White Jade and the other Wizards quickly cleaned up the test. And now the kids had a bit of a short break before the next test would be held. The general mood had improved a little bit. The kids weren't at each other's throats actively but tension was still in the air.
"Dude, how did you manage that? Cheater…" Kai a bit salty boxed Michael against his shoulder.
Michael shrugged, "No clue." A slight grin on his freckled face.
"Yeah, yeah…" Seth grimaced. "Geniuses never explain themselves…"
"Geniuses?!" Michael was utterly bewildered. "I'm no…"
"Who cares…" Dusk interrupted them. She with some other Fairies and a few Sorceresses had come over, "So what do you guys think comes next?"
"Fight?" Kitty hissed and pleaded at the same time as she raised her hands as if she were ready to squish someone. "Please, say that I can hit someone, something…anything!"
"There, there," Birdy padded on her shoulder and promptly was shoved off and met with a glare and had to hide her snickering behind her hand.
The grown-ups convened as usual to exchange notes and have a bit of small talk as well in the shadows of the arena walls as the sun by now had heated the sand quite a bit.
"Well, that was something…" Codatorta still was perplexed that Blade had chosen to take all the orbs. He shouldn't be surprised she was unorthodox but sometimes she was just out of the box.
"Yes, quite the display. You did a nice job with your Fairies," Sanari Gwaine was pleased and nodded to Avalon his old teammate. "Not to mention Michael is a natural." And glanced at his colleges.
"Indeed," Parcival could only nod. "He shows promise."
Votzaak already knew what they were thinking, "Well, seems like you Jades can make some advanced tests with him, huh?"
"You think he could make the cut? Isn't that a bit premature?" Itzcali voiced her concerns. The boy wasn't bad but also not outstanding in the other areas. "He seems a bit easy to agitate… like they all are…You are… calmer - in general."
Nerrocean just had CAREFULLY woken Fane.
She stretched her arms wide to their fullest as she joined the rest again. One could assume that she was chipper, not that she showed it in any gestures. "Mmmh…." She stared at the kids. "Which test are we?" She yawned and her fangs flashed up. She was still bored no doubts about it.
"Ours." Votzaak simply stated and one could see a shimmer rush through Fane's black eyes and her posture and mental state changed drastically.
"Alright," She instantly was so serious it was a bit disturbing. No jokes, no giggling. She didn't appear to be so condescending towards the students as she had been on their break. She was serious and had a hint of concern in her eyes as she inspected each of them. Closely.
Nabu still observed the students, "Are we really sure this is a good idea? They are… upset, emotional and more or less at the end of their concentration limit. Black magic is NOTHING to joke around with…"
"Exactly, it will be a lesson to them," Votzaak coldly disagreed.
Faragonda, Griffin and Saladin were all tense as well, "Well, as long as you can keep them safe…" They weren't so keen on this test, but with the Joined Track, there was no way to skip it. Still, schools never used the real deal, NEVER. Only approximations and while some did such tests more intensively, like Alfea, others were more preventive in nature.
Hagen laid a hand on Faragonda's back, "Don't worry. You got White Jade AND the highest ranks of the Hunter Division here. Not to mention all our other skilled guests. No one will be in actual danger." He tried to calm the Fairy Headmistress and the others down.
Riven was snorting his ass off with Itzcali in the background and both earned a displeased stare from Aithlin.
Shanna was a bit concerned herself. She had been mostly sitting on her plant chair and observed. Yet not only the students though her focus was mainly on them, but she also had a keen eye on the teachers not that she told anyone so far. "That may be. But unlike the Phere-Moan squad, no one has seen Black magic…"
"That's actually not true," Palladium countered. "At the hearing, we had attacks of Red Crystals not to mention the demonstration at Hoggar." He smiled at her kindly.
"You can't compare that…" Fane disagreed strongly and straightened out her white tunic as if she was ready to go to war.
Avalon sighed, "It is different than free-floating Black magic and facing it on your own, yes, but they all know the dangers." He watched Fane closely she would be one of the main protectors in this test and she still was tired despite her power nap. Yet to his surprise, her aura pattern though didn't show any fatigue in her ability to concentrate, thus being a Vampire. 'Amazing…'
Gwaine smirked at him, "See something you like, huh?" He whispered to him as he elbowed him into the side.
Avalon gave him only a stare.
Palladium picked up on it directly and chuckled, "So glad that you come around more often in the future, Gwaine." Gwaine was impeccable when it was about reading Avalon's aura finally someone to even the field.
"You should invite your brother, Palladium, I'm sure Pallakar would be a great addition to the techno-magic classes," Avalon rebuked nonetheless perfect in manners and tone.
Eroan walked up behind them, "And what are you three up to? Hm?" He smirked and he wasn't the only one who had noticed their little side conversation getting a bit peppery.
"Enough, jokes," Nerrocean scolded them slightly. "We need to get ready. And you Elves better focus." Even he was serious now. It took a lot of safeguards this was a test they had all the security measures one could dream up and still they were as serious as if this was out in the field.
"We are always focused..." Iolas simply stated as he walked past him. "You Division Hunters always joke around."
Saladin shook his head, "All your Orders jest around a bit too much." He dug his heels into the sand.
"Because the fight against Black magic is draining. One needs to keep his humour or all is lost," Votzaak replied dryly, yet he got sombre now as well. There was no margin for a mistake. It would have horrible consequences. "Okay, you slackers on the ranks!" He roared. "If you pull any stunt now, I personally lock you up. If you are scardy cats leave now. You'll only make our lives harder. And for your sake SHUT THE FUCK UP. People need to concentrate!" His voice echoed through Red Fountain as he floated up into the air amassed a good amount of magic and started to draw a ton of complicated runes and scripture into the air layering spells on top of each other.
Riven smirked he could easily watch all of the students, and their gawkers as well, get a bit tense and really quiet. This would be a novelty to watch for sure. 'Well, well, back to psi-link I guess. Zhoron how are you holding up?'
'Fine, thank you. As long as you don't ask for several separate links… We'll split this one now, right? As planned? Jade, Division and Council and the rest?'
