(EVE SOLARIS)
I found myself walking down the same hallway I had for the first exam, this time without Mayla. I wasn’t too sure where she was to be honest.
The day prior, before retreating to our quarters, we had agreed to meet at the entrance of Group D’s lounge area. When I got there, however, she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I had stood there and waited until the announcement for the second exam had come, but she never came.
So now I’m walking to the next exam by myself.
The next exam in question was “practical skills,” whatever that meant exactly.
I reached the same area I was in before, half expecting to see the open area with the pedestal sectioned parts for individuals, but that was completely wrong.
The previously elevated surface had been sectioned off into three different sections with three more sub areas within each. Each sub area had four different individuals who I could only assume would be our proctors for today’s exam.
At the front of the leftmost section, there was a sign with the picture of a sword. The rightmost section had a sign with a bow on it and the section in the middle had a sign with a fist on it. Following both the sword and bow signs, there were multiple stands of either swords or bows and arrows.
The waiting areas began to rapidly fill up, yet there was no sign of Mayla to be seen anywhere.
“Good afternoon to all of you! It is a pleasure to be hosting you all today once again. In case you forgot who I was, as disheartening as that is, I am the Third Paladin, Mara Slade!”
‘Hah, as if we could ever forget her,’ I thought to myself.
“As you can all see, we have prepared for you nine different sections for today’s exam! I’m sure a lot of you already have an idea as to what you’ll be doing today, but I still need to go over some rules.”
“Today you’ll be showing off your practical, or rather, combat skills.”
“As you can all see, we’ve gone ahead and sectioned off three different areas for you all to take part in. On the far left there’s swordsmanship, the middle is hand to hand combat, and the far right is archery. You’ll all choose one of these three sections and follow the instructions given to you by one of the four proctors waiting for you.”
“I know that some of you may have other skills that aren’t necessarily represented by one of these three sections, however these were the most basic and since we can’t exactly test for all the combat styles and skills known, we have settled with these as a base for judgment.”
“Of course, if you think that you want to show off a different set of skills, you can always opt in for the independent exam with an individual proctor.”
‘An independent exam, huh? Maybe that’s what Mayla is doing.’
To be honest, I had no idea what kind of combat style Mayla preferred. She didn’t seem like the type to use a bow and arrow, nor did she seem like a hand to hand fighter… in fact, I don’t even think I’ve even seen her pick up a weapon in the first place, although granted I haven’t exactly known her for very long.
“It is also worth noting that during this entire exam, mana usage is prohibited. This exam is to measure one’s physical abilities in combat, hence the title of the practical exam.”
“Now, with that, please, begin your exam! I wish you all the best of luck as always!”
And with that, she disappeared with a flash of light once again. This time, however, most contestants were used to this flashy display and were quick to head towards the section they wanted to take part in.
I was no exception.
The sections seemed to have a slight preference to swordsmanship with archery falling closely behind. The least contested area was the one for hand to hand combat. Out of the sixty or so individuals in group D, about half of them had chosen swordsmanship.
I began to make my way to the archery section. I took a second to view the training ground, noticing a pedestal next to the bow and arrows stand. That was when I realized that there weren't any targets for us to shoot.
‘How exactly are we going to show off our archery skills without a target?’ I thought as I picked up a bow and some arrows already placed within a quiver.
“Good afternoon, everyone! My name is Flynn and I’ll be the one to explain today’s archery exam to you all.”
Everyone turned their attention to the man in question. He was tall and decently buff, maybe in his mid twenties with jet black hair and brown eyes. Despite his normal appearance, however, he was radiating with mana. It seemed to be drawn towards him, even pulling from the mana surrounding me.
“What will happen is that each of you will stand in the middle of the area and wait for the signal to start. Once you begin, a proctor will begin conjuring up pieces of stone and move them in the air around you. You will be tasked with trying to hit or shatter as many of them as you can within two minutes. I will now demonstrate how this will look.”
He began walking towards the bow stand to grab his own set of bow and arrows before standing in the middle of the training area. He gave a firm nod to one of the other proctors who then placed his hand on the pedestal.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Shortly after, a light barrier began to appear from the edges around Flynn, much like the sparring arena I had just fought in the day previously.
“As you can all see, there is no need to worry about a stray shot flying off into the distance. This barrier will prevent anything from getting out of the barrier.”
Before long, the proctor that had placed his hand on the pedestal began conjuring rocks out of thin air within the barrier, spinning them around Flynn.
Without notice, Flynn began to shoot the rocks swirling around him in quick succession and with visible ease. It was almost surreal just how fast he was shattering the rocks left and right. It was almost as if he knew where they’d show up from.
‘To think he could do this much without mana…’
After two minutes, the rest of the rocks disappeared and the barrier dissipated. Flynn walked out of the training ground and placed his bow and arrows back on the stand before turning back to look at us.
“As you just witnessed, it isn’t that complicated. You all will be expected to hit as many of the rocks as you can. After you finish, you are free to join your friends in the waiting stands, head back to the combined lounge for all contestants of the selections, or head back to your rooms. Are there any questions?” He asked, however only silence came.
“I will take that as a no. After grabbing your bow and arrows, please form a line and wait your turn.”
All the others began to make their way to the stand to grab a set of bow and arrows while I made my way to the center of the arena.
The barrier shimmered to life around me, glowing a light blue.
“Are you ready?” Flynn asked, already diffusing mana into the air.
“Ready.”
“Begin!”
With that, I could feel as rocks began to form around me and, one by one, I started to strike them down.
