Chapter 2. The Ranking Trials.
A loud beeping rang out in the room. A tired hand reached out to silence the alarm. A soft feminine voice grumbled in the dark and curled up next to her partner. "It's too damn early." Her voice was a sleepy mumble. She wrapped her limbs around the man next to her as she tried to snuggle closer to his warmth.
Gavin laughed as he pulled her into his warm embrace. After the events of the first day, Erza decided to crash with him, instead of going back to her own.
He hugged her close for a moment and inhaled her unique scent of strawberries and vanilla. "I'm gonna go shower, you coming?"
She shook her head and disentangled herself from him as she curled up in the bed. "Too early."
He chuckled as he tucked the blanket around her and went to his dresser to pull out a change of clothes and his shower bag. The only complaint I have, is the rooms don't have their own showers. What kind of crap is that? Gavin grumbled to himself as he left their dorm and headed down the hallway to the showers.
After a quick shower he returned, freshly washed and feeling ready for the day. As he shut the front door he noticed Jackson was sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone. He looked up and smiled at his roommate. "Morning sleepy head," Jackson said as he nodded in Gavin's direction.
Gavin yawned as he walked into the kitchen. "Morning, dude," he replied as he set about making a fresh pot of coffee before they went to take part in the ranking trials and tests. He'd feel a lot better if he just had some coffee in his system.
"I wonder exactly what these tests are going to be," Gavin wondered as he took his cup and sat on the couch next to Jackson. They had about an hour left until they had to be in the auditorium for the first part of the test.
Jackson leaned his head back against the couch and looked at Gavin thoughtfully. "No clue. But I bet it will be in several different parts. Like different stages that will ultimately determine our overall rank and scores. Just a guess though."
Gavin gave Jackson a sheepish grin as he considered something. "It's going to be hilarious if there is a combat section of the trials and I get paired off against Bradley." Gavin chuckled at the thought that he might fight Bradley so soon after their little altercation in the hallway. Hopefully he has a change of pants this time.
Jackson laughed at the evil glint in Gavin's eyes. "Dude, you already made him wet his pants yesterday. I don't think another battle against you is good for his mental health," Jackson said with a grin. He was joking around, but he remembered the horrible scene from the day before. Gavin, fully transformed, had Bradley by his throat and there was nothing the other boy could do against Gavin's fury in the hallway. He was lucky Gavin didn't kill him then and there.
"Well, either way let's get going to the arena and see what fresh hell awaits us," Gavin said as he stood up, and finished his coffee before he sat his cup on the counter. Jackson got up, stretched his arms above his head and sighed.
Gavin walked over to the bedroom and opened his door to see that Erza was already dressed. She sat at the edge of the bed and the sight of her took his breath away. She wore simple jeans and a black shirt and was finishing putting her hair into a tight braid that fell down her back. She wore the silver armband over her left bicep, same as Gavin.
She looked up at his entrance and smiled at him. "Time to leave?"
Gavin swallowed hard and nodded. "Um, yeah. We gotta head to the auditorium for the testing."
She beamed at him. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" She gave him a wink as she walked past, a seductive, deliberate sway in her hips.
Gavin audibly whimpered. Damn it. How does she expect me to focus when she walks around like that?
Careful Master Gavin. You need to focus on the task at hand if you want to impress your grandfather. Veronica's soft words snapped Gavin out of his daydream and he nodded.
The three of them left the dorm and stepped into the hallway. There was already a steady stream of students that made their way out of the dorm building and onto the pathways.
The pathways were thick with students that all started walking towards the Grand Arena in the south end of the campus. They chatted aimlessly amongst themselves, and Gavin heard some of the worried comments from the students nearby. Some were hopeful, some worried, others bragging over their expected ranks. Gavin shook his head, amused by how normal everything felt.
They eventually went through the hallway and entered the grand arena itself where the principal gave his welcome speech the day before. They found their chairs and waited as the rest of the students filled in. At exactly eight a.m. the lights dimmed down, and a spotlight lit up the center of the arena floor where the podium was from the day before. Principal Shepard walked out from the side and approached the podium.
"Good morning, all you fresh, first year students. I hope everyone slept well and is ready for the trials." Shepard coughed to clear his throat. "Today we will test you in a few different ways to determine your capability, versatility, and potential skills with magic," Principal Shepard welcomed all the students that were gathered around the arena. His voice, clear and sharp, echoed through the speakers.