'Yes, that be ideal,' Master Aithlin nodded. 'And remember Zhoron is no Councillor Eaden. So, if possible just take notes. We are a lot of people ourselves.'
'I'm not that bad…' Zhoron complained a bit offended. 'Have some faith at least…'
Ararel breathed in, 'Yes. But it will make your main job easier, so just be glad.' He like the rest of the called Order members moved on to the middle of the arena.
Nerrocean's gaze wandered over the arena sand. 'I hope the Shadion reveal goes well. We told her it was fine to use it. Still, her first swap into it during the first aid test…' It had subsided a bit, but if one watched the ranks closely one could spot some nobles especially royals who still had strange glances at Blade. 'They're still trying to place that phenomenon. Unlike our friends from the task force.' They were a bit more chipper and somewhat excited, yet they had gone paler and paler as well. The tests had many in awe and fear. 'First aid test was a fluke, in Hagen's test it wasn't necessary, same in White Jade's although she could have. So only the ones left are the cleansing test and the fight test. Maybe she would rather use her Charmix and keep it back for the fight… Well, we left it up to her…' His eyes met the Joined Track students coming closer. 'Either way, it'll be a shock to many.'
The kids joined them as well. Nerrocean stepped forward to explain the test while the rest of the grown-ups set everything up once again. "Okay, you, runts. Listen up! This test is no race. No, 'look how cool I am'. 'I was faster' or whatever little ego bullshit you go for. If you screw around your test is over and you can kiss your chance to apply to our Hunter Division courses goodbye."
All students were confused and got a bit riled up as they didn't understand what was going on or going to happen. They looked at each other and tensed up even more.
"Don't scare them to death, please…loosen up a bit. We need them to concentrate not shivering in their boots," Grandmaster Parcival sighed as he took his spot next to Nerrocean.
"No. They should. This test is about Black magic. BLACK MAGIC. They should be scared. Scared keeps you on your heels and alive," Nerrocean summoned his war synth and hammered the shaft down a stern glare at the kids as his tattoos lit up. "But not to worry. If you turn crazy we can slice your head off as a last resort." He was dead serious.
Everyone went pale as a sheet.
"See," Master Nerrocean smirked at Parcival, "They are not ready for jokes. And that's the RIGHT self-assessment." It sounded like a real compliment. His tattoos dimmed down again. That had just been to make his point.
"Oh, man… I thought he was serious…" Kai breathed out relieved.
Votzaak appeared behind him poking into his back before he settled down on the ground giving him half a jump scare, "He wasn't kidding. It is the last resort we use, some cannot be saved from corruption. We won't let that happen today, though." And not a second later huge runes formed in the sand and on the arena walls, "BUT, if you indeed screw around you ARE NOT joining any Hunter Division courses. - That's for your own protection." He added very decisively.
A shiver went down Kai's spine, 'Great… and what's considering screwing around!? I was horrible in the last test jump scares…'
"SILENCE!" Fane roared so loud one might think her voice shattered the air. She was in no aspect less scary than Nerrocean and definitely not in the joking mood, unlike her Order Masters. "Eyes front, and ears ready. My Master is TALKING. Shut your traps." She demanded. A harsh side glance to too stop the bullshit.
'Great… that woman, truly…' Nebula's eyebrows twitched. 'It was them goofing off…'
Nerrocean breathed in once, 'Kids, too easily spooked…' At least he had their full attention now and Fane was right, they were no Hunters. "The test goes followed. You all will have to get rid of Black magic that will be presented to you."
Votzaak had walked to the front and summoned one glass-like ball with some swirly black abomination inside. "Remember this?"
The Black magic let the blood freeze in the students' veins. That aura, that presence, their initial instinct was to run. And it showed. Many stepped back or even stumbled. On the other hand, not a second later, some of them rather tensed up a foot forward like an instinct, weapon and magic at the ready and drawn. That swirly mass of destruction was inside that marble. The orb was covered in runes now that they were closer one could see them edged in and flooded with magic. This was no joke, not some cheap parlour trick. Votzaak made it look easy but he didn't err in thinking this was secure at any time. With all his power, knowledge and wisdom one could see he always had one eye on the glass ball and his senses searching for idiots to screw up and do something foolish.
A piercing stare from all three Division Hunters before Nerrocean continued. "We'll call out each one of you separately. The rest will stay in the forcefield created by your Headmasters shortly. IF you step out without being called, you are out. If you talk or speak or do ANYTHING distracting, you are out. So yes, you can watch your friends. Don't for one second think that it makes this any easier for you. UNDERSTOOD?" He intensely glared at all of them and waited for a nod before he continued. "Set free Black magic is always drawn to the easiest prey, namely you, as well as strong negative emotions. Fear strengthens it, it gets more…aggressive so to speak. Black magic as you might have learned in your classes is not alive per se, but it is AT ALL TIMES controlled by the Shadow Phoenix. He doesn't need a Phoenix Reincarnation Host strolling around the universe to call upon his calamity. Black magic is him, wherever it is. Granted it's less smart, uncontrolled, in search of a host, basically speaking. But make no mistake touch it and he will pierce into your soul and try to take you over."
Blade clutched her fists. She knew that all too well. And not just the calamity part. That feeling when Black magic entered the mind, the soul, that acing pain from getting swallowed up. 'Fool. There is no hope.' The words she long had forgotten came to mind, Daryun's when she had drawn the hilt gained Shadion. She hadn't even noticed but she had drawn out the ancient hilt. A bit entranced she stared at it before she looked up and was met with dozens of eyes pinned on her, students and teachers alike. "Eh… I'm fine. Don't worry."
"You'll be last," Votzaak declared. "Get your shit together. This won't get THAT far." A keen eye on her. On the one hand, that was a bit lenient but unlike any of her friends she had faced off with the real deal scenario of course it triggered something. She was young and her expression had said everything.
"Indeed," Nerrocean sighed, he was a bit worried there for a second. He flared up his Red Jade tattoos. "We have plenty of precautions. So, we don't need to cut your heads off. You are safe - enough. They are a layered spell system, though each group will converge on their own. You got the Council guard. Their purpose is to create a border that will contain the Black magic. So, it doesn't escape and you actually have the time to get rid of it without it sloughing to your face like a slime. There are two backup circles of cleaning at the ready from our esteemed White Jade, these will be activated once it's clear you are unable to fulfil the task or anything gets haywire.
