Let the test begin!

"Clairenteena! Don't go anywhere! They'll be announcing the names soon, so we have to register." Her sister said harshly, pulling Claire.

"But- Ok." She sighed giving in.

There weren't any audiences, only the participants and their masters. It was crowded with crying and cheering people for their children who have come of age. Many of the children wore their best clothes and lovely matching hats. Few others had their faces buried in spellbooks. The town was decorated with streamers and flowers of all kinds.

A man in a funny hat with dark brown wings walked up the stage that was in front of all the people with an old scroll. He cleared his throat very loudly and began his speech.

"Attention everyone! We will commence the exams in an hour. Please make sure to provide your novice with their necessities as they will be moving to another hall in a short while. No master is allowed to stand in for or accompany their novice. All participants must and always should follow the rules of each exam. Each of you will receive a bag that will contain the important items that will be needed. Be safe and good luck! "

Ending the speech the man in the funny hat got off the stage and made his way to a door. Masters and novices continued their conversations making the crowd noisy again. Numerous people dressed in black and white then walked in front of the crowd.

Clairenteena's sister bent down a little to her eye level, putting a hand on her shoulder she said "The exams are way different from when I did mine. These have evolved and have become even more complex. It's fine to be nervous or scared but you have to get through it! I believe in you!"

"Yes! I will do my very best!" Claire replied like an excited child.

By this time Claire was forced to be more focused on the exam more than the red-haired girl she'd seen before. She did her best to divert her attention and hoped it would stick throughout the exam.

"I'm not sure exactly but I think in the more recent years the kingdom has made more to the mental than the physical state of the participant, but be prepared for both. Mh… anything else... Just be calm and don't get pressured. Don't forget all the spells I taught you. Love you and Good luck!" She said giving a quick kiss on her baby sister's cheek.

All the masters were told to leave the premises and head to the clock tower to witness how the exam is. After the whole mob of people, mostly the masters left a smoke bomb was thrown onto the stage and appeared the same man but with a different hat. His wings were a lighter shade too.

"Welcome to the coming of age exams, everyone! Now the Rastgele shall hand you a bag each. It will contain some rations, water, a map, a cloak and another item that is different from each other. It's something very random chosen by yours truly. You are to use it during your test, somehow. Well good luck~ and most definitely choose wisely my children~"

Each of us participants got a black bag and an extra bag that didn't contain anything at all. Claire took a look inside her bag. She found all the things that were mentioned but her map was completely empty. The only thing that differentiated it from the normal paper were the poles and directions that were written on the top.

"By the way, I forgot to mention~ The other bag is for emergencies like and especially for puking. Don't want my children to get the place all messy now do we?~ Also, don't reveal your special, secret item to another kay~ If you lovely, beautiful children have any questions feel free to ask~ There is still a good half hour left." The announcer said before sitting back on a chair.

'He's a wee bit weird but seems nice- No! "Be careful whom you trust!"' Claire screamed in her head.

"Hello… uh… m- my name's- My name's L- Lisa- Lisanya. What's yours?" A girl who seemed a bit too nervous asked Claire.

"Hello there, I'm Clairenteena. Nice to meet you." Claire replied with a smile.

"Uh… I was all alone so I thought maybe I could speak to you… If that's alright with you?"

"Sure I was alone too. Thank you for coming up to me first." Claire said to Lisanya.

'Seems like her nerves calmed. That's good.'

"Thank you too. Um… Is your map empty as well?"

"Oh? Seems like I'm not the only one." Claire chuckled.

"Okay~ Kids It's time~ Your assigned Rastgele shall guide you to your designated room~" He announced.

"Good luck Lisanya."

"All the very best you as well, Claire." She smiled.

Claire's Rastgele was a young lady probably around the age of her oldest sister who lives in another town looking after her children. Her Rastgele wore the same clothes as the others, a white dress shirt, and a black skirt. It didn't seem like she even blinked once and continued not saying a single word. The two walked into one of the buildings which were unsurprisingly empty.

"Um… May I know your name?" Claire asked as the other lady opened the door.

"You can call me Emma, Ms. Clairenteena." She said monotone.

Satisfied with her answer Claire resumed being quiet as she was guided to a staircase. The building is a restaurant that was closed for the day. All the chairs were flipped upside down and were placed on top of tables that had a white cloth over them. The room was ghastly, gloomy, and looked very lonely with no customers or light. It wasn't lively and didn't have any great, delicious smells coming from the kitchen either.

"This is your assigned room. There are a few rules you need to know before going in. Number one, use your resources carefully. Do not waste them since they are very limited. Number two there are three tests before you meet the 'master of unicorns'. I will not tell you what they are as it is confidential. Number three, As you enter this room you have to take this pill, wash it down with some water and lie on that bed. It is after that you will begin your test. You will not have to worry about anything, we will be watching you. If there is anything else, tell me quickly." Emma said, handing over the pill to Claire.

"Thank you Emma but I do not have any questions at the moment." Claire smiled.

"Good. Be careful."

"Uh… wait… On second thought I do have a question. Should I wear my bag and sleep?" She said after thinking long and hard.

"May the god bless you on your journey ahead (LOL kinda like saying that Claire's dumb but indirectly XD) It is your choice, Ms. Claire," Emma said leaving the girl all alone once more.

Claire opened the wooden door. It was a small, compacted room that contained a bed and a desk that had a lamp and a mirror that was across the bed. She removed her bag and placed it on the desk, taking out a water bottle, Claire threw the pill into her mouth and took a tiny sip of water. Deciding to wear the bag Claire swung it over her shoulders and lied on the bed.

It wasn't as soft as the one at home but it was comfortable enough for Claire to get knocked out instantly right when she put her head down.

"LET THE TEST BEGIN~"

Claire awoke in the darkness and shivered in the cold. She rejoiced when he noticed her bag with her. Wrapping the cloak around herself that was given which did very little help, Claire stood up and decided to walk. She didn't know which direction she was going but walked. Following her instincts, she was led to a place that was illuminated in green.

It was like a lost city. But the front was blocked by a humongous gate. In the face of the gate was a woman whose hands were stuck placed in a praying position. He eyes were closed and had snakes for hair. To Claire, the lady's face seemed to be sorrowful or mourningful.

'THE GATE OF MADUSA' Claire gasped a scream in her head.

"That is correct my child. Welcome to your first test!" Boomed a voice.