Gavin noticed that on the floor of the arena there were a few dozen tables and stands at equal distance from each other with signs posted above them corresponding with the alphabet.
"As some of you may have noticed, there are twenty-six tables scattered around the arena. Each table corresponds with a letter of the alphabet. When I am done speaking, you will all come down and find the table and teacher assigned to the letter of your last name," Principal Shepard explained patiently.
"Once you arrive at your table, there are six magical crystals spread out on each table. You will take turns holding each crystal in your hands and pouring your mana into them. If the crystal lights up with a runic symbol, then you have an affinity for that magical element. Congratulations." Principal Shepard continued as a holographic display appeared in the air above him, showing the six different colored crystals, each about the size of a small cantaloupe.
"Each of the colored crystals corresponds to a specific element. Red for fire. Blue for water. Brown for earth. Green for air. Black for darkness, and white for light magic." Principal Shepard said as he held up a fire crystal, and it glowed faintly as a runic symbol appeared on the surface of the crystal in his hands.
This is going to be insane. Do I really want to reveal my abilities like this? Do I risk being a pariah here at school, or do I hold back? Gavin's knee bounced as he sat and contemplated.
I believe in you. I think going full throttle from the beginning will be the best course of action, Master Gavin. Veronica reassured him gently.
"Most of humanity is only able to connect with one elemental magic. Less than thirty percent of magi can use two or more elements. Less than ten percent of humanity can use three elements. So on and so forth it goes. So do not be disheartened by the amount of elemental magic you are able to connect with and wield." Principal Shepard explained, his voice soft and clear.
"Magical ability alone does not determine the strength of a Magi. The true strength of a Magi comes from their skills, creativity, and use of their mana flow to utilize their magical elements in the best way they can," Principal Shepard announced to everyone, his voice was soft and gentle as he revealed the likelihood of people only attuning to one magical element.
The students around Gavin and Jackson were all excited as they talked among themselves. The conversations Gavin could hear were a mix of wonder and excitement at how many and which elements they could all commune with and use. Gavin remained quiet as he knew just how much this was about to make him stand out even more in the academy.
Jackson was excited as he realized Helena was next to him. There was something odd about Jackson's new friend that Gavin couldn't put his finger on. He decided he would just keep an eye on the girl for now until he understood what was going on with her.
Jackson turned and noticed the look on Gavin's face. "Hey, what's that look for?"
Erza turned and raised an eyebrow as she noticed Helena's presence. Gavin just shook his head. "Nothing man, just thinking too much I guess." Gavin forced a laugh that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Yeah, we met last night," Gavin said as he offered his hand in greeting.
Before Gavin could say anything more, the lights brightened back up and Principal Shepard spoke again, "Now students, please make your way to the table that has your assigned letter. The staff there will instruct you on how to proceed further."
The three of them walked with the students down the steps of the arena towards the first floor. Jackson left the group and headed to the table for the letter S, while Gavin and Helena headed over to the table with the letter J. Erza squeezed Gavin's hand before she made her way to her table.
Gavin looked at Helena surprised. "My last name is Jaegar," she said in answer to his unspoken question.
Gavin nodded but didn't say anything as a thin old woman stood up from the table to greet the crowd of students that had gathered around her table. She had gentle wrinkles on her face by the edges of her mouth and crows' feet by her eyes. Yet she had a gentle and kind aura as the students approached.
She was an older woman with long gray hair that was pulled back into a tight bun on her head. "Greetings everyone. I am Professor Rose," she introduced herself to the small group of students. She cleared her throat and pulled out a tablet as she continued.
"Now this part of the test is very simple. As Principal Shepard explained, you will each take turns picking up all six of these crystals. You will then focus on building up your inner mana flow and pour some into each of the crystals. If they light up with a runic symbol, congratulations, you can use that element," she said in a short explanation. She noticed that some of the students looked worried, or apprehensive about this and paid no mind. The strong would reveal themselves soon enough. They were the only one's worth watching.
Helena stepped forward, her body brimming with excitement as she was almost bouncing out of her shoes. "My name is Helena Jaegar ma'am. I'd like to go first," she said as she gave her name. Her energy seemed infectious as she waited to begin the test.