"Hmm, so what's the point of having you three around…?" Gilliana was still a bit pissed because of the triage and it kinda nagged at her. She was venting, passively.
Votzaak deadpan stared at her, "There are many nuances to Black magic. There is always a possibility of you screwing up in a way we have not accounted for. There are gawkers as well. Not to mention it is our test to judge. We'll be dissecting your every move, magic and mind."
"Mind?" Tessa scratched the back of her neck her blue bracelets clanked together as she did.
Nerrocean's black and purple streaked front pigtails swayed subtly as he crossed his arms across his chest, while the rest of his lush black hair draped down his back and parted at his olive green backfin, "Zhoron will be linked to you at all times once you leave the forcefield. He is not there for chit-chat. He will monitor your thoughts, feelings and mental state."
A lot of confused faces even some a bit offended or agitated.
"This is not up for debate," Nerrocean turned around and nodded to all the teams.
"Well then, chop, chop, off to your Headmasters, we'll start with the first person now." Votzaak clapped his hands together and from the runes on the ground a bigger shield dome arose and created a roof around the arena grounds to shield off all those noisy kids at the ranks.
Fane had eyed the kids and found her prey, "Tessa, you stay. You are up first."
"What?!" She was nervous alright. Their little speech sounded as if this was direr than facing a zombie horde. Her Fairy friends gave her a nod of confidence and moved along with Faragonda, Griffin and Saladin as did the rest of the grown-ups to hide in their convergence shield.
Zhoron stepped up to Tessa, "Well then, let's connect. Don't worry I won't search where I'm not invited. This is only for this test and only that." He assured her.
Tessa sighed annoyed, "Fine…" Clenching her fists she took a big breath and let him in. 'I can do this… I dealt with Zombies this will be a breeze. I'll stuff those stupid faces of theirs with-' She thought to herself but also noticed of course the psi-link and had to blush shortly this was awkward.
Iolas nodded to his team they were fanned out. Four were stationed as a square in the centre and the next four in their gaps. It was bigger than most expected. Normally one would go for the smallest area possible, but this one was widespread with plenty of room. Lastly, Iolas, Ararel and Virion were standing to the left and right and opposing sides to Tessa's at the ready to cast whatever else could be needed.
Votzaak laid the orb gently on the sand in the middle of the Elves and stepped out of their eight-man-formation.
"Circinus lucis emenda meus adversario," The elven Paladins rammed their weapons into the ground and a star-like border arose around the orb. It was the same as in the horror mud incident yet at the moment it wasn't closing in as they didn't infuse enough magic for that.
Tessa grimaced, 'They are tense as shit…Come on, this can't be that hard. Zombies were easy… once they were killable.' She got more anxious by the second. Everyone was so serious and this day had been just one thing after another.
Next up were her Professor Avalon, Sanari Cei and also Parcival with a short nod from the Grandmaster synchronised to the tee they started to draw runes into the air. Sanari Gwaine did as well but it was a slightly different rune construct and to the surprise of all students he used Dark magic, not Light. The Light circle created by the three appeared inside the inner square while Gwaine's construct was a separate circle on the outside not connected to anything.
It was a bit breathtaking. This was so accurate the flow of magic so steady none of the spells were clashing with each other. It was a bit of a spectacle. And not just for Tessa or her classmates but for all students who looked down from the stances. The silence that befell the school had something mysterious about it.
Tessa noticed that Fane diagonal to her took her stance ready to intervene any second. Zhoron was a bit off to her right side Nerrocean in the back and Votzaak on the opposite side of the spell construct than her together with Iolas. 'That's a bit much. It's just a tiny little blob… or…' She looked at Professor Avalon. He was purely focused on the cleansing spell or at least it seemed that way. He didn't react to her at all. Tessa picked her nails and gazed upon the glass ball.
"Well then, Princess," Votzaak raised his hand and so did the orb. "Your turn." Rapidly he closed his hand as if he crushed something and at the same moment the marble where the Black magic resided, shattered.
A shockwave of, what was it? Pressure, presence, it felt like a war cry came from that wobbly mass but there only was utter silence. An eerie feeling as if someone would stab you in the back. Even from far away, the students flinched some even fell over or crashed into other people. The Black magic mass contracted before it exploded into a massive cloud of calamity.
Tessa dodged backwards on instinct before she even realised. "Crap…" She cursed she had missed her chance to eradicate it from the get-go.
Yet what was more disturbing was that that cloud was breathtakingly fast it flashed around in its confinement passing around and then suddenly stopped. As if the Phoenix himself had spotted her it made a harsh turn of its currents one big turmoil and it darted straight towards her closing the gap in its charge.
"AHhh…" Tessa was so enthralled and somewhat scared by the display that she hadn't even started to amass her magic. 'FUCK.' Blue lightning crackled from her fists. "Static field!" She blurted out and aimed inside the magic borders.
And indeed, her spell passed right through the border as it lit up a bit brighter shortly as the magic crossed and covered the inside area in lightning bolts like bars they hit the ground and were there to stay. The black cloud was hindered in its movements. Yet only shortly before it broke or rather absorbed some of the lightning that had hit it. It devoured it, grew. This had only bought her seconds. Tessa could feel her hand shaking this was nothing like zombies. That thing was gunning for her and her alone like an arrow always on target.
Adrenaline shot through her system what a rush, what a sensation of survival instinct that erupted within her, "LIGHTNING STRIKE!" She roared and a massive flash of lightning hammered down from above tainting everything in a bright light. The thunder rolled right after it. The ground shook.
"Holy crap," Tyson had been startled so hard that he had crushed into his teammates. Even way back there they could feel the tremor crawling through the sand. "Is she trying to split the school in half?!"
"…" Silence from most of the girls.
Tasu squinted her eyes, "She did it." She simply stated.
Karim nodded, "Undeniably." The Werefox stood there proudly and impressed.
'Yeah, she lost it and went for the overkill…' Apex Predator Itzcali snorted in their psi chat. She noted something down just like everyone besides the Headmasters being busy with their shield.
