"Hello, Son," Nyx said as she saw Markus enter her unique domain.
"Son? Are you my mother? Where have you been all this time?" Markus asked, "Why can't I see you?"
Markus stood in an empty space, amongst a sea of stars, lost and confused.
"Your grandfather, the primordial one, left a prophecy, a child born capable of wielding the laws of fate. You, our son, of Chronos and Nyx, wield not just Fate, but also space and time." Nyx's gentle voice was transmitted into Markus's mind.
"We shed our mortal bodies to create a safe space for you to grow. And when you are strong enough, you will be ready to bring us back to the primordial universe."
**
Markus then fell through the sea of stars and was sent back through the portal from which he came.
"Markus, are you alright? The portal changed when you passed through. We were worried something might have happened." Isolde held Markus as she checked his body for any injuries.
"I'm fine, Grandma." Markus gave her a tight hug, relieving her of her worries.
"Child, are you alright? Where did you go when you entered the portal? Our stationed personnel on the other end did not register you," the inspector asked.
"I was sent to a random dark space and ejected out, inspector, but I also awakened my status panel," Markus explained.
"Alright then, as long as you're safe," the inspector went back up to the podium.
"Now that everyone has awakened their status panel, please get familiar with it. In a week, the general admission trials for the Valerian Royal Academy will begin."
"Do your best, only 300 students are accepted each year, and we have several outstanding awakeners this year. Competition is going to be tough," he said.
The inspector left and took the elemental orb with him.
"Alright, everyone, welcome to the Valerian Royal Academy. My name is Inspector Holmes. I have been the proctor of these trials for the past 14 years," Holmes warmly introduced himself.
"Soon, you will be escorted in by the Academy's staff members. My job will be to remain with the children, bringing them through the trials ahead," Holmes declared.
**
"Parents and guardians alike, we would like to welcome you all into the academy's main lecture hall. A viewing platform has been prepared for your comfort and enjoyment."
Two middle-aged level 40 faculty members exited the school's gate to greet the parents.
"If you may all follow us, do not stray from the path. There are defensive enchantments all around the school. We will not be responsible for any injuries or death resulting from triggering them."
The faculty members Candle and Cora are twin sisters; Candle is a Flame Awakener, whilst Cora is a Water Awakener.
Their general role is to ensure that the parents and guardians don't step out of line, as the trial process can get heated and competitive.
**
"Alright, now that your parents and guardians are all settled down at the auditorium, let me explain what the first trial demands. If you have any questions, please leave them till the end," Holmes calmly explained.
"As you can see, beyond these gates lies a pearly granite pathway. They are enchanted by gravity formations, with every step you take, the gravity slightly increases. It would take a total of 1000 steps from the gate to the academy. Students who fail to reach the academy are automatically disqualified," Sloane pointed towards the pathway up the hill.
"My father told me that there are rankings for students who reach the gate first. Is it true, Mr Holmes?" Saylor questioned loudly, attempting to assert dominance over his peers.
"Yes, your father is right, we rank students at the end, using the combined results of all three trials," Holmes nodded, as he gestured towards the academy gates.
"Each student's time would be displayed the moment they cross the gate, and it will register your unique mana signature. I wish you all the best of luck," Holmes crossed the gates and calmly made his way to the academy with the gravity enchantments activated.
Soon, aspiring academy students took their first step through the gates.
Rosanne grabbed onto Markus's elbow and twisted the wenis, which was the loose stretchy path of skin on the outside of his elbow.
"Don't worry, Rosanne, you've been through several body refinement and detoxification, you will do just fine," Markus winked and gave her a flick on the forehead.
"Oww, big brother, you always bully me," Rosanne pouted, "Okay, I'll go ahead first, see you at the top."
She took her first step and found it surprisingly easy, and she eased into a jogging pace up the pathway.
Several students struggling at the 50-100 step mark showed expressions of shock and disbelief.
The gravity multiplier was about 2x where they were at, and this little girl was jogging past them as if it didn't affect her at all.
Markus shook his head and sighed, "She just had to show off…"
(I guess it's time I made my move)
Markus got into a sprinting start position, BOOOOOOM, and he sprinted past the gates.
Gravity started slowing him down,
100 steps,
200 steps,
300 steps,
(Damn, it's about 2 times the gravitational force now)
400 steps,
500 steps,
600 steps,
(Okay, I'll have to slow down to a running speed; I would burn out if I maintain sprinting pace)
700 steps,
800 steps,
(Holy crap, I'll need to slow down further, the gravitational pressure here is no joke, it feels like 5x gravity)
900 steps,
950 steps,
"Hey Rosanne, I'll see you at the end, HAHAHA" Markus winked at the struggling Rosanne, jogging past her.
