Chapter 7: It's the Initiate Trials, Ta'gen Blok!
After a year together, Clan Clawmouse had gained 2 members (including Beldorion), and they had become a well integrated group. Bel's conciliatory nature, along with the encouragement of the caretakers, had softened any rough edges that might have tripped them up otherwise. Beldorion, having become fond of his companions, had worked to improve Ta'gen and Blink's odds of success, assisting them academically (by asking for help in classes), and on practical subjects (by asking for practical demonstrations). Brushing up on his own skills while holding reviews for the benefit of his peers was a very profitable use of time, he considered. In any case, he estimated the clan as a whole had improved in both theoretical and applied matters, which should make it likelier they'd become Padawan, and improve their life chances in general. The Galaxy was a dangerous place, after all, and Bel feared for all the younglings.
Soon enough, the days shortened and winter arrived, and with it the time for the Initiate Trials. Impromptu quizzes about the Jedi Code took over conversations, while lightsaber practice became frantic alternating with mindless kata repetition. Ta'gen Blok had some talent for enhancing his own body with the Force, so they decided to focus on Control related skills, while mastering the basics of Alter and Control disciplines. Bink Jorda, on the other hand, had been practicing Telepathy and preferred Sense related skills to form the basis of his power suite. Both were mostly evenly matched on lightsaber, though Bink preferred shorter blades and faster attacks while Ta'gen went for a two handed grip on his own saber. In any case, Bel expected they'd show no issues matching the expected prowess in either Force techniques or lightsaber combat. Now if only they were as studious otherwise, he lamented to himself. Their hardest battle was definitely with sitting still and learning from dry texts, he pondered, but it was a battle they had to fight nonetheless.
The Force powers themselves were traditionally divided between three conceptual spheres: Alter, Control, and Sense, depending on the way the Force interacted with the world. Alter were external powers, like telekinesis, healing others, or the folding of space, while Control comprehended powers which dealt with internal use, like healing of the self, energy absorption, enhancing the user's physical abilities, and Sense, appropriately, included powers that affected the senses like telepathy, postcognition, or farseeing. An applicant to the Trials was expected to have basic profficiency in at least one power of each aspect, but the common wisdom was that one well-studied power from each sphere better showed a disciplined mind, much better than many powers that were poorly trained. Beldorion himself had always been partial to telekinesis as an Alter power, and had recently spent time learning about Force healing, even if he was not proficient in it yet. Glimpses from his dreams told him it would behoove him to learn it as he had seen it become a rare ability in many futures, so mastering it now would make him a knowledge multiplier.
The newest Clawmouse, on the other hand, was coming along slowly. Youngest among the clan at 4 standard years, and newest arrival, he hadn't even managed to meditate consistently. If Bel was any judge, however, he'd make for another Control adept, as objects often moved around him. In fact, he mused, little Irsen's first Force manifestation had been moving an object, much like it had been for Bel himself. At least, in some of his dreams it had, visions (under the purview of Sense) having taken the place in this "timeline," not that Bel planned to neglect telekinetic training. Rather he intended for it to become one mainstay of his Force use, no more struggling to raise one single plate for him. Thinking about that particular Beldorion sometimes made him angry, and sometimes sad, but he was resolved to live a better life than that.
The day of the Trials was a sunny one, with nicer weather than usual (probably programmed that way, come to think of it), though it did little to soothen the nerves of the aspirants to Padawan. Oddly enough, Bink seemed serene while Ta'gen had reached the end of his own patience and was jittery, a rare occurence for him. They were soon convinced to engage in a last pre-test meditation, guided by Fosterer March, and with renewed conviction, they set off for the auditorium. The trials were traditionally structured in three parts, the first, theoretical, mostly focused on the Jedi code, the second on Force powers, and lastly a lighstaber evaluation. Those who succeeded would, later on their apprenticeship, go to Illum to partake of the Gathering to find a crystal for their personal lightsabers, but that, Bel thought, was a bit like putting the kaadu before the cart. It would surely happen in a few years, however.
The candidates were called to sit and take a test on a series of datapads, separated from their audience by a sound-nullifying field. The most boring part for the watchers, while sometimes the most stressful for the testees, was programmed to last for one hour, which is why younger Initiates sometimes engaged in other activities outside in the yard, while older students talked in low voices among themselves, watched the test, played cards, or read on their datapads. Beldorion had debated within himself whether to play outside for a while, or remain inside, and had decided on visibly supporting his companions. This had the unexpected effect of influencing some of his youger clanmates into staying, so he was now busy keeping them entertained and nondisruptive. A small price to pay for the smile he saw on Bink's face when he found them in the audience. Ta'gen was too focused until the end, but he looked relaxed, or at least resigned after he finished writing his answers.
Their Force skills were assessed next, with Bink showcasing his telepathy as well as farseeing, while Ta'gen demonstrated a proficient body enhancement technique, as well as the very basics of Force healing. That was sure to earn him some extra points, well worth the time they spent practicing after every lightsaber session this past weeks. If Bel was right, their evaluators seemed satisfied, and he noticed a couple of Knights commending their effort, while one Master nodded thoughtfully at Bink's performance in particular.
After that bit of excitement, the Initiates were divided on groups and assigned to one Knight for evaluation of fighting prowess. The test was simple, and required them to show off a firm grasp of Form I and II at a minimum, or additional forms if an applicant felt confident on it. Then they fought a duel with the examiner, who paced himself to remain near their skill level. Some postduel commentary was exchanged, suggesting areas of opportunity while praising good points, and finally, they were told to sit and wait for the Jedi's decision.
Bink and Ta'gen were welcomed as heroes in the are Clawmouse clan had claimed, the young ones excitedly recalling oarticular "nova" moments in their fights, as the rest of the Trials weren't visually impressive for them. Bel did, however, congratulate them on their Force skills and seemingly gaining the attention of some prospective teachers. Their mood had flipped around by now, and Bink was filled with nervous energy while Ta'gen looked centered. "Come on, Bink," he cajoled, "the worst is over and we did our best, relax!" Bink growled back, indignant, "easy for you to say Bantha brain! You were scared of the test, but they're talking about us now! What if no one takes us? What if they don't take me?!" Ta'gen, Bel, and a few of the others smiled at his outburst. That was typical of Bink. "I don't think either of you need to worry, Bink, those Masters looked really impressed! Maybe you'll take me as a Padawan in a few years!" Bink laughed at the idea, and the tension lowered. It had been a good day on final balance.
Author's note:
For some, the worst part of tests is the anticipation. Now for the second worst part, waiting for the results!