Tessa already collected more magic she wouldn't hesitate to use another lightning strike to end it all. It already crackled in her hands. Yet with a big sigh of relief, she felt no lingering presence of Black magic and the tension in the air was gone as well. When the sand settled there was nothing left but the White Jade circle inside the force field and some junks of glass. "What the heck…" Tessa still could feel her heart pumping in her chest. She was irritated, to say the least.
"You're done." Fane simply stated unphased and nodded to the other students. "NEXT!" She simply called out, while Votzaak prepared the next orb.
Keith stood there on the spot, his turn. His phanto-glaive at hand in his ready stance, his eyes zoomed in on the orb. It would crack any moment, 'Gonna get this right. No, I get this right…Just gonna need to hit, strong and hard, just like Tessa.' He stared at this adversary. Nothing would escape his eyes.
The shockwave of Black magic that pulsated from the orb, that feeling of despair, what he had felt even from way back at the dome, hit him. The breathlessness, as if something tried to claw into his soul. So, vivid. Indeed, the closer one was the worse it got just as the books stated, like that night before the hearing. It felt like he was right in front of it, not behind some force field. In the middle...he stared at that big empty cloud, black, all-consuming… 'How can that exist? … How… how do you fight something, you can't…'
"ZHORON!" A far-off voice.
Keith could only stare at that blackness, reaching out towards him. 'What can I do? Nothing. I was useless… I couldn't even save dummies… we failed because…of me…I…' His thoughts spiralled as the cloud rushed at him. Its black arms spread wide to take him into the abyss.
'KEITH!' another voice.
'I was so useless…' His knees went weak, they simply gave way.
'KEITH!'
A shock of magic hit his body. It was like someone scratched away mud from his eyes. The blackness around him vanished. Irritated Keith turned his head. Zhoron was right above him, his hands at his temples. But it wasn't just him. Virion was checking his pulse… Ararel just stood there signing? And Iolas, his hand hovered above his chest.
"Purify…" A warm glow from his hand. Relieved Iolas smiled at him. "Hey there, buddy, don't scare us like that." There was no need for such a spell, Keith wasn't corrupted. Of course not, he had collapsed simply from staring at the orb, Iolas just knew it would help calm him down.
Votzaak had been so close to cracking it open. But his experience had noticed even before Shanna, Fane or even Zhoron had felt the shift.
Iolas was about to pull his hand away as…
'…No way,' that light, that warmth, Keith had snatched Iolas's hand so quickly Keith didn't even realise. It felt so good… so at peace. "S…"
Iolas shook his head pressed his hand down and let the spell soar through the boy's veins. "All is fine. You are safe. Talk to me?" A gentle smile graced his face.
Keith was somewhat confused, they had been so harsh on them but in this test… "The Black magic! How big did it grow!?" He abruptly rose in fear of some massive destruction. "What?" The orb still was lying inside that barrier, untouched, White Jade had a keen eye on that ball of doom. Relieved faces not only from the grown-ups at the circle site but also from behind the dome.
"The egg never cracked…" Votzaak after inspecting the orb more closely had moved on to the boy. "Your head did."
"I have a head wound?" Keith blinked he couldn't feel anything wrong with his body.
Votzaak rolled his eyes, "No." He pointed between his eyes. "You hit your limit. You saw into the blackness and the abyss stared back. You let it swallow your thoughts. If it were free, you'd be a puppet now." He simply stated.
Keith's eyes went wide, "… …." Unable to answer though he wanted to protest.
"You gotta learn how to deal with those dire situations and the stress that comes with it. - If you want to be a field medic and that is all it takes…" Votzaak sighed, Keith was young, basically a baby. "If you can't find your way. You'd be better off as an attack or defence mage." He already could see the boy's expression. "BUT- you only just started. It's too early to tell. Now please, go back to the others, Shanna is waiting for you."
"What? But I! What about…the courses…?" Keith let his gaze sink.
"You didn't screw around. You screwed up, big difference. There will be others who will get knocked off their feet don't worry…" Votzaak predicted without a doubt in his mind.
The classmates looked at each other. Some had been very eager… but now, not so much. Tasu simply started walking and crossed the border of the shield since no one wanted to go. "Well then, let's get this over with…" She mumbled to herself. As she crossed paths with Keith. Tasu gave a nod. So, did he.
Zhoron came to greet her after he seemed to stare off into the distance. "You're ready? He gently asked and shifted his focus from Keith to Tasu.
"You may link," Tasu breathed out once. She felt the connection and moved on. She watched as Votzaak still swapped out the orb. He burned the other to a crisp himself, just in case.
There it was though the next marble with Black magic inside. She went to the same spot Tessa and Keith just had stood in. Her eyes were fixated on the orb and nothing else.
"Your turn!"
Tasu raised her hand at the same time as Votzaak released the Black magic. "Rippling Sea!" Tasu shouted. And from up above a drop of water, around the size of a fist, splashed down. The Black magic cloud evaded it promptly ready to expand. It feared the spell. Yet that didn't help it at all. The drop hit the ground and a ripple was sent out as if there was a water surface. Tasu already let her hand sink and turned around to go back to the dome.
Her friends thought her crazy. Speechless – yet, Tasu's overconfidence wasn't misplaced. To the edge of all the elven borders, a shining glimmer spread and the Black magic cloud vanished, cleansed, till it was wiped from existence.
"Wow…" The boys stood in awe. "How did she do that?" Dean looked at Karim. It looked so easy. Tessa's attempt had looked a bit rough, hard even. Keith hat well fainted. But hers…
Karim tilted his head in surprise but with a proud grin, "That, my boy, was a cleansing spell successfully executed." Yet he also could see that most of the teachers weren't quite so happy. Especially the Division Hunter. 'She's too overconfident in her spell… If it had been out in the field or she had miscalculated which happens more often than not…'
'Yes, it could go horribly wrong. You never turn your back on Black magic. It just needs to find one random creature or plant and it might slip away from you,' Master Aithlin wasn't so happy either. He even looked irritated to Faragonda, but she was lost for words as well.
"Next!" Fane called out. She sounded neutral as ever.
