Magic Awakening Begins

The school stadium was the biggest building in the school easily exceeding the size of a mini stadium. Due to its size, it was the place where all important programs were hosted. The stadium is usually empty and void of any activity. It was only around this time of the year that it was used.

It was where the greatest exam that decided many students' future was held; The Magic Awakening Exam. Since the stadium was so huge —taking about 30% of the entire land mass of the school— it was able to easily hold the sheer amount of students that would be taking the exams.

"Wow, it's almost full," Aiden exclaimed as they entered the stadium with other students.

"Of course, it would be almost full. Even though the stadium is big, the total amount of students in each surrounding school is still not an amount to be trifled with," Ace chuckled slightly when he heard his friend's voice.

"I know that. Even so, I am still surprised by what I am seeing," Aiden commented as he stared at the queues that the students have formed. At this moments, all the students from other schools —including Aiden and Ace's school— had formed long queues facing the huge stage mounted at the from of the stadium. The various columns that the students had formed belonged to a different school. Each row for a new school.

With their back facing Aiden and the other students who were just entering, the students in the stadium were all looking at the stage with expectant eyes.

"It seems like we aren't that late yet," said Aiden, "Luckily we arrived on time! Seems like my shortcut worked after all. I thought, we might still be late if we took the shortcut!"

Hearing Aiden's word's Ace suddenly had the urge to slap him at the back of his head.

What do you mean by worked? Since you weren't sure of the shortcut you were taking then why did you make us use it then? If I had known this, I would have taken the official path to school instead!

"There is our class' queue. Let's join it!"

Trying his best to suppress the sudden urges that ensued due the words of Aiden, Ace beckoned his friend to follow him.

Following Ace, Aiden soon found their school's line and joined it. After a few minutes of waiting, a group of people led by a middle aged man walked onto the stage.

*****

"Isn't that the head of Phoenix High School?"

"It is him!"

"Who are the people following him though?"

"You dont know them? Those people are the heads of the schools that have gathered here!"

"Oh I see! I never expected to see so many experts here! Why are there so many experts here this time? Even the head of Phoenix Academy has personally joined!"

"You don't know? I heard from a friend of mine that this is the year that Layla Osborne will be partaking in the Exam"

"Layla Osborne? you mean the daughter of the mayor of the city?"

"Of course! After all, with the standing of the principal of this school, why would he join this ceremony?"

"I see!"

The moment, the group of people ascended the stage, the crowd burst into an uproar as the students gossiped among themselves with hushed voices.

"Woah, the principal even came!" Ace couldn't help but exclaim in surprised when he saw the middle-aged man leading the group.

"Yeah, I never expected him to be here!" Aiden commented as he looked at the middle aged man leading the group in disbelief. The principal of their school, Mr White was known as the most mysterious person in the school. This was due to the fact that even though he was the principal of the school, he rarely showed himself to the students.

In fact this was the second time Aiden had seen him ever since he stepped in the school. As for the first time Aiden saw him, it was because he was welcoming them into the school for the first time.

Aiden had no doubt that if he was to meet this man on the street, he would never realize that it was his principal.

"Mhm... Mhm.."

Noticing the chaos that ensued form his arrival, the middle aged man cleared his throat before glancing at the crowd. Hearing his voice, the crowd immediately quietened down waiting to hear what he had to say.

"Welcome to everyone to this year's Magic Awakening Exams! And for today, I am going to be.... " taking a second to glance at the crowd, Mr White continued, "your host!"

"What did I just hear?"

"Did the principal just say that he was going to be the host?"

"How can that be possible? How can someone of his standing be the host of the program?"

"Is it because of Layla?"

"Nope! This cant be because of Layla! No matter what Mr White is still the principal of the school? How can he do something like this just because of Layla?"

"True, it can be because of Layla! There must be another reason!"

"But if that was the case then why would he be the host for this year's program?"

After Mr White spoke, the crowd turned silent for a few seconds before busting into an uproar. All sought of questions flew by as the students tried to make sense of the situation and why the principal would be taking the position of such a low-levelled job!

"Ace, why do you think that the principal is doing this?" Aiden asked when he heard what Mr White said.

"I have no idea. However, I now think that things don't seem as simple as they do on the surface. I don't think he is doing this for Layla any more! There must be something deeper going on. However, we dont know what it is!" Ace commented with a grim expression on his face.

"Hm, that is what I think too," Hearing Ace's words Aiden couldn't help but nod his head. Many people might be thinking that it was because of Layla that the principal was doing this. However, as a student of the school where the principal was, he figured out that the principal would never do something like this for Layla.

It was simply impossible for Mr White to do something like this. Truth was, Mr White would never lower himself to the level of a mere host even is the mayor himself was to come. He would only bless the visit with his presence but he would never do something like this.

In fact, the reason why he was here the last time was due to the fact that the mayor had visited to spectate his daughter's welcoming ceremony and nothing else!

.......

"Cough... Cough....!"

Realizing that the stadium was becoming noisy again, Mr White let out two slight coughs making the noise die down immediately. Scanning through the crowd, Mr White continued,

"I know that many of you are curious to see why I am being the host for this year..."

Hearing what Mr White said, the noise immediately died down and even the people who were murmuring with their friends even perked up their ears ready to listen to what he had to say.

"However, due to some reasons, I cant tell you now. I would announce the reason after the program is completed!"

After hearing what Mr White had to say, the crowd calmed down realizing that the would know the reason soon, they decided to focus on the agender at hand; The Magic Awakening Exams! After scanning through the crowd and realizing that they had calmed down, Mr White heaved a sigh of relief before continuing,

"Anyway, you all know the reason why we are gathered here. We are gathered here to spectate (for teachers and non-participants) and undertake (for the students taking the exams) the Magic Awakening exams. However before I announce the rules, I would like to say a few words!"

"The first thing I would talk about would have to deal with the magic power you awaken on your first try. I know it must be very difficult for you to accept some of the results that you get especially if you dont get the superpower you want! However, trust me it isn't advisable to give up just because you didn't get the superpower you want. If you dont get the superpower that you want, make sure to continue on, maybe you will awaken it in the future who knows?"

"Secondly, I would like to talk about what would seem to be the most important thing, getting a good superpower. If you get a good superpower, and pass this exams, then you have to make sure to serve this country well... As for the other way around, if you don't get a good superpower... then.... You have failed the text and therefore...."

Briefly stopping here, Mr White's face became grim before continuing,

"You are not qualified to become a mage!!"