BONG!
Suddenly, the toll of a bell shattered the tense atmosphere.
A young girl in a floral dress stared blankly at the great bell above her. Its melodious toll had rung out just for her.
BONG!
As she stood beneath the great bell, it rang three consecutive times.
The little boy in the lead looked at the girl with a pleased surprise. "Not bad, little one," he said. "A level-three Spiritual Root. Take her to be tested for a Dual Spiritual Root."
"Yes!"
A young man from behind him led the girl away.
The girl glanced back at the crowd, a confused look on her face as she followed the young man. It seemed she didn't yet understand what a level-three Spiritual Root meant, let alone the significance of the little boy's praise.
After hearing the bell, the crowd grew even more eager amidst their nervousness.
