On the final day of our sentence, we were finally released from our cage.
Our nostrils were getting tired of the smell of bearly men, a good stretch from that cramped cage after a whole week sure felt good.
It wasn't long before I heard a deep voice say.
"The awakening ceremony is ongoing; make your way to the outskirts of the eastern gate," he continued sternly. "I will not be accompanying you. I suggest you go to it as soon as possible."
Then he walked past us and continued on his day.
Rui and Zal didn't waste any time; they pushed right past and dashed towards the east.
I followed, and so did Ping, while Sid barely looked like he was trying.
We gasped for breath with every step we took, Rui seemed to be having a easier time while Zal looked exhausted trying to keep up with Rui.
I didn't have time to look behind me, whilst I barely kept up with the pace.
On the way, I saw Kael weeping with an older woman who seemed to be his mother.
"Serves him right for snitching on us." Rui snorted.
Eventually, we finally arrived at the eastern gate. Behind the covering was a mob of parents and elders, including Elder Hao, trying to sneak a peek past the cloth that led to the outskirts of the village.
We barely squeezed through and reached the inner part of it until. An elder commanded.
"Let the boys pass; they need to undergo the ceremony."
The mob of people parted into two, opening a path for us to step to the outskirts of the village.
What we saw was a behemoth of a line stretching as far as the eye could see.
In front of the Eastern gate was around 10 men in unnaturally clean white knightly armor, on their left were countless of wagons, and on their right was the village chief who seemed to be there out of respect.
Soon, a guard covered in unnatural, clean white knightly armor approached us. He was bald with a scared face, and he was of average height.
"My oh my, if it isn't some little slackers already." He smirked wickedly.
"GET TO THE BACK OF THE BLOODY LINE NOW UNLESS YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN NEXT."
I figured this guy just liked yelling.
Ping hurriedly took off, with the rest of us following. We could feel the village chiefs stare penetrate through the back of our heads.
"Please, sir- Im begging you, please check again, I-it can't be right. I need to get selected, please." A young girl from the front of the line bawled.
One of the capital's enforcers, who wore the same armor as the bald man, stood in front of her and replied in the most monotone voice possible.
"Please step aside, we have a long line. If you're not happy with your result, please blame your misfortune on Ogre Monkey Supreme."
"N- no NO NO my father needs me please, please, how am I gonna earn money without this PLEASE I PROMISED."
It was a truly pathetic sight; the girl was with her head on the ground. While the enforcers got ready to take her away.
"That's the sad reality for some people, huh?"
Ping lamented with a sympathetic gaze in his eyes, whilst they seemed to stare at the far distance.
"Bad luck," I replied, but he didn't seem to hear me.
I finally reached the back of the line, and in front were Zal and Rui, along with the others who were earlier.
Behind me was Ping.
"Is Sid still not here? I thought he was with you."
"Oh, I tried to get him to hurry, but he just said to go on and that he would be here sooner or later."
What's with this guy who would be this lax with an event like this?
"Say, Lou, how're your memories holding up?"
"Uh, they're coming back in pieces."
"What do you mean by how are his memories, doggie?" The comment came from Rui
I sighed in my heart. I didn't want more people knowing about this "loss of memories," but my hands were tied. If I made a scene, it'd be even more suspicious.
Startled, Ping gave out a retelling of the events that made me lose my memory.
After he finished, Rui gave me an intimidating stare, which I answered by pretending not to see it.
Soon enough, Sid eventually arrived with bread in his hand while eating.
When he did, I swear I saw the bald man turn into a tomato as he started scolding him; even the village chief joined in. It was so bad, I could've heard it from the moon.
Once the bald guy finished, he finally came over.
Sid nonchalantly strode to the back and said to no one in particular.
"Sorry, I was late. I got hungry, so I spent the copper coin Ping gave me for saving Lou."
He lifted his bread and ate it in one bite, which was kind of gross.
I thought he was pretty stupid to risk something like this.
Ping started talking to him about how stupid he was for coming so late, while Sid as usual, barely looked like he heard him.
Time passed, and nobody was selected so far in the line.
They each cried repeatedly, begged, or even fainted.
The capital's enforcers looked incredibly annoyed with each fail while the village chief continued his vague expression.
It was already Ruis' turn; now he strode forward with an aura of arrogance.
The enforcer palmed his stomach near his belly button, and for a good ten seconds, the air held its breath.
The enforcer actually smiled and yelled out, "B grade, 3 cracks!"
I had no idea what they were talking about..
The capital's enforcers' irritation did a 180, and they all clapped politely, and the village chief walked up and congratulated Rui as if he had won the lottery.
Rui even had tears streaming down his fierce face. I felt incredibly disturbed.
He waved to his parents, who were looking through the eastern gates cloth and got into a wagon.
Next, it was Zal's turn.
The enforcer did the same thing as earlier.
And soon yelled out, "F grade, 10 cracks."
Now the atmosphere returned to being depressing.
Ruis' face inside the wagon looked shocked.
While Zal looked like he expected this, he snivelled and walked back to the village without saying a word.
Rui opened his mouth but stopped and sat in his seat, covering his face.
It was my turn.
I felt my chest close up and my throat dry.
Every step I took felt heavier than the last.
The enfocer palmed his hand onto my belly button.
As soon as he did, I felt an indescribable sensation overcome my entire body; it was as if I could feel every single part of my body, and then all of the feelings gathered into a circle near my belly button.
Of course, it wasn't visible, I just could feel it.
Thoughts ran through my head, what if I was doomed to be ordinary in this life wouldnt that be a sick joke.
My body felt incredibly heavy.
A voice rang out,
"C grade 6 cracks."