Theron held his right cheek where Elian had punch. He could still feel the pain but the pain was nothing compared to the panic in his mind.
It was Kael, his nephew who told him not to allow Reynold to take the test. Theron had to agree because Reynold was a Starweaver, and the Starweaver was the reason his uncle was demoted in rank.
Theron had wanted to crush Reynold's spirit, make him beg Kael before he would even consider allowing him take the test.
But the boy did not even beg.
He had went through the Second, the Third trial
"Damn it! How did he bypass the protocol " Elian hissed under his breath, the pain on his cheek was now replaced by a cold, creeping dread.
His own position at the Academy was as a result of his uncle, a high-ranking official, had only see that he remain after graduation, even after failing to bond with a dragon.
If this Starweaver boy was already nearing the Fourth Trial, and if what Elian said was true and the matter gets to any Sergeant or professor, he will be brought before the Council for almost preventing a genius from entering the academy.
He was finished.
Theron slowly lifted his head, his hand still pressed to his face. He wanted to be sure he heard correctly. His voice came out as a dry, croaking murmur "What... did... you... say...?" His entire body was shaking..
He reached blindly for his chair, steadying himself as his legs threatened to buckle..
The fear, sharp and icy, slammed into Theron. The regret was immediate, crushing.
Elian stepped closer, his voice now low and ensuring every word pierced Theron's shock. "Reynold Starweaver, the Starweaver boy you refused to clear, just scored 95 and 93 in the two trials. He is on his way to the Fourth!"
"95 and 93!" Theron gasped as he started to sweat. The sweat broke across his skin. He almost blacked out.
He was utterly done for.
"You… Did you look clearly?" Theron finally managed to ask, collapsing weakly into the chair.
Elian just shook his head, he was here for Theron game. "I saw what I saw. Don't waste my time." He hissed, turn and left.
Theron stared at where Elian had been. He was now shaking his head in disbelief and regret.
He had to swallow his pride and find that Starweaver boy now. He pushed himself up, his rage taking over him.. "It's all your fault Kael! I swear, I will fucking kill you if i get fired because of this."
Meanwhile, at the Fourth Trial grounds, Reynold was already at the ground. He was listening carefully to the female senior cadet explaining the test.
"Test 4 is the Scale of Truth," the senior cadet explained. "This is about your Moral Integrity & Selflessness. No combat, no spell knowledge, just you."
She leaned forward, breaking down the entire process for him. "The test uses illusions. You will be face with quick and hard choices. Let me say you see a hidden treasure that guarantees you the top spot, but right beside it, another candidate is badly injured. What will you do? Grab the guaranteed win for yourself, or stop and help the injured person?" She also went further to explain.
"Also think of it like this, Reynold. A dragon is like the best friend you could ever have, There are loyal, powerful, and protective. But they also hate selfish people. They only bond with riders who have a good heart, people who would protect others even if it meant risking something for themselves. If you choose the easy win over helping someone weak, the test will knows.
Your selfishness is equal to a low Score.
Bht your Integrity and helping others is equal to a high Score.
You get four tries under twenty minutes," Cadet Ellaria finished. "The needed pass mark is 50 points."
After the explanation, Reynold was presented with the challenge interface. Four attempts, twenty minutes total was all he had.
Reynold failed the first two attempts. In both, the illusion showed him a clear path to an academy Key which will guarantee a high rank the other option was to assist a failing peer. He hesitated too long, and his mind were filled by the pressure of the moment, making him to chose the key both times.
He took a deep, calming himself before he could take third attempt.
The time, his mind travelled back home to Terraverde City.
He saw his father teaching him in their backyard.
"A dragon will not bond with a truly selfish or corrupt heart, Reynold," his father's voice sounded in his memory. "The rider's moral core must align with the dragon's protective nature. Always look out for the vulnerable. That is the true measure of strength."
Reynold's eyes snapped open. Now he get what this was about. It wasn't about going for the nobility, but about being noble and genuinely putting others first, even when the illusion screamed 'Take the prize!'
He took one last breath and stepped into the third scenario.
Boom!
The scenario displayed an injured junior candidate blocking a critical escape route from a magical fire illusion. Reynold didn't hesitate. He abandoned the guaranteed exit option and spent precious seconds physically maneuvering the illusionary candidate to safety before securing his own path.
Integrity over speed.
The scoreboard flashed.
The senior cadet in charge gasped, her jaw slack as she stared at the digital display.
The previous highest score in the history of this trial was 55.
Right now, the board read: 89.
A murmur went through the small crowd who were watching the results screen.
The murmurs started low, then turning into disbelief.
"Did you see that? Eighty-nine?"
"It's never been above 56! Who is that?"
"He failed twice before! How?"
"Look at the time remaining... he still has a whole attempt left!"
"He just crushed the Scale of Truth! Who is this kid?"
"He's going to be a triple-digit candidate!"
The female cadet, Cadet Ellaria, snapped out of her thinking, quickly confirming the score on Reynold's candidate plate.
She gripped the microphone, her voice sounding across the grounds, perhaps louder than necessary.
"Candidate: REYNOLD STARWEAVER! Score: 89!
Time: Within Limit! PASS!"
Meanwhile, in the Academy selection grounds, the tradition was always there.
Every year, senior cadets, male and female, with their group, hang around near the trial grounds.
In this academy, the strongest groups rule the academy and snagging a high-scoring new candidate was like acquiring a powerful asset.
Today was no different. The crowd was buzzing, eager to see who the highest scorere this year would be and which group will he decide to follow.
A candidate with a collective score line of 98, 93, and now 89 was an unprecedented prize.
Just then, a group stepped forward. The leader, a powerfully built male cadet approached Reynold.
"Hi, Reynold. I am Jaxon, leader of the Iron Fists crew. Your performance is... unprecedented. We've never seen such a spread of scores. Join us. With the Iron Fists backing you, your path will be clear."
Reynold shook Jaxon hand briefly, maintaining a neutral expression.
He knew exactly each group represented. political maneuvering, status, and influence.
But Reynold's purpose of coming here was clear: Bond to a dragon, graduate with honors, and secure a posting to a war zone close to his late parents' zone. Groups were distractions.
The crowd patently waiting for his reply. In their shoes, no one would hesitate to accept Jaxon offer.
Reynold cleared his throat, his eyes sweeping over the expectant faces. He did not directly accept, nor did he refuse.
"Jaxon," Reynold started "Your group is clearly respected here. I appreciate the offer." He paused. "For now, I need to focus solely on the remaining trials and my bond. I will keep your invitation in mind should my path require the need of your strength."
Jaxon gave a respectful nod. He understood that response wasn't a pure rejection. "Fair enough, Starweaver. If you change your mind, you know where to find us. We'll be watching."