4 We are but puppets

Should I make something up or say my real family name? It's a struggle, damn it. Since my mother didn't care about me but about the possible power I could wield, she didn't care more about raising me than an ant under my feet or a fly annoying me right now. After that tragedy from long ago…

"Hmm okay… But, don't tell anyone! I'm from the Moonshine family." I whispered.

"What!? Oh my god! I'm speaking with the young master of the Moonshine family?! My lord. I'm sorry that this lowlife spoke with you!" Jacob started talking really scared. I don't like that my status makes people anxious...

"Shh don't be so loud Jacob! I don't want anyone to know that I'm here until I will be evaluated. So think as if I'm a normal citizen." I had to keep my identity down. I didn't want to become the main 'dish' of this event for other citizens.

"I'm sorry. I got surprised and that's why I shouted. It doesn't make sense, why are you here and not with your parents?" He asked with curiosity.

"Well, how do I say it… I'm not sure myself but it's somewhat that I don't feel like my parents are… parenting? That's how I fe…" I was interrupted mid sentence. I hung my hands down. I got really annoyed by that.

"Hello everyone! I'm one of the academy's teachers and I'm here to take the people with high amplification with me to the academy. Everyone with a power level above five is to come with me and those with a higher than nine will be in a special class. We will read out names then the read out people shall come to the priestess on my left." Shouted the old man in this closed up hall looking like a sage from ancient times... The woman also smiled and waved her hand to us.

"I hope I can get a high dark rank so that I can help my family. They need someone to earn money besides our jade business… Since it's not so profitable." Jacob looked down and it seemed that he got really sad.

"I know you are to get a high rank Jacob I'm sure of it! I hope that I can get a high evaluation…" My thoughts also started affecting my expressions. But no matter what I show with my face, if I will be evaluated under some level... I will be executed.

"You will Hayden, you will. Your parents are both outstanding warriors." Jacob reassured me of the 'success' that stands before me. "How can you not?"

"Amelia Brocks!" The names of people could be heard in the background.

I just realized it, but the hall was extremely large with many, many books and ladders to grab them. A lot of red, light red with many white and black strokes of decoration. Besides the books and bookshelves, everything had a specific color theme with many light red banners, and since there was not much more besides that the rest was as said before white and black. Colorful stained glass resembling the first king taking the honor of becoming the emperor. The light shone through it and the white floor then became full of colors.

Beautiful sight.

As time went on, fewer people were in the hall, some left with tears and the others also with joy. Slowly but surely my turn was inevitable to come. We had actually some people with high levels of power from what I heard there were at least three people of power nine but, still no tens. The girl with red hair was still somewhere behind and it was the turn of the big guy. I need to ask Flora about the levels... I only know that ten and higher is good.

"Christoph Bloom! Come close to the priestess and give her your hand!" The old sage shouted to the hall.

He started going up the stairs. On the way there he looked around and when he came close to the priestess, he gave her the hand. I looked at him standing there he seemed even… Bigger than before. His back was enormous. The woman in front of him looked almost like a child in front of his enormous build. And that short bronze hair. He gave the priestess his hand. She smiled at him and shouted.

"Ten! Christoph Bloom darkness amplification ten!" Then everyone in the hall started clapping and good words from the crowd could be heard. But he didn't look happy, he looked as if a stone fell off his heart. When he was leaving the hall he stared into the sky and made a fist then the fist opened and he looked into his palm. A smile appeared on his face. Relief...

Flora finally appeared in the hall. I know that level ten is good and all but, how good it truly is compared to the other levels…

I need to learn a lot of stuff from zero. A lot of things, that memory loss... Why did it actually happen?

"Can you explain how the power levels work? I want to know a little more." As I asked her she gasped and said.

"Oh yeah, Memory loss… I forgot to explain it. The power amplification for children is said to be from 1-12 with 12 being the best. The ones that are on level 4 are the most common of all, from 5-9 are a little more significant they can make actually powerful spells in a way. And lastly from 10-12. Those people with the most potential of becoming true masters. These are the ones that can alter the world and shake the earth.

There is still a big gap between 11 and 12 of course but it's that they are so rare that it's normal for that gap to exist. In the world of true masters, there are also 12 levels but the way to evaluate them is different. It's by the burst of energy you can create or how they can fight or special crystals that you imbue with your power. There is also weapon mastery but it is under different rules which I sadly don't know. It also has levels but firstly I don't know it and secondly, not many people actually use them.

As for kids, there are 12 levels but for them, it means how easy it is to gain a level not how strong they actually are. Well, the levels above 4 have their names and specific realms inside a level. For example from 5-8 are the preparing realms which almost everyone can reach. And from 9-12 is the level of ascension. When you are at those levels, you are close to godhood. Level 9 is the easiest to reach since it's right after 8 but, every next is getting really hard to achieve.

Something about the academy! The final exam consists of theories about every continent, their cons and pros when it comes to military power, and their geographical strengths. And of course power measurement. If you are lower than 7 in the last class of the academy you don't pass and you either leave and work as a normal citizen or become a mercenary.

You can also try your luck with getting stronger on your own but It may be harder than it seems. There are also legends… That the most powerful being was of level 13. We would call him "god". God could shape worlds and make stars or even planets. That is the power of level 13. But those are only rumors and I don't believe in them... Do you?"

"Thank you Flora for that lecture. And about god hmm... I Don't know… I just learned about it again so it's like an empty space." It's again hard to actually remember any of those things.

I cracked a smile but after I looked into the floor, I saw nothing underneath my feet, only black space. It was crazy... Weird.

"If you are not sure, it's okay. It's not important. What's important now is the thing in front of you. The academy! Are you not happy?" She looked so beautiful with that smile on her face… But, the vision was still in my head.

"I am, I am… But it's just what if I won't be good enough…"

"Don't worry, I'm sure if it's you, you can do it!" I felt as if some life was given to me. Instead of looking down I came close to her, hugged her.

"Thank you again, Flora." I smiled at her. I was really happy that she was cheering for me. She was as beautiful as ever… Blonde hair like silky smooth. Her words mattered to me very much… She is almost like my real mother. It's amazing how one person can change something with just some words.