Chapter 14: Phase Two of the Exams Begin

The Conjurer and I waged a massive campaign among the uninhabited moons of the outer territories. I say massive, but it was more like a skirmish when compared to the epic-scaled battles of the Dark Dragon Wars. Though it was glorious nonetheless. I brought everything the Lurranna family had to bear against the Conjurer, and he, in turn, assailed me with every Elemental worm under his command. It was much akin to a game of cat and mouse. Though the question still remained, who was the cat and who was the mouse?

About half an hour after landing, Ryan stood next to Éclair on a tall stone dock that sat atop a large structure overlooking the moon’s surface. All the candidates had been gathered to hear the instructions from the exam proctor, a human female Monk wearing simple white robes. Ryan was a little disappointed. He was hoping that Hannah Lioness would oversee this part of the exam.

“Greetings. I am Acolyte Grintha. I’ll be one of your proctors for this phase of the exams,” explained the Monk.

The Monk’s robes seemed a little less intricate and fine than Hannah’s. Ryan figured that was due to Hannah’s station as the High Priestess. He remembered Torsha explaining that there were two main distinctions among the Monks: Acolytes and Stewards, and their proctor was an Acolyte. Before being named as a Monk, initiates were called Novices which was basically the Monastery equivalent of Grunts. Above the Acolytes were the Priests who were pretty much the leaders. Ryan also remembered Torsha telling him that since she was considered a Steward in training among the Monks, she had yet to earn her own white cloak, giving her the freedom to wear civilian clothes as she often did. Ryan found it strange that Torsha was still in training herself given how knowledgeable she seemed on so many things.

“Just a few words to impart upon you the gravity of your situation. The duration of your exams will be held here, on the ancient moon temple of Galsin. This is a sacred place that has been the training grounds for Elementals and Monks for thousands of years. It is also a politically neutral zone for all differing factions both outside the Tarrus Empire and within.”

Grintha paused for a few moments as she gazed at the horde of candidates gathered as if to assess their strengths. “Your first challenge will be a war exercise. You will be divided into four armies. Four armies, one mission. To secure that Spire over there and hold it until the end of the exam a week from now.”

Grintha pointed in the distance, causing everyone to turn their heads to the left. Over the horizon, there were miles of shimmering, dome-shaped structures. And in a large grassy area at the center of the domes stood a tall spiralling tower. The domes shimmered with many refracting colors on a glass-like surface, and Ryan realized that they were smaller versions of the forcefield that protected the Ministry of Fire, although they weren’t translucent. The Spire was aptly named as the structure was made in a sort of spiral formation, almost like a twister frozen into solidity. It was quite distinctive not only for its size, but for the fact that it was one of the few structures within view that was made from titanium steel instead of stone.

“You will be traversing through the various bio-domes to make it to the tower, each one containing its own unique environment and challenges. This portion of the exam has been nicknamed ‘king of the hill’. Do not fear causing collateral damage to any civilian populace. This entire area is the ancient training grounds reserved exclusively for the Ministry of Fire. Also, it should be noted that the training domes are protected by a dampening field created by us Monks that will maintain your vitals throughout the exam. So long as you remain within the barrier, you will not come to permanent harm, meaning that all form of Psionic Weaponry is permissible.”

Ryan had never heard a Monk speak so militarily, or at least he never heard Hannah speak like that. It was slightly jarring for him.

The Monk put her hands behind her back in a relaxed posture. “The rules in this arena are simple. Treat this test as if it were an actual war. If you are defeated in battle, you are dismissed from the exercise and service droids will soon come to fetch you, rendering the appropriate medical care as needed. But do not think that this is by any means a game. Even though the shields prevent you from dying, you can still hurt each other. Pain is pain whether it be lethal or not. Furthermore, any action that is seen as detrimental to the overall goals of the exam will be judged accordingly. This is a no-hold-bars battle for the Spire. I trust you will perform to your utmost.”

Grintha then raised a palm upward, gesturing towards Torsha and several other more seasoned-looking Elementals among the candidates. “And finally, some of your mentors will be participating in this exercise to act as captains. However, they will have a limited degree of participation in the battle. This is your test, Firsts. You must show us the merit of your worth. You will all be scored on participation and contributions to the battle. Not just as individuals, but as a unit, you will be tallied. Though depending on how well you perform, it is still possible to pass even if your team is not the victor. That being said, it is highly likely that at least three-fourths of you will be eliminated from the exams after this phase. Now, you will each receive an armband corresponding to the army you will fight in. As soon as all the candidates have been divided into their respective units, we may begin.”

A few minutes later, the students were transported to the edge of the domes using Gateways. The area around the domes were white and sandy, but also rocky with several pits and craters scattered here and there. Each dome went up about a hundred feet and looked at least half a mile in width. Out of curiosity, Ryan touched the dome with his hand, and it passed through easily while leaving only a slight tingling sensation in his fingers.

So each of these dome thingies have their own independent environments, thought Ryan as he removed his hand and wiggled his fingers. Is it all done with forcefields and holograms?

