As Bertram and Mykel entered the academy, they were nonchalantly greeted by a girl who walked up to them. Nadine has been friends with the two boys ever since she transferred in their class several years ago.
"Made it in the nick of time as usual I see" Nadine sternly remarked.
"What's the fun of life without a little risk?" Bertram jokingly answered.
"Makes life quite thrilling!" Mykel said playfully in continuation to Bertram's response.
Nadine broke her serious face and let out a deep sigh. "It would be a waste of time getting you both to change" she said with a slight chuckle.
Ever since the boys knew her, Nadine had always been a strict and serious girl. However, she had developed a soft spot for the boys and would only show this more relaxed side to them.
Although the boys did not know much of her past, they knew it was a deeply complicated one. She had lost most of her family and had no parents alive. She only had her brother left, who took care of her and acted as her guardian. Even with her brother having abilities from being Vowed, it seemed life was rough for her.
In spite of that, this didn't stop Bertram and Mykel from trying to break that exterior by getting her to laugh whenever they could. What better way to fight the bad memories than with some good. Laughter may not be able to fix the issues, but maybe it could alleviate the pain even if it was for a moment.
As the three young teens entered their class and sat down, the teacher entered shortly after.
The teacher announced, "As most of you know, today we'll take a special test to determine if you have potential for abilities. We'll be starting the day off with handing out the portable tests. If your orb glows any color, please come up to show us so we can prepare you for next steps if needed. The information you require will be provided then, unless your family has a process in place for that part."
The tests given were small handheld orbs to give a gauge of the potential for powers. If there was any promise with the portable orb test, then you would go to a faculty member to take the test on a larger orb that provides the most accurate and informative readings. It was run this way to make it more efficient, which makes sense since the larger orb would be quite annoying to move around.
A decent amount of families with abilities had their own system in place for all that is needed in the rite of passage though. The orb run by the academy was there with the intent to create an equal opportunity environment among those with abilities that did not have a wealth of resources or information. In the end, none of it was hardly fair but at least they tried.
As the portable orbs were being given to each student, the teacher went through the significance of the two colors it could be. When you emit your energy in the orb, it has a possibility to glow with a light which would either be bright orange or dim white. Bright orange indicates you are Vowed and dim white for the Gifted.
Being a history fantic for abilities and its origins, our teacher transitioned to lecturing us about the Vowed and Gifted.
In our world there are higher beings which we call gods. These gods bestow upon certain individuals abilities but through different means.
The Gifted are given an ability from the gods. It's said that they are granted to those that show potential, respect, or loyalty to the god who awarded the ability and who the gods favor. These abilities will be forever a part of the person. It is said to be a great honor and seen as an extraordinary gift, which is how the Gifted were named.
On the other hand, the Vowed have a similar story but a different twist. The conditions of granting are also due to potential, respect, loyalty, or favor though. However, the Vowed power is seen as a contract through a promise and a test of one's commitment. If a god acknowledges the person as worthy, that person makes a vow consisting of defined conditions with the god. History tells that the stricter the conditions, the more supreme the ability.
In this sense, the Vowed have the potential to greatly surpass the gifted. Or at least that is what is argued by the Vowed to the Gifted. In the end, it might boil down to a fight for political dominance. The city where the academy is located has an equal divide of both factions with the attempt to live side by side in a civil manner. This coexistence seems to be rarer in the places we know of, since most cities seem to have one side dominating.
The most interesting part of it all is that technically a vow doesn't have to be made with a god even if you are eligible. You could live a life as a normal person, with the potential residing in you never tapped. But all Vowed in this city have made a contract with a god. Locals usually say something along the lines of "Who in their right mind wouldn't make use of that resource if they had it?"
After realizing the time, the teacher finally stopped what he considered a very brief summary of a part of the vast history and lore of abilities.
The teacher chuckled "Oh wow, it got so late already!" Sighs of relief could be heard from the students as he concluded his history lecture.
"It's time to get these tests going so everyone can move on to their next subjects!" he announced.