NERO VERYNN
I arose instantly from bed, my sheets still covering half my body. My room was still half scattered– shorts, trousers and socks in different parts of the room. Today was the day. A long anticipated day for every child at the age of twelve.
Final evaluation.
Every child of that age who attended Mythra academy was entitled to reassess their mana core and know what rank they fell under. This would also determine if they were eligible to form a contract with a spirit beast.
The academy had a special building where rogue beasts were collected and tamed for contract purposes. Every contracted beast would bond to one owner for life.
On rare occasions, rogue beasts would invade parts of the country and claim human lives. The higher-ups claim there may be a source and finding it would reduce their attacks. The contract between man and beast is only severed after the death of the beast or the signed human.
I couldn't hide my excitement. My academic performance was the highest in Mythra for just a regular. A regular was someone without a mana core, spirit beast or a mythic artifact for stats increment.
I had won the prize of best swordsman after putting down Levi Lysander, the son of a grandmaster at swords art. This spectacular feat earned me the affection of teachers, a few of the higher ups and even some girls.
By the time I came out of my room, I was already in my uniform; white trousers, white button up shirt and a black jacket which had white stripes on the collar. On the left side of the jacket was the watermark of Mythra; a small diamond shaped badge.
"Dressed already," my mother, Nyvera, said the moment her gaze caught me walking down the stairs.
She was dressed in casual clothing and had an apron on. My father was seated at the dining table, buried in the magazine he was reading, barely noticing my arrival.
I never really spoke much with my father because I felt like the old man wouldn't share information with me. And I despised that; his seclusion and solitude.
"Morning dad," I greeted. That was as nonchalant as I could be. The old man just waved his hand for recognition. Not like I cared.
Breakfast was eaten in silence. My mother dared not speak– not when her husband was quiet. The only time a discussion would pop up during breakfast was if the man willed it.
I wondered on many occasions why she never left even after everything he'd done to her. It wasn't like she had a choice– for my sake. For as long as I could remember, my father never really had anything to do with magic, mana or sword art.
The only thing he ever spoke to me about was awakening.
"I will regard you as a man, a mage and my son after you've proven to me that you're worthy… by awakening your core."
His words were limited. The rest was discussed with his soul cutting glaze. There were many questions I would have loved to ask my father and I'd long waited for today.
The ride to Mythra was shorter than always. I had drowned myself in my thoughts as the journey commenced, mostly admiring the route to the academy. No matter how many times we used that route, I would always stop to admire the architectural construction of the buildings.
It was just too magnificent to get bored of.
The halt of the moving vehicle brought me back to reality. I instantly pushed open the door and began to sprint towards the main building leaving the caravan's door opened.
The students were arranged in Mythra's biggest hall. The hall was rumored to have been used by the goddess Elsa six hundred years ago to appoint the first six lances of the royal families before allowing selection to be made by grandmasters.
To me, it was more like a myth. I believed if it was real and the goddess was real, there'd have been archaeological proof of her existence and evidence of her works from six hundred years ago.
I brushed those thoughts as soon as I sat down. I was still about forty rows away from the front seat. Although I was unsure of how the names would be called out, probably based on performance.
Besides, Mythra had four other annexes and each of them had their own star students to boot. Fortunately, this hall was big enough to contain all the twelve-year old mages from all Mythra locations.
In the middle of the hall was a seven foot tall round stage with stairs all round it. There was a big floating orb in the middle of the stage.
I was still filled with confidence. I could feel the speed of my heart increasing. I clenched my fists tightly and shut my eyes whilst inwardly telling myself to calm down.
An old man in black suit climbed up to the stage with a communication device- an enchanted diamond that enhanced sound. The noise from over one thousand children disallowed them from noticing his presence on stage. The old man raised the diamond to his mouth and coughed to grab their attention.
Only a few paid attention to him.
The man wasn't pissed. With a smile, he raised an arm as if seeking attention and the room instantly became dead silent.
My eyes were forced open. The pressure weighed on me like a heavy boulder.
I groaned. I tried to scream but it was impossible.
The pressure was lifted and the old man cleared his throat again.
"Sorry about that," he apologized, his voice just as croaky as every old man. But this wasn't just any old man. A master? A grandmaster maybe.
"I am Draven Sykes." The room was quiet still. The children were still feeling the after effects of just a raised arm.
"Without wasting much of your time, let's proceed to the final evaluation," the man said, dipped his hand into his pocket and brought out a sheet of paper. That must be where each names were recorded
The real phase of nervousness began. My fate was to be decided today. The only chance my mother and I could get to know what really goes on in the heart of my father would be decided by today's outcome.
"Eldoric Thorne," Draven called with his gaze fixated on the phone in his hand.
I stretched from my seat to catch a glimpse of the person. The name wasn't familiar so I guessed it was from one of Mythra's annexes.
Before long he was already approaching the stairs making his way up to the stage. His all white attire screamed nobility. His hair, stylishly packed and his demeanor, calm and gentle.
"Place your hand on the orb, please."
Eldoric slowly placed his right hand on the warbling orb. Upon contact, the orb glowed and made a humming sound.
"You may withdraw."
Everyone was now curious. It was obvious that his mana core was present but the main thing was what his spirit beasts would be. There were also cases of dormant mana core.
A mage with a dormant core would need an external force to kickstart his mana to aid awakening and these external forces could depend on the situation causing the dormancy in the core.
The old man stretched his hand towards the third exit door. The one that led to the place where all the tamed beasts were kept for bonding.
"Alexander Rylan." The second name was called.
This only increased my nervousness. Alexander's demeanor was rougher. His hair was spikey although packed. He had a katana strapped to his side.
His feedback from the orb was the same as Eldoric's and he was directed to the same location.
"Neryssa Windcrest."
She stood up. She was right in front of me. Her purple hair's length reached the middle of her back. She had a Knight's gear on. A rank which was impossible to attain at this age.
Her walk towards the stage was majestic. She was told to place her palm on the orb.
There was a blinding light that caused an uproar in the hall and she had to withdraw her hand before time.
Her feedback was greater than the last two.
I was amazed. So was everyone in the hall. At the same time my confidence level had dropped drastically. These people were stronger than I'd imagined despite being the same age as me.
"Nero Verynn."
I was instantly drenched in terror. I rose to my feet and began to proceed towards the stage. But now I was sure that they were calling names based on performance.
Cold sweat erupted from my forehead.
Even though the room was quiet, I could tell some people were mocking me.
What could be worse? Ever since I defeated Levi in that sword fight, I'd been getting cold remarks from my classmates. If I fail here, it's over.
My reputation. My fame. The time I'd spend with my father. It would all be for nothing.
I climbed the stairs and came face to face with the orb. This was the first time I had faced this many people. My whole body felt extremely light.
The silence made it even worse. Everyone was expectant. Even Draven was in full anticipation. Everyone knew me. Everyone knew my martial prowess.
I was trembling.
"Please place your hand on the orb."
I raised my right hand. My life after today would depend on this. My palm touched the orb and out came a whirl…
but,
there was no light.