An assistant proctor in a Fire Ministry uniform handed Ryan a green glowing metal disk with the insignia of the Ministry of Fire in the center - a sitting lion and a four-legged dragon.

“This armband will designate your team. Whatever color it glows will correspond to whatever army you’ve been assigned. After a few minutes, the armband will lead you to your team’s designated headquarters, then the game will begin.”

Despite the proctor’s explanation, the object looked nothing like an armband. Ryan looked at the device, then at the other candidates around him in the hopes that someone would demonstrate whatever was required next.

“You just place it on your arm,” explained the proctor, looking slightly annoyed before walking away to the next candidate.

Ryan hesitantly raised the disk to his right arm, and almost immediately, four metal tentacles sprang out to enwrap his arm until the disk was securely fastened in place just below his shoulder. Startled, Ryan jumped a little with surprise and may or may not have given out a slight shriek. Other kids nearby snickered and pointed.

“What are you snobs looking at?” muttered Ryan defensively.

“That would be your face, probably. Always good for a laugh,” said a familiarly irritating voice.

“Oh, great, it’s what’s-his-name,” Ryan said with a groan.

Even without turning, Ryan could just picture the sneer on the jerk’s smug face. “It’s Logan, half-breed. I would think you’d remember the name of the guy that kicked your sorry ass.”

Out stepped Mr. Obnoxious himself in full Elemental battle attire. It must have been true that the guy came from rich stock given the threads he flaunted as most Firsts couldn’t afford high-grade gear yet. Explosion Logan strode up proudly to Ryan, his red Psionic Armor glowing with orange symbols. He also sported a short golden cape which Ryan thought made him look gaudy. Seriously, a teenager in a cape is not a heroic picture. It might work for more dignified Elementals like Eramar, but certainly not for this snot-nosed punk. Logan was flanked by his cronies who shoved other Firsts aside to make a path for their leader. As he walked through their ranks, displaying complete and utter arrogance, Ryan could hear several people whispering, ‘Explosion Logan’.

Seriously, dudes, get a life! Where does a brat like him even find minions? Is there like an ad or something?

Remembering the rebuke Torsha had given him, Ryan restrained the instinct to punch Logan in the face and instead simply said, “Aren’t capes only reserved for Fourths and Wielders?”

“It’s still legal since it doesn’t have embellishments of a real Wielder’s capes. A gift from my dad to inspire me for future accomplishments. Not that someone like you would know anything about that.”

This guy has a bad habit of getting on my nerves. Not the most healthy decision on his part.

Instead of rising to the obvious bait, Ryan pointed at Logan’s face and said, “Didn’t I punch you in the face already? If so, then you must not have made a very good impression.”

Logan’s face went a slight shade of red as he said through clenched teeth, “You mean when you sucker-punched me in the face like a pussy. And if I remember correctly, someone got their butt saved by their huge, psychotic Saurian buddy!”

Ryan snapped his fingers dramatically. “Oh, wait! You did make a good impression. Right into the ground!”

Punchline!

Logan gritted his teeth and leaned in close. Ryan could see sparks coming out of his fists. “You think you’re funny, half-breed? Think you’ll still be laughing after I blow out your stupid teeth from your stupid mouth?!”

“That would be a mistake,” interjected a voice as cold as ice. Éclair seemed to materialize out of nowhere, an ice dagger already in her hand as she brandished the weapon at Logan’s throat. “As you would have to deal with me first.”

“And me,” said a voice Ryan had not expected to hear.

Out of the shadows came Leon Lurranna to stand next to Éclair. Ryan heard gasps as dozens of candidates backed away from Leon in terror. Just seeing the looks on their faces was enough to make Ryan’s blood run cold. It was as if they had seen the devil himself. Ryan thought he heard some of them exclaim ‘Mystic born’, but he wasn’t sure as many students had begun chattering in frightened tones with one another.

Man! Why can’t I be a badass like that?! Oh, crap! Leon probably heard that!

Much to Ryan’s dismay, shock and awe flickered across Éclair’s face briefly before she reigned her gaze back to Logan. As Logan’s henchmen rushed to their bully leader’s aid, Logan raised his hand as if to signal them to halt. With a growl of contempt, Logan leveled a hateful glare at both Éclair and then Leon.

“This has nothing to do with you Kaves, and it definitely has nothing to do with a Mystic lackey like you, Lurranna.”

“And you would know all about being a lackey, Explosion Logan,” said Leon with a grin.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Logan angrily.

“The son of a respected family and relative to a Wielder council member. That’s a lot of pressure to put on such a young man’s shoulders. Such a good little boy you’ve been, doing whatever daddy says since you first crawled out of the womb. Tell me, are you really so confident as you act, or is all your bullying just a put-on to compensate for your lack of balls?”

Now Logan was sweating as a look of alarm crossed his face.

Man! I hope the day never comes when Leon fixes that steely gaze on me! Oh, dang it! He probably heard that too!

Logan seemed to recover a little, backing away from Éclair’s ice knife as he raised his hands up. Tiny sparks of light started shooting from his fingertips.

