"Maya Alphonse."
Everyone heaved a sigh. It was a funny human attribute where everyone wanted to be first but everyone was relieved when they were not called first.
No one was willing to fail and leave a permanent image of themselves. Maya was the same girl who was related to one of the elders and when her name was called, she tensed and she stood up slowly as all eyes fell on her.
Alvin had a bitter look because he would have actually enjoyed that position but what was better than having the final spot? Many would have forgotten about the earlier participants.
He folded his hands on his chest as looked away but his eyes did not leave Maya who was now making her way towards the platform.
It was one long walk for her and when she finally reached the platform, one could see her shaking hand and her gaze was unfocused.
"Place your hand on the orb and do not resist. It will be fine," Kaelen was the speaker and she looked at him and nodded her head.
Her hand slowly rose and reached the orb. She did as she was told and did not resist as she felt like something had invaded her palm and it was eating into her bones.
She was on the verge of screaming as horror colored her features. She shook and then something was pulled from her and she gasped. Too scared to even scream.
There was warmth on her palm instantly and she was surprised when she saw a yellow glow light up on the orb. All her fears evaporated as her face bloomed and a yellow light lit up the surrounding.
A smile appeared on her face and the two on the platform also smiled at this. It was only rightful that the first person made an impact.
"You all saw for yourself. Maya's affinity is the wind and she is also in the third realm. She has an A grade talent and she has high prospect. The academy has high hopes for you," Sera spoke out
When Maya heard these words, her face flushed a shade of pink as those words coming from The Lady Sera was what everyone wanted to hear. The passion in them was very touching and those eyes looking down at her made he feel calm.
The older students nodded and many had a plain look. It was exactly this kind of headstart that usually put morale on the new arrivals. Some were bitter because she was a stage three talent already and she had not even joined the academy.
There were glances on the elder who had brought her. He stroked his beard and the other elders and mayor had ugly expression because only the mayor's son was known to be in the third stage.
The fact that Maya was in the third stage meant that they had lied and now the mayor felt like he was a fool having leaked the true information.
Maya bowed to the two before turning back and when she heard claps coming from the older students, her face became redder and she ran back to her seat and covered her face with her hands.
The new arrivals looked at the with jealousy and they all awaited their turn. Alvin was actually mad for everyone had known his cultivation level. He was beginning to have doubts of being number one.
"I will be calling on the next person. The list is on shuffle and there is no preferential treatment. Jordan Morgans…" Kaelen said these words aloud and silence ensued. All eyes turned around as they wanted to see who this Morgan was.
No one realized how hard it was when it was your turn. The guy stood up slowly with shaky knees and he had a taller frame than most of his peers. He stood out because he was wearing glasses.
The new arrivals made way for him and the journey to the center was long and traumatic. All those gazes put you at the center of attention and the only safe place was your mind.
The guy reached the platform and did as he was instructed. His reaction was more controlled and but the horror was there.
The orb glowed a yellow glow but it was not as bright as Maya's and it dimmed quickly. He retracted his hand quickly as he looked down as Kaelen spoke.
"Jordan Morgans. Wind element affinity and in the second stage. His talent is a C grade. You did well," Kaelen did not make fun of him or anything and the guy bowed and turned back.
There was very little clapping and his agonizing journey back was fueled by the excitement that everyone had high expectations for themselves.
The ceremony continued and the next person was called and so on. The next person was also a C grade talent and as more came, it became clear that the average was a C grade.
"Alan Konan," Sera called out and a boy made his way forward. There was a certain air of confidence and he placed his had on the orb and a brown glow was emitted. The glow was brighter than those who came before him but still, it did not surpass Maya's.
"Allan Konan an earth elemental affinity. B grade talent in the second stage." Sera said and the C grade streak was ended.
People clapped as the reality of the entrance ceremony started to dawn to the new arrivals. They were not that talented and the A grade talent was just to tease them and give them some hope.
Alan had been able to show them that there were still talents and that they still had hope.
"Julian M." Sera called out loud and there was silence. She called again and when she was about to proceed to the next person, a guy in the back seat jerked up from his seat.
He was slow to reach the platform and when he reached, he slowly raised his shaking hand and placed it on the orb as instructed. The orb was cold in his palm and his mouth opened slightly.
He waited for a few seconds and there were murmurs as they started mocking him.
"Go sit down Julian."
"You are not a talent."
"No wonder he was not willing to stand up."
"I knew that something was fishy."
Julian was weak in the knees and he was about to draw his hand when someone shouted from the crowd.
"You can do it Julian. Don't forget what I taught you."
The voice was feminine and it drowned the other bad comments. Julian was relatively shorter than even Sera barely reaching her shoulders.
His hair was a reddish brown which was the same for his eyes. He wore round glasses and when he calmed down, he took a deep breath and retracted his hand and placed it once again.
It happened instantly and bright red glow lit up on their faces and their mouths were instantly sealed. Their eyes were almost popping out as many stood up from their seats.
The glow slowly faded and Sera and Kaelen were surprised because it could have been the first person who had no talent. But who could have thought that he was a true talent.
"Julian M. fire element affinity. Talent A grade. Second stage. You did a good job holding on," Kaelen said as he rubbed the little guy's hair which was almost furry.
Julian's cheeks reddened as his face turned sheepishly comfortable. His fists clenched on his chest. He looked around and a wide smile lit up his features and when he went back to his seat, he was probably the happiest.
"Next, Joe G…" sera said as another seeded person was called up on.