Examination

"All the candidates, please form a line towards the stage. The non-candidates step to one side. Instructor Carter, could you take out the crystal sphere." The robed woman informed.

"Sure, Instructor Issa."

Teacher Carter proceeded to bring out a crystal sphere the size of a football and placed it on the pedestal. Soon after it was placed, it started to shine and the pedestal began to slightly glow with intricate lines being formed on it.

The candidates promptly organized themselves to form a long line while the family members and acquaintances have shifted to one side of the ground. The number of candidates this year has seen a lot of increase in numbers compared to last year. As the elemental energy ushers earth into a new age, the number of candidates also increase in respect to the increase in elemental energy.

Instructor Issa looked at the excited candidates and nodded with satisfaction, "Since everyone is ready, pay attention to the rules that I'll be clarifying. Only one candidate at a time must come to the stage to be tested. When you come onto the stage, place your palm on the crystal sphere. You'll feel a sensation in your body, do not fight against it."

"We'll be testing your Elemental Aptitude first. If a shade of color appears in the crystal sphere, that means you have some kind of talent and you can stand on the empty area on the right side of the stage. If no color appears, then I'm sorry but you cannot be an Elemental Mage. Someone from our academy will escort you out of the island."

The tension in the atmosphere increased considerably after hearing Instructor Issa speak out the rules. They all came here with high hopes of being an Elemental Mage regardless of the fact they knew difficult it was to become one.

"Now that the rules have been relayed, It is time to start the Elemental Aptitude examination. First in the line, come!"

The first person in line was a random young man who was very anxious. He walked to the stage with unsteady steps and stood before the crystal sphere. Instructor Issa beckoned him to place his palm on the crystal sphere. Everyone on the ground looked on with curious and tense eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he placed his right palm on the crystal sphere. After a few seconds, nothing unusual happened in the sphere, it was just blank.

Instructor Issa saw this and just sighed as this would be a common occurrence. The young man trembled with defeat and was escorted out of the academy with his family consoling him.

"Next!" Instructor Issa called out.

One by one, the candidates went to the stage to get tested. After about 300 candidates failed to display any aptitude grade, the candidates who were yet to be tested had their high hopes slowly diminish.

"Are you fucking kidding me? Almost 300 candidates have been tested and none of them have talent to cultivate?!" Ash was appalled.

"Man oh man, it's not looking good." Bryan said.

"And we're the last of this long ass line." Ray grumbled.

"Let's just wait and see." Asif spoke. The others nodded at him.

There were around 5000 candidates, so the testing was happening very quickly. Even after 1500 of them have been tested, no one showed a sign of having an aptitude grade. Right now, the 1549th candidate was standing in trepidation before the crystal sphere. He slowly placed his palm on the crystal sphere. After a moment, the crystal sphere buzzed and a light hue of Orange spread across the crystal sphere.

"H-HE DID IT!" Someone from the line yelled.

"He has the Orange grade?! That's already better than having the Green grade."

The crowd bustled with excitement that someone finally awakened their talent. Instructor Issa sighed in relief after seeing the young man awaken his talent. The young man was still reeling in shock.

"Your name, young man." Instructor Issa broke the young man from his shock.

"My name is Isaac Colina, Ma'am." The young man responded in excitement.

Instructor Issa nodded with satisfaction and said with her voice spreading across the ground, "Candidate 1549, Isaac Colina. Elemental Aptitude - Orange Grade."

The young man excitedly walked to the awakened section of the ground. The tension eased a bit and slowly the candidates were once again excited.

"Orange, that's not bad." Nahra said.

One of the candidate standing in front of the six heard Nahra and was dumbfounded. She couldn't help but interject him, "Are you kidding me?!"

"Huh?" Nahra was confused.

The girl rapidly said, "You think Orange Grade is not bad? Let me tell you something, the strongest Elemental Mage in our world is a Blue Grade Elemental Mage. There has been no one, I mean no one, who has awakened a Purple Grade or the legendary Gold Grade."

"Ohhhhh..." Nahra and the others stared at the girl in realization.

"How could you not know this basic information?" The young girl confusedly asked.

"Hehe, we're new to this magic stuff." Algo said sheepishly.

The young girl shook her head and turned her attention towards the stage, so did the six.

"Candidate 2103, Sabina Soja. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."

"Candidate 2627, Zachary Fry. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."

"Candidate 2969, Monica Rose. Elemental Aptitude - Green Grade."

-After an hour of testing-

About 4500 candidates have finished their testing, and about 31 have successfully awakened. 23 of them have acquired the Green Grade and the remaining 8 have acquired the Orange Grade. The instructors conducting the examination were happy with the results so far as the number of awakeners has surpassed the previous year.

*GASP*

Shocked gasps could be heard as they heard Instructor Issa reveal the next awakened candidate.

"Candidate 4865, Melissa Chaney. Elemental Aptitude - Red Grade."

"She acquired the Red Grade, she's definitely going to rise to the top of the ranks." Someone sighed amongst the awakeners.

"Geeez, she's gonna be pretty powerful." Ray said in amazement.

"She's pretty calm though." Asif said while scrutinizing Melissa.

"Congratulations, Melissa. Please join the other awakeners." Instructor Issa congratulated her. Melissa nodded calmly and joined the other awakeners with traces of excitement on her face threatening to leak out. With the addition of Melissa, the count of awakeners have increased to 32.

