Chapter 4: Day of the Exam

Over the past few days Tow and Tuika had been training. Tow would have him swing his sword during the morning during the evening he'd work on his stance and combat style and at night they would properly rest, and eat a hearty meal followed by sleep. they did this for the three days before the entrance exam.

Those three days passed far faster then either of them realized. they had rode on horseback this time towards the school which was located just outsider the capital. "Now Tuika when you get there your combat instructor is quite the swordsmen he has trained far longer then myself, but I want you to do that thing you do and crush him." Tow said that same nasty smile coming to his face. Tuika just smiled at Tow's words he knew his personality well thanks to the past three days. "I'll do what I can but if he's skilled I don't think that will help much." Tuika said back as the school was coming in sight.

they rode up to the entrance a bunch of other students were all standing around waiting as well. "good luck Tuika I know you can do it. just remember what I taught you and you'll easily pass the combat exam as for written and magic, well I ain't skilled in either of those so I couldn't help." Tow said patting him on the back.

Tuika smiled and got down. "thanks Tow I'll see you after I pass." he said walking away waving at him. he was excited to see what today was like. then something caught his eye. it was the girl from the carriage her red hair was neatly tied in a bun this time. Tuika was about to walk up and say hi, but then someone stepped out. "thank you all for waiting patiently. we will now be beginning the exams so follow me this way." she spoke as she started to walk through the front doors. people rushed to follow her, but Tuika stayed back letting others go first as to not be trampled by all of them. as they walked Tuika looked around at the architecture of the building it was far superior to the capitals and any village he had seen on his way here. they group was taken out to a feild behind the school. "you'll be taking your first two tests here." the female announced as a man with short blonde hair walked up behind her. "greetings students I am the instructor on your combat exam." there where some gasps and a few heartfelt moans of joy. "yes, yes I am Regenald D Maries the previous first Capitan of the division, but now I am just a instructor." Regenald had said stepping away. "now it's simple really I want all of you to make a line and the first one up shall fight me and so on and so forth." he had said with a smile.

at those words people seemed nervous. Tuika taking his chance walked out to the field. "ah our first volunteer." Regenald said with a excited smile." Name and age please young man. " he had said with a curtious bow.

"Tuika Konoichi age fourteen." Tuika had said giving the same bow. a few chuckles in the group behind them as he pronounced himself.

"ah a younger student, well Tuika magic and swords are allowed in this combat. I want you to come at me like you are meaning to kill me." Regenald said as he took a stance.

Tuika nods as he took his stance as well, but as he did Regenald's face lit up with excitement. "oh I see now then Tuika make this interesting." he said charging forward at a fast speed Tuika quickly dodged his incoming attack neither of them have drawn there swords at this point. Tuika remembered seeing a skill that allowed quick movement. Flash he thought as he vanished from the spot he was at. appearing behind Regenald. which caught both of them by surprise. as Tuika swiftly planted a kick to the side of Regenald's head. Regenald was sent to the ground with a thud before he quickly got up drawing his swords swinging it at Tuika. that same click sound he had heard before happened again as everything seemed to calm down and move slower. "flash." he had spoken this time instead of appearing behind him he was standing on top of his sword his eyes calm as he stuck his hand out. "fireball." instead of a small fireball like Tuika thought it would be a massive ball of fire formed it was the same size as him. Regenald who shocked activated his skill. "Disperse." the magic vanished instantly. as both of them stood there out of breath. "you pass I don't think I can beat this child, he didn't even draw his sword." Regenald said with a sigh. everyone who was silent before burst out into cheering. Tuika looked around alittle confused, but excited. he raised his fist in the air happy, but Regenald put his hand on his shoulder. "so Towin trained you?" he said a smile seemed to be plastered on his face.

Tuika nodded. "Tow trained me for the weeks ride up to the capital and the three days I had before the exam." he said with a smile himself.

Regenald seemed utterly defeated by those words. "well you are a little monster you know that." Regenald said rubbing Tuika's head and then walked away calling for the next person in line.

Tuika walked back to the rest of the students all of them congratulating him and giving him praise, but something that caught him by surprise the small redheaded girl walked up to him. she stared him down like he was a pricy hand bag. "I want yo manu." she said very bluntly. everyone one around them went from just a moderate cheer to so loud that it might bust a eardrum. after that she walked past him to line up. then the rest of the testies did so as well the group cheer as other people got up and passed.

quickly the test flew by alot of people passed and failed one of the ones failed cause a spell blew up and there face knocking them out. The redhead that had walked up to him had passed by only using magic to fight she kept a barrier up that prevented him from getting close and kept launching lightning at him.

"next up children is magical aptitude test, though some of you preformed well with magic in the combat test you will still need to do so." the female instructor announced. as she had as follow her to another part of the feild with a massive crystal on a stand. "this here will test how much magical power you have." she spoke again. "now line up and touch the crystal one at a time."

everyone did as she asked, but this time Tuika was at the back of the line as he didn't want to be first. he wanted to see how everyone did. the first few people made it glow dimmly and got passing grades. this kept up with some making it glow slightly and others not making it glow at all and was told they failed. next up was the red head as she reached out and touch it. it began to glow a bright blue. and she was told she passed with flying colors. after a few more people went it was Tuika's turn.

Tuika took a breath and walked towards it placing his hand on it slowly. the crystal started to glow brightly shades of all colors almost becoming a white, and began to shake violently before he moved his hand away. the instructor as well as all the students have went silent.

"y-you pass." was all she could manage to get out.