Aptitude Test III

*Boom boom, boom boom*

Soon, a few zombies appeared carrying a huge, round stone platform. It was so heavy, the ground broke every step they took. They placed it on the middle of the training grounds and then went on standby on the sidelines.

The platform had thirteen symbols drawn and a relief, clearly meant to fit something.

This time the headmaster came forward and with a flick of his sleeve, a huge stone altar appeared. It was then placed on that spot in the edge of the circular platform, where it fit perfectly.

With another flick of his sleeve, thirteen boxes appeared above the platform. They floated, each above one of the symbols.

Then he nodded towards Old Tail, who nodded back.

Old Tail and Silver Moon, his wife, came forward. Their tails suddenly started multiplying, untill Old Tail had seven tails, and Silver Moon had six. Each tail then eveloped one of the thirteen boxes floating above the stone altar.

Suddenly the boxes were crushed and their tails were holding something. Whatever it was, it was clearly trying to escape their hold.

The headmaster and Elder Samantha put their hands on a pair of handles on each side of the altar.

From each of the symbol came out some kind of colored gas. When the gas reached a certain height, it stopped rising and started forming a sphere.

These thirteen spheres were translucent and looked really fragile.

As soon as the spheres were formed, Old Tail and Silver Moon placed whatever was caught in their tails in each of these balls. After that they left the platform and regrouped eith the other adults.

The things inside were desperately trying to escape, but these spheres certainly weren't as fragile as they seemed. Every time the things inside hid the spheres, it raisef some waves at the surface of the spheres but that was it.

Soon, the things inside either gave up or were exhausted. The sphere then started shrinking until the each sphere and the things inside them became one.

They became balls of Fire, Water, Earth, Gold, Wood, Wind, Lightning, Light, Darkness, Space, Time, Yin and Yang.

Niko cam to the front of the altar and addressed the children.

"This is the Spirit Essence Altar. Inside each of these elemental spheres, there us the soul of a Golden Core cultivator if that element. Their souls were suppressed and only their instincts are enabled, meaning they can inly act on instinct."

As no child asked any question Niko proceeded.

"Right now their instincts are forcing them to find a compatible body to resurrect. There are a few factors that influence on the compatibility. They are bloodline, race and elemental affinity. We know for certain that none of you share race or bloodline with the selected souls. So if they try to take over your body, it is because you're elementally compatible."

"Take over my body?! Uncle Niko won't we die if we get taken over?" Asked the tall boy that had a perfect score in the previous test.

"It's fine. Remember the spheres? They isolate the souls, so while they can feel things around them, they can't interact with them. The best they can do is float around."

This clearly relaxed the children.

"If they don't come close to you, that means that you and that element have bad or no compatibility.

If they come close to you, but quickly give up in order to return to the symbols that sustain them, it means you have a poor or small compatibility with that element. If they come close to you and are insistent on trying to take over, then you have a good or great compatibility with that element. If they are truly desperate, to the point of risking of fading out, in order to possess you, then you have a excellent or perfect compatibility."

This time Guihu Luixing lifted his hand.

"Teacher Niko, why would they give up trying to possess us. Would that be their main goals of living being in danger of death? Isn't like they're giving up on life?"

Niko nodded with a smile "Excellent question, Young Master. The symbols provide slightly above minimal nourishing to them, without it, they'll eventually dissipate, in other words, die. So the lower your compatibility, the less they'll want to risk their lives. Conversely, the higher your talent, the more it may look like a too good a chance to let it escape."

It made sense now. This test made full use of their survival instincts. Many children nodded their head, understanding how the test was carried.

"Any questions? No? Then, lets start. Well go in alphabetical order. First, André."

A chubby boy came out of the group.

"Stand above the circle in the middle of the platform."

The boy nodded and nervously made his way to the center of the platform.

Nico then nodded towards the headmaster and Elder Samantha. They then turned the handles.

A barrier appeared around the platform, blocking anyone trying to leave. The only candidate available for resurrection to the souls was André.

Soon three spheres made their way to André. The spheres representing the Dark, Yin and Gold elements.

The Yin element sphere quickly gave up. The dark element was a bit more insistent, but also gave up quickly. The Gold element sphere howerver, made a honest effort, even though it was useless, before giving up.

"The results are out. André has poor compatibility thi the Yin element, small compatibility with the Dark element and a great compatibility with the Gold element."

André clearly was elated to have a great compatibility with one element even though he didn't know if his result was good or not.

The headmaster and Elder Samantha turned the handle back to the original position, locking the elementsl spheres in their positions and removing the barrier that isolated the platform.

"You can come down now, André. Next, Anne. Your turn."

Anne was the other girl that had a perfect score in the previous test. She had straight, long, black hair that was tied in a ponytail. Her light-brown eyes were bright and pretty. Her skin had a dark chocolate tone that exuded health and softness. She was bound to be a great beauty when she grew up.

She quickly arrived at the designated position. Once again the souls were released and the platform was isolated.

The Wood, Yin, Dark, Gold, Water and Wind element spheres floated towards her. The Wind element sphere very quickly gave up. After some time, the Water sphere was the second to return. Soon the Gold Element sphere also returned. After a long time, the Yin sphere also returned.

The wood sphere howerver l, didn't seem to want to go back. It was only when it started to wobble and become faint that the headmaster returned his lever to the original position. The Wood sphere was forced back to it's original position, and then all the spheres were locked in place.

Elder Samantha then returned her lever to the original position l, removing the isolation barrier around the altar.

"Great results l! Anne has poor compatibility with the Wind element, small compatibility with the Water Element, Good compatibility with Gold element and Great compatibility with Yin element. She also has a Perfect compatibility with wood element."

Anne was wearing an adorable smile as she left the platform. Child after child underwent the test. Although some were better and some were worse, most had the results at the same level as André.

Tge most frequently compatible elements were, to no one's surprise, the Yin, Dark, Gold and Water elements. The elements that were the most abundant and used in the sect.

Finally, it was his turn.

"Next! Guihu Luixing!"