Chapter Six
"Before we start this exercise, I may need to inform you of the elements that exist. From the normal ones to their variants, their weaknesses, their relationships and so much more."
Ten minutes later...
"So, all you need to do is stretch your hand over the ball and let the magic happen." Yiggrath said.
"If I call out your name please step forward."
"Edward."
A bulky young man, clean-shaven head, heavy strides. Yeah, he had the makings of a rock. With bated breath the recruits anticipated to see the crystal in action.
Edward outstretched his hand towards the ball.
"Now I want you to relax, ok?"
Yiggrath got a grunt in response.
The Crystal ball began humming.
Then it lit up green.
There was silence.
"Huh?" a voice came from the crowd. He clearly looked like the earth type.
This event would turn out to be a surprising one.
Edward stepped down from the platform. Yiggrath reached into a satchel he had and pulled out a small white orb and gave it to Edward.
"Make sure you consume it by the end of to..."
Edward gulped it.
"...oorr you could do it here."
Nothing happened. Was it a dud?
Edward went back in line.
"The rest of you please come forth and take your tests."
Apart from the usual four elements there were new elements. The test took some interesting turns. So many new variants appeared including Blood, Poison among others.
"Park? Park? is there a Park here?"
Park stepped up to the platfo...
So many energiessss....
"What the..." Park said as he spun around curiously.
"Don't worry Park. It won't hurt." Yiggrath assured Park.
[Ink has faintly remembered its true self]
Did they clearly not hear it?
"Performance issues buddy? hehehehe," a voice from the crowd spoke followed by snickers.
[A frequency is being assigned to the user by the ink]
[A frequency has been chosen according to stats]
Park approached the ball cautiously still looking around.
The crystal started humming.
Then it lit brown.
"Earth," Yiggrath said handing out the last orb to Park.
Aaallll isssss blaaack.
There was that voice again.
[The ink has fallen back to slumber]
With a hum the murky black interface disappeared.
"Mr. Park?"
"Hmmm?" Park answered absent-mindedly still gazing off into space.
"Please get back in line."
"Huh? Oh! Ah! Sorry sir." Park was finally out of his daze. He hurriedly went back in line.
"So, I see there are some of you who didn't get their elemental affinities. But no need to worry there are special divisions that will be happy to accommodate your abilities in this institute."
"From Intel and Interrogations, Research and Development, Necro Mechanics and so much more."
"Each division will have their own training schedules that you will have to adhere to once you get your first-year officer badges. But for now, you'll be provided with blessed weapons that generally stop any lesser creatures dead in their tracks. But I would prefer that you at least have one or two elemental users in your group if you don't have an affinity."
"Especially in your exploration groups. Don't want the Lamb incident to happen again."
"Understood?" Yiggrath concluded.
"Understood," They answered back.
"Remember to swallow your orbs for those who didn't, tomorrow I'll be training you."
"Aaand I think that's it. Today's lesson will end early. I believe you were to go to one of the safe dungeons that the academy manages."
"I'll take my leave now."
With this Yiggrath left.
Did you hear that?
A dungeon!
I've always wanted to see one, but my parents say that its dangerous.
But aren't your parents in that famous guild, uhmm what's it called?
BLACK DAHLIA BLACK DA-HH-LII-AAA!
Youve got the memory of a pig, you know that?
Sorry bad genetics.
Kekekeke He said memory of a pig.
Anyway, I can't wait to see how it looks inside.
It didn't take a genius to figure out how everyone felt about this "trip."
"Recruits please move to the front gate of the Research and Development Building." a voice spoke over the whole institute.
A telepath. A really decent one at that.
The recruits all assembled at the gate a short while later. Right by the entrance stood a Pink haired lady.
She was average in height. She wore a long lab coat and had round-rimmed glasses on. Standing right next to her was The Sheriff.
There were low groans in the crowd.
"Yeah, I know guys. Eat sh.."
"SHERIFF! Please?" The Pink haired lady shut him up.
"So if you all would please follow me?"
The recruits followed the lady through the various departments that were in the building and down a narrow hallway that finally gave way to a huge square room full of white tiles from top to bottom, A white light overhead and a small rectangular tinted window at the very top.
Right at the center stood a keyhole. The lady started rummaging through her pockets. "Now where did I keep it? hmm... by the way my name is Jessica AHAA!! found you."
From one of her many lab pockets she fished out a key. She inserted the key and left it inside the hole. A force turned the key and spat it out. She picked the key on the floor and absently returned it in her pocket.
No wonder she doesn't remember where she kept it.
Park thought to himself.
A Gate materialized into existence. All of the recruits backed away one step.
"Do not worry this is a resource gate. Its where some of the learning materials come from. Please follow me."
"Heh, Wimps." Sheriff mocked.
Jesicca gave him a glare.
"What?" Sheriff asked innocently.
Everyone went in the Gate.
"Jess?" Sheriff said.
"Yes?"
"Wasn't there a garden here?" Sheriff continued.
"Uh-huh." Jess nodded absently.
"Where is it?"
"Uh-huh."