A couple seconds turned into a minute fast, my stamina slowly draining with the time. Without the ability to strengthen my movements with mana and refine my body with it, the constant barrage of arrows was taxing to say the least.
I felt as my movements became rough and slugged, slowly losing the alacrity they once possessed. This didn’t stop me, however.
I slowed my pace down to match my stamina before relaxing a little, allowing my body to be a bit more synchronized, minimizing any wasteful movements I was once executing.
Eventually a minute met two and I was done.
To be honest it wasn’t too hard, I’m glad I didn’t have to try to spar against others with a sword. As it is my staff combat is barely starting to come together, any other weapon and I’ll basically be useless. I ended up shattering seventy-six rocks within the time limit, only missing about four arrows in total.
Once the time had expired, the rest of the rocks disappeared and the barrier vanished as quick as it emerged, allowing me to freely walk on out.
I put the bow and arrows I had left back where I got them before making my way towards the hallway I had come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(KAYN)
“Seems the trend continues. Talent has been outstanding this year as it’s been in the previous years. We have some returning individuals alongside some new ones, all with a promising future ahead of them.” Mara said.
“Agreed. Who knows what lies ahead of them. It’ll be even harder determining who’ll go on to the next phase. With so little spots left, who knows what will happen.”
Sylas’ words brought me deep in thought as I looked at the boy who had caught my attention. You couldn’t see much of him as a dark green cloak hid his appearance.
“That boy… Amadar was it? He seems quite interesting.”
“I think interesting is quite the understatement.” Mara replied with her hand on her chin, seemingly deep in thought.
“He’s still quite sloppy compared to anyone who has been trained, however he definitely shows great promise.” Sylas agreed.
“What do you think about him, Kalan?” I asked, but I received no answer as he only watched that girl, Eve.
“I believe it would be good training for Eve to fight Amadar. I heard about their brief interaction before today’s exam, however if they were able to both go all out…”
“Allow me to rephrase Kayn’s question, Kalan. Would your little possession have lost to him?” Sylas asked, egging on Kalan like he normally did.
“I suggest you watch your tongue, Sylas. She’s not my possession, she’s…more like a daughter” Kalan said, letting his aura flair out a bit.
Silence enveloped everyone for a brief second. The ever cold and distant Kalan taking on a student was surprising enough, but for him to refer to her in such a way... Just who was this girl?
“Daughter? Is that the rumor you’re trying to spread? Are you sure it's not because Ryla has gotten a little too old for your taste...?” Sylas continued unabated, drawing stares from the rest of us.
A release of Kalan’s intent was all it took to steal the breath from my lungs. He simply regarded Sylas for a moment that lasted an eternity under his suffocating pressure, his eyes slightly narrowed. Then the pressure was gone and even more terrifyingly, Kalan was chuckling with a smile playing along his lips.
“It seems I’ve been too lenient with you, Sylas. I enjoy your hubris from time to time, but there are limits.”
“Then perhaps you should remind me, Sir. We could always give the participants a show and have our own little spar.”
“I believe that would be quite interesting, seeing as that’s probably the only way Sylas will shut up about it.” Mara interjected, clearly wanting to end this standoff, before Kalan could give his reply.
“And there is that week interim before the tournament after the initial selections” I added, catching Mara’s intent.
“Fine, Sylas, I will meet your ego in the dueling ring… and then stomp it into the ground.”
“Finally speaking my language old man!” Sylas exclaimed, his aura flaring along with his excitement.
“You won’t be speaking much at all after we’re done.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Kalan, I’ve spent the last year training specifically to take you down. ” Sylas said, visually shaking from excitement.
“As if that’s enough to close the ever growing gap.” Kalan said with a sly look in his eyes.
“Just wait, you’ll see.”
‘We shall see indeed.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(MAYLA)
“Listen, I don’t care what you or any of you from Diocaesarea say, I want no part in it!”
“I’m afraid that is not for you to decide. Lady Astor has requested you return to your family and to your duties and drop this facade. She, along with everyone else, believes it’s a waste of time.”
“And that’s exactly why you guys will never understand!”
“What do you even hope to accomplish? Don’t you think this fit and tantrum has gone on long enough?! Your mother is worried sick and is only trying to do what she believes is best for you and the family.”
“What’s ‘best’ my ass! All she cares about is expanding her territory and making money!”
“Lady Am-”
“Don’t say my name, Al! Why don’t you go back and do your job?”
“Respectfully, miss, my job is to take care of you.”
“Listen, why don’t you tell my mother that if she wants me back so badly, she can come down here and take me back herself. Otherwise she can take her complaints and find someone else to bother.”
“Miss, I-”
“You’re dismissed, Al. Go back home.”
With that, Al turned around and walked out the door he came in from.
I sat back down on my bed and took a deep breath before releasing it.
“Why doesn’t anyone listen…?”
I felt as the tears began to brim at the edges of my eyes before one fell slowly down my face.
I thought back on everything I’d been through to even get this chance to be here. All the people I’d hurt and all the duties I abandoned when I disappeared. It was a childish fit, but it was one I felt was necessary. Or at least I thought it was one that was necessary.
Nothing has been how I planned it to be. I haven’t been able to make any sort of progress with my own life and adventuring hasn’t exactly panned out the way I was hoping it would. I thought that if I joined the Church, I’d finally be able to make a difference but… was I wrong? What if nothing changes?
‘Maybe he’s right, maybe I should just go back…” I thought as I layed down and drifted off to sleep.