Chapter 12 : Calling Attention

<Queensfort Studies | Open Grounds>

"~Gather In Me! Oh Glorious Flames. Cinders Of Warmth, Burn My Enemies!~ [Fireball]!!"

*PSHH—BOOM*

Enchantments, a classic procedure for [Conjure]s. As said, a miniature ball of fire shot towards a sandbag target. Burning further an already singed surface, the crowd cheers.

"HA! HA! HA! Feast your eyes! Witness the power of the Willingson Family. You peasants have no such place in this prestigious school!"

Announced the obnoxious entrant whilst talking down to the other contenders. There was gossiping among the crowd, bad-mouthing the young noble.

"How's that! Judges?"

"Yes, Next Entry!"

"...huh?"

"NEXT. ENTRY."

"Y-YES!"

*runs off*

They were outside, setting up a large tent. There were five dummy targets standing in fair distance from the cast zone. From the line of examinees outside, Mariel steps up the stage and begins.

"You may begin."

"~Nature's Blessing, Full Of Grace. Help The Wounded, Brim With Life~ [Heal]!"

*Bright Glow*

*Cheering*

The dilapidated targets were now glistening-new. Cheers could be heard all over, even the three stone-faced judges were clapping.

"Eh? Ah...um *bows then hurries off*"

Flustered, she meets Gab on here way back.

"That was pretty amazing."

"...hehe, thanks."

"See you~! It's my turn now."

She comes up the stage, concentrating with her eyes closed.

...

"You may begin."

Opening here eyes, Gab could see Astaroth infront of her. That ominous presence, smiling at her mockingly.

'THE GODS ARE DEE~AAD, THERE'S NOTHING. YOU'RE NOTHING... POWERLESS.. PITIFUL…THERE IS NO FUTURE FOR YOU~ KEK-KAKAKA!!!'

Gab slowly reach out her hand.

*Controlled Breathing*

"...die."

...

The test venue had to be transferred. Damage done literally destroyed everything within the range of the spell, not even a speck of dust the of recent targets could be found. The judges were dumbfounded, audiences stunned, everybody was silenced.

Gab was called up again to the Headmaster's office.

"BAHAHAHA!! This tiny child actually forced you to change venues for the exam?! BAHAHAHA!"

The Armoured dwarf was talking to the Headmaster when Gab was brought for verdict.

"*glares*Maybe she can even help you remove the ticks on your beard."

"How dare you!? My beard has no such defiled critters, it smells better than that ridiculous wig on your head."

"Hmph...So, back to the matter at hand. Miss Gabrielle, your form of application did not state any affinity for [Divine Magic]. And well you cannot lie to me and say that you weren't aware of such talent that you carry...*deathly stare* That much power could so only be produced after justifiable amount of training, not on the first appearance of your talent. So tell me in full truth, why that is absent in your form."

"*ROUGH COUGHING AND WHEEZING*"

The soul-crushing pressure was back again. Gab could hardly breath, tears welling up as she held her neck, gasping for air.

"ETHRALDIR!!"

Shouted the Dwarf. The Headmaster was brought back to sane planes, he looked as if he had awoken from a bad dream and held his head with regret.

"F-forgive me! Gabrielle, my dear. I am terribly sorry you had to go through that. Please, excuse my foolishness."

He said as he attempted to stand but fell back on his chair. A sharp pain was piercing the back of his head.

"Are you alright my friend? I shall call upon Mallory, she will know what to do."

"No...no Farvous, I am fine. I haven't been getting enough sleep is all. Please, guide Miss Xylmuitte back to her batch. The Third trial will have started by now, I will call you up another time Gabrielle."

...

*clench fists*

"...the truth is, I know very well that the church would hunt me down knowing that a female possesses qualities fit for the next hero. This could potentially bring harm to those around me, and so I have chosen to keep it secret and wait for an opportunity to talk with you. I trust that Master Farvous has no strong connections to the church that so I have chosen to speak now."

The two who were listening to her faced each other with perplexed looks.

"BAHAHAHA! Witty, little kid. That's right, we too have been wary of those friars. They've done been sending spies here about your age, you see. That's the whole reason why this worrywart got so feral, excuse us milady."

"Yes. Miss Gabrielle as Farvous stated, we too have been commonly targeted by the Holy Churches of the Seven Deities. The reason we still know not, we have been quite desperate to catch a spy for questioning."

Gab was quite relieved, knowing the institution she would be spending a little less than half her life was sanctuary.

"I might have an idea about what their after."

She said with a grin.

"...and how would you know?"

Asked Farvous in return.

"Let's just say I'm very smart. Heracles, the first hero died after his battle with Lucifer. But his body left one more legacy, one that would help future Heroes on their journey. The «Lion's Heart», a crystallization of the first hero's will and magic. It had been handed down and nurtured by the past 7 heroes, borrowing the mana stored by past heroes and giving up their own for future generations. In the hands of the previous or the seventh Hero, Arthur, he too received power from the artifact but he later on disappeared along with the stone. He told no one about it other than his closest and most trusted companion, You Headmaster."

Rather than shocked, the Headmaster was worried. She knows too much, way too much for a child her age. He was visibly nervous, both from confirming his suspicions about the church's target and the monstrosity standing before him.

"H-how curious...I would like to discuss some matters with you some more, Miss Xylmuitte, but for another time. For now, why don't you complete the trials first?"

"Yes, of course. Thank you for your time, sir. And I'm very sorry for my recklessness."

"Haha~ I'll consider it necessary but please avoid repeating such an event."

"Alright, off we go girly."

Farvous brought Gab back to her peers who were just about to begin the final trial. Most of them were anxious about what the trial might be. As Gab arrived to join them, she could see that some were obviously cautious but most of them seemed amazed. Mariel came running to her, with a fairly satisfied look on her face.

<School Theater>

"Ellie~!"

"Oh. Mariel~! Ahahahaha"

"Ohohohoh~"

In her thoughts, Mariel had been celebrating.

'Ah! Here comes my jackpot. Daddy, I'm about to be famous. Ohohoho~"

*WHACK*

"Ow!"

Gab was grasping her throbbing head.

"Why'd you hit me?!"

"Because you said nothing about you ridiculous powers to me and even went overboard on the second trial. They had to transfer the venue because of you, you know. As a result, we are now off-schedule."

"Haha sorry~! I've been warned by the authorities to hold back at least."

"Quiet! Their announcing what the final trial is already."

"Ehh~"

They were at the school theater, aligned by batch. Finally after waiting some time, the batches were separated and brought to the final venue. There was a giant door with clockwork, mechanical locks around it. It was also covered with [Holy Sigil]s, as if to keep what's inside, caged.

"I believe everyone was notified to bring with them any one object that they deem is most necessary during combat. Please ready yourselves and equip the items you've brought. The final trial shall begin but before that I will explain the rules and criteria after you've prepared. You have 5 minutes."

Gab took up the long case she'd brought, opening it. A thin long sword was kept inside cotton-soft interior of the case, a rapier to be precise. Wearing the belt and sheath, she places the sword and saw to it that it is easy to draw.

The other participants brought their own unique items. Some had wands, staffs, enchanted bows, clubs, armlets while one even had full-body armour. Everybody was prepared, yet nobody knew what was waiting for them behind that gigantic door.

"All gather!"

Announced the red-headed human lady from before. No matter how many times laid eyes on her, she was really such a stunning beauty.

"I will now explain to you, younglings, to nature of our test. So that at least...you'd come out, breathing still."