Chapter Three: Gaearandys Academe of White Mahó Entrance Exam

"Johann cannot make it Lista,” was the news I heard from Monk Amon early in the morning.

 It did make me sad. I was hanging on to the fact that Johann will be there for me on the entrance examination easing my nervousness. But what could I do, I guess he got caught up in an emergency for him to break his promise. He never once did back down to his word. Even at that time. He told me we would meet on my 17th birthday but my day nearly ended and even his shadow was not there, or so I thought. Because that midnight he came to my room with tattered clothes and bleeding arm. He was injured and in pain, but the words that came from his mouth made me shed tears. He was smiling when he said it.

 “I made it," was his words. So I know that something is up, some emergency that he could not leave. Well, I only hope he is okay. Right now I should get ready. Without Johann I might collapse because of nervousness. I am so anxious that I almost pleaded the monks to go with me. Monk Amon patted my back and told me it was okay, that I could do it. As a result, my nerves tensed even more, with their hopes and expectations of me it was even scarier. What would I do if I should fail?

“Don’t you trust my training Lista?”

“I trust it Monk Amon”

“Then how about your everyday meditation and mana training control with the monks?”

“Yes, I believe in those.”

“Did you learn all of it by heart and mind?”

“Yes I did.”

“Then there’s nothing to worry about!” Monk Amon exclaimed as she gave me a heavy push in the back. She then threw my bag at me and Monk Liya handed me my broom.

“We’ve enchanted your broom dear; it will have more dexterity than ever. You won’t have to worry if ever the test involves broom fighting.” Monk Liya said and Monk Amon burst into laughter.

“Why would they even let brooms fight?” Monk Amon blurted which earned warning look from Monk Liya. Monk Amon reluctantly shut her mouth but still gave me a taunting look. I could only sigh at Monk Amon’s frolicsome forgetting the tension I was previously feeling.

“We are sorry we could not go with you in such an important event dear Lista,” said Monk Liya dismally. Due to the rules the monks of the temple in the Willow of Einsmyr could not go out unless it is a life and death situation. Except when they are personally called upon by the king, their annual vacation, or their missions they cannot step out of the Willow’s grounds. It was depressing but it is what they chose and it was for the protection of the whole Island. The monks hold the protection spell all throughout the land. They sustain it every day through the rituals. 

“It is okay Monk Liya, I understand,” I said with a smile. With a long deep breath, I picked up my things and began to bid my farewell to everyone. I surveyed all the monks and recited their names one by one; etching their faces in my memory and making sure I would be able to remember everyone. If I would pass the entrance exam with the guidance of the sacred tree, I would not be going back to the Willow for a long time. I would probably stay in the capital.  

It would be the first time I would be far away from the temple and it saddened me. Perhaps it is one of the reasons why I was so nervous, perhaps because even if I pass I would be facing another predicament that is as hard as the first.

“If I pass, I would definitely miss everyone,” I said tearfully. But before even one tear fell, I swallowed and looked up at everyone again, this time truly beginning to turn my back. I boarded on my broom and with one tap I was suspended in the air. I saw everyone’s sad, hopeful, and loving faces. They began to wave their hands and sent flying kisses which I wholeheartedly received. 

With a heavy heart I began to depart towards my long journey to the capital city of Sinofiory Island of Llfhame, the Einsmoore.

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 Arriving at Einsmoore, I was greeted by the colossal buildings and giant waving flags. Myriad brooms were flying in the air and every wizling was bustling with excitement. After all they would witness once again today the annual entrance exam of the prestigious academe. The royal castle stood proudly in the center of the capital. It was screaming of elegance and power as it towers over all the other establishments. Seeking my map, I followed the path towards Lockes Eofore where the Academe is situated. The route towards the place was adorned with rainbow irises giving off an illusion of a sparkling route way. I aviated with my broom and followed the track together with a few wizling making their way towards the Lockes Eofore. Up in the air I witnessed the carriages with the emblem of the prestige families in the Island drawn by Equidaes. I was fascinated by the majestic carriages wondering what the people inside it looks like. 

As I saw the last of the rainbow irises, the towering shiny silver gate of the Lockes Eofore filled my vision. Welcoming the wizling’s inside was a gigantic ornate fountain. The porcelain fountain was scintillate clean with daedal and sophisticated symbols adorned of flowers and green little vines. I entered the gates on foot, leaving my broom with a securing spell on the Demesne, the parking area of the Academe. The flagstone steps made a mum sound as my shoes made contact and I began to hasten my steps. The Academe was easy to spot. With its lofty stature and eye catching towers it was jaw dropping enough to be missed by the eye. The black flag with the symbol of Llfhame, a crescent moon and a glowing orb flapped in the harsh altitudinous wind together with the blaring sound of the trumpets.