Itzcali stared at the students no one wanted to go after that 'perfect' display. Annoyed she rolled her eyes. Her eyes darted, "Move it!" She kick-pushed Mercury into his behind and the unexpected Specialist turned around to complain but to his dissatisfaction, he had passed the shield. 'Seriously…' He looked at the Wereaaradwolf Lady. She stood there all smug, snout high and mighty.
"I SAID NEXT!" Fane's voice got a bit more agitated. 'Seriously!? What are they waiting for? Growing some balls!?'
'Calm down, Marksman,' Haldir sighed in their psi-link.
'I AM calm. THEY just take forever…' She nagged. Yet pleased watched that that brown-haired boy finally got his ass moving. 'Make sure to be ready to cleanse, the boys have no way to do that besides Keith.'
'Don't worry, we got this,' Ararel sighed.
Votzaak just had put down the next orb in the middle, 'That's what our noobs say before they die…'
Mercury had connected with Zhoron and took his spot. His hands were shaking as he stared at that Black magic marble. 'How do I do this!?' On his walk to the magic circles, he had tried to figure this out. Of course, those Elves even if Paladins knew what to do. They had spells, knowledge and the know-how. 'But how am I supposed to do this…? I barely made some of those intensity orbs glow and those were right in front of me.' Votzaak stared at him from across the forcefields, and so did Iolas. They were in an alert stance, more so than with the girls. 'Great…they know, too…' He shook his head reaching for his phanto-axes. Yet halted. 'Zhoron…'
A quick risen hand from Zhoron and Votzaak froze, he was about to shatter the orb but halted. 'Yes, Mercury?'
'Is it generally possible to use a blade to cut Black magic into pieces? Or is it only possible through Paladin weapons?'
Zhoron was silent for just a second, 'Well, that depends. If the Black magic has seeped into something of course you can slay it. Some disperse on their own, like with Shadowland beasts. Still, miasma remains most of the time. That's the reason why sometimes magic doesn't work at certain sites.'
Mercury sighed, 'But this is pure Black magic. It has seeped into nothing… I can't charge in. So… I got to go with an elemental attack…or-'
Zhoron looked the boy straight in the eyes, his golden armour shimmering in the sun, 'Just try. You have a plan, uncertainty won't help you at all. Just try your best. We don't expect miracles here.'
'Yeah…' Mercury breathed out deeply. 'Are you allowed to help me this much?!'
'It's Black magic. It's a different kind of test. So yes, safety goes first. But- of course, this chat is part of the assessment.' The psychic nodded towards the orb.
'Just give me a minute, okay?' Mercury asked. His blue cloak sailed in the slight breeze. He let go of his phanto-axes in his back pouch. Ready to grab the Red Fountain Paladin weapons? 'Blade said… when she took that sword. That she simply put all she had into it…' He like anyone else had brought the Lunasteel weapons. They were stronger, personalised and charged. They had planned to keep them hidden, but Seth had used his as well… so at least Codatorta and Saladin knew now that they had been finished ahead of time. His decision stood. His amber eyes focused in on the orb as he tensed his muscles.
"YOUR TURN!" Votzaak declared as he had done all the times before.
Mercury drew his wind and fire axe. The dark wood of his fire axe was tainted in a deep orange and red as the ridged axe-head appeared. Like a dragon's tongue a sharp chisel before the flames rose from the cutting edges. The Black magic cloud raced towards him quickly as a falcon drawn to him through his nervousness and turmoil. 'Can I? No. I - Come on! I can do this!' Mercury sent off the fiery slash just to harden his grip around the wind axe. 'She'll never have to stand alone, never…' An elegant white handle and ornamented pummel. The white shimmering energy blades in a shimmering white grey as extensions they spread from the axe-head formed like wings, the Red Jade lit up as he slashed and turned creating a tunnel of wind. '… AGAIN!'
Before the Black magic clashed with the fire to consume it. The fire shot got hit by the tailwind and spiralled into a fierce tornado of flames. Like a pillar of light raging flames as bright as the morning sun. The heat on everyone's faces. His layered attack blew over the Black magic like a devastating forest fire swallowing it up whole and then clashed with the borderers of the security spells, which got infused with magic, they flickered shortly.
Mercury in his eagerness and haste already charged up the fire axe again, 'Gotta be fast!' Yet his second flare hit into nothingness. Mid swing he halted his wind axe as his eyes darted around. His chest rose and fell heavily. He couldn't quite believe it. He blinked and blinked again, searching for his target. His eyes jumped around. Nothing. "Heh?" He didn't trust the quietness one bit.
"Mercury…"
"MERCURY."
A hand on his shoulder. 'How did it get out!?' Shocked he swung around slashing and went pale.
With a twitching eyebrow and just two fingers, Fane had stopped the axe in front of her head, unmoving in its spot. "Are you trying to kill me?" The Vampire Lady asked daringly her White Jade tattoos glowed up as she moved it slightly to the side so the axe wasn't in her face anymore. A menacing aura of doom around her.
Mercury nearly squeaked, "No, I- where is it?!" He was so confused. The boy tried to pull back the axe but it was stuck in her two-finger grip so firmly that instead, his hand slipped off the shaft.
"Well then, … put your other toothpick away before I shove it up your ass," A deadly smile and piercing black eyes. Her eyebrow still twitching. A covered-up hiss between her teeth.
Mercury promptly followed the order.
Fane chucked the fire axe into the air only to snatch it at the handle. And stampeded to the other students.
"What?..." Mercury didn't understand anything anymore. Only now he noticed the scorched sand, that the forcefields returned to their normal shimmer. Every one of the Elves was tense, or rather startled? Not that they showed anything. It was more like a vibe in the air and those strident glances of Iolas and Votzaak.
Nerrocean chuckled, "Mercury if you want that axe back you should hurry, man." The Merman advised the still puzzled Specialist.
"WHO of your three nutj- HEADmasters thought it a great idea to simply press them advanced Paladin weapons into their hands and send them off with a 'just go with it'?!" Fane was so annoyed. And her eyes directly darted to the kids, "How MANY more are there? Lunasteel said those will take a month longer if not two! I can understand one weapon being ready," Her head snapped to Seth, who flinched. "But three - no way! Who else is swinging around dynamite with no fucking clue!?" She demanded to know.
