chapter 3

For the next week, Ella slowly started to get used to her new life in Lumiere. Her mother, Sophie, was just as kind as the novel described her to be. [No wonder Ella was described as a 'Goddess', this is where she gets her personality from, Ella thought]. Although her new mother was very protective of Ella, she let her explore the house and surroundings.

The house or now her "home" was small, yet cozy. It reminded Ella of the cottages in fantasy films such as Lord of the Rings. Made of sturdy wood and beige walls, the two-room home was enough for both of them. There were some pictures of her mother and father, and baby Ella. Outside the house, Ella saw vast green hills, lush fields and a garden filled with all sorts of vegetables and fruits. She later found out that her mother had the power of Earth in the Expert rank, which explained her mother's job as a farmer. [This wasn't mentioned in the novel...that means I need to understand more of how this world works and the backstories even more]. Ella sighed.

"Sweetheart, what's wrong?" Her mother asked.

"It's nothing, mother. I just...am angry that I can't remember anything." Ella quickly lied.

"Oh, sweetheart, you don't need to force yourself, okay? The healer said it'll take some time." Her mother then gave her a hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Mother, can you tell me about father? I can't remember him except for the pictures inside. How did you meet him?" Ella asked. [Here's my chance to know more about my parents. It's strange that Ella Deon, a commoner would somehow have the gift of light].

"You're father was a great soldier and an even better father. I met him one day when he saved me from those terrible robbers in the forest. As soon as we saw each other, we both knew, we were meant to be. He had the gift of fire in the Master rank and later became one of the Kingdom's top guards. He was truly a Master both in fire and at swordsmanship. We got married and then we had you, our precious daughter. A short time later...he...was sent to protect our kingdom against the Eastern clans in the war and unfortunately...", her mother started trembling.

"Mother, it's okay. You don't have to say it. I understand. I'm sure he was an amazing person. Mother, how about I help you water the vegetables?"

The next day, Ella awoke to her mother giving her a big hug.

"Mother, what's going on?" Ella yawned.

"Happy birthday, Ella! You're finally sixteen now! We must do a big celebration since you are ready to visit the Church. You're now officially an adult." Her mother gave her a big smile.

[Sixteen? Sh*t, that means the mana test. The novel's already moving. But an adult? Ella thought.]

"Sixteen? An adult..? What?"

"Ah! How can I forget? When you turn sixteen, you become an adult. You also must attend the Holy Church to get your mana checked. That's when you know what your gift is. Later depending on your mana, you will go to the academy and learn more about your powers."

"Wow. That's really big."

"Yes! Oh, I must prepare your dress, your food, and your clothing for the academy and your-" Her mother hurriedly said.

"Calm down mother. I'm not going anywhere." Ella laughed.

[I need to formulate a plan soon. That way I can make friends with the villainess, Merula and avoid all those pesky boys that will bring her destruction!]

Walking into town, Ella took the sights of the buildings and the bustling streets. [It feels like I'm in medieval Europe... I never got to travel in my past life. But now I get to experience it all!]. Her mother was most excited to purchase a dress for Ella and after looking at so many dresses, she finally decided on a green and white dress, filled with frills, lace and bows. With a pair of white heels, Ella looked even more beautiful.

"My baby's grown up!" Her mother said, teary-eyed.

After buying some essentials and stationery to prepare her for school, her mother sat her down to explain the process.

"In two days, we will travel to the Capital to enter the Holy Church. Only those who have turned sixteen can enter, so you'll be surrounded by other boys and girls. Once in there, they will call out your name and you will have to touch the large mana stone. Afterwards, the Holy Priest will then call out your gift and your rank."

"Those that have an Apprentice and Expert rank like me would attend the Capital's Maria Academy. Those with the Master and God rank like your father attended the special Leon Academy near the Palace. These two academies will train you to become your very best, both in your gift skills and your scholarly work."

"You will then graduate in two years and then the rest is up to you, Ella. You can become anything you want!" Her mother said excitedly.

"Mother, you're very excited about this. Did you have a good time?" Ella asked.

