The following day, the king visited, and they were all called outside.
"I am deeply impressed by the level of strength you displayed in the dule." the king congratulated them while they clapped their hands.
"I was told recently that you lost one of your brothers. May his soul rest in peace." the king said.
"Today marks the end of your stay here, you'll all be going to Eldergrove institute in Eleanor. There you'll be trained on how to use your various ability."
And they all clapped louder.
After his speech, Eckhard opened a portal where the king entered, leaving.
"I'll meet you kids in the future, make sure you get strong fast." the captain said with a smile on his face as he entered the portal.
"I love you all." the vice captain said, with a smile on her face as she entering the
portal which vanished behind her. Damian chick turned Ross red on hearing what he vice captain said.
"I'll be stuck with you guys for a while, " Eckhard said, arranging his tie.
"let's begin our journey to Eldergrove then." he added, as a magic circle appeared above their heads. With a single swipe of his hand the magic circle came down on them.
They all found themselves standing before a towering gate. Malcon's gaze slowly drifted upward, following the rise of the massive structure. At its peak, was an image of a lion, its eyes fierce, as though it was watching them. Just above the lion's mane, etched in bold, gleaming letters, was a single word that seemed to hum with quiet power: ELDERGROVE
There was a very long queue of people standing outside.
"Follow me boys." Eckhard said, ignoring the queue.
He walked up to a muscular man who stood in front of the gate, attending to the queue. They exchanged a few words and in less than two minutes he waved at them to enter the school.
"Not fair!"
"that fowl play!"
People shouted from the queue.
"Mommy, he's cheating!"
Damian seemed to be enjoying the look of annoyance in their face, as he walked past them with a smirk.
Malcon's jaw dropped open as he walked into the school. He had never seen any school so big and still beautiful.
Several buildings stood proudly among green trees, their leaves swaying gently as the wind went by.
"Follow me." Eckhard instructed, noticing how distracted they were.
He led them into a very large building that was dimly lit by candles, it partly reminded Malcon of the throne room, but this one was rather empty. In a small platform raised in the room, was a small table where an orb sat comfortably alone on a pillow. Apart from the orb there was nothing else in the room.
"And where is this old woman?" Eckhard snapped, looking around.
"I see you haven't matured enough to respect your elders." came a dry voice.
They all turned around, tracing the voice, only to see an old woman slowly walk up to the platform.
She had grey hair, and wrinkles covered her face, her body slightly vibrating as she climbed up to the platform.
"Am quite in a hurry." Eckhard said, smiling as the elderly woman's deadly gaze bestowed upon him.
Looking at them it was obvious they were close.
"Anyway, these are…"
"I know who they are, Eckhard, " the woman interrupted.
"It's written all over their faces. I can see their heart's, I can smell their fear and hatred." she said with her eyes closed, taking a deep breath.
"Revenge." she finally said, opening her glowing purple eyes.
Malcon felt a chill run down his spin, there was something about the woman's eyes that was unsettling, but he couldn't say what.
"Were not here for future seeing or prophecy." Eckhard snaped, breaking the silence.
"Oh…forgive me Eckhard, sometimes I see a whole lot more than I intended." she said, walking towards the orb.
"Okay…listen carefully kids," Her voice becoming a bit lively. "As you all know our mana core is divided into seven stages. Novice, Specialist, Veteran, Expert, Master, Elite and legend. Each of these stages can be identified with the colour of your mana core." for a while she paused and took a deep breath.
"What I want you to do is very simple. Once I call your name, please walk up to the platform and touch the orb. It would display your core level, then i will give you a badge depending on the colour of your mana core.
"This badge will constantly change colour as you increase in rank." she instructed. "shall we begin?" she asked, smiling.
"Adrian Clark." she called out.
Adrian walked up to the platform touching the orb, but it reflected no light. After a while she placed her hand in Adrian stomach, her eyes glowing purple.
"No mana core, no ability." she said finally looking up at Adrain who was stering down at her, as though he wanted to kill her.
"so sorry child." she added.
"Megan Stromwrath." she called out.
Megan confidently walked up to the platform placing her hand on the magic orb, which instantly gave a blue glow. Veteran she announced, giving her a blue badge.
"Ivy stormwarth."
Ivy walked up to the plateform placing her hand on the magic orb.
"Novice" she announced. "don't worry child you'll soon get a breakthrough, just cultivates a little more." she whispered into ivy's ear, noticing she was a little bit ashamed.
"Damian cruz."
"Yes" he shouted, making his way through the crowd. He placed his hand on the orb, smiling.
"Veteran." she announced, handing him a blue badge and he left smiling.
"Diana flame."
Diana slowly walked up to the plateform, placing her hand on the magic orb.
"specialist."
she announced, handing her a yellow badge.
"Bane ice."
"Am right here." bane notified, raising up his hand.
He walked up to the platform,placing his hand on the magic orb, while the woman's glowing purple eyes were fixed on him.
"Veteran." she announced, giving bane a blue badge. "Your future is blessed, kid." she said, still staring at Bane.
"thank you." bane replied, as a warm smile crept to his face and he left.
She called a few other names, but most of them were given the specialist rank except Luke. Malcon wasn't surprised when Luke was announced as a veteran, since he was able to keep up with Bane's speed.
"Eden Malcon." the woman called out.
He swallowed hard, as he walked up to the platform. He knew he was a specialist but something about the old lady made him feel uneasy.
He felt the old woman's gaze on him as he touched the magic orb.
"Specialist." she announced after a while.
'Finally it's over' Malcon said, sighing as he left.
"Wait." the woman called after Malcon.
On turning his head his eyes locked with the old lady's glowing purple eyes, and he felt it again. An uneasy feeling that made his heart beat loudly, he tried looking away but for some reason he couldn't.
Her eyes glowed even brighter.
"HOW DARE YOU."