14 Day 2: Elements

My parents dropped me off in the morning at the Academy's gate. I recalled the night before when I arrived at the hotel and told them my results. They had expectant looks but their expressions kept changing after hearing my results.

Father was shocked that I was already at Adept stage since it's more common for children to remain at the novice level. Be lucky enough to be high novice from the beginning. "This is incredible," he muttered. "Even Aerik started off with peak novice before making his breakthrough. Kaon is also unique that he started off as high novice."

Mother was more worried with my cultivation type. She explained the different types of cultivation when I asked her about it. There were nine types of cultivation paths: earth, air, water, wind, spirit, dark, light, metal, and void. The element-related cultivation is common for most cultivators. In contrast, spirit is not as common and gets mistaken for light.

The rare cultivation paths are dark, light, metal, and void. They are known to be conditional and little is known about them. However, the dark cultivation path has been known to be closely related to death.

Mother had a complicated expression after explaining. Father caught on to her worries. "Dark cultivators are not necessarily bad." Mother did not reply as she continued to stare at me with concern. She eventually said, "It's not bad nor good. I'm sure Freya would be able to comprehend the cultivation path."

I was thinking so intently that I bumped into someone. It is good that I have good reflexes or I would have fallen onto the ground. "Who is stupid enough to bump into me?" A familiar arrogant voice said loudly. I recognize that voice as the one who insulted me during my party, Norman Ray. Great, why did I have to bump into him?

He notices me in front of me and sneers. His dark eyes remind me of Lord Vernon's, but his eyes are more expressive. I can sense a deep resentment and a glimpse of pain before he blinks it away. What had he been through to show such emotion?

"So you think you're all that?" He puffs out his chest. He was trying to scare me off that I pitied him. He grows angrier. "You're just a useless girl who needs her brothers' protection. Such a loser." I turn my face away, nonchalently. I can see from the corner of my eye the pronounced vein on his forehead. He looks like he can explode any minute.

The ground begins to shake slightly. Norman's clenched fists were turning purple as I keep ignoring him. He must be an earth user, I think. Having that amount of self control from lashing out with his element indicates his proficiency in his element. I can't help feeling a bit impressed. Other than that, I continue to ignore him. He is not worth my attention.

"Norman, don't mind this loser. If we fight here, we would lose our chance to join the Academy," one of Norman's lackeys finally spoke up. I arch an eyebrow. Now they have a sense of urgency. I was beginning to question whether they were of nobility. They seemed more like fools trying to show off. The ground cracks further. Norman's 'friends' begins to panic.

I do not know what is holding Norman back, but the repercussions would not be good. I was going to step in until another familiar person appears. It was the Academy student that helped me the day before.

"Now now. You should really listen to your friend," he said lightly. Norman is at his breaking point. His hand transforms into a hard stone fist. He lashes out toward my direction.

The Academy student did not make a move until the last second. I barely see him activate his ability until a green vine wrapped around Norman's fist. "You are indeed a strong element user." He continues to stand there and commands the vine to wrap around Norman's torso until he is on the ground.

I look at this boy I met yesterday curiously. He may look weak but his element control is outstanding. He makes a vine look powerful.

Norman growls, which the boy ignores and turns his attention to me. He makes a throwing motion. If I didn't have fast reflexes, I probably would have a red mark on my forehead. "That's the key for your testing room. Just continue down the corridor and go down the third pathway. There is a door with the same symbol as that stone."

I examine the stone and notice a strange black mark. He winks at me. "Don't worry about this. I'll take care of it. Good luck," he says as he carries the wrapped Norman. He already stuck a vine into his mouth. My lips twitch in amusement. This boy is quite interesting.

I follow his instructions and use the stone to open the door to the testing room. The figures were dressed similarly to the people who tested my cultivation, but I can tell they were different.

"Name?" This has a feeling of being in an interrogation room.

"Freya Aiz Winchester," I answer promptly. These kinds of people are not known to be patient.

"This is a test of your element or elements if you have any other," another voice chimes in. "There are targets over there where you will use your element to target the middle. We will also be testing your accuracy. Any questions?" It was pretty straightforward and I have a feeling they wouldn't appreciate it if I asked them anything. They tend to let action speak louder than words. I reply with a simple yes before standing behind a white line.

"You may begin at anytime," the person states.

I take a deep breath and reach for my elements. I decide to start with fire. The room heats up, but I can barely feel the change. It feels lukewarm like bathing under sunlight in the morning. I direct the fire toward the target with controlled movements. I concentrate the flame into a straight line through the middle of the target. Despite my expectations, the target absorbs the flame instead of getting burnt.

"Is that all you got?" the voice asks mockingly.

I remember that the other person says to target the middle and they will be testing the accuracy. They never said how much strength is needed.

"I request for another try. Would that be possible?" I calmly ask. There was a pause before the voice replies with the same mocking tone.

"Fine, but there won't be another."

Since I have noticed the target absorbing the element as soon as it made contact, I can input more energy into my attack. I decide to give my all. The fire element seems to agree because flames wrapped playfully on top of my arms. It was like it was telling me to fight.

I gather my energy with my eyes closed. I can feel the room getting hotter to the point that it made me sweat. In the next second, a fireball encased in blue flames shot at the target.

It was so powerful that the target was scorched through the middle. Burn marks trailed outwards like a flower bursting open. Tiny flames scattered around kept burning red-orange and blue.

No one spoke as we watch the target try to fix itself. "How are we going to fix this?" one of the figures spoke quietly. I think it was supposed to be a whisper but both of us clearly heard the person.

"I can use my water element," I answer before anyone can say anything else. I didn't see them, but I can sense their astonishment. "Oh. Please do." I can tell they weren't really sure what to do with me at this point.

The water element gleefully answered my call. The condensation around us turned into visual droplets. The temperature also slowly cooled down. I gathered the water into a ball and shoot it towards the target. The water ball clashed with the target and splashed on top of the leftover flames. In the middle, an ice shard remained. I hear one of the figures gasp behind me. The result of my water blast also shocked me.

Target- Lifeless heap (what did I do to you?~~ )

Proctors: .... what just happened?

Person in question: ... (I fixed up the flames issue.)

"I think we're done here," the proctor finally says in a broken tone. When this person thought Freya was weak, it never occurred to him that she would blow their expectations away. Quite literally.

I wanted to apologize but it seems both proctors are lamenting the loss of the target. It's fortunate that I used only one target or they would have lost the other magical targets for other test takers. I quietly slipped away, reminding myself to repay the school for one of their magical targets.

That is how my second day of orientation tests ended.