Chapter 46 - Dragon Force Exam

Seeing Reiki brought on a slew of emotions for both Lancelot and Urusla, he was overly elated to see her safe and sound while she…well, was absolutely dumbfounded.

"Looks like I was missed," Reiki stated, shooting an unnoticed glare at Urusla.

Due to the fact that so many years had gone by without even the slightest notion of Reiki being dead or alive, Urusla thought that Karu had done as he was told, but after months of him not returning she began to feel sceptical. Though, after the years began passing and still no sign of Reiki, Urusla began to chalk it up to Karu perishing during the battle; but what stood before her now disregarded all those thoughts.

"Madam Urusla, do you not have anything to say?" Reiki asked, hiding a taunt in her voice.

Urusla was left speechless and was about to stutter some words when Lancelot interrupted, saying they needed to get ready for the coming exam.

***

When the sun was high the next day, the exam was ready to commence. A large area in the courtyard was prepared for the exam, around thirty ten year olds, including Aegis, Aiko and Ichika, with an equal ratio of boys to girls were gathered in the centre. Lancelot stood with Reiki with an expectant expression, Urusla was absent.

A small crowd was formed comprising of the childrens' parents, some guards were stationed around the courtyard to provide protection. The exam was now ready to begin.

"As we have done over the years, the children will fight weak golems to awaken their dragon force if they are able to!" Lancelot bellowed.

The crowd responded with a loud cheer. Raising his hand, Lancelot activated [Earth Dragon | Fifth Scale: Geogolem Army] as he slammed it to the ground. With such a significant amount of power being held back from the move, only thirty mediocre, baby-looking golems were conjured.

The golems, ordered to attack one child each did just that. Reiki watched the battle with her clairvoyance activated, this was how the exams were done every year. Without any other methods to find persons able to wield dragon force, this was the only way despite being quite barbaric.

"What do you see?" Lancelot asked Reiki, who hadn't taken her eyes off the courtyard.

In truth, Reiki couldn't take her eyes of the courtyard but what she really couldn't look away from were the three girls in the centre of the whole crowd.

"Your daughter is going to manifest a variant of the earth force… but those other girls fighting next to her…" Reiki informed with an intrigued expression.

Arching an eyebrow, Lancelot asked what she meant.

"They are definitely manifesting dragon force but… It's not of the Earth force. It's water!" Reiki exclaimed as she noticed the radiant blue energy signature that had now started to mix with the dull white energy signature humans had- In opposition to the yellow energy signature of earth.

Daichi, who heard this, was astonished. That can't be, that may break the power balance between Tenshu and Langaryo! he thought.

Lancelot was quite dumbstruck himself so he decided to continue watching, paying keen attention to Aiko and Ichika.

The exam went on, the children fought with sloppy movements but so did the golems, creating a level playing field suitable for their age. Over an hour later, the exam proved fruitful when all the students' bodies erupted with a burst of power signifying that their dragon force had been awakened, most of them excepting a special two either were pure dragon hosts or variants of the earth element; with this new power they easily obliterated the golems.

"Y-You were right…" Lancelot muttered just loud enough that Reiki could hear.

Reiki nodded in response as she and Lancelot looked at the two girls, who seemed to be friends congratulate each other with hugs; more so, they were looking at the Dragon marks which ran down their arms, Ichika with a sky-blue hydra with beautifully assorted snowflakes which signified her domain over ice while Aiko held a plain blue hydra, telling she was a pure dragon host of the water element.

"Well that concludes the first part of the exam!" Lancelot shouted to the crowd after he quelled his astonishment, "They will now proceed to the Dragon Spirit Chamber to manifest a weapon!"

***

Inside quite a large room giving off spiritual energy of the celestial nature, all the children were, excepting Aegis were gathered. Urusla had taken her from this part of the test because of her own insecurities, Reiki noticed this but said nothing.

"In an orderly fashion, place your hands on the orb and channel the power into it." Lancelot ordered as he pointed to the alter with a large, red crystal orb floating above it.

Each child did as they were told and all received weapons of the heavy nature; gauntlets, hammers, maces, etcetera. Aiko and Ichika, who coincidentally went last after all the children had returned to the courtyard, received something totally unseen in Tenshu. Ichika a katana slightly longer than her little body while Aiko manifested a spear which was even longer.

The two girls were completely oblivious to what their awakening brought forward as they were too excited to care. They along with Lancelot and Reiki returned to the courtyard to conclude the exam, keeping Aiko and Ichika by their sides.

"I must say I am pleased with today's results!" Lancelot announced, "You all may return home now but make sure your children train well and return for the final exam when they are aged fifteen, that is all!"

The crowd soon fizzled out until only four persons remained in the open courtyard; the parents of the two girls. As they approached them, the look on Lancelot's face was clear enough to say that they were not going to leave just yet.

***

Inside the hall of the throne room, the parents along with the royal couple and Reiki were congregated. The two girls were running about in the hall while the parents took possession of the weapons to minimize the danger, Aegis was away reading.

"For what reason did you summon us, My Lord?" Jin asked.

Lancelot took a deep breath before informing, "Well, as you may have seen, your children have manifested an element outside of our kingdom, which is water, exclusive to Langaryo.

Although this might be completely harmless, I am planning to write a letter to the King of Langaryo to see if there are any issues, and based on his answer, you both may have to leave the kingdom with your children."

Both pairs of parents bore an understanding expression for they knew of the boundaries set up to prevent wars from waging between the kingdoms.

"I am glad you both understand, that is all. You can leave when the children have finished playing." Lancelot said with a warm smile, to which the parents nodded.

***

A rather long letter was written to Darkon, the King of Langaryo about the matter of Aiko and Ichika. Now all he had to do was wait for a reply.