48 Soul Recovery School Trials (3)

When the red level ended, many of the red users were disqualified because they aborted before the time was up. Some of the orange and yellow users were also disqualified because they did not finish their trial within the given time.

By the time the applicants went through the orange and yellow levels, only two hundred and twelve of the applicants were left. Out of this number, seven of them were green users. In three levels, Ovandarrak was always the first to finish, and he always did so long before the time was up.

The second day of the trial, applicants were supposed to go through the green and blue level and each level would last for two hours. Like the other levels, the green and blue levels were also made up of obstacles that the applicants had to overcome. However, in these levels, the obstacles were far more dangerous.

In the green level, Ovandarrak had to walk on a rope stretching about a thousand meters long and situated at about seven hundred meters above the ground. Beneath him were roaring flames that set the entire room ablaze. Even if he survived falling from such a height, he could still be consumed by the flames. Thus, Ovandarrak had to be completely focused as he walked on the rope. He did not have to worry about the oppressive green essence, however, the extreme heat of the flames became more and more unbearable as he continued. He could feel sweat drenching all over his body as though someone had poured water over him.

Ovandarrak did not think he would need to use his essence in this level, however, after an hour of experiencing the unbearable heat, he had to wrap himself around his essence to keep himself cooler. Once he did that, he did not have to think about the searing heat, but rather, concentrate on walking the rope.

It took Ovandarrak ninety minutes to complete the green level. Once the entire level came to an end, the remaining seventeen applicants who had qualified took a thirty minute break. Out of the seventeen applicants, ten had automatically passed the trials while seven were left for their next trial. Three of these seven were yellow users and they had to pass the blue level before they could automatically be qualified to become students of the Soul Recovery School.

What Ovandarrak did not know was that everyone in the academy was watching the trials and since he was always the first to finish each level, he had garnered quite the reputation among the student population. Since he was a green user, many people were looking forward to him going through the indigo level.

….….

In the blue level, Ovandarrak found himself in a vast space with hundreds of high pillars. The pillars were so high that it was impossible to see the ground. As he stood on one of the pillars, he looked around him and for the first time, he realised that he was partaking with six other applicants. Of course, only the seven of them were left in the trials since the majority had been disqualified while a handful of them had automatically passed the trials.

That serious voice they had come to be familiar with explained to them what the level entailed. To pass this level, they had to jump from pillar to pillar until they got to the finishing line. Given how wide the spaces were between each pillar, one would have to use their essence before they could make the jump. Even that, it would still be very difficult for an orange user to make that jump.

It was in the blue level that Ovandarrak started feeling the pressure of the oppressive essence. However, he had been practicing mental training techniques for as long as he could remember and thus, he knew he could endure it until he passed the level.

As soon as the countdown began, a mixture of yellow and green essence emanated from the applicants. Then the race to the finishing line began. Each applicant jumped from pillar to pillar with extreme caution as they tried to fight off the terrifying pressure of the blue essence. The applicants did not know how all the essence were harnessed for the trials, however, what they did know was that its oppressive effect felt all too real.

One of the green users had quickly taken the lead, and he was agilely jumping from one pillar to the other. This boy, Pan, was actually the one who usually finished right after Ovandarrak did. He had had enough of always coming in second and had thus decided to be the first to clear this level. After almost an hour, Pan could feel his soul energy dissipating.

Ovandarrak followed closely behind Pan. He was a little amazed at how fast the bald boy was given the pressure of the blue essence. But after a while, Ovandarrak noticed that boy's speed was waning, after all, the boy was using too much soul energy. Another ten minutes later and Ovandarrak was in the lead. He had decided to channel his soul energy to repelling the pressure of the blue essence, thus, his speed had been incredibly slow in this level.

The momentum of one of the yellow users came to an abrupt halt once she landed on one of the pillars. She fell to her knees, panting heavily while beads of sweat formed on her face. Something warm and sticky started flowing out of her nose and once she touched it, she realised it was blood.

She tried to lift herself up, however, she felt her body stiffen as an excruciating pain almost tore her apart. Her breathing became heavier and heavier and she knew that there was no way she could continue anymore. The pressure from the blue essence was becoming more and more unbearable and if she persisted, it was only a matter of time until the pressure killed her. The only reason she had lasted that long was because of all her mental training. But clearly, it was not enough. To be admitted into the Soul Recovery School, she had to pass the blue level. It seemed that would never happen.

Finally, she fell to the ground, completely drained of soul energy. She watched on helplessly as the others got farther and farther from sight. She had to abort. She really needed to abort. In a weak almost inaudible voice, she said, "abort."

Suddenly, a ball of blinding light engulfed the girl's body. When the light faded, the girl was nowhere to be found.

In the next two hours, two other applicants aborted while one of them missed a step and fell into the endless abyss beneath the pillars. Only three of them remained; Ovandarrak, Pan and Hanirran. Hanirran was a yellow user, and though she was not as fast as the two boys, she was enduring the blue essence very well.

In three hours and twenty nine minutes, Ovandarrak finally made it the finish line. Instantly, the white light whisked him away right back into the Grand Hall. The moment that happened, Ovandarrak took in a long and deep breath and then exhaled slowly. He repeated it several times until he felt his head become lighter from all that pressure and migraine. He had not felt himself be this exhausted in his life. It was not just because of the oppressive blue essence. Rather, it was also because he had been using his essence non-stop for almost four hours.

Thankfully, one of his mental training techniques involved meditating for several hours a day while using his essence during all those hours. This had come to build his stamina in how long he could use his essence. Unlike many people, he did not easily drain of soul energy when he used his essence. But of course, when the oppressive blue essence was involved, it was no longer that simple. This was why he felt incredibly exhausted.

Five minutes later, Pan appeared out of the light with a deep scowl on his pale face. He was panting heavily and he had to quickly support himself by sitting on the floor. Twelve minutes later, the bright light filled the Grand Hall again and Hanirran suddenly appeared in the room. She fell to the ground with a thud, her nose bleeding.

Ovandarrak walked up to the bleeding girl, and though his face did not show it, he wondered if she would be alright. He placed two fingers on the girl's neck to feel her pulse. It was weak, but it was there. She was still alive, however, she needed immediate care. In spite of how skillful Ovandarrak was as a doctor, he knew this was out of his league. After all, the girl's problem had nothing to do with her physical body; it was her soul that needed recovery and Ovandarrak knew nothing about soul recovery.

"Is she okay?" Pan asked. The colour in his face had been regained a little and he no longer looked pale like before.

Ovandarrak said nothing, still staring at the girl on the ground. Wasn't someone supposed to be here as soon as they completed the trial?

"She will be fine." Another voice answered.

Someone they recognised as the examiner of the blue level walked up to them. Captain Jarjaha stood behind the examiner, a sly smile gracing his crooked lips. 'Ah, finally you show up.' Ovandarrak thought.

"Jarjaha, take the girl to the Master." The examiner said to the captain behind him.

Once Captain Jarjaha carried the girl and left, the examiner continued to address the two boys.

"Your colleague is now officially a student of the Soul Recovery School. You two however, need to pass the indigo level before you can become students." He said. "Now go back and have some rest. Tomorrow, your new trial begins."