Other students parted for Helena as she walked forward. Whispers were loud as they watched with wonder about how the test would go.
Professor Rose nodded as she checked Helena's name off a tablet. "Alright then, if you understand how to complete the test, feel free to go first." She gestured to the table.
Helena grinned as she stepped up to the table and took the first crystal in her hand. She held the blue crystal tight in both of her hands as she focused on her inner mana flow. Her brows furrowed in concentration as she closed her eyes and poured some of her mana into the crystal. She held her breath as she waited for a response from the crystal.
Almost immediately, the crystal glowed softly as a runic symbol appeared on the surface. She jumped up and down as she let out a cheer, almost dropping the crystal in the process.
She continued through the rest of the crystals, and the result was that she is able to learn water, fire and earth elemental magics.
The professor was pleasantly surprised. "Congratulations, Miss Jaegar. You are capable of learning three of the six elemental magics. That is quite a rare feat indeed," Professor Rose said as Helena jumped with joy a radiant smile plastered on her face.
"Nice job Helena," Gavin congratulated her as he stepped up, ready to show off a bit of his skills. He noticed that Principal Shepard was nearby keeping an eye on his table as he stepped up. His body was filled with energy and excitement at the thought of what was about to happen.
"My name is Gavin Johnson ma'am. I would like to go next," Gavin said in an introduction as he stepped up to the table.
She marked his name off the tablet as she nodded. "Very well. Proceed," she said in response, her voice was plain and almost sounded bored to Gavin's ears.
She won't be bored after this. Gavin smirked with the thought.
Gavin closed his eyes as he picked up the first crystal, the red one. He focused his mana easily and poured it into the crystal. It naturally lit up with the red runic symbol as he poured the mana flowed into it. Gavin grinned as he expected the result.
Thanks to the summer of training, he was more than confident in his response. He placed down the red crystal and proceeded with the rest. First came water, then air, earth, darkness and finally light. Each crystal light up with its specific rune and he placed them back down on the table.
All the whispers around him went silent as everyone; teachers and students stared in wonder.
"That can't be possible," Helena said in shock. Her pitch rose at the end as the tablet dropped from her hands. Finally, something was happening that had her full attention. "There hasn't been anyone capable of learning all six elemental magics in centuries," she said incredulously.
The professor shook her head. Her eyes were wide in stupefaction as she witnessed this young student being capable of communing with all six elemental magics. "Something must be wrong. Please follow me," she said to Gavin as she led the way over to another table and asked to borrow the crystals there. There had to be something wrong with the set at my own table, she thought. This can't be possible that some nobody is able to use everything.
Gavin went along with the extra request. This is about what I expected. From what I can tell, everyone nearby is watching. Great. I so love being the center of attention.
He sighed and closed his eyes as he picked up the first of the crystals and poured his mana into it. It glowed and lit up with the runic symbol. He once again went through the remaining ones and all of them lit up in response to Gavin's mana.
Principal Shepard walked over as he seemed to notice the commotion and asked. "What is the problem here Professor Rose?" he asked gently. There was a glint of mischief in his eyes as he glanced between the professor and his grandson. He had a sinking suspicion of what was going on.
Professor Rose cleared her throat as she pointed at Gavin. "This boy it seems, is able to communicate with all six elemental magics, sir. It's unheard of," Professor Rose announced loudly. Her tone seemed to have drawn the attention of everyone else that hadn't caught onto the events. Her words caused a wave of gossip and commotion to go through the crowd of students.
"Well then. This is a momentous occasion. There hasn't been a Magi with that capability in a long, long time," Principal Shepard said calmly as he looked at his grandson. You sure know how to draw attention my boy. But damn, I am proud of the work you've done before you came.
Principal Shepard himself was capable of the same thing. He just never showed anyone his full capabilities to avoid standing out. He chuckled to himself as he imagined the future his grandson was going to have now that little secret was out in the open.
Before anyone else could respond, an explosion sounded off nearby as the walls of the massive arena shook violently and dust fell from the ceiling in response. An alarm sounded off through the speakers and arm bands, followed by an emergency announcement.
"Alert, an unknown force is attacking the academy. Alert an unknown force is attacking the academy. Level three protocols are enacted. Use of all magic and abilities by staff and students are authorized. Survive at all costs," the message was loud and clear and repeated itself several times.