990 steps,
(10 more paces, come on!)
Markus stumbled through the finish line, reaching the solid pavement of the academy's front doors.
He lay on his back, chest heaving in jagged, desperate hitches alongside other successful trial participants.
Clap, Clap, Clap
Inspector Holmes stood tall over them, clapping, "This batch of applicants seems to be the most promising since the academy was founded."
Holmes smiled expectantly at Markus, pointing towards a digital panel.
Trial of Perseverance
Markus Blackwell 4 minutes 13 seconds
Caspian Valerian 5 minutes 52 seconds
Rosanne Vance 6 minutes 33 seconds
Felix Valerian 6 minutes 47seconds
Cassian Valerian 7 minutes 2 seconds
Beatrix Valerian 7 minutes 28 seconds
Elara Valerian 7 minutes 59 seconds
Alaric Ironwood 8 minutes 30 seconds
Morgana Mordred 9 minutes 8 seconds
Elena Quartz 9 minutes 11 seconds
"HE CHEATED. HOW IS IT POSSIBLE HE RAN THROUGH THE TRIAL WITH THAT SPEED?" Saylor protested.
"I REQUEST TO SEARCH HIM FOR ARTIFACTS!!!"
"If you throw a tantrum here, I'll throw you out of this academy, and you will forfeit your attempt this year," Holmes calmly declared. "It is impossible to cheat; there are multiple sensors and arrays in this academy, and any use of artifacts would be detected right away."
Soon, of the 2608 students that participated, only 767 students passed the first trial, with the longest taking 29 minutes 55 seconds.
"I officially welcome you into the halls of Valerian Royal Academy. Our next trial would be within the academy, the Trial of Agility. Please follow me," Holmes led the excited children through the Academy.
"Here, you aspiring students would enter these 10 rooms. Your trial would be to dodge different attacks with increased intensity. You will face fireballs, water bombs, wind blades, and earth spikes. Best of luck, everyone." Holmes bowed and stood beside the digital panel showing the leaderboard.
Rosanne looked towards Markus, "This is going to be difficult for me, my light elemental skills have no offensive or defensive ability."
She sulked while holding Markus's arm.
"Don't worry, you have been training with me for the past 5 years, plus your agility and strength should be sufficient to destroy attacks head-on or dodge projectiles, just make sure to focus on your spatial awareness," Markus squeezed her cheeks and patted her head.
Rosanne nodded as she focused on the projection above the room.
Other children were already in the process of the trial. Onlookers could see how others adapt to different situations.
Saylor used his poison ability to the fullest.
Sending orbs of poison against Earthen spikes that emerge from the ground, while dodging the other abilities sent his way.
Harvey Lecter brute forced his way through, sending his own fireballs to cancel ones sent his way, punching earth spikes, and awkwardly dodging water and wind strikes.
Jessica Johnson showed pure agility, using the lightning element to augment her reflexes and speed, dodging everything gracefully.
Soon, it was Rosanne and Markus's turn.
They entered rooms adjacent to each other.
Rosanne dodges everything with her 40 agility, occasionally getting grazed by the increased intensity of attacks in the room.
Soon, she got struck point-blank in the face by a water bomb, and the trial ended.
What she saw in Markus's room made her jaw drop.
Markus stood still in the middle of the room, side-stepping Earthen spikes before they appeared. The Fireballs, Water bombs, and wind blades that were sent his way were oddly deflected before they reached him.
His use of the spatial bubble skill was an absolute cheat in this trial.
Soon, the 5-minute time limit was up. Markus perfectly dodged every single attack sent his way without a scratch.
Markus exited the test chamber and looked at the digital leaderboard
Trial of Agility
Markus Blackwell Clear: Perfection (Duration: 5 minutes)
Elena Quartz Clear: Near-Flawless (Duration: 5 minutes)
Alaric Ironwood Clear: Near-Flawless (Duration: 5 minutes)
Morgana Mordred Clear: Excellent (Duration: 5 minutes)
Donna Michealson Clear: Excellent (Duration: 5 minutes)
Felix Valerian Clear: Excellent (Duration: 4min 59 s)
Jessica Johnson Clear: Excellent (Duration: 4 min 44s)
Caspian Valerian Clear: Excellent (Duration: 4min 17s)
Beatrix Valerian Clear: Excellent (Duration: 3min 55s)
Elara Valerian Clear: Excellent (Duration: 3min 47s)