Crowds of people have started to gather on campus grounds. Humans to Elves. Dwarves to Lizardmen. Each and every single one of them is wearing their respective house colors proudly anywhere on their person. Some wear them as scarves, some as gloves, and some rest on the simplistic shirts or pants and dresses.
I could see a group of enthusiastic, roughhousing individuals covered in all sorts of shades of blue. Energetic in their own respective representations of the word, but they seemed tight-knit and coordinated. This rowdy batch of people hail from House Cobalt districts.
On the opposite side would be another gathering of individuals, but they were more calm and collected. Discussing amongst the people they knew. This group felt more secretive, yet confident at the same time. Sporting black and reds-- and mostly populated by Humans, Dwarves, and Lizardfolk-- These are the enrollees from House Adamant.
On the opposite side of the courtyard, wearing the most regal of clothes and accessories adorned in silver and gold, were humans and elves-- as well as some half-kin-- who presented themselves in the highest of attitudes. Backs as straight as an arrow and clothes as clean as the clouds above. Each rolling in with personal escorts and chariots. These people did not need a respective-colored accessory since they wore it all over. They were obviously the nobles of House Mythril, or at least the heirs of such.
I continued to look around some more, hoping to see anyone wearing green or brown, but to no avail. Not to my surprise, however, as House Verdant would rather manage the soil than read. This means I might unfortunately be the only member from House Verdant to attend this academy.
As I stood by, awaiting any instruction, I could faintly perceive quiet whispers. Their eyes are staring directly at me. Although I couldn't make out what they were saying, I couldn't blame them for looking. From the crowds of people that planned on joining the tests today, the only representative of House Verdant was a half-goliath. This might be a sight to behold for anyone else...
As the bells rang, proctors exited from the main building doors. They greeted everyone who was attending before guiding the masses to be sorted along their respective house colors. This allows the academy to properly process enrollees and categorize them accordingly. We were to sign our names, our ages, and our village origin. After, we were to repeat our information to confirm what we had just written.
"Torin Valen. Seventeen. Greystone."
Enrollees were then escorted towards a distant part of the Academy. A wide open space with a high ceiling. The space was filled with tables and chairs, with large enough gaps in between so each neighbor would have trouble taking a peek at whatever their papers had. As menacing as this was, it pales in comparison when my gaze brought itself upwards.
Up on a viewing balcony were a gathering of authoritative figures. Some I knew, but others held an intimidating impression that could shake anyone to their core. This was most obvious when even the heirs of House Mythril and the sailors of House Cobalt felt their presence and decided to behave for now.
Prince Lawrence was in attendance, with Esshiek at his side. Miss Maryanne would be the most obvious to be present among the entourage of observers, but instead of sitting among the figures, she decided to play things her own way and sit on her staff while hovering over the testing area, earning the attention of all the potential fans in the crowd. She seemed to like the attention, however, as she threw the enrollees an elegant wave and a gentle smile, which earned her a loud round of cheers.
Along with Prince Lawrence and Esshiek were three other people. An old human man, frail in appearance, yet I had a sneaking suspicion that this man held more secrets to uncover than he showed. Something about him felt more intimidating than the other two. He wore a pitch black cloak that conceals the rest of his body, leaving his head exposed. He seemed to be sitting alongside a large wooden staff that ends in a bulb-like shape at the tip of the weapon.
The next was a half-kin. Dog-like in nature with a long snout and fur that runs across his whole body. However, he dressed very proper. He wore a full suit and tie, and his hands rested on the golden knob of a walking cane. Small circular glasses rested along his nose as he stood as straight as an arrow beside the old man.
The last of the unfamiliar figures was another Lizardman, but unlike Esshiek, this one was thinner. It was hard to tell if this was a male or a female lizardman, as they wore a hood along their face. Greyish-purple clothes wrap along their chest and legs, leaving their midriff exposed. Although my instincts tell me that these were the clothes a woman usually wears-- or at least what Miss Maryanne usually dons-- how the clothes were worn suggests a confusing mix between masculine features and feminine appeal. Even the hint of a tail was hidden behind the long cloak that follows their hood.
It was not long until everyone was seated along their assigned tables. On the desk were a small quill and a pair of ink bottles. As soon as each enrollee was sat down, one of the proctors stood on top of a raised platform and began to explain the rules for taking the exam.
It was quite straightforward. We are given until the sun retreats behind the mountains to answer the tests. If anyone finishes early, they can submit their papers at the front but shall remain seated until the whole group is dismissed. If anyone is caught using magic or any other means to cheat, their tests will be taken from their desks, and they will be asked to leave the academy.
It was at this moment that I felt my entire body grow cold from nerves. My hands trembled, and I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Although Miss Maryanne had taught me the essentials in the months leading up to this, I still felt unprepared to tackle the test. I lacked confidence in my ability to know the answers to the potential questions on the exam.
I could only take a deep breath and see what the academy had to ask of us instead. As the test paper was placed on top of my desk, I flipped it over and took a look at the questions at hand.
The first subject was Religious Studies. It focused on what we knew about Lady Enes and her contributions to the world and her people. Based on the limited knowledge I had, I could only recall the brief history lesson I received from Miss Maryanne at the time. However, as I continued to answer the questions on the test, more pieces of information began to connect for me, particularly from "Light of Enes."
