The Test

All of the captains except one are sitting at the tables. "Today you three will be taking your combat test. If you could say your names and whether you're able to use magic or not, if you are unable to use magic you will receive a ring that will give you the ability to use magic. Right then, let's start."

The girl in the middle goes first she steps out before stating her name and her ability to use ice magic, and then the guy on the other end does the same, states his name and his ability to use teleportation magic.

Now, it's my turn I look up at the captains to see Rin, Zero, Mikael, and the three other captains. They're all sitting and waiting for me to say my name, Mikael and Zero look a little shocked I'm here, shouldn't they have received the letter with my information?

"My name is…Skye Banks and I'm unable to use magic." The captains look at each other before writing something, they didn't do that with the other two candidates did they already decide I'm unable to join?

Wait, Rin said something about him being positive I'll join, is he going to recruit me to his division?

Someone walks up to me and gives me a ring. "This will allow you to use earth magic." I nod and the person walks back up to where the captains are.

Mikael stands up and walks in front of the tables he looks down examining the three of us. "The three of you will be fighting each other; you have until all of you are knocked to the ground or until the time is up. You have half an hour, it doesn't matter how you fight the only requirement is that you use magic at least once." He sits back down with the other captains. "Start."

Within an instant the other two run straight towards me, I pull out my swords and manage to block the blows just in time. The girl uses a two-handed sword not many people use one but they're powerful weapons, the guy uses a sword and shield great for defense and offense.

It's like they both teamed up against me, attack after attack they just keep coming with no breaks between. The girl opens a book; she's getting ready to use a spell. She's probably going to aim it at me and unless I'm fast enough I won't be able to dodge it. That's when I remember I have the ring; I can use earth magic as long as I have this ring on.

I try to make a wall of rock appear just as the girls spell hurtles towards me but nothing happens, I end up getting hit with the spell and it sends me flying. I crash into the hill and I can feel the heat all around me. I'm okay I can keep going I can-

"Halt!" One of the captains stands up and looks down at me, the other two that were fighting stopped to look at him. "Why didn't the ring work? I saw that she tried to do something with it, but nothing happened. Tell me, Skye, what were you trying to do?"

"I was trying to make a wall made of rock appear."

"That's what I thought. Give her another ring, the one she has now must not be working." Someone comes down to me and hands me a new ring and I give them the one I just had on. "You may resume." The captain sits back down with the others and the other two candidates start fighting each other.

Since their distracted from me I should put this on, a fire ring that's what that girl can use. I put the ring on and grab my swords, there are places all over my body that's burnt and it hurts to move. They're stronger than the other opponents I've faced against. This is going to be hard, unless I can manage to keep a low profile until one of them is out then it might be easier.

I watch as the two go at it, blocking, attacking, and dodging. The girl is getting ready to use another spell; the guy opens a book possibly getting ready to use a spell as well. Just as the girl's spell flies towards the guy he appears behind her taking her by surprise. He hits the girl on the pressure point in her neck causing her to collapse.

He pauses for a moment before looking at me, without thinking I throw one of the swords at him he uses his shield to block it causing my sword to get stuck in it. He drops the shield before running at me with just his sword. I manage to block in time, I decide to try and use the ring while he's distracting but nothing happens. I push him back and try again but nothing happens.

I can hear the captains talking and the guy laughs. "Stop." This time none of them are standing. "Skye, do you know how to use a ring?"

"Yes, there isn't much to it. Magic is just energy that's in our body; some people can control that energy while others aren't. The rings help those that can't control the energy."

"That's correct. It seems that for some reason though the rings aren't working for you, do you know why?"

"No, I don't."

"Very well then, you're dismissed."

What? I can't leave I've gotten this far I can't turn back now everything would've been for nothing. I look at the captains; they're all talking amongst each other except Rin looks sad. He's looking at me and shaking his head. "Please let me fight without a ring, without the use of magic. I don't need it; I've been in plenty of fights without using magic."

This time another captain speaks up. "We're sorry, but we've never had a candidate that couldn't use magic. It's too risky." Someone walks up to me and they open a portal, probably back to the building. No, I'm not leaving until I finish this. I'll show them. "If you'd please go back to the capital so we can continue with the others."

"No, I'm not leaving." They all look at me with anger and shock, one of them waves their hand and two people rush down the hill running towards me. I look around for my other sword, as soon as I spot it I run to grab it. One of the captains tries to stop me by using a water spell but Rin interferes and stops him. I grab my sword standing there, waiting.

"You are not qualified to join the knights. Leave immediately or you will be arrested." I'm not leaving, I'm not done. I throw one of my swords and it lands in the middle of the table where the captains are, I run up the hill and jump on the table pointing my swords at the captains.

The captains look at each other Rin stepping away from them. "She can join my division; I was going to vote she join my division from the start. She's a childhood friend and that she can fight without magic."

Then Zero and his dad step away. "She can join either mine or my dad's division. We trained and grew up together, my father trained her and she excelled where I didn't, and I used magic. She killed that kid using just a sword she didn't use any magic. I've seen her fight since we were little, she will prove herself."

After realizing that the two best captains agreed to let me join the knights, the other three had nothing else to say.

"Which will you choose, Skye?" Rin walks up to me and puts my arms down so I'm not pointing the swords at the captains.

"Don't I have to finish the test?"

"I think we can all come to an agreement that you've already shown us what you can do."

"Well, in that case…" I look from Rin to Zero to his Mikael, I'm still mad at Zero and his dad so I don't think I'm going to join their divisions. "Rin I would like to join your division." He smiles at me and nods.

I hop off the table and wait behind the captains as they talk to the other candidates. Once the captains are finished Rin comes up to me and instructs me to go to headquarters. "Once there I'm sure everyone will welcome you, they'll show you around, explain the chores, and inform you about the upcoming mission."

"A mission already?"

"Yes, as much as I wish we could have more time to get you settled in we just don't have the luxury right now."

I nod and someone walks up to me indicating a portal is ready for me. I look back at Rin before stepping through and he just smiles.

I made it, I didn't think it was possible, to come such a long way in such a short amount of time.