Chapter 13: Orientation Tests
During the next two weeks, I trained with Father and my brothers in swordfighting, close combat, and elemental control. Aerik and Kaon became busy later on since they were helping the Academy with conducting the tests and welcoming new students that I haven't seen them recently.
Mother and Il'wara were preparing the riding arrangements and booking the inn near the Academy. My parents and the hired workers will be staying there during the few days of testing.
Mother also created a new outfit for me using the best materials. I don't know when she had the time to sew it, but I enjoy the ergonomical design. She created a tank top and loose pants with a light jacket to go on top. The design was pretty similar to the one back in my past life.
"Freya, it's time to go," Mother announces as I finish tying up my long hair into a ponytail. I walk down the staircase and catch up with my parents.
"Lady Freya," a light voice calls out. I turn around and a young girl from the kitchen was standing there, holding a clear bag filled with cookies. I internally drool at the snack. I have developed a taste for sweets since I was reborn.
"Myra, are these for me?" I ask gently. The girl nods, a blush on her face. "I wish you luck," she squeaks out. I take the bag of cookies. "Thank you." She shyly looks up before looking down. "Your welcome." she shuffles her feet and goes back to her mother.
"Oh that is sweet," mother comments. I nod in reply. Myra and her mother became close to Aerik and I since we use the kitchen as much as them. I can't bake like my brother can, but I can make decent dishes.
Father tries to take a piece of cookie but I pull it away before he could grab it. I chuckle at my father's childishness. "You can just ask papa. I would be willing to share."
He pretends to not pay attention as I "scold" him. I munch on a cookie in an exaggerated way before father gives up. He mumbles-begs for a cookie. I chuckle before handing him one of the cookies. Mother laughs out loud at our interaction.
The trip takes 6 hours in the carriage to reach the Academy. The school is in a large field in the middle of the forest and surrounded by a mountain range . In the distance, you can see the outlines of two islands. One of which you can see towers of a large structure.
"What is that mama?" I curiously ask as I point to the structure. Mother takes a look at what I was pointing to and her expression changes. It looks like the place contain many memories.
"That's Mystix Falls University. It has a similar structure to the Academy." Mother does not explain further. I drop the topic, putting my attention elsewhere.
We finally arrive at the Academy's gates where other carriages were pulling in. I recognize a few nobles from the birthday celebrations, but there were many others that I never saw before. Father must have noticed my contemplation because he starts pointing out the different people.
"The Academy takes talented students from all three continents. The children over there are from Celes." He motions toward a group of gaudy looking people. They were oozing with arrogance. My mouth wrinkles in distaste. Father then points to another group wearing headscarves. "They are also from Celes." The contrast between these two groups makes me think about the book I read from the Winchester's library. I remember reading that Celes has poor conditions but has a great diversity of rare herbs and exotic creatures.
I glance over the two groups briefly before moving onto another group of people. "Who are they?" I ask. Father takes a look in the direction I was facing. "They are nobles from the Aquane continent. Do you see those gold and white earring?" I nod. "The noble families of Aquane has them that symbolizes their family and rank."
I wanted to ask more questions, but Mother arrives with a number card.
"Cassian, we should take Freya to her exam now." Mother hands me the card and says, "This is your exam card number. Make sure to keep it with you at all times during the orientation tests." She takes out another paper that contains the test room maps. "This will help you find the exam rooms."
I thank Mother and briefly look through the map. "My first test is in Room 2H in the Library Hall."
"Alright then. We will walk with you to the exam room before heading back to the hotel. Make sure to use the communication device to let us know when you finish."
Mother and Father leads the way. They probably did this for my two brothers when they got accepted here.
We arrived at a huge hexagonal building that looks like a jewelry box. It has subtle designs on the outside. On the inside, there were rows upon rows full of books as soon as we go in. I gaze up slowly, taking in the multi-storied building. There's an elevator and staircase on the sides where Academy students were mingling around and helping new students find their testing rooms.
"It's this way," I hear a boy say behind me. I turn around and notice Father standing beside an Academy student. The boy has a gentle demeanor and a kind smile. He is dressed in the light blue Academy's uniform and a headband tied onto his forehead. I figured out that the headband is used to identify the helpers.
The boy takes us away from the main hall to an empty hallway. But is it as empty as it looks? The atmosphere here feels high strung on energy. Before I can think more about it, the guy places his hand briefly on the wall. Something clicked and a winding staircase appear with a clanking sound.
"I have to ask the parents to leave at this point." Mother and Father nods in agreement. They were familiar with the protocol. "We will see you when you finish."
The Academy student went up first with me following close behind. He opens a gate and leads me down another short hall. The air is practically humming as if it was breathing. The guy knocks on the door before announcing my presence. "Lady Freya Aiz Winchester is here."
The door opens quietly in response. The student motions toward the door. "Good luck," he whispers before closing the door behind me.
The room is gently lit with candles. Surrounding the room, there were 9 crystal pillars. Two vague figures were standing next to an orb on top of a podium. The person on the left starts speaking as soon as I approached them.
"Welcome Freya Aiz Winchester. This room is used to test your cultivation rank and determine the type of cultivation necessary. It will help personalize your studies."
"Just place your hand here and direct your energy into the crystal ball. This will reveal your current rank and the pillars behind us." The voice on the right continues and indicates the pillars around us. "This will show the kind of cultivation you specialize in and the class will adapt accordingly."
There must be 9 types of cultivation since there are 9 pillars, I think. I don't remember reading anything about the cultivation types. I wonder of it is related to the colors I keep seeing. I place my hand on the orb and focus on sending energy into the orb. I watch the orb project a series of symbols. What caught my attention the most, however, were the pillars.
The pillars that were like white marble changed into an endless pit of darkness. I hear the two figures murmur but their voices sound far away. The air crackles with energy. I go alert as I sense I was being watched. I can feel sweat dripping down my neck as I keep an eye out on my surroundings. I catch movement from the corner of my eye and move. The pitch black world dissipates as if it was never there.
The two figures were standing in front of me, perplexed. I realize that I was not in the onyx-colored world. "Is something the matter Freya?" I blink before shaking my head. I was confused, but the people looked even more so. I decide to push it to the back of my mind.
"Did you say something?" I finally ask. The person on the left answers after a brief pause. "You are at the adept level of cultivation. As for your cultivation compatibility, you are a special case. It seems you resonate with cultivation of the Dark attributes. Unfortunately, we do not have more information as this is a rare circumstance." I slowly nod in understanding.
After receiving the results, the two figures dismissed me. I meet up with the Academy student from earlier who then proceeds to lead me outside. "How was it?" he asks curiously. I give some vague answer and then excuse myself since I have lots to think about. For now, I need to contact my parents to pick me up.
Weekly Power Status
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