I stood there perfectly still. My heart raced so hard it was like construction work happening in my stomach. I felt the sweat beading all over and the chill going up and down my spine like a carnival game. I took a few deep breaths. All of my studying, my training, the sacrifices of my parents, I can’t let them down! I need to focus and I need to be hope.
The arena the SITE would take place in was a football sized arena full of chairs and tables lining every inch. It makes sense since so many thousands would take the exam and only less than a dozen would make it, if even that. I was slowly guided by the steady stream of other entrants to a large lobby area where we were split by last name and had to gather our essentials for the exam and also to check in anything we brought in from home. Technically if I am chosen, I am to be sent off immediately so we were told to bring any necessities, but limited to a suitcase.
I dragged it as I made my way toward the “Q” table, having my last name Quintel. The noise was deafening and I had a hard time hearing faculty telling me what to do as I neared the table. There were five people viciously calling out orders and handing things about and taking cases, which were handed off to others and removed from sight down a hall. I sort of just pushed my way past people stopping and talking and made my way to the table. A man in a black suit looked at me, glanced at my name tag, and put his hand out. He had a comb over and his black hair seemed to glisten from the lights overhead.
“Case please,” he said. I lifted my case up and onto the table. Without much care he took it, pushed it to his side and onto the ground and slid it back as another worker took it and away it went. He made me a name tag after having read my name off my suitcase. “This bag and folder are all that are allowed into the examination arena. You are to relinquish your phone and other personal belongings at the entrance. The exam will begin in less than an hour, at five o’clock. Tardiness will not be accepted.”
With that said, he was shooing me off as I barely had time to take the black leather bag and folder. I took the bag and slung it over my shoulder and put the folder neatly under my arm and made my way with the rest of the river of people. The examination arena was clearly marked by glowing signage and faculty ushering us about like cattle. I barely had time to think as we moved with such a pace. Before I knew it I was being instructed to hand over my things into a small safebox by a security guard, patted down, and sent on my way. My nerves only began to worsen as I entered the arena.
It was massive, just as it looked from outside as I was entering. The entire dome was illuminated and there were portraits of all the previous Scholars hung on the walls. I followed the orders given by the security in here to find my last name at a table, organized alphabetically and to take a seat and await further instruction. I tried to do just that, but with the chaos of people moving about, the echoing chatter, and my anxiety at an all time high, it was difficult.
Doing my best to navigate around groups of people, faculty members, and bags being strewn everywhere, I would find my section and with it, my seat and table. They were nice cool felt chairs and dark oak tables. I organized my bag contents, being nothing more than writing utensils, erasers, a calculator, a bottle of water, and some trail mix. The folder was sealed and specifically mentioned to not open. It was not a taped seal though and looked mechanical.
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To calm myself I just snacked on the trail mix, enjoying the sweet and salty combination and drinking about half of the water. I closed my eyes and just let my mind settle. I needed to find my zen, get in the zone, and be ready to prove my worth. This is not just for myself, for my family and friends. This is for the entire Human race. I can’t fail. I opened my eyes again and could see in the middle of the arena, where a podium stood, a few black robed figures gathering.
The loud and obnoxious chatter began to slowly murmur out and the hive of rustling people began to take their seats. It was almost eerie how such a large place, full of so many people could just be this silent. There began to grow a tension in the air that I thought would suffocate me. One of the robed figures removed their hood and took to the podium. I was near the top of the arena and couldn’t make out any of the people, just basic silhouettes.
“Welcome to the SITE,” the figure spoke with such authority. His voice echoed with vigor. “Consider yourself honored to be here. Sitting in that seat is a privilege and something you should not take for granted. Think of the sacrifices made to get you here. Think about everything that had to fall into place for you to be here. Think about your past, of the present, and most importantly, of your future. You succeeding here isn’t a graduation of the person, but a gift to humanity itself. It proves that we serve a place in the new world.”
The figure moved about on the podium, gesturing around. There was a moment of silence as people looked about, at each other, toward the center, and the portraits, which were difficult to see from here.
“Each of you in here give hope to those out there,” he exclaimed, motioning in a spinning movement. “There can be no doubts, there can be no excuses, and without question, there can be no failure. No room is or will be made for anything less than the best. It is your time to shine. Let everything that has brought you to this place in the here and now, be your motivation and let the future of humanity rest on your shoulders,” the man bowed. “Thank you.”
With that, they exchanged a handshake with one of the others and a new figure took to the stage. This figure also removed their hood, exposing long flowing gray hair. Some papers were moved about and relocated before there was a cleared throat.
“Examinees, I greet you on behalf of the Enchanted Academy of Mythics, as a liaison of Earth and your new world. This test was designed to be impossible,” the woman stated, earning murmurs from the crowd. “Nothing great can be achieved without dedication, without struggle, and most importantly, without heart. To be blunt, most of you will fail. There is never a world in which everyone can be accepted and not enough time for you all to have a turn, so working diligently, we proposed this examination. The Scholars In Training Exam, better known as the SITE, was expertly crafted by all races in an attempt to give humanity a chance at salvation. I will not stand here and lie, it will not be fair. This test is nothing more than a way to access only the best and brightest your fair people have to offer. I have been a chairman of the board of directors for this examination since its inception a decade ago and I have had the privilege to welcome eighty eight of you to our famed academy. I will simply state my disappointment over the years as less and less are accepted into the program. It takes time and money to bring you here and you best prove your worth. With that said, I will allow for the rules of the examination to be explained. Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting the lucky Scholars amongst you.”
As before figures came and went, giving speeches and explaining the rules of the exam. We were told we have twelve hours to complete it and the multiple ways to be disqualified. As I also suspected the seal on the folder was a timed device and opened and with that, the test of a century would begin. I found my focus. I steeled my resolve. It was time for me to show what I can do and what I will do. I opened my folder and a digital piece of paper was all that was inside and with my name being signed, I began the SITE.