The sudden arrival of Gordon, the Head of the Willowdale Council, sent a ripple of shock through the crowd. Kairah's eyes widened in surprise as Gordon's gaze landed on her.
"Ah, Kairah, isn't it?" Gordon said, his voice firm and authoritative. "I've heard a lot about you. Specifically, about the roots of Hallow you've brought to our attention."
The Headmaster of Willowdale Academy stepped forward, a mixture of curiosity and wariness on her face. "Yes, Gordon. Kairah here brought the roots yesterday. I was about to verify their authenticity."
Gordon's eyes narrowed. "I see. Well, let's get straight to it then. Kairah, can you tell me more about these roots? How did you obtain them, and what makes you think they're genuine?"
Kaira stood tall, meeting Gordon's intense gaze. "I gathered them from a hidden location, sir. I'm certain they're authentic because of the unique energy they emit."
Gordon's expression turned thoughtful. "I see. Well, I'll need to examine them further to confirm their authenticity. Headmaster, please hand over the roots."
The Headmaster hesitated for a moment before producing the roots from her office. Gordon took them, his eyes scanning the roots with a critical gaze.
As Gordon examined the roots, the students watched in silence, their eyes fixed on Kairah. It was clear that Gordon's arrival had elevated Kairah's status, and everyone's curiosity was piqued.Gordon carefully placed the root on top of the ancient Hallow tree, which stood tall and barren in the center of the campus. The students held their collective breath as they waited for the outcome.
"If the tree remains in its current state, the roots are fake," Gordon explained, his voice carrying across the courtyard. "But if it begins to glow and grow... then the roots are genuine."
The students watched in anticipation, their eyes fixed on the tree. Kairah stood tall, her hands clasped together in hope.
The Hallow tree, once a symbol of life and magic, had withered and died after the Devil Gods' attack. Its restoration was crucial to maintaining the balance of magic in Willowdale.
As the moments ticked by, a faint glow began to emanate from the tree. The glow grew brighter, and the tree's branches started to stir. Leaves began to sprout, and the tree's bark regained its vibrant color.
The students erupted into cheers, their excitement and joy palpable. Gordon's face broke into a wide smile, and he turned to Kairah.
"Well done, Kairah," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "You've brought hope back to Willowdale."
Kaira's eyes shone with tears as she gazed at the revitalized tree. She felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, knowing that her efforts had contributed to the restoration of the campus's magical balance.
Gordon's expression turned serious as he gazed at Kairah. "Now that the authenticity of the roots has been confirmed, it's time to assess your abilities, Kairah. We need to determine your potential as a warrior or hero."
The students nodded in agreement, their eyes fixed on Kairah with anticipation. The Headmaster stepped forward, a small device in her hand.
"This is a Magi-Scan," she explained. "It will measure your magical abilities and determine your rank."
Kaira nodded, her eyes fixed on the device. The Headmaster activated the Magi-Scan, and a warm glow enveloped Kairah.
The device beeped, and a holographic display flickered to life, showing Kairah's stats and abilities. Gordon's eyes scanned the results, his expression thoughtful.
Kaira focused her mind and deliberately reduced her magic aura, toning down her energy to a more manageable level. She then channeled a small amount of magic into the air, careful not to overwhelm the surroundings.
The Magi-Scan beeped again, and the holographic display updated to reflect Kairah's reduced magical output. Gordon's eyes scanned the results, his expression thoughtful.
Kaira focused her mind and deliberately reduced her magic aura, hiding her true potential. The Magi-Scan beeped, and the holographic display showed a much lower reading.
Gordon's eyes scanned the results, his expression neutral. "According to the Magi-Scan, Kairah's magical output is... modest. A Hero I'd place her at Rank C, suitable for a average missions."
The students nodded, seemingly unimpressed by Kairah's supposed abilities. Grey and Luke exchanged a glance, but they didn't seem to suspect that Kairah was hiding her true potential.
Kaira smiled inwardly, relieved that her plan had worked. She knew she had to keep her true abilities hidden, at least for now. Rank C was a humble ranking, but it would allow her to move freely and gather information without drawing attention to herself.
As the assessment concluded, Kairah felt a sense of satisfaction. She had taken the first step in her journey, and she was ready to see what lay ahead.
Maine snickered, her voice dripping with condescension. "Oh, look at Kairah, the new Rank C hero. How cute."
She laughed, her friends joining in. "I mean, your just rank C no match for me there's me, a Rank A hero. I'm the real deal, and you're just... well, you're not even close."
Kaira's eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept her cool. "Being a hero isn't just about rank, Maine," she said calmly. "It's about heart, determination, and doing what's right."
Maine rolled her eyes. "Spare me the lecture, Kairah. You're just jealous that you're stuck in Rank C while I'm soaring high in Rank A."
Kaira smiled sweetly. "I'm not jealous, Maine. I'm just happy to be doing my part, no matter what rank I am."
Maine's expression turned sour, but she didn't push the issue further. She turned to her friends, whispering and giggling, while Maine's mother, the Headmaster, hurried over to her daughter, her expression stern. "Maine, show some respect. Gordon is still here, and we have guests."
Maine's face twisted in annoyance, but she forced a smile. "Sorry, Mother."
Gordon, however, waved his hand, his expression warm. "No need to apologize, Headmaster. I think Maine's enthusiasm is... understandable."
He turned to Kairah, his eyes shining with appreciation. "Kaira, regardless of your rank, you've done something remarkable. Bringing the roots of the Hallow tree is no small feat. Your family will be rewarded for your efforts."
The Headmaster's eyes widened in surprise, and Maine's face fell. "Rewarded?" the Headmaster repeated.
Gordon nodded. "Yes. A generous stipend will be granted to your family, Kairah. Enough to make them financially stable for years to come."
Kaira's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, sir. This means a lot to my family."
The Headmaster's expression turned thoughtful, her eyes calculating the benefits that this reward would bring to Kairah's family. Maine, on the other hand, looked like she'd sucked on a lemon, her face sour with envy.
The students erupted into applause, cheering and whistling for Kairah. The sound filled the courtyard, and Kairah's face flushed with embarrassment and gratitude.
As the applause continued, a television crew stepped forward, their cameras capturing the moment. The news anchor, a well-known figure in the country, smiled warmly as she began to report live.
"Breaking news, citizens of the nation! Today, we witness a remarkable moment at the Willowdale Academy. Kairah, a young student, has successfully retrieved the roots of the ancient Hallow tree, restoring balance to the magical energies in our country."
The camera panned to Kairah, who looked a bit overwhelmed by the attention. Gordon stepped forward, a proud smile on his face.
"On behalf of the Willowdale Council, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Kairah for her bravery and selflessness. Her actions will have a lasting impact on our nation, and we are forever grateful."
The television broadcast reached every corner of the country, and people from all walks of life watched in awe. Many were seen cheering and applauding in their homes, offices, and public spaces.
"Kaira, Kaira, Kaira!" chants began to spread across the nation, as people celebrated the young hero who had brought hope back to their country. The news spread like wildfire, and Kairah's name became synonymous with bravery and determination.