This was it, this was the day, the moment that my whole 16 winters had led up to. Countless hours studying would make one think that I would not be trembling in my shoes and definitely not be scared. A scion of one of the houses must never show his fear, especially not of the Dalathar line. I must mimic the cold indifference on my peers’ faces. After all, this was the moment where your whole life would be decided, whether you would be fated to be one of the forgotten, perhaps a name to be called out on the death rolls every week, or perhaps you could ascend. Be known as masters or sages or perhaps one of the Peerless, a title that every schoolboy (Arden included) could only dream of. Perhaps he could become the next Scarlet Reaper or Soulless King, or perhaps one of the renowned Knights that guard the order and peace in the vast lands of Artylis. My thoughts were disrupted when a monotone voice filled the massive hall, “Arden Dalathar.” I looked at both of my lifelong friends Scarlet and Cran, they stared back at me with reassuring eyes- this was it. The hall echoed the sounds of my shoes as I made my way towards the ornate door at the far end of the hall. All the breath seemed to be sucked out of the hall as the piercing gazes of the other Hopefuls stared at my slow, measured approach towards the door. ‘Walk as if you have all the time in the world’, I remembered Father saying. I took one last look at the hall before opening the door and stepping into who knows what.
The door led to a somewhat plain room. There was a white chair on a white floor surrounded by white walls and topped by white ceiling. A forgettable room, one that is used in waiting rooms at hospitals which you forget almost instantaneously. That is of course, if it weren’t for the man that sat opposite the white chair. His very presence seemed to cause unidentifiable ripples which protruded from his limbs.
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“Arden Dalathar,” his monotone voice said, “Take a seat.” I hastily complied with the figure’s demand, forgetting Father’s advice completely. “Do you know why you’re here?” the unknown figure asked.
“To see how many Teachers’ knowledge I can learn.” I answered readily. The figure nodded and asked, “And do you know what Teachers do?” I thought for a second and replied,
“Teachers are the lifeforce of our continent, enabling us to gain knowledge that would otherwise take years to full master. When you learn from a teacher, the teacher dissipates and only you will know that knowledge. Each time a teacher trains you, you get a level of understanding which starts at Minor and you can upgrade to Immortalised”
I looked hopefully at the figure, trying to discern his response to no avail. The figure seemed to think for a moment before replying,
“That is correct in essence. However, there is much more than that. Teachers are our friends and companions; they entrust us with our knowledge so that we can develop and guard our and their home- the continent of Artylis. Do not be like the power-hungry fools who think of the Teachers only for their own gain. You do not become one of the Peerless by thinking of yourself. The great King Asclepius, the man with the most Teacher Training slots in our history did not rise to his greatness by using underhanded tricks or the like, he stared at Destiny in the face and rode the waves of Death with a smile on his face.”
The figure’s aura suddenly sharpened, and he looked at me with a piercing gaze.
“Arthur Dalathar.” The figure intoned, “I proclaim you worthy of the Teachers, use their knowledge to protect and guard the people of Artylis!” An agonizing pain erupted from my brain and I put a hand to my sternum and cried out in pain.
“Arthur Dalathar I declare your mind to be able to withstand the knowledge of 1 Teacher.”