Chapter 8. Shallow
The boy standing at the closed door of the red tiled roof house was completely different. The only features recognizable being his face. The clothes were otherworldly. Though not expensive, him wearing them made them look expensive. The sun was yet to rise.
His emerald eyes shining like if not more than the green grass moistened with morning dew. His black hair seemed to appear slightly wavy but rested gently on his shoulders. The usual smile on his lips was not visible. He wore a green robe-like coat with some black stripes. It was not buttoned revealing his white shirt.
On his neck appeared to have a pendant. Something many would not have noted since young. The coat-rob reached his knees. His black pants matching his white shirt slightly slim. But what completely might have caught you off guard was that he was wearing just a pair of black sandals. A large bag was standing next to him. No one knows what was in the bag. Maybe clothes... His hands were pocketed as if waiting for someone. His eyes stared blankly such that he seemed not to see the blonde lady standing in front of him.
"Alaric," she called for like the fifth time. She had gotten here like five minutes ago but he seemed not to have noticed. His eyes calmly moved and finally landed on her face. This seemed to have brought him back.
"Shall we go ma'lady?" He said offering his arm to the tall lady he was barely reaching her shoulders. Joyce took his hand and picked the bag but he stopped her. "It's not fair to let a lady carry such a heavy weight. What man am I if I can't carry my load?" Joyce's lips twitched. But she just let go.
Alaric picked the bag with his right hand with little strain. Who know if she could manage to lift it? They walked outside the gate and headed to the stadium. This was where they would have their departure. It took around thirty minutes before they reached the stadium entrance. At the stage was a winged beast. It appeared to be like a large horse of height of around five meters. It length was almost ten meters. On these occasions, they were allowed to bring in their beasts. To call it a horse was shallow. It was a jet black horse. From afar one could tell that the skin was concrete like. Its legs were sturdy like pillays supporting a house.
The others had arrived like an hour ago. They looked at the incoming duo. The two other kids who were joining Origin Academy were seth and a girl he had not watched awaken her Origin Source. One could see them shivering at the sight of the beast. Its aura was so imposing that they could stumble and go on their knees. It was just a while before the two kids fell on their knees trembling. Their parents were there but they still were unable to move.
Who could have known the the official would have asked his beast to release its presence to them. He needed them to know that they were weak. The old man seeing the incoming duo sighed. He had waited a whole day in such a remote place just for that kid. He promised that he would make his life miserable. The odd scene where the kid was carrying his load and the lady beside him holding his hand like it was him who was escorting the lady not the other way round.
They finally got to them and the kid released the bag. There was a short silence of about one minute. The gaze from the old man seemed to shift every second while the two who were on their knees now felt extra pressure that made them drop on their back. After that, the pressure died down and the kids stood up looking to see the newcomer who seemed to have not have felt a single pressure. Even the old man could not hide his shock. It was Alaric who broke the silence.
"Shall we continue wasting time or shall we get moving?" The elder turned away and made his beast bend. The parents helped their kids mount their load on the beast. Joyce was having a hard time. Just what had Alaric put in the bag? She was sure if it was her carrying she would not have managed to carry it to the stadium. Just how strong was he? The old man saw the straining lady and thought she was frail.
He saw that she was wasting time and went to help her. When he lifted it, his face changed. What was the kid carrying in the bag. He now understood the lady. He was even more mind blowned when he remembered the kid was carrying it like it was nothing to him. The other kids were unable to climb on their own but Alaric did so on his own. He sat at the center of the beast and casually lay on his back. The othe kids saw his non chalancy and they readied themselves. Fear written on their faces. They just sat next to him on each side.
The elder raised himself to the back of the beast and stood at the forefront. He turned to see the boy laying on his back. He now knew one way to make the boy suffer... He would let the boy fall off in the turbulence. He would then wait for him to reach near the ground and save him then. He could not help but smile mischievously as he imagined the screams and cries for help that would come from that arrogant mouth.
"The journey will take a whole week. We will rest for three days on our way," the old man spoke. He then stomped his right foot three times on the beast as it took off.
