Exam of Knights III

Me, Josento, and Maximina met up during the break. Maximina still looked a little tired, but knowing a little about her strength I already know she's passing the next trial. Turning towards Maximina I asked, "Are you ready to sweep the competition?".

She answered, "You know it!".

We spent most of the break talking about what the trial could possibly entail, but we would have to wait and see. I wished them luck as we started back towards our spots in formation. There was about two minutes left before Godefray and Leya came back on stage to give us more details on the trial. When time was up I noticed a new face with the two knights coming to the stage.

When all three of them got onto stage the new face stepped up and introduced herself, "Greetings, my name is Anna Fabble. I am currently an emerald rank knight. I will be the proctor for the strength test. My ability allows me to create different types of barriers and one of them allows me to gauge someone's strength when they hit the barrier. It will be measured one through ten, one and two is equal to apprentice level, three and four is onyx, five and six is ruby, seven is sapphire, eight is emerald, nine is diamond, and finally ten is amber.".

Godefray stepped up next to her, "Now, each column will again take turns and the top four from each will pass and move on to the final test. Abilities will be allowed in this test however, if you cannot control your ability well please let us know before you begin so we can make sure the other participants are not in danger.".

Finally Leya stepped up, "Now that the explanations are over can the first column make its way to the stairs on the right side of the stage. We will begin as soon as Anna is ready.".

Maximina was the leader in the first column and she looked extremely calm. I watched closely as she was invited on stage and Anna gave the signal. Maximina got into a fighting stance. Having her fists close to her face she threw a punch that would probably severely injure or in the worst case kill most people she hits. Anna announced, "Rating of six equal to the strongest of the ruby knights!".

I knew she was strong but damn I would hate to get on her bad side. Out of the other three that had passed two got a four and one got a five. The instructors called for the second column soon after the first had finished. I noticed one guy in the second group was dressed rather oddly. He had on a full winter outfit even mittens on and I swear I could see his breath even though it was pretty warm out.

He was last in his group but the highest ranked in his column was three. He was finally on the stage when he suddenly approached Godefray. I could not hear what he said but he made all of us move back at least ten more feet from the stage which put us twenty feet from the stage. The mysterious stranger took his hands out of his pocket and the entire arena started to feel cooler and the amount of steam coming out of his sleeves was crazy.

The steam gathered on his hand and he formed an ice gauntlet. Suddenly the temperature had dropped further and the stage started freezing. Anna looked terrified of taking his punch. I knew her barrier absorbed physical damage but what about the chill that could freeze the air itself he was emitting. He stepped up to the barrier and as he was swinging it looked like his gauntlet was getting thicker. As soon as he made impact a wave of ice cold wind hit all of us and sent shivers down my spine.

I can't even imagine how much damage that could do if it hit an actual person. Between Maximina and him I don't even know who is stronger. Anna was trembling as she announced, "Rating of six! Godefray could have given me a better warning.".

Column three was called up after Anna had calmed down and the stage unfroze. Somehow Josento had switched places with someone in column three. Josento was second in his group, the guy in front of him got a rating of 5. When he stepped up the sound of thunder echoed across the sky. His fist lit up with blue electricity and he slammed his fist into the barrier and thunder followed directly after.

"RATING OF SIX!", she exclaimed rather loudly because of the thunder.

The last two in the group got rated 4 and 5. Finally it was my column's turn. I followed behind the rest of them. While waiting my turn two were rated four and one was rated three. I stepped up onto the stage and stood in front of the barrier and told Anna, "Just watch for impact on the barrier. You won't be able to see me move.".

Anna looked perplexed. I ran at super speed to the colosseum entrance and back to build up momentum and hammered my fist into the barrier before stepping back into place. After taking my place everyone looked confused but Anna announced, "Rating of six!".

Now everyone was even more confused, so I ran from the stage back into my spot in formation in a millisecond. They all seemed to figure it out eventually but I was ready to move onto the final round

After those who were eliminated were sent out Leya began to speak, "Attention, the sixteen of you present will be participating in the final trial that begins tomorrow at 10am. We will be posting the bracket later today after we make sure everyone has a fair chance to win. See you tomorrow, you are dismissed!".

I can finally rest but now I have to find an inn to stay at for the night. I'll see if Josento or Maximina know a place to crash.