Joe did not fail to meet expectations and he ended up with an A grade talent in the third stage. The mayor grunted because it was obvious now that each protégé was in the third stage.
Joe went back to his seat and there were claps for him as he sat down.
The sequence continued and there were boos every now and then as kids with poor talent stood at the platform and they were barely in the first stage.
They went back with shame and their talent was not even E but an F. Those who barely made the orb glow were awarded an E talent and those who made it glow brighter were D talents.
These D talents overtook the C talents and it became a norm such that they forgot there was another talent other than D. Even a C talent was appreciated when it came.
There was a break and a B talent was called forth. He was celebrated more than even the A talents. People yawned every now and then as the sun approached its midpoint.
There were less than twenty names left and all proteges apart from Alvin had been called. They had been celebrated after they brought an A talent in a C and D talent streak.
The few that remained were all going to be a stepping stone for Alvin who was going to be the last person to be called in order to have a climatic ending.
***
Claire could have waited a little more but now but it was impossible. Lyren had slept since they got back the previous afternoon and it was already closer to noon.
She banged at the door several times and it took forever for Lyren to finally open the door. His eyelids were like bags as he seemed to demand for more sleep.
Claire shook him as he wiggled to her movement.
"What?"
"Are you not forgetting when today is?" Claire asked and Lyren's eyes suddenly cleared.
"What time is it?" Lyren asked as panic appeared in his face. He had overslept on such an important day. His head throbbed slightly as he rubbed his eyes. "Why did you not wake me sooner?"
Claire was flabbergasted by his question because she had been trying to wake him up since the morning.
"I have prepared a bath already. Even a set of change clothes. Hurry," she said as she pulled him towards the bathroom as he stumbled.
His eyes landed on the horns and hooves on the table and also his sword blending in. it was the last sight he saw before he was dragged into the bathroom.
***
Ten names were called quickly and they were all C grade talents. The rest were D grade talents and it was obvious who was the last man standing.
Alvin smoothed his robe as he looked around. He could feel gazes on him and for the first time, there was anticipation in him. He waited with a held breath as Kaelen called out the next name.
"And now, let us call forth the next candidate. Lyren... Just Lyren?" He asked the last part almost to himself and the mayor's son was mid standing when he was forced to sit back quickly before anyone saw his embarrassing performance.
Everyone looked around waiting. By now, everyone was already aware of the rumors and they had not expected that the academy would call him.
Everyone knew that he was dead. It was a deliberate act by the academy to make the mayor lose face but the academy had miscalculated. The mayor was certain the kid was not going to make it.
He started clapping and all gazes were drawn towards him. He released a laugh that chased the tension in the air.
"I see. So that is how the academy is going to play it. I will give your two minutes only and if the kid doesn't appear, you will have to call my son next and also offer an apology to me." His words came after laughter but the anger was there for everyone to see.
Kaelen and Sera were in the spotlight for they were the ones who had called out the name despite knowing of the rumors. They looked at each other and clenched their fists.
Sera was hoping against hope that he came but time ran fast. She had called his name one more time after Kaelen did but it was fruitless.
The crowd had started to murmur and the one thing that prevailed was the fact that Lyren was the kid who had died. He was supposedly responsible for Sera's promotion to a core disciple.
The students were calm because the academy could not make such an error but they now had discord sowed as they realized the kid was probably dead.
Soon the two minutes deadline was reached. The mayor stood up and started clapping again.
"Go on Alvin. Show them what a true talent is son," The mayor said and Alvin stood up. He had an angry look on his face and it somehow appeared cold.
Those in the way removed their legs and he walked towards the platform and Sera and Kaelen gave him the instructions as they stood aside.
Alvin placed his hand on the orb and he did not even flinch when the orb invaded him. He only took a deep breath in and as he breathed out, the orb released a blue glow.
The glow started so faint for a few seconds and everyone was shocked but the mayor who had his hands folded on his chest did not seem in the least bothered.
The adults talked about pride before a fall but the glow was being held back because in the next second, the orb glowed a bright blue that dimmed the platform and those on it could not be seen in the first place.
This drew shock and gasps left the crowd. The elders stood up on their feet as they pointed at Alvin unable to speak a word. The mayor just smiled and nodded as the students were on the edge of their seats.
That was the brightest anyone had gone the whole day. This gave them a déjà vu as they were reminded of two years ago when Sera stood on that platform. This light seemed to rival that one but it lost slightly.
That did not mean that Alvin was not a talent just because he was losing slightly to Sera. Instead, it was a testament and it was obvious why he was worthy of being compared to her.
The light lingered longer and slowly, it started fading and the blue coated faces came into vision. Kaelen was the most shocked with his eyes almost popping out.
Sera was different but her eyes could not hide her shocked expression. As the glow finally dissipated, a strong aura started encroaching. Alvin drew his hand and a smug look appeared on his face.
That was real talent right there. He looked around as everyone started sitting back and they started clapping slowly and celebrated him.
He left the two shocked top students even before they read his talent and grade. The crowd escorted him to his seat and it was then the two on the platform finally remembered their task.
"Alvin. Third stage. A+ grade."
Kaelen was the one who said these words almost stuttering. The next number one student was already known to them all. The silence was broken by the mayor's consecutive laughter as he started bragging.
He walked between the crowd and headed towards the platform. He stood at the lectern and took over the ceremony.
"The academy really has the guts to actually dare to throw mud on my face. Talent is what speaks just as the academy has taught us all along and we all have witnessed who has the most talent in Vyl.
"Did you for a moment think that I couldn't wipe the smug look from the academy? That is what we all can agree. It is the undisputed truth that the academy no longer has talents. This is called talent and the rest of you are mediocre," the mayor was arrogant but also bitter.
There was rivalry between the academy and him. He had spent the past twelve years planning for this day when he would finally beat the academy in terms of talent.
If his son could become a powerhouse, he was going to have power even in the academy. He clenched his fist as this was his first and most important victory.
He had won!