Quickly soon after, the testing continued for the remaining candidates. One more candidate has awakened the Red Grade and joined the group of awakeners increasing the count to 33. Shortly, there were only 7 candidates remaining. It was the young girl's turn to be tested.

She walked to the stage hurriedly and immediately placed her palm on the crystal sphere perplexing Instructor Issa. Immediately, a strong color of blue radiated across the crystal sphere.

Instructor Issa was shocked that someone managed to acquire the Blue Grade talent. She beamed with happiness for the young girl. The young girl, on the other hand, screamed with happiness but quickly blushed with embarrassment.

"Candidate 4994, Cristina Rosa. Elemental Aptitude - Blue."

"Well done, young girl. You're the 4th person to have acquired the Blue Grade talent. We have high hopes for you." Instructor Issa congratulated Cristina.

Cristina joyfully replied with a firm gaze, "Thank you very much, Teacher. I'll do my best!"

"Good, now join the rest."

"What the fuck." Ash was amazed.

"Who would've thought she would acquire the Blue Grade talent." Bryan said, happy for her.

"Man, we're the last six and everyone's focus are on us. The pressure is sure on us." Ray commented feeling everyone's gaze on them."

Cristina joined the group of awakeners increasing the count to 34 awakened candidates. The group immediately bustled clamored with discussions.

Now there were only six candidates remaining and they were Algo, Ash, Asif, Bryan, Nahra and lastly Ray respectively. They were trying to spot Old man Reid and soon found him walking towards the stage.

"Hmm..." Asif pondered.

The two Instructors also Old man Reid walking towards the stage. Without any delay, they hurried over and welcomed him.

""Good afternoon, Vice Director."" The Instructors greeted him. Old man Reid or Waylon Reid, is not just the Manager of the Rainbow Manager, he is also the Vice Director of the Human Federation Academy.

"Good afternoon, Instructors." Old man Reid smiled. "Don't mind me, I will accompany you both to the stage. Treat me as if I wasn't there."

"Sure, Vice Director." Instructor Issa nodded with respect. 'I wonder what is his relationship with the remaining six candidates.'

The three went to the stage and awaited for the last six candidates to begin their testing. The group of awakened candidates were also surprised to see someone, treated with immense respect by the two Instructors, enter the stage.

"I wonder who he is.." One of the awakened candidates was curious.

"At the start of the examination, I did hear one of the Instructors yell out 'Vice Director'."

"Wait a minute, you think he's the Vice Director of the HFA?"

"Then..."

"Isn't he one of the..."

The awakener was interrupted by Instructor Issa. "We will continue the examination. The next candidate, please step forward."

"It's your turn, Algo." Bryan mentioned.

"Holy moly, now that it's my turn, I'm actually feeling nervous. Hehe..." Algo rubbed his head with fluster.

"Algo, we're here for you." Bryan smiled at him with a thumbs up.

""Good luck, Algooo"" Ray and the others wished him.

"Thanks guys." Algo smiled with his nervousness dissipating. The others saw Algo walk to the stage and not long before, he stood before the crystal sphere.

"Place your palm on the crystal, young man." Instructor Issa spoke.

Algo turned his gaze away from the Instructor and looked at Old man Reid. Old man Reid saw his gaze and gave him an encouraging smile, "Go on, lad."

Algo took a deep breath, lifted his hand and placed it on the crystal sphere. The other five looked on with focused eyes. Unlike the previous testing, the crystal sphere rippled with vibrations and a stream of purple haze spread across the stage. Instantly, a dark shade of purple rippled across the sphere.

Everyone who witnessed the phenomenon was dumbfounded including Algo. The crystal sphere was currently filled with a deep purple color.

"T-This..."

"Are my eyes deceiving me?"

"That's the P-Purple Grade!"

"This is the first time a Purple Grade has appeared."

The entire awakened candidates were astonished and went into an uproar. The Instructors were stunned with what they were witnessing. Old man Reid looked at Algo with astonishment and repeatedly nodded his head while pinching his beard.

'If Algo acquired a Purple Grade, then I wonder what the other five are gonna get.' Old man Reid thought with immense expectations.

"FUCK YEAAHH, ALGOO!!" Ray screamed with joy.

"WOOOOOOHH" Bryan jumped and excitedly joined him. All five of them cheered for Algo and were extremely happy.

"Can't believe the food lover of our group got a Purple Grade." Asif shook his head with delight.

"Candidate 4995, Algo Killian. Elemental Aptitude - Purple Grade."

"I have no words to say to you, young man. Join the group and wait for your friends to finish their test." Instructor Issa was very much amazed and hopeful that a Purple Grade candidate has awakened. 'It seems Earth might finally have a chance.'

"Thank you, Instructor." Algo thanked the Instructor and joined the group of awakeners. He was full of smiles when he joined them, they asked him a hurdle of questions but he gave vague answers to most of them while exchanging pleasantries.

"Congrats dude. I thought I was an exceptional talent with my Blue Grade but you topped the cake." Cristina approached and congratulated Algo. She never expected the friend of the boy she was lecturing to awaken a rare Grade.

"Thank you, Cristina. I never expected it either, but as the eldest of the bunch, I have to be an example for my cute younger brothers although I also love food very much..." Algo babbled for a bit, confusing Cristina but she just smiled weakly.

Composing herself, Instructor Issa called out for the next candidate to be tested.

"Next!"