Chapter 6. Still Not worthy

Without second thoughts, Seth opened his mouth and said softly.

"I choose Origin Academy," maybe the suspense was only between the two officials from Falcon Academy and Blue Eagle Academy. But to the rest, it was expected. The official from Origin Academy brushed his white beards a knowing smile on his face. He stood and spoke. His aura was enough to command respect from the blabbering crowd.

"Get ready for we will leave after the events," the old man said. He appeared to be 60 years old but in reality he was no less than ten thousand years old. Upon hearing those words, Seth ran to his parents who took him home. His face gleaming knowing he was going to be a celeb in Lotus Region and also one of the legends. After Seth left, the commentator continued. Seth had instilled some confidence into the youths who had been nervous all time.

"Next, we have Sheila Kelly," the commentator called out his voice the same from start to end without change in pitch or any emotion. A girl about 4'6 stepped from her seat and made her way to the front. Her long white hair reaching down her waist. The commentator gave the same instructions and she did as instructed. Yet another odd sight. The colourless crystal let out a white light that shone in the stadium. The people's jaws dropped. Since when did their region get rich in talents.

Only the officials from the top three academies had a smile thanking their ancestors for their luck. The smile on the Blue Eagle Academy was even wider than the rest. His academy specialized in water, light, wood and time. These were elements very common in girls though few men could awaken these elements at first grade, they were limited. In two out of ten were boys the rest girls.

Back on the platform. The white light blinded the people. Even the sun was not visible. If Seth was a first grade,then Sheila was a first first grade. The light slowly faded after about thirty seconds and the commentator who had disappeared was visible once again. Just when everyone thought it was over, a blue light engulfed the stadium once again. The officials almost fell from their seats. Water affinity.

Just when they thought it could not get worse, the blue from the crystal merged with that of the sky. The people gulped. Silence erupting from all corners. Even the air seemed to go still. The commentator who had reappeared disappeared again. After about 30 seconds the commotion died down. The elder reappearing. If not for his cultivation, who knew maybe he would have gone blind if he did not cultivate. After the commotion died down and everyone regained their bearings, he broke the silence which had reigned.

"Sheila Kelly, origin source: sovereign hydra, elemental affinity: ice and water. First First Grade if there is something like that. You can choose from any ..." The commentator was cut short by Sheila.

" Blue Eagle Academy, am ready to leave any time," Sheila said off handedly and went back to her seat. The official from Blue Eagle Academy could not hide the joy as he scratched his beards laughing wholeheartedly. The two others looked at him a hint of jelousy in their eyes. Falcon Academy official who had not yet gained a talent could not help but worry. Maybe all the talents had been called out. Who knew maybe there were only two? He sank in his seat and watched.

In the crowd the people could bot help but gasp. "two affinities!" It should be noted that not all water elementalists could have both ice and water at the same time. These two were separated where one could either have water which was common or ice which was rare. It was even rarer to have both ... And even worse to have them both as first grade. Were the heavens blind? Why give all that to one person when there were plenty of them? They could only sigh and swallow their words. It was fortunate enough that they were cultivating.

"Who knew that we would have such a great start. Who knew the heavens never forsake us, next in line Edwin Hakin," the commentator spoke. The people waited for like a thirty seconds until a guy in glasses stood up. His height at 5'1. He made his way to the front. The commentator gave the same instructions and Edwin followed. They were expectant for there was a certain streak though his appearance made him appear shy, he stood his ground in a confidence not even Shela and Seth could match.

He placed his hand on the clear crystal. All was still as the people waited. After almost a minute, still nothing, the people got agitated. Could it be that they had a non elementalists? They sighed. The commentator went to speak but he was stopped by the kid who raised his hand. His eyes showing a glint of defiance.

" Almost there..." He whispered but everyone heard him and some could not help but start jeering. Another minute passed and the commentator went to speak again but the kid raised his hand stopping him. The commentator wanted to blast out and insult the kid but he heard the kid speak.

" Now..." His voice mending in the air.

Today was definitely going to break the record of Lotus Region. Slowly, the skies began to darken. The commentator was silenced. Was he about to shout at a first grade? What if he had lost his job. A cold sweat falling down his body. It got dark that nothing was visible. Even those with great cultivation higher than Master Plane strained to see. Darkness element. It was among the few rare elements. Even rare than ice. Darkness was known for its slow speed and also its corrosive ability.

Fightning darkness elementists was like fighting with death. Especially if they were stronger or at equal cultivation. The darkness slowly faded after almost five minutes. Some people let out a sigh. Especiall those who had jeered did not know whether to burry their heads in the sand or just leave. What a fool they were. Laughing at a first grade elementalists when they were not even the foruth grade. Grades were raged from first to sixth. The Mayor was a fourth grade. There was not even a single third grade and here they were laughing at a First Grade. They appeared as a joke.