Apart from the well-known fact that Lady Enes created the world using fragments of her own life, it is said that she served as the companion to the hero of light. It is noted that she joined the hero in the battle against the wave of darkness that nearly consumed the entire continent of Ironkiln. This was named the Golden Era, where the hero and Lady Enes fought a war against the physical evil corrupting Ironkiln. While the specifics of this war were lost to time, it was safe to assume that after the hero's sacrifice to rid the world of the evil, Lady Enes soon returned to the heavens to return to her duties and uphold the hero's legacy of maintaining peace in this world.
However, it was assumed that even grief could not escape the gods. Without her hero, the goddess soon fell under a mysterious silence. Although she would still respond to prayer in the smallest of miracles, she refused to appear amongst the people and stand by them just as she did during the Golden Era.
As time passed, the people soon forgot about her face but, in turn, strengthened their faith in the goddess. Forever thankful for the light that blesses them till this day.
The next couple of subjects were not as engaging as the first, particularly Math and Magical Theory. Unfortunately, I found this one to be more challenging, as it required an exploration of the various theories that led to the construction of Magic and the subsequent development of sigils. Additionally, we were tasked with solving mathematical problems that supported these theories, along with standalone problems designed to assess one's analytical skills. I have unfortunately proven to have lacked the mental fortitude to withstand the wave of numbers and complex theorems, so I had to surrender my attack on this part of the test, only answering what I could and writing what I could remember.
After that grueling part came Politics, more specifically the connections of the different houses to the heart of Ironkiln, which is Ironkeep. It wasn't as challenging as the past three subjects, but it did require some recollection as to what the different houses were capable of and how they contributed to the kingdom.
The kingdom of Ironkiln was split into five different districts. These were the Capital of Ironkeep, House Mythril, House Adamant, House Cobalt, and House Verdant.
The first and largest of the house districts was House Mythril. They were the secondary trade district, but they mainly focused on skill amongst the people. They are the master jewelers and tailors of Ironkiln, producing the most luxurious accessories and dresses coin could buy. House Mythril also houses the most skilled enchanters in all of Ironkiln, making their designs not only beautiful but practical as well. They are also regarded as the treasury of Ironkiln, responsible for holding and managing a significant portion of the kingdom's wealth.
The second would be House Adamant. Settled within the mountains, the members of House Adamant specialize in smithing and metallurgy. They produce almost all the metal in the kingdom, especially weapons and armor. It was even rumored that they had made siege weaponry during the Golden Era, but in time, no one had ever discovered old House Adamant weaponry. However, unlike Mythril, the members of House Adamant do not possess significant abilities to enhance or create magical items.
It was once believed that House Adamant forged the hero's sword-- an unbreakable weapon said to remain as sharp today as the day it was crafted. Master Kithran was said to belong to House Adamant before he chose to start a mining business in House Verdant as his so-called retirement plan.
The third was House Cobalt, the leading house of trade in the kingdom. Situated along the ocean borders, they are not only skilled navigators and sailors but also accomplished shipwrights. Some members are charismatic enough to rise to the top of the merchant guild, while others prefer a more private life, choosing to work as fishermen to support the kingdom.
It is also said that House Cobalt manage the navy of the kingdom, drawing trade routes and creating Ironkiln's military ships.
The last was House Verdant, the youngest of all the houses. This district specializes in agriculture, agroforestry, animal husbandry, and the processing of edible goods. House Verdant is more isolated than the other house districts. Choosing to keep to themselves rather than indulge in the luxuries of life and nobility. Due to the significance of their trade goods, House Verdant has become the masters of logistics, enabling all the house districts to transport their goods securely and efficiently across their territory.
What followed was geography, and biology of monsters. Both of which shared a balance of difficulty and simplicity. Only asking for the names of significant landmarks, their respective locations on a map, and the creatures that live in those regions.
It wasn't long before the sky dimmed, the sun slipping behind the mountains as a bell tolled to mark the end of the first day of trials.
Around me, my neighbors handed in their papers one by one. I lingered a moment longer, finishing the last lines of my essay before setting the quill back into its jar of ink. Rising from my seat, I placed my test atop the stack that had steadily grown over the past few hours.
Although the test was out of my hands, my nerves were still getting the better of me as my mind wondered if I had passed this test. The proctors informed us that our results would be detailed within a letter of recognition that would be sent within a few days' time. Those who live within the dormitory will receive their letters earlier than those living in further villages.
So I waited...
I was met with sleepless nights and restless days. I was nervous to receive my letter. Day after day I waited. I couldn't even focus on my training, both magical and physical. Esshiek and Miss Maryanne would also refuse to say when the results would come, as it was not in their power to predict that either.
From morning to evening, my mind racked with endless torment. At the end of the week, I chose to take a day off from training and simply retreat to my dormitory, awaiting the news that would follow.
It would take until the sound of paper slid across the wood. My head darted towards the door, and there it was.
I dashed over, almost stumbling over myself as I picked up the envelope and cracked the wax seal open to pull the letter from within as my heartbeat rose to my head in suspense.
My eyes read over the text written over the parchment and I could only leave my jaw slack in response to the message within.
"Congratulations. You have moved on to the second Trial."