Chapter 7 Part 2: Tests

“Jun! Hold on!” Mei cried out, trying to run after him. He gritted his teeth as an eruption of blue flames grabbed his attention. The ceremony was already starting.

Mei tripped and he froze. Closing his eyes, he calmed down then returned to her side, tugging at his collar. This uniform’s sleeves hid his burns from the elbow up, but he had still donned the should cloak since it matched. Mei also wore her mask.

His left hand extended to her as she rose—taking it she jumped up, brushing off her uniform. You wouldn’t catch her dead in a skirt or dress, so she had grabbed the pants from her set.

“We’re late.” He rushed forward once more, watching her as she stumbled, still refusing to use her prayers. Jun prayed that they wouldn’t get in trouble for this.

The ceremony was in the plaza. He didn’t enter by the gates, but on the edge near the trees.

Statues of monsters lit into silver flames before their fiery apparitions rose into the sky. It was a display of the might and prowess in the faith magic system. While Mei stood there stoically, Jun kept his eyes peeled for the Jinshari. If they were smart, they wouldn’t cause trouble out in the open, but he couldn’t say they wouldn’t do that.

Trying to blend in, Jun was relieved that other students had extra articles with their uniforms. It didn’t seem to be a strict system.

A loud crack was heard and the light grew unbearable. Jun covered his face, trying to understand what was happening.

Amalie, along with nine others, strode out onto raised balconies. Their presence was immense—surrounded by white flames that parted in front of them. Amalie was holding a whip, Arnold, who danced about her. Out of the others, only four had figments that were with them.

“Only five?” Mei asked. Her eyes sparkled with prayer as she leaned and whispered in his left ear. Jun shrugged. He didn’t know if it was because Amalie needed to summon Arnold in order for it to look like a whip, or if the other five didn’t have artifacts.

“Kneel for the Alinta,” the ten said in unison. Jun tensed. A massive ball of silver flames appeared and an old man stepped out from them. Despite his speckled gray hair, and old face, he seemed healthy and fit. His presence dwarfed the other ten. Being that Jun was in the back of the crowd, it gave them a few moments before having to kneel and show their respects.

Then the air shimmered and silver flecks descended. Jun closed his eyes and controlled his flame. Thanks to Amalie’s warning, he wouldn’t allow it to be influenced by these silver sparks. Mei however circulated her prayer furiously. Some of the adults on the dais let their eyes linger on him and Mei, but that prickling sensation soon left. Jun opened his eyes to look around, barely noticing his and Mei’s blueish light about them. Instead, he noted the stares all directed to one spot.

A woman in a silvery throne with wheels that barely made it a functional wheelchair, glowed with a red light. Beside her was a man Jun barely recognized.

“Zain?” Mei whispered. Zain was standing behind her. The Woman’s light was massive the red containing silver sparks of light, and Zain’s was a faint blue like Mei’s. These weren’t the only ones who glowed more than a faint red light.

Christopher was a bright yellow, and about three others were as well. In total, Jun counted five blues, and eight yellows. However, the Silver Chair Woman was taking a lot of the attention. Jun noted how the teachers and staff were muttering to one another.

When he looked to the Ten White Flames, they too were staring in surprise at the woman. Amalie noted his stare and winked at him, before sending a white flame to devour the silver sparks. The lights around the students disappeared.

“Welcome, to the School of the Chosen,” The Principle’s voice echoed. He introduced himself, and then began to inform them of what to expect. A map of the island appeared in the air, showcasing the school and facilities. One section he pointed out was off limits and any students caught near there would be expelled.

Then he introduced what Jun expected. The tests.

Amalie had informed him of these. A combat assessment test, a rune test, a written test, a flame test, and they had already gone through the faith test.

Over the next month, they would show off their skills, show their aptitude and meeting their instructors.

As the announcements ended, the students began to whisper while the leaders left. Older students began to organize them into groups to begin the tests.

Jun picked up on a few rumors. Something about the red silver saint had appeared, and others calling her an ice witch. The other words that circulated were complaints about tests instead of education.

Some older students herded him and Mei into a group where they would start with a written test. They were guided to a room where they would be handed papers. Some voiced that they couldn’t read or write, though it was only a few. Others snatched the papers from the volunteers. Jun waited next to Mei as she pulled on her mask, fidgeting.

“It’s not like I don’t know the letters…” he heard her grumble. Jun patted her head. He understood. She had spent the last six years learning in spite of her limitations how to recognize the letters of this world, but unless he traced them so she could look at the leftover heat, she couldn’t see them.

As the older student handed him a paper, Jun grabbed the one extended to Mei.

“She is partially blind.” The student’s brow furrowed.

“Then she can’t read.”

“Not exactly.” The student scoffed at his answer.

“She either is blind or isn’t. Don’t try to hide her lack of skill.”

“Wondered if I would find you here.” Amalie’s familiar footfalls drew attention.

“White Flame!” The student called, drawing more attention. Amalie smiled and then walked to Jun and Mei.

“She can read, in spite of her blindness. I’ve witnessed it. Mei?” Amalie looked over and Mei nodded. Amalie pulled her forward, guiding her to a wax tablet. She then floated her hand over the letters, imbuing them with controlled heat that caused Mei to jump.

Mei furiously began to write on the wax, answering the questions. The proctor for the test watched in amazement. Mei’s handwriting wasn’t the best, but it was legible. After answering the questions, she handed the answers over and then bowed to Amalie. Jun could see the tips of her ears burned. She then hid behind him. The proctor looked to Amalie who tilted her head as if holding a silent conversation. The proctor then bowed and Amalie left. Jun then guided himself to another wax tablet and looked over the questions.

-What is the core faith of Nauthire?

-Explain the difference between faith and prayer.

-What is 4+5?

-How would you report a monster?

And more questions lined the paper.

Near the end it asked about the weapons you could use, and how many runes you understood. Finally, it asked for any skills you had that could be used in a trade.

Jun was amazed how much Mei had completed in that short time as he answered each. Some he had no answers to, and left blank.

After recording things down, the proctors sorted while the older students brought them food and drink. While they ate, they were slowly sorted to head to the next sections of tests.