Ryan knew what that meant. He instinctually rushed between Logan and Éclair as fast as he could, which was actually a lot faster than what he was used to. Eramar had commented that Ryan’s physical abilities had been increasing a little every day as his control over strength enhancement improved.

Even Logan seemed surprised as his hydrogen bombs came closer and closer to Ryan’s face. Ryan figured that a guy like Logan was pretty weak at close combat, so he decided to get as close as he could as he reached out to try and get ahold of Logan’s arms.

But before he could, Logan’s hydrogen bombs were extinguished by what looked like tiny bubbles. Even more incredible was the fact that Ryan found himself unable to move. After a few seconds of surprise, he realized that his arms and legs were being held back by large bubbles.

Logan was in a similar situation as he tried desperately to reach his arms around Ryan’s neck and strangle him, but to no avail. The bubbles dispersed and Ryan discovered the source of the curious form of Elemency to have been done by none other than a female proctor from the Fire Ministry.

“Break it up,” explained the proctor, seeming more warrior than teacher at the moment. “Fighting outside the arena is forbidden. Don’t think for one second that I won’t demote the lot of you back to Grunt.”

“It was their fault!” protested one of Logan’s minions. “These Squad 99 jerks just ganged up on us out of nowhere.”

“Maybe if Squad 25 was more disciplined,” said Éclair as her ice blade vanished in a puff of mist. “We wouldn’t have to educate them in the proper conduct befitting a true Elemental.”

“That’s real funny coming from a pampered adopted Kaves brat like you,” growled Logan.

“And you wouldn’t know what it means to be pampered? No, you’re too busy ordering about your manservants on your family’s estate to give any thought to pampering?” replied Éclair.

“Silence!” yelled the proctor with so much force that it nearly knocked Ryan to the ground. “If I see any other candidate step out of line, I’ll send them back to the academy faster than they can say ‘demotion’.” The proctor glared at each candidate in turn just to make sure she got her point across. When she was satisfied, she went off to pass out more armbands to other candidates.

When he saw the proctor lose interest, Logan whispered under his breath threateningly, “You’re lucky that someone came to your rescue again, half-breed. But your luck will run out as soon as the games start. I’ll be looking for you and your little bodyguard here.” Logan nodded in Éclair’s direction as he finished speaking.

Ryan was just about to tell the guy off when Éclair nudged past him and pointed a finger at Logan’s chin. “Then you best hope you don’t find us. This arena may prevent fatal injury, but that only means that we can do whatever we want to you no matter how painful, and you won’t die. Always remember that the Grim Team takes care of their own.” Just to get her point across, Éclair took in a deep breath and blew some frost into Logan’s hair.

Logan’s face briefly turned as pale as the frost in his hair. The First quickly brushed off the frost angrily. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but thought better of it as he noticed the proctor glance their way. With a nod to his henchmen, Logan turned to leave. His cronies displayed all manner of obnoxious faces and rude gestures as they tried to look as menacing as possible.

Éclair stood her ground in front of Ryan as she watched Logan leave. It seemed as if she were waiting to see if the First would change his mind and attack. He was somewhat touched by her protectiveness for him.

With Éclair’s back to him, Ryan blushed in awe at her magnificence, and Leon nodded his approval while standing beside him. “Wow! Éclair’s so cool,” whispered Ryan without thinking. Realizing what he said, he nudged Leon playfully. “Did you see what I did there?”

“Yes,” said Leon with a frown.

“I said she’s ‘cool’ because she’s got the ice thing,” Ryan explained.

“Mm-hm,” replied Leon, seeming a little annoyed.

“It was pretty funny, huh?”

“Hilarious.”

A little disappointed, Ryan persisted. “Are-are you sure you got the joke?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” His tone said otherwise.

“Enough chit-chat already,” called one of the assistant proctors. “Use your armbands to lead you to your team’s starting base.”

Ryan suddenly realized something crucial. “Éclair! Are you with the Green Team?!”

Éclair sighed a little, holding up her armband. It glowed with a blue light. “Nope. Looks like I’m with the blue one.”

Ryan hoped that her sigh was one of disappointment, because he was inwardly churning in pain from heartache. Looking away, Ryan tried to hide his dejection. “Th-that’s okay. Hey, maybe our armies will become allies or something. Since ... you know ... I wouldn’t stand a chance fighting you.”

“Well, you got that part bloody right,” she said with a giggle as she gave Ryan a playful punch on the shoulder.

“Not as dumb as you look,” said Leon with a smirk.

Ryan was actually able to smile genuinely at Leon for once. “Just remember that I’ll be looking for your ugly mug on the field. Mentor or not, you’re going down.”

Éclair raised an eyebrow, her lips drawn up in a frown as she scowled warningly at Ryan, and then at Leon.

Raising his hands as if to appear innocent, Ryan explained, “What?! It’s a friendly fight this time! Friendly fight! We had a male bonding experience!”

Éclair sighed and looked away while tossing her long hair back in agitation. “Boys will be boys.”