"Edwin Hakin, Origin Source: Miasma, elemental affinity: darkness. First Grade. You can choose to..." He was cut short as Edwin spoke. The commentator couldn't help but give a self depreciating laugh. A genius should be "Arrogant" the word ringed in his head.

"Its been decided am joining Falcon Academy. I can leave any time you are ready," Edwin said and went back to his seat. The official of Falcon Academy laughed clapping his hand. Who knew that he was not left out. His ancestors never forgot about him. Such a genius. Genius was not the word. But its better to say all Academies had each obtained a gem. They were all neutral now. Now even if they did not find another one, they would definitely get promoted. Even earn points.

The commentator continued. The crowd was silent. They were all ashamed for shunning a First Grade.

"Next in line, James Blake." He did not have any more words. A guy about 5'5 stood immediately and went to the stage. The commentator repeated his instructions and James followed. The next event lowered the morale of the crowd. The crystal glowed faintly releasing a brown sheen. He sighed as the commentator spoke. "James blake, Origin Source:earth, elemental affinity: earth. Sixth grade. " James lowered his head as he went to take his seat. It was depressing to be the one to break the streak.

Apart from number of meridians opened, another factor that determined one's cultivation level was the elemental grade. Those of fifth and sixth grade could not make it to the supreme stage. Though there were few methods of increasing ones elemental grade like; treasures, fruits and cores that contained the said element in their natural form. This treasure were rare especially when the core were fought for. Some Supremes just went hunting for them just to sell them at a heart breaking price. The rest of did not perform better either.

There was only a single First Grade who chose Origin Academy. There were only two left and one was definitely absent. The people had lost interest for those who had appeared were just lack-luster in their eyes. The commentator spoke.

"We only have two left so we can conclude the day. We have Clare Crawley." After almost a minute, a girl stood up and headed to the front. She was also 4'6. She did not wait for the commentator to speak as she did what she had heard over 600 times.

The crystal glowed a brilliant white exceeding that of Sheila. Though it did not cover the sky, it filled the people with shock and awe. Especially the official from Blue Eagle Academy. "Light element..." No one knew who said those words but maybe it was just everyone.

"Claire Crawley, Origin source: enigmatic brilliance, elemental affinity: light element. Second grade."

The official from Blue Eagle Academy stood up.

" Claire Crawley was it? I welcome you to join Blue Eagle Academy, despite you grade," the official said. One could not beleive the polite words coming from the elder to a junior. Claire bowed and agreed. Even her parents in the crowd smiled.

" Time for the final round. The final for this year's selection we have Alaric... Just Alaric no surname." The crowd waited but after a minute no one still stood up. Five more minutes and no one still stood.

Everyone knew how important an awakening ceremony was. No one even under illness would afford to miss it. The commentator callled for like the tenth time still no one. The crowd got agitated and started murmuring. How come he was registered and no one stood up.

One personally had to do so or their parents. In a seat among the crowd, a blonde woman with brown eyes kept shifting from side to side. Her forehead watering. Her hands also sweaty. Those around her guessed she had a coonection with the Alaric or whatever the name was. They could not care but some showed pity. The people started jeers. Even the commentator spoke leading the crowd into a fit of laughter

"Did the little boy run away for fear of peeing on his pants? Does he not know that we don't bite?" The crowd could not hold in their laughter. It was past noon and they were already tired. Even the judges felt like they would leave. Just what difference could a talent make. Gauging from past results, it was definitely not worth the wait. Each academy had a gem and it was even more than they could as for from a mediocre place like this. They also sneered amongst themselves wondering why the commentator had not yet ended the ceremony.

Just then, someone made his way into the stadium. No! Not someone but a child in their eyes. Who would have expected an arrival after the ceremony was just about to end. The blonde lady in the crowd calmed and a smile lit her face. The boy walked in. Standing at 5'3. His sleeves rolled upto his elbow and the pants upto his calves. On his right hand was a bucket filled with water and inside it were several fish. On his left shoulder lay a fishing rod his arm slightly on its base to support it.

His green eyes seemed to see through each and everyone. Wherever the source of the wind was was unknown but his jet black hair was being blown backwards fluttering in the wind. One had to accept that in a few years no one would match his beauty. His body seemed slightly tanned. He walked towards the center and stared at the commentator. He then glanced tmat the officials from the Academies and the disdain in his eyes was evident to all. But as he stared at the Falcon's Academy official his expression changed slightly though not many noticed.

His eyes travelled among the crowd and his eyes landed on the lady with blonde hair and brown eyes. His warm smile completely changing his demeaner. He then looked at the commentator.

"The Martial World never changes, huh? You should feel honoured to have me among you presence. This is because you are all still not worthy of my presence." His words were as clear as day. He did not even try to sugar coat his words. Directly spitting on their faces.

The commentator's lips twitched and they suddenly went dry. Just a few second he had jeered at this junior but here he was unable to speak. He lacked the words to reply his mind completely blank. Especially when those green eyes stopped at him. Of all the people only the blonde lady was smiling. Her son really had made a dent into the hearts of everyone...