It was obvious that the ceremony was starting soon as the elders were all here with only a few remaining.
The mayor was already seated in the visitor's section and next to him was his wife. She was veiled and only her brown eyes stood out. He was shaking his foot as he could not wait for the ceremony to start and be done proud.
Just as everything was quieting down, all eyes seemed to turn to one direction. It was a back entrance that not many were allowed to use.
Every eye seemed to be drawn to that direction instinctively and silence ensued as only their eyes moved. Many were holding their breaths as this sight did not need interruptions.
Coming from the opposite direction was a veiled Sera. She walked with hands clasped in front and the white veil left very little room to observe.
Her eyes and hair.
Her hair was black cascading down her shoulders and resting on the small of her back. Her eyes were a melted milk chocolate, smooth and deceptively simple. There was a creamy warmth to her gaze that seemed to drown you in.
Her steps were deliberately slow but she reached her seat in no time as all gazes escorted her to her seat. Even the aloof mayor could not help but look.
There were proud smiles on the elders as they watched her go take her seat which was the only one remaining in the student's section. Even after she was seated, their eyes still lingered for a few seconds before they turned to each other and started talking about her.
Alvin stared at her walk such that he almost drooled and his gaze lingered longer. He wore an ugly face when he realized that he had been attracted by her aura.
There was no denying that. He felt beaten as he clenched his fists. He tried to focus elsewhere but his eyes kept coming back.
It was just in time as an elder finally made his way forward and stood at the raised platform in the middle. Even before speaking, he let his gaze wander around as the murmurs slowly died down on their own.
He was a familiar elder as he had been supervising the students during the market day. He had a smile that sent shivers across the students who felt his gaze. He cleared his throat as he started.
"It is yet another year for us to take in new students. Time flies fast and we are now accepting a new batch. We all are eager to see how many are going to make it through the test.
"The ceremony is open for all and of you who feel tat you have a chance are free to undertake the tests.
"I won't bother you with any more information as we should be starting already. We will start with a simple test to see the whether you are eligible for the academy. Checking if you can cultivate and what your affinities are…"
The elder was cut short because the new arrivals could not hold in their excitement and started shouting.
They clapped and whistled as this was where the fun part was. Showing your affinities in front of the seniors so that they could mark you. There were literally stars shining in their eyes. The elder waited with a smile as this was the usual.
The other students could not help but smile but those who had joined the last year were looking for somewhere to bury their heads because this was too embarrassing.
They recalled that they had the same reaction too and now as they saw others do it, it felt stupid.
The new arrivals slowly shut up and the elder continued.
"The ritual is the same. Once your name is called upon, come to the front and place your hand on this floating orb over here and we shall be able to see what your element is and also you potential. The brighter your light, the brighter your future. All the best." He finished and the new arrivals were busy clapping.
"Call our names already!" someone shouted and it appeared that those were everyone's thoughts.
The other students laughed at this because they knew the reality of this orb and only a few of them were going to have the last laugh.
They were getting restless and yappy since no one was getting on the platform and stat calling their names already. A silence ensued and the murmurs died once again.
All eyes turned towards the student's section and when they saw this, they could not stop their mouths from opening and staying that way with their hands clenched on their chest.
"Its senior Kaelen."
"The hottest."
"The coolest."
"We love you senior Kaelen."
All of them had flushed faces and the girls could not help themselves. Kaelen was among the top handsome students in the academy and the cold aura he always carried made him even cooler.
Alvin was once again the most excited when he saw Kaelen. Even the students especially girls could not help but get awed. The guys though had ugly looks because Kaelen took all the spotlight.
James and his gang had uglier expressions because they knew they could not beat this even if they became number two. Their eyes turned to James who had his fist clenched on his thigh.
He was seen taking in a deep breath and calming himself down. It was not like he was not handsome because he was on par with Kaelen but because he had some kind of lonesome aura that made him easier to ignore.
Kalen made his way down as he waved at the new arrivals and this only helped fuel their shouts. He finally reached the platform and he gave a bow to everyone which drew even more celebration.
He then stood at the lectern and cleared his throat. They hushed each other and after silence, Kaelen started.
"Good morning good people of Vyl. I assure that this is no other but senior Kaelen. I wish you all good luck as you all undergo the test. I will be calling the first name now. The list is on shuffle so do not worry. Anyone can come here first." Kaelen paused and then continued.
"For the first name, I want you to guess and think who will be the first. In 3, 2, 1…"
There was anticipation in the new arrivals as they all had their ears perked up. Whoever was going to get called upon first was going to have a lasting image and so was the last.
Those were the positions everyone was dreaming of. Their hearts raced as their ear perked.
"Seraphina. Let's give a loud applause to my helper for the day. Our one and only Lady Sera!"
The new arrivals who had been holding their breaths were confused and their anticipation was thrown down the drain. They did not get much time to feel bad as Lady Sera was already standing up.
It was yet another time to look at her full body. They clapped as she walked to the front and being silent was the only thing they could do in her presence.
She made her way to the platform and greeted the elders and then the students. She then continued to address the new arrivals.
"I will be calling out the first name. Guess who it will be?" She said as tension built up among the new arrivals once again.