"Yes, those times in the Academy were one of my happiest moments, apart from you, dear." Her mother said, before pinching Ella's cheeks.

"Ow!"

"Now why don't you start packing your bags while I prepare supper?"

"Yes, mother."

Sure enough, the day came for Ella's mana test. Leaving bright and early for the horse carriage, they arrived at the Capital. There were banners and signs for the Mana test, and it was even larger than Ella expected. With lines of brick roads, carriages, and tall buildings, it felt like Ella stepped into the epic centre of London city. There were groups of beautiful women adorned in frills, gentlemen in magnificent suits and children walking with their mothers. [I can't believe this is all real]. After checking in into their room at the local Inn, and her mother checking every aspect of her outfit, "yes, mother, everything looks perfect", "no I am not changing my hair again!", they walked outside towards the growing crowd of other parents and children.

At the end of the path, Ella finally saw the Holy Church. The church was beaming white, with long, narrow towers and arched windows. Everything was shining so brightly, Ella thought it must've been made of crystals. [Hell, even the bloody floor is shining!]. Outside the Church, there stood a large marble figure of the Holy Goddess, Maria and rows of strong guards both men and women. [The Goddess Maria is so...saint-like, no wonder its the national religion here in Lumiere]. Ella thought back to what her mother said about the Church.

"In Lumiere, everyone follows the Holy Church and our Goddess Maria. She is said to have created the light and all life when there was nothing but darkness. She gives life to nature, the animals and the reason we have gifts. Without her, we would not exist. She is our creator, our saviour and our mother."

Ella's memory was interrupted by a loud bell.

"Attention all citizens! The Mana Test will now shortly begin. Please lead your children into the main entrance!" A man in white robes called.

[Oh my god, sh*t it's starting. What the hell do I do now.]

"Ella, my daughter. Whatever happens in there, or what you get just know that I, your mother and your father will love you no matter what okay? You will be just fine." Her mother gave her a tight hug before giving a kiss on the forehead.

"I'll see you shortly, dear. Afterwards, we can eat at that cute cafe you wanted earlier!"

Waving her mother goodbye, Ella followed the other children inside the golden doors.

Inside, it was even more beautiful. The floor was made of clear, pearl-like marble and arched pillars filled the long hallway. Right in the centre was a large crystal stone that shimmered all the colours that Ella could think of. In the corner of her eye, she saw the same man in the white robes start to speak.

"Hello to all of Lumiere's new students. I am the Church Minister. Before we start, I will tell you about the process of the Mana Test. We will call out your name in alphabetical order and you will be escorted by the Church guard to the Holy Crystal. There you will place your hand, any hand, on the Crystal."

"Afterwards, you will experience a rush of energy, do not be alarmed, it is not harmful and it will disappear once you remove your hand. The Holy Priest will examine the results and call out your gift and your rank."

"You will then be escorted by the Church guard back with the rest of your peers. We will now begin the Mana test."

[Oh damn. Sh*ts getting real now. I wonder if there are any other characters I can spot].

For some time, Ella watched other children get called. With every touch of the crystal stone, it shone a different colour, and Ella realised it indicated the gift and the rank. If it was blue, it was water, red for fire, brown for earth and a lucid white for air. The intensity of the shine almost indicated the different ranks. [Wow...this is basically like Avatar the Last Airbender...but more detailed]. So far, there had only been a couple of Masters while the rest were Apprentices or Experts.

"Ella Deon!"

[Oh shit, it's my turn.]

Shaking her trembles of, she walked towards the Crystal. With a guard beside her, she slowly placed her hand. In an instant, it felt like a gush of air had rushed onto her body. She saw a multitude of colours and it felt like she was flying on air. Then she saw a beautiful woman in front of her.

"My child, be careful. You have a strong enemy, now that you have changed your fate. Prepare yourself."

"Wait! What do you mean?! I just want to be friends with Merula and eat food! I don't want to fight!" Ella shouted.

"You must become strong, my child. Or else you and your loved ones will perish."

"Oh for fucks sake! I just wanted to sleep and eat!"