Silence. No one was eager to face those fangs. Codatorta looked as confused as Saladin and the rest of the elders.
Since no one wanted to answer, Fane singled Blade out and stampeded into the force field. "YOU! . IT!" Her warm breath was in Blade's face as Fane pulled her up.
Blade ground her teeth, 'Shit… we wanted them to be the surprise in the fight test…great…' She turned her eyes away. And promptly she saw the tattoos glow up.
"This isn't for giggles!" Fane had no patients for this bullshit. She glared at the boys, "You haven't trained with such powerful weapons. You can blow yourself to pieces! You can barely manage the normal ones. What gave you the grand idea to use them without-"
"Now, now, that didn't seem like a first lucky shot," Karim stepped in. Since indeed all school personnel were kinda sharing Fane's sentiment and were in disbelief, troubled to say the least.
"Of course, it was! There was no time for them to test it, WE had them followed for safety because of the reward ceremony-"
"But we did train…" Blade quietly remarked, still pulled up at her shirt.
Fane's fangs flashed, "Oh, don't you DARE bullshit me, Missy!"
Julius coughed and cleared his throat, "She's right though. Since Phere-Moan has only one portal in use, which is strictly guarded. And only one teleporter overseen by the Elves and Lunasteel… you didn't send the bodyguards with us. Otherwise, you'd know all weapons are ready to go…" Julius took out his water Katana and boomerang and the others followed his example. The cat was out of the bag anyway.
"…. ….. …" Fane stared at the arsenal. Closed her eyes slowly, once and let go of Blade. "And what possessed you to try those out alone…" She pressed snarled from behind her teeth.
"Good grades."
"Curios."
"Power."
"Advantage."
"Shiny…"
Fane deadpan stared at Saladin, "…" Simply turned around and grabbed Kitty by her wrist and dragged her back to the circle formations. 'For fuck's sake! You better get some stupid shield spells ready. I'm in no mood for magic explosions in their faces!' She complained in their psi-chat.
'We already were ready no matter which threat. You were the one being startled…You should have slept longer…' Ararel commented dryly and got hit with a death glare from across the arena.
'FANE!' Votzaak and Nerrocean admonished her directly.
Parcival cleared his throat to cool the escalating discussion. 'I get it. You, already like them and worry, only understandable, Marksman Fane. I might add, though, the tone to convey this is a bit rough,' Grandmaster Parcival smiled at her kindly as they arrived. 'One might think you want to kill them all.'
'I don't like-! Urgh… I hate White Jade…' Fane rolled her eyes, no one could fool Parcival not even her as a Vampire. Instead, she focused again and ignored it. "Any other artefacts, rings, amulets, scrolls, wands?" She stared at Kitty.
"Why would I need that shit? I got my summonings," Kitty hissed back offended. "I'm no Specialist in need of trinkets to be useful." She crossed her arms in front of her chest. Typical Sorceress.
"Good." Fane nodded to Zhoron to establish a link with Kitty. "Then, by all means, take your spot and be ready."
Kitty's bleached-blond pigtails bounced in her every step. "Answer my call, Tide Snake!" She roared before Votzaak even called her turn. She would wait for no one, not to mention that Black magic cloud stuff was fast.
"Your turn!" Votzaak released it before she even ended her summoning spell. 'Someone's in a hurry…'
Kitty pointed forward. Like a general, she stood there as her snake dashed towards the cloud. With a ginormous snap of the jaws, the Tide Snake had swallowed the cloud within the second. "There. Easy. Happy now?" She had felt the blackness, the emptiness of that Black magic in front of her. It gave her the creeps. Yet she played it cool. No one would find herself doubting or shivering in her heels. However, her eyes darted instantly back to the snake's shadow. "What the fuck!? Answer my call, Terror Wolf!" She hectically cast. Cause like worms the Black magic pierced through and ate the snake up from the inside.
The Wolf sprinted towards the snake. The paws hit the sand and swirled it up.
A screeching from the snake more like a bird…just as the Terror Wolf bit into its throat.
"Good boy…" Kitty breathed in just to get her breath stuck again, "Seriously?! Answer my call…"
It was disastrous. Where the Wolf had bitten the snake even bigger strings of Black magic arose and pierced the wolf's head, burrowing inside it and taking it over as the snake form got either consumed or the magic that built it dissipated as Kitty desperately tried to break the vicious circle.
"… Blood Bat!" Kitty summoned her third creature clone. A hard cough escaped her lungs. Her chest rapidly rose and fell. Her hand tensely balled into a fist. 'Fuck!? Ranged attack!? How can it consume my Dark magic so easily? No one takes summons over that quickly! What is this crap!?'
Her bat flew high, a screeching sound from above. The shockwaves hammered down on the taken-over Terror Wolf.
Kitty went pale. "WHAT!? But- but…" The wolf's form wouldn't break. It always broke! That's why she had made the huge effort of defeating a Blood Bat in the first place to protect herself from people stealing her pawns. She was unsure what to do, hectically trying to figure out the right course of action. 'The boar? No way…same problem. Shit, think!'
Yet when the Sorceress thought it couldn't get any worse… her damned Terror Wolf jumped to rip the bat out of the sky. And… DID. IT.
"EHHHHH… How just…how…" Kitty was lost for words and solutions. That wolf had jumped higher than possible and… ate the bat like a snack and the Black magic grew and so did the husk of the wolf. Icy cold winds blew and got drawn in. The shadowy flames that formed the Terror Wolf flickered enraged and flared up as that wolf nearly doubled in size in the blink of an eye.
"RUN!" Students screamed from several spots on the ranks and some of her classmates inside the shield dome. Their fear even seemed to fuel that transformation. Or was that conjecture? Votzaak's dome lit up. And all noises from the outside got silenced.
However, Kitty was enthralled by the sheer force before her that roared and shook the foundation of the school. "Woah…" Only astonishment… and fear, switching forth and back. She could feel her hands quiver yet she wouldn't back away either.
"FANE!" Nerrocean called out as he took hold of Kitty's shoulder and flung her towards the Vampire with his war scythe at hand he gathered water masses just in case.
