standing behind the first wave of students. Beside him, other five were standing and to his back only two of them.
The test started.
Balls started flying between the pillars.
Most candidates were aiming for the balls flying through the middle part of the pillar.
Suddenly seven balls of flame and seven balls of earth destroyed the test balls flying between the upper part of the pillars.
Those magic balls came from the last two standing at the back.
They were a girl and boy pair.
Many were staring at the two, with surprised faces.
For a normal student mage, producing two magic balls was their limit. And hitting a moving target from twenty meters was even more challenging.
So, those two were not normal ones.
The examinants had no change in expression after seeing their performance.
After thirty seconds, only three candidates passed. The passed ones stood together at the back side of the ground.
Completing one minute, two more passed from the frontline and went to the back.
Barely after two minutes ten more passed including Even.
They followed what others did and went to the back.
“Good job. "a boy standing beside Even appreciated him.
Even smiled back and nodded in response.
“I am Vain Walker.” he forwarded his hand for greeting.
“Even Lazer” Even took his hand.
“Lazer from Ronald Lazer, the ex-army commander?”
“Yes. He is my grandfather.”
Vain was surprised.
Silence followed.
Both were watching the remaining students shooting at the balls.
“The test was a tricky one, right?” Vain asked.
“Yes-”
“Anyone with good magic and aim can easily pass the test.” a voice interrupted their conversation.
Even looked back to see a pretty girl with long red hair standing behind Vain.
She placed her hands on Vain’s shoulder, ignoring Even.
“Here is pretty boring Vain. After this exam I have some shopping. Will to accompany me?”
“Just go by yourself. You just need me to carry your bags.”
Vain lowered his shoulder. He noticed Even staring at both of them.
“She is my cousin, Maye Walker.” Vain introduced her.
“My name is Even. Nice to meet you.”
“Which family are you from? Are you a commoner?” she asked Even.
“Maye, its rude.
Sorry Even. She is always like that”
“I am from Lazer family.” Even replied.
“His grandfather is Ronald Lazer. You know him, right?”
“Of course, I know him. He was an army guy, right?”
Even nodded.
“When did you pass the test? You were not here before I came.”
“I passed after two minutes. The test was so simple.”
“Is that so?” Vain asked, looking towards Even.
“Was it hard for you?” she asked.
“It was designed to be hard for any normal student.”
“So, that make me special. I knew I had talent in magic. I will definitely pass this examination and cancel my engagement with that Relghert jerk.” Maye said with overflowing confidence.
“If it was not tricky for you, then you were lucky.” Vain said, reviewing the test.
“Come on Vain. Now are you jealous of me.”
“How many things have you noticed other than the rules said by the examiner?” Vain asked her.
She was confused.
“Half of the balls coming from the pillars are protected with mana. It is impossible to destroy the protected balls.
Only a person with high mana sensitivity would be able to identify it.”
Maye was shocked. Even continued staring at the test.
“The balls released from the upper three holes of the pillar took fifty percent more to disappear than the normal ones.
So, only those with good observation skills along with above average physical and magical strength are eligible for passing.
All others who passed just got lucky. Isn’t it?”
Vain glanced at Even, when asking that question.
“I don’t know.” Even replied.
Maye showed a defeated face.
Five minutes passed. Test ended.
Forty out of fifty-three candidates passed the test.
---
“First of all, good working on passing the test.” Robert praised the remaining forty candidates.
His voice was strong and loud in contrast to his old appearance.
“The next test will be based on team work.
Every candidate should form a team of four before next test.
You have two hours for forming a team and preparing yourself.”
The two officers left the ground.
Murmurs began rising.
Candidates approached each other, proposing to form teams.
A crowd was surrounding the extraordinary pair, requesting them to join their own groups.
“Even, want to join our team? I can be the captain.” Vain asked.
“Hey, let's ask Alice or Arthur to join us.” Maye said looking at the extraordinary pair.
“Maye, you know they are commoners. Do you want to be in the same group as some commoners?” Vain asked her.
“If they can help me to pass, I don’t care for their status.” Maye said in crafty voice.
“Do you really thought that they will join us if we just ask them?
They just turned down the invitation of Emma Layon, a member of Layon main family.”
She froze.
Maye nodded in response with her hopeless looking face.
The noble families are internally classified as main family and branch families.
The ruling sub family was called the main family. The family heir was always selected from the main sub family also know a as high nobles.
All other sub families were called branch families.
“So Even, are you willing to join us?”
Even was confused and looked around him.
He saw no team with more than two members to be formed.
The extraordinary pair still remained as pair.
After some thoughts he nodded in response, and formed the first three-membered team.
As they were looking for their last member, Even saw Alice from the extraordinary pair approaching his team.
Everyone around were staring at her and Even’s team.
She stood in front of Even and forwarded her hand to greet him.
She had long black hair and blue eyes. Her face was much alluring for a commoner girl.
Even would have easily mistaken her for a member of high nobles if he hadn’t known about her from the rumors.
“I am Alice Raven. An aqua user.”
The crowd became silent.
Those word opened the mouths of everyone.
The most surprised one was Maye, who was changing her sight between those two.
A mage introducing themselves along with their magic type was considered as proposal for life long mutual trust.
It was not very common amongst mages to establish a mutual trust one their first day of meeting.
“I am Even Lazer. Wind user.” Even took her hand and responded normally.
But in inside, he was having mixed feelings.
The last thing Even wanted was to stand out among the crowd.
‘Here goes all my hard work in vain’ he thought.
“Are you willing to join our team?” Alice asked him with a smile.
That question raised mumbling amid the crowd.
Vain was making less surprised but more betrayed like face.
“Thanks for your request, but I am already in a team.” Even replied.
Alice kept her normal.
It was like she was already expecting a rejection.
“Oh. Sorry for the sudden request. The fault was mine.
I wish both of us could enroll to Xaven’s.” Alice said.
She gazed towards the two Walkers standing beside Even and returned back to her pair.
Arthur was a handsome blonde guy with lean body and normal eyes.
Sometimes, the mana of a person affects the colour of their eyes or hair. But the affected one was no different from any normal mage.
Red, green, blue and brown eyes signify flame, wind, aqua and earth mana users respectively.
“Even, why didn’t you join them?” Vain asked.
“Why should I? I was already in your team.”
“Was that the only reason?”
“Yeah.
Let's search for the last member. Thirty minutes are already over.”
Maye stared at Even.
Even ignored her and went for member hunt.