One moment I was absorbing all the scenery of Lockes Eofore could offer and the next second I was already facing yet another giant gate. I wonder how big this estate is for it to have numerous gates. Though this gate is comparably small to the one at the entrance it was still enough to intimidate any wizling standing under it, like an ant under a giant’s foot ready to trample on any second. I braced myself and straighten my clothes, exhaled deep, and began to march inside the Academe.

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"Welcome to the annual entrance examination of the Gaearandys Academe of White Mahò!" The thundering voice of the student public information officer awakened every wizling’s excitement but it was not the same for those who are taking the exam. I am so nervous right now. I am so anxious. What would happen if I cannot pass? I would be a disappointment to the whole temple. 

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Sinofiory Island of Llfhame I know you are very excited and definitely look forward to meet this year's young white mahò users. So without further ado, wizlings let the examinations begin!" 

As soon as the school public officer finished speaking cheers and applauses can be heard in the whole stadium. The crowd began cheering and I could hear different family names being chanted. The examinees were led towards the center ground where the first test will happen. 

‘It's alright Moria, we came here prepared.’ I consoled myself. I brushed away all my worries and replaced it with a brave and confident attitude. This isn’t the time to be a damsel in distress; no one would come here and save me. Anyway this is a fight I should win myself. Calming down I began meditating and prepared my body for any possible combat.

"Now we will explain the mechanics of the first test. It will be called 'Catching Colors'. We will have Tinkers fly around the stadium then the examinees will capture them. We all know that Tinkers vary in speed according to their colors so, the green ones which are the slowest equivalents to 1 point. Violets will be 2 points, blue ones will be 3 points, red ones will be 5 points, and lastly the most evasive one the black Tinkers equivalents to 10 points. Reminders the black ones emit waves that can affect the vision if they are not handled correctly. Rules would be simple; everyone must capture Tinkers as much as they can in 20 minutes. No harm should be inflicted to co examinees, and all kinds of spells, unless forbidden, are allowed. Everyone who can gather 30 points and above will proceed to the next test, so everyone brace yourselves and let the catching colors BEGIN!! " 

The stadium was filled with a roaring sound as everyone’s cheer thundered and together with the defeating noise darkness engulf the surroundings and the blinking lights began to show. It was magical and I was left astounded. The colors hover around the stadium as if in a fairytale. It was definitely enchanting. Until the blinking lights began to scatter violently, the test was beginning. 

The examinees already began chanting spells. Murmurs could be heard and little lights appeared from staffs and wands. I surveyed the whole stadium but couldn't see a single thing except for the Tinkers and the other contestants. I guess we're in a artificial dimension right now. So I wouldn't have to worry about the audience. I guess I should start too. 

I took a deep breath and studied my surroundings. There are four examinees on my right and one on my left. All are busy capturing blue and red Tinkers. Guess I shouldn't bother them. I walked forward and saw commotions up ahead. They're all busy and fixated on their targets. I couldn't even find a single tinker available. But I noticed there aren't green ones around. Ah, I remember because they tend to be much weaker, green Tinkers often group themselves. So if I can spot hordes of green I could probably secure enough points. But the view down here is limited. Could I summon my broom? It wasn't on the rules but I couldn't risk it. There's no one using it here. Maybe it isn't allowed. I've got no choice then. I have to use a floating spell 

"By the grace of the heavens

Lend me thy strength oh my haven

Wind of the celestial I have vowed

Guide me and lift me up to the clouds" 

A gale of wind then circled me gently caressing my whole body and lifted me up. Now I have a clearer view. And alas, I saw what I was looking for, a horde of little green blinking Tinkers. Now all I have to do is chant another capturing spell. This test is quite easy. I smirked getting a little full of myself. Now for the quirk, wave the hand, draw symbols using the wand, then chant the simple spell.

"Thou art my guide

Give thy servant power

A bind no one can hide

Capture even the tiniest flower" 

 A transparent crystal bubble slowly appeared circling on the green tinkers. I smiled in satisfaction and began to gesture the bubble towards me.

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Every spectator was dumbfounded when a certain examinee performed a floating spell. A class C spell was performed before their own eyes. But the awe didn't stop after the floating spell, for the same examinee carried out a capturing spell big enough to capture a horde of green Tinkers in a blink of an eye. Everyone fell silent as the girl performed the quirk skillfully and elegantly. A maiden floating in the air has now successfully captured the colors that will allow her to pass the next round. This young lady wasn't even aware of the people's cheers for her on the benches. They all understood the power and strong attribute she holds and would definitely be an examinee they would continually observe in the next tests. But just as she was about to land, Moria fell on her feet that made everyone on the stadium gasped in shock.

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