Even Nabu had darted outside the force field as well. His staff floated next to him as he pressed his hands against each other and multiple duplicates appeared before they took flight. A bunch of glowing orbs ready to protect all of them inside the small dome. His Jade tattoos were still dormant though.
"Circinus lucis emenda meus adversario!" Iolas's team called out and magic flooded the confinement walls as they closed in, limiting the wolf's freedom of movement as well as starting to cleanse it.
While with a few hand signs the runes from White Jade activated as well. "We bind, what was once pure and turned black. Crack the foundation of despair. Shine!" Like a choir, they resounded, yet there was something even more magical, different. One could hear a soothing hum of some sort, something peaceful a warmth so unnatural and yet one never wanted it to end. And before one could blink again. The sound subsided. The Black magic Terror Wolf summons was enwrapped in binds of light, like a mummy, from which spread even more light, casing out the blackness, the cold. And the wolf cracked as if a statue made of White Jade. It crumbled to sparking dust and was blown away by the subtle gusts in the arena.
Now it was so peaceful in the arena… on the stances, before one realised the fear of the students the dire feeling of absolute destruction… Kitty was speechless.
Fane still had a firm and comforting grip on the girl dazzled by the feeling of grace. Fane read the Sorceress's emotions closely, searching with her empath abilities, if Kitty might still have attracted some flake of Black magic however slim the chance was. But she felt nothing, well, no despair. Yet as soon as the next breeze blew and that atmosphere vanished the girl was a turbulent ocean of all kinds of emotions.
"WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!" Kitty growled lowly. Ready to shred someone her outfit's top had slipped a bit from her shoulders.
Fane's peaceful and gentle expression vanished without a trace and the Vampire smacked Kitty on the head, "Really!? Growing it bigger and bigger, THAT was your great plan? Were you even thinking? Just because we have security measures is no reason to TEST THEM OUT!" She roared into the girl's ear.
With a shiver and a ringing Kitty jumped to the side, "OUCH! What's wrong with you!?" She rubbed her ear.
"With me? THE NERVE! If this wasn't a test you'd be dead or worse!" Fane hammered down another fist straight into her head.
"Ouch!" Kitty complained again. And glared up at the Vampire and the two started some sort of hissing contest.
'Hm,' Avalon stared at them as he straightened out his jacket and breathed out. They would need to recast their security spell already.
Votzaak chuckled he unlike the others had not reacted at all or not as far as anyone could tell, 'Yes, she was worried and tried to relieve the girl of stress while giving her something to hiss at. Even if that's against our rules for today.'
'Typical Fane. Just wait for it…' Nerrocean smirked and let his water splash and it drenched the ground. And there it was Fane's face of doom her aura as menacing as that Black magic.
"IF YOU PULL SUCH A STUNT AGAIN I PERSONALLY THROW YOU INTO THE BRICK!" A decisive pointing to the dome where the rest of the students were. And Kitty spooked took her feet into her hands and escaped.
It went more or less smoothly for the Fairies. Although some cut it really close. Snow and Rise had been so scared at first that their spells had malfunctioned. Still, the Fairies were the prime examples of this test even with hick-ups they had the best magic to counter Black magic and enough magic recovered to at least get that little blob to vanish. They had 'simply' to apply the theory of their battle class and overpower the Black magic rather than using a real cleansing spell as besides Tasu no one had a strong enough cleansing spell for pure Black magic. The girls had managed to mediate in their breaks so it worked out somehow in the end.
The Sorceresses had a bit more trouble. Which was somewhat confusing to all the Order members that used Dark magic as well. The girls had recovered more magic than most Fairies, no surprise there as they could soak it from the air and surroundings passively instead of having to connect to nature. Yet, their lack of knowledge… Kitty hadn't been the only one with trouble. They were truly fixated to fight in their own style. But Black magic was no enemy of flesh and blood.
Serina for example gave up way too quickly. She was a user of illusion magic, good at evasion and distraction, but wasn't used at all to simply bombard something with enough magic at once to simply eradicate it. She had tried but her first try had been too weak, so it got swallowed up and then the Black magic simply had grown so much that she simply had stepped back not willing to try again. So, the grown-ups did their thing. She wasn't keen to let it grow as big as that wolf menace. She was afraid of the Black magic.
On the other hand, Misery and Dusk were flawless even without a cleansing spell. So, it was really hard for the Order members to get a really good estimate from the get-go if they would need to step in or not from the start.
The boys… well… it wasn't their favourite test for sure. Some managed to do what Mercury managed to hit their elemental attack and get rid of it by out-of-control bursts of their weapons. Yet most had either missed or their attack wasn't strong enough similar to the Sorceresses. For them, it was around forty-sixty.
"You can do this Blade," Mercury tried to cheer Blade up. He knew her plan it was time, Shadion. He had been unconscious in the first aid test and had no idea she had already put it on display.
Blade wasn't quite so sure about this either. Votzaak had straight out declared her to go last. 'Was it simply because I stared at the ancient hilt or Shadion? Of all of us… I know best… I know pure Black magic when it enters your body. Tries to destroy your will and soul…'
"Hey," Kai boxed her on the shoulder. "Cheer up. You kicked ass on Phere-Moan. This will be a cakewalk for you. And if anyone gives you trouble, I'll smack them."
"Yes, you're right…" Blade breathed in. 'No point in worrying now…' She noticed the intense stare from Faragonda short of saying something. 'Focus…' Blade closed her eyes as she walked on. 'How do I do this best…' One look to Faragonda, Griffin and Saladin.
"It's time…" Her Fairy Godmother reassured her. She knew Blade would use it in this test as well. Today was the day to break the silence. Time had run out there was no other Court game left to play to stall for more time. And her blink of an eye transformation already had caught the eyes of the spectators even if some were still unsure what exactly they had witnessed.
Saladin smiled at Blade, "We got your back." Codatorta just grinned.
"You two… urgh. Kick ass, show control and welcome to officially be harassed as a Witch," Griffin joked around. Still, she was tense, which Saladin and Faragonda picked up on easily yet not the students.