The two looked behind and waved at their parent who were waving back. Only Joyce was not. She was glad that Little Alaric did not look back for if he did, he would have seen her crying. Those around her thought that she was heartbroken since her son did not give her a last glance. But she was happy. She knew how important it was, if he saw her crying, that was the only image that would be edged in his mind every time he thought of her. Her tears were of joy. 'That liitle kid always trying to act mature,' since he was five, his mind worked like that of a twelve year old who had learned about responsibility. Now he was twelve and he acted even more mature than her. She wiped her tears and a smile appeared on her delicate features. They stared at them as they disappeared in the horizon.
On the beast. The old man was having his worse nightmare. The kid did not even flinch when they were taking of. There was silence and he wondered if the three were not going to at least try to know each other. It was Seth who broke the silence.
"Hey, how were you not affected by the presence of the beast? It makes one feel weak in the knees," Seth spoke. The old man's ears perked to listen. Even the other girl needed to know. Alaric sat up and leaned behind his hands supporting him.
" That shallow bloodline beast beast dares to release it presence before me? Its gonna have to try harder," Alaric scoffed and lay on his back again. Even the beast which had been listening stumbled. Did he just say "shallow?" Even the old man rubbed his nose in anger, shame and utter embarrassment.
It was true that his beast had shallow bloodline but saying so openly and absent mindedly... The man could only brace himself for the coming torturous days. Now he wished they arrived early. He wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.
Seth and the girl could only sigh. Was it not obvious they were spat on their face. 'Terming the beast as shallow, huh, what about them who had been shaking and even fell on their butt?' They burried their shame and rode in silence. They too could not wait to get separated from him. He made it seem like breathing the same air as him was a crime...
Origin city was the largest in entirety of the continent. It was located at the north occupying a total of 20km². To arrive at origin city from Lotus region, there was a total of ten cities between. Every city symbolized a region. One can just imagine the distance these officials had to cover. Perfect excuse for not going to the Lotus Region. It was not only far,but it was also 'lack-talent.' So why waste time? But this year was definitely worth it. Three first grades coupled with his sacrifice, he was to be rewarded.
They rested sometimes in the woods and others in the city. Though The elder was happy, he had to cater for their expenses. Seth and the girl barely ate much. The elder ate a full bowl. But on their midst was an anomaly. Alaric did not eat less than five bowls on each meal. The sixth day he ate twelve saying he had been malnourished for the past days. He also complained that he did not have a chance to exercise his bones and muscles and that they were aching. It was the seventh day and they were approaching the Origin Region. The big smile on the elder's face knowing he was about to discard that arrogant punk.
From the sky, the city spanning 20km² came into view. It seemed endless. There were large buildings and and storeys. They could not clearly make out the ground since they were far up in the sky. Though, as one's cultivation increased, their eyesight would increase and they would be able to see someone from even 2km away. They flew towards the academy which was at the middle most part of the city. Taking a quarter of the city, 5km². They were always allowed to break the flying prohibition rules when they were bringing in new geniuses since they were going to be tomorrow's powerhouses.
The view of the acadamy gave only one feeling to everyone. 'Awe.' It was expensively furnished. Even the administration block appeared like a cathedral. There were expanse of buildings and some open fields. They headed towards the school stadium. Since long time, officials were known to take bribes and agree to bring lower grade experts. To make sure these activities stopped, there was a mandatory test for elementals affinities and grades.
Top Academies like Origin Academy did not accept those of less than the Third Grade. This enabled them stay at the top. While other academies just accepted anyone, the top three academies only accepted talents. These officials who went to far regions were only allowed to bring in talents of only the First Grade. This always increased their chances of promotion. Especially this elder, he was definitely sure he was going to become a dean. The beast landed on the stadium. The three alighted and stood at the far end of the stadium. The beast took off. They were told that in order to become student of the academy they had to take the test again. Their loads remained on the beast in case they failed and the had to be sent back home. Across the other side were around a hundred new comers. There were five crystals that allowed for fast procedures.
The stadiums were empty since nowadays there were only a small number that would call for their ikoattention. There came an elder who seemed to be of higher ranks carrying a plate that had the names of the geniuses who had arrived. He told them to sit on the seats of the stadium and wait as he called five each round to confirm that their reports were legitimate. They did as told. The three of them sticking together. In a place like this it was better to stick with someone one was familiar with. They took the front row and waited as the elder called the first names...