Life on planet Azuream was incredibly hard, but the people of the Duarda race still managed to survive and prosper.
Even with the mutant creatures and the evolved beasts lurking everywhere, they made a place for themselves where they could be safe and expand their territory.
And the only reason they could accomplish that was because of a peculiar energy which is found everywhere on the planet.
They discovered it from the beginning of their race's emergence and later learned how to control and use it.
They had been calling it "azur" since the start of its discovery because of its characteristic azure color. Both when it is in the form of crystals or when they refine it and use it.
But a millennia ago a visitor from outside their planet "visited" their sect. His power was overwhelming and defeated their most powerful members. Even the sect leader of that time couldn't win against him.
Being unable to defeat him they could only listen to him and what he wanted. Per his unrefusable request, their sect was to become a vassal to the great magical power he belonged to, the Cosmic Tower of Magic, and rename the energy of the planet from "azur" to "magicka."
Although the changes that visit brought to their sect were immediate, in time they got used to them and even benefited from their new relationship with the Cosmic Tower of Magic. They received special cultivation and crafting techniques, powerful magical array's blueprints and more, propelling their advancement for the millennium to come.
Today was not like the rest of the sect's everyday life, because this day was the day of the admission tests for new disciples. Every ten years, the sect would open its gates for those living outside of it and aspiring to become its disciples, giving them a chance to join through its given tests.
At high noon, a large group of those who wanted to take those tests in hopes of entering the sect had already formed outside its main gates.
Two disciples were responsible for this group of people, one male and one female. Both were senior outer disciples and were taking this task of gathering and guiding this group to the tests' location, in order to earn magic crystals used for practice.
Compared to the dangerous missions outside which required of them to kill a powerful beast or travel to dangerous places to acquire an important ingredient for an elder, managing a group of mortals with not an ounce of refined magicka in them was a piece of cake.
As soon as enough people were gathered, the two senior disciples hovering at the two sides of the gates atop their flying swords, looked at it each other and nodded, agreeing together that it was time to begin.
"Can I have your attention everyone?" the female disciple was the first to address the group of people, getting their attention.
"I am senior outer disciple Rong, and together with likewise fellow senior disciple Kang, we will be your guides towards our final destination where the tests would be held." said disciple Rong, introducing the male disciple next to her at the same time.
"Oh!" "Two senior disciples!" "Look! They are flying atop swords, how cool is that?!" "Our guides? Such an honor!" lots of murmurs could be heard among the crowd, excited by their appointed guides.
"Now listen carefully!" shouted disciple Kang.
"There are a few things you should know of and keep in mind before we bring you inside! First, there are fellow disciples who just learned how to use their flying swords and who would be flying over your heads, and others who are sparring between themselves on nearby platforms and grounds from our path. So, keep close to us and don't stray off in a foolish attempt to explore, because we wouldn't be able to protect you from any accidents that might occur.
Second! You are free to watch and speak your mind on the way, but you are prohibited from touching anything you take fancy to. We don't want you activating a dormant array formation and blowing yourselves up, and I believe neither do you.
And third! Don't even think about throwing your trash on the sect's grounds like some common tourists would, because the moment you do, you would be thrown out of the sect like the trash you have just thrown." said disciple Kang, finishing his part.
A momentary silence covered the crowd, each one of them memorizing the three cautions and warnings with all the brain power in their possession.
"Now, for those who are ready to step inside, follow us to the tests' location!" followed up disciple Rong.
Right after, both senior disciples turned with their flying swords the other way and slowly drifted beyond the front gates.
The group of people aspiring to enter the sect didn't flatter for a second and began following their two guides inside. Before them there was a chance to change their lives, both physically and spiritually, no number of cautions and warnings would stop them from taking it.
Of course... they would keep the warnings close to their hearts and follow them by the letter. After all, nobody wants to be cut down by a stray magical blade, thrown out like trash or become part of the sect as scattered body parts instead of disciples.
The group of people with their two flying guides began their short journey to where the tests would be held.
On the way, the two outer disciples were slowly flying next to each other. They kept taking glances at the group behind them, snickering and commenting at their hilarious shocked expressions and ignorance.
"Look at them, junior Rong, turning their heads around like headless steducks[1]. Aren't they funny?" said disciple Kang.
"Oh yes they are senior Kang. Especially that one at the very back. Look at him, observing everything like it's his first time seeing anything that's around us. He is for sure a country pumpkin from the far edges of our territory." disciple Rong mocked, in obvious amusement.
"Yes, you are right, ahahaha!" agreed, disciple Kang while laughing, but then thought it over. "Isn't it strange though? Even if he is from the far edges, he should be at least familiar with flying swords. But look at him. He stares at us and our fellow disciples flying over, as if he had never witnessed such thing. This should be impossible, right?"
"It would be impossible, yes. There is no way for a living person in the surrounding lands to exist, who has not seen at least once or twice a fellow disciple flying on their sword. He is probably one of those, you know?" answered junior Rong, in an effort to dispel her senior's doubts.
"One of what?" asked senior Kang, not catching his junior's drift.
"You know, one of those who lack a certain power capability in their top department." clarified junior Rong while pointing at her head.
"Oh! Yes indeed, that would explain his seemingly ignorant expression."
After understanding his junior's point, they continued to comment in mocking tone the group behind them, forgetting all about the simpleton.
When they finally reached their destination, the two disciples stopped mocking and got serious, just as the circumstances demanded them to be.
"We are here!" shouted disciple Kang.
"......." the group stopped walking and quieted down.
"This is it! This is the place where the sect holds the tests you would be having, where your own results will determine whether you join us and start your journey of magic or fail, and most likely never again have the same opportunity in your entire lives. Where whether you take your first steps towards your transformation or stay the same unremarkable individual you have been for the rest of your lives!" said disciple Kang and stopped talking.
"Inside you would be tested for your physical strength, your endurance under great pressure, your bodies' acceptance of magicka and finally for your aptitude. There will be only one of you entering and attempting the tests at a time. When the one who is at the time inside finishes with his or her tests, the next one would be called! There will be better not be a cut in the order of entering otherwise you would be cut yourself." continued disciple Rong. "Now form a line and wait to be called when it is your turn to enter!"
After the group quickly formed an organized line of entry, the two senior outer disciples informed the people inside that they were ready. Almost immediately after, they got the message to begin sending people in. When each person who entered finishes their tests, they would be informed to send the next.
And thus, the every ten years tests for new disciples for the Azure Brilliance Sect have officially begun.
[1] an avian type beast found at the small lakes around the sect's area of influence.