"Sorceress…" a few of her students hissed quietly, which made everyone chuckle.
Blade nodded and walked on, 'Time to shine.' Nonetheless, it was Black magic and she couldn't help but be nervous as the others to face that evil maybe even worse than them… Shadion couldn't stay hidden forever. But there were a lot of students watching friends, allies and… well, only time would tell.
'Hey, there,' Zhoron connected with her from afar but got ignored.
'…First Shadion… that way I can prevent fainting from exhaustion and then Charmix…blast it sky high…' Blade didn't even notice him at first. She had promptly swapped to focus on the test as she walked towards her spot. 'Am I fast enough to switch though…? Which weapon…hilt or rather simply energy…hmmmm.' Blade was so unsure all of a sudden, last time she just had taken hold of that damned sword. That wasn't an option she couldn't go inside the barrier for a dire battle of wills. 'What if I end up…' She opened her eyes and blinked irritated. Fane was directly in front of her. "Is there a problem?"
Fane glared at her, "Take your spot." She was so intense as she pointed behind Blade. 'Boy is she nervous…'
Blade looked around. She had walked past her spot and nearly bumped into Fane. She blushed a bit embarrassed. "Y-Yes." She turned on her heels to take the spot. 'Great…' She noticed Iolas's and Votzaak's glance from across the forcefield. She exhaled deeply.
'Zhoron? Is she ready?' Votzaak asked ready to release the Black magic from the orb.
'Yes, she simply was too focused on hatching a plan, not to worry,' Zhoron answered the Grandmaster. 'She'll use Shadion as we suspected. For real this time.'
Gwaine was a bit surprised, 'That she still hasn't noticed the reactions…' He sighed. 'But why is she just figuring out a plan now? She had all the time she possibly could have. Is she still on edge because of that meditation hick-up? Maybe we should let her take this test another time.'
'That's a bad idea…' Avalon sighed. 'She's eager to finally show Shadion off after all this time. And this is the perfect test for it. In first aid it was reactionary this time it'll be a declaration.'
'Indeed. It's long overdue,' Votzaak declared. Suddenly his eyes darted to that one statue high on the ranks same one as in the break. Many students had gathered there. All of them had taken a few steps back after Kitty's mishap and weren't even close to the railing and the big dome above the arena.
'Everything okay?' Nerrocean asked. Yet again he couldn't spot anything at the statue or the shadows. 'Something wrong with that statue?'
'…' Votzaak squinted his eyes, 'No… just a new spectator…' He growled a bit displeased.
'Ah, that one…' Nerrocean knew what was up. There was no danger, still, he didn't like them either at the moment.
Ilrune used the little break, 'Are we sure Blade should use her Shadion again? It's not just her second-year students, task force members or classmates seeing it now. We told her it's fine to use it in the Joined Track… and she shouldn't hide it any longer. Though her order still stands not to proclaim it to the world while flying over cities… the news will spread rapidly within the noble ranks. If she transforms and stays transformed.'
'They already have…' Votzaak growled annoyed. 'People have seen her in that form in the past. It can't be explained away every single time to satisfaction. She needs that power in the field for the Joined Track missions, we can't have her waver in the face of danger just because someone might see her. This was inevitable once she made her speech in the yearly Council meeting…'
Nerrocean agreed, 'People are already piecing it together. It's a question of time and it won't be long. Within ten minutes Councillor Shiri had been in my office after the yearly meeting asking all the right questions. Not everyone is so keen, but the rumours and conjectures are boiling right now under the surface…' So, many had come to his office on Fridays, not to mention, to Councillor Votzaak and Lord Calculus, his secretary, to get answers to poke and play the Court games for more information.
Sanari Cei understood their reasoning, 'So, we indeed try to get ahead of the game again… Well then, this truly is the best way to introduce that form officially, slowly and with the proof that many high-ranking Orders have a close eye on it. And it gives enough justification for her to be in this course besides her lack of magic.'
Blade was confused. "Hey, what's the holdup?" Blade ground her teeth annoyed that THEY were the ones hesitating apparently. Unaware of that little conversation, it had thrown her off her game a bit. "Something wrong?" She frowned irritated.
"No," Parcival answered, "We just had an unbalance in the rune circle, that needed to be stabilised. Everything is ready to go now. Our apologies."
'Hm, so even Grandmasters make mistakes, huh,' Blade shook her head. Somehow that relaxed her and brought her focus. "Shadion!" It felt so good, to spread the dark wings wide like a declaration. She had tried not to use it in the chaos of the first aid test too obviously, only a second. But now, fighting Black magic, that was the perfect moment to let it rip. To prove it wasn't a menace to all who had never seen it before and to relieve all those who already knew from the burden of keeping their silence.
One could feel the tension and confusion in the air. While some Specialists from the task force rejoiced the ones that had been left in the dark… they were stunned, half-scared even for a second there, ready to draw weapons to defend themselves. A Fairy form straight out of a nightmare or something… And this time around that form didn't vanish like the first time. It hadn't been a simple Dark magic spell. No, it was an actual transformation no doubts about it. But how? Puzzled faces all around. They surely noticed that none of the grown-ups was surprised whatsoever and some of their peers knew as well. What was going on?
Votzaak waited for the first wave of emotions to settle. Black magic reacted to emotions. He didn't want anything to go wrong. He glanced around but couldn't spot any dire reactions. No one dared to attack the shield or Blade. 'Good.' He looked to Zhoron.
Blade was a bit distracted at first. Of course, she was. Besides her trying to keep focused on the task ahead. She just couldn't stop herself. She had to look around to grasp reactions. She had standing at Red Fountain, respect, a saving grace now for sure. Students were taken aback. But Red Fountain even if not so often had also Specialists using Dark magic in their third years occasionally. It wasn't common but not so strange as it would have been in a Fairy school. 'Well, no one is throwing sticks and stones or tomatoes…' She sighed to herself.
'Blade, you ready?' Zhoron asked gently. They had given her a lot more time than the others. They didn't want her feelings of revealing Shadion to get in the way.
'All good,' Blade confirmed. Her eyes were fixated on the glass ball.
Votzaak reached out his hand towards the orb. He released the Black magic, "Your turn!"
