Chapter 18

"Next!"

I stepped into the testing room. It's been 1 year since my 13th birthday. I was now 14 so Caera and I were getting ready for our ascender test. Somehow we managed to convince the Denoir's let Caera dropout of school to become an ascender with me. They didn't care what I did since I'm not their child. Even Seris let her come with me, which was surprising since Seris is very overprotective.

I talked to Seth and the rest but none of them wanted to join us. Another thing, Valen and Enola started dating. So did Seth and Mayla, although I think that was mainly due to Mayla being overly loving with Seth. That meant only Caera and I were single in our friend group.

Anyway Caera and I were in line for the test to become an ascender. If we fail we couldn't even dream of becoming an ascender but if we succeed we'll be able to go on ascents as much as we want. My main goal is to practice my swordsmanship for a year meaning I'll use mana as little as possible. Caera wants to train her soul fire. Since it'll be just us and we won't come across anyone else it's the perfect place for her to train. If Caera had become an ascender without me I'm sure she would hate the fact that her blood would probably force her to get a bodyguard or two.

I entered a small changing room with a tight suit folded up and a locker for my current clothes. "For your own safety , please wear the protective suit," a tiny voice repeated as I changed. Once I put the suit on–which was covered in runes– I made my way to the assessment hall.

I was expecting to enter a fancy arena of some sorts but instead I found myself in a huge empty room. Both the floor and the walls were divided into white squares. "Candidate Grey, Striker, Your first assessment will now begin," a voice boomed from above.

Then a row of square tiles separated itself from the wall and three huge spider mana beasts covered in their own armor crawled out. They weren't all that strong but I don't think I could kill them since the people running this place will probably get angry.

I dodged their attacks while I just had my own few spells to attack. I learned that I couldn't use all four elements despite Alacrya's rune system. The only reason I did before was because I didn't know any better and no one checked. I also got two new runes, well, not really. Since we got two bestowment ceremonies I could have 9 runes or spells to fake. Unfortunately I couldn't get more since once we got out of the academy we would need to get an achievement to get a chance for a new rune.

Although I'm not sure I think the elemental runes people here in Alacrya get require them to have that affinity. So even though they can't tell, a person rarely has runes with two different elements. Never has someone gotten three elements so if I had 4… well you already know what would happen.

The spells I chose were, Piston stamp, basic augmentation, weapon augmentation, ice lance, fire to enhance my weapon, thunderclap impulse, fire barrier, ice armor and ice weapon augmentation. They weren't the best since I preferred to have a wind spell but being a tri-elemental would still be suspicious.

I used piston stamp to jump above the spiders and then shot a couple of ice spears at them. It didn't do much but I assume it was because of the armor. I then augmented my sword and attacked the middle one. Once I got my feet back onto the ground the spiders ran back into the holes in the wall.

"The next assessment will now begin," said the disembodied voice. Tiles in the walls then stretched out to create small platforms along the walls. I felt the tiles under me start to shake before they flew up into the air a few feet. Then water started to fill the chamber. "Reach the gem at the top of the assessment hall before the water touches you."

I jumped up, using only mana to climb. The platform's moved around randomly so it was kinda difficult to climb. But with my years of training my reflexes and basic muscle training it was nothing more than an oversized playground for me. I got up and grabbed the crystal and I heard a beep sound, signaling the end of this part of the test.

Soon the water emptied the room and I jumped back down. Then every tile turned blue with a single tile in a corner staying white. "Please step on the white tile."

I complied and once I did, some tiles turned white, forming a maze among the blue tiles."Please make your way to the black tile in the other corner without touching any blue tiles."

Once the voice stopped talking I felt my mana being drained from my core and body. I immediately started to pull the mana back into me and try to prevent it from leaving. I couldn't use mana rotation since they could detect that and I'm sure I would be taken away for questioning.

I started to make my way across the maze. Not only was it physically draining but it was also mentally draining. Since I had to make my way to the other side while getting through the maze and keeping my mana in check so I don't fall unconscious it took a huge toll on me.

About 4 minutes I managed to make it to the other side. Then a panel at the far side of the room opened up. A tall thin man in a white mage coat with glasses walked out. "Striker candidate Grey. Flexibility of offensive magic, above average. Manipulation of mana, above average. Athleticism, slightly above average. Mental acuity, above average. Survivability rate, high."

This test wasn't all that hard, I mean, anyone halfway decent could pass it. Could've done much better but I didn't want to bring too much attention to me.

They were testing for that many things? I expected most but mental acuity and flexibility of magic? I was expecting it to be just offensive capability rather than flexibility. The man then looked up at me, "Congratulations Grey, you have passed. I must admit, I was not expecting you to pass, especially considering your young age. You would do well with almost any team."

"Thank you," I said before returning to the changing room to get my stuff. Once I got out I saw Caera in front of the assessment hall. "Grey! How did you do?" she asked enthusiastically. I gave her a large smile, "Passed!"

Caera lunged at me with a huge smile on her face. She gave me a hug, strong enough to almost send us both tumbling to the ground. "Congrats Grey!"

"Haha, thanks Caera. But don't forget, you still need to pass yourself. " I said as I plied her off of me. "Alright. But don't come crying to me when I leave your test scores in the dust!" Caera yelled as she entered the assessment hall. I couldn't help but giggle at her shenanigans.

My relationship with Caera hasn't changed. When she gave me that kiss on my birthday about a year ago I didn't know how to act. I decided to play it off as just a gift. Nothing more, nothing less.

I waited outside the assessment hall in the outfit that Valen got me for my birthday last year. I was anxious since I didn't know if Caera would complete it or not. It was harder than I thought but with the amount of training we put ourselves through I'm sure she would pass.

Soon Caera came out of the assessment hall. She was clearly very tired, probably since the test was so difficult. I ran up to her, "How did you do?"

Caera gave me a smug smile before answering. "I passed with flying colors!" she exclaimed. "Congrates!" I shouted as I pulled her into a hug. "We should probably go and buy supplies before we get going on an ascent," I suggested. "Yeah, I suppose we should," replied Caera.

We spent the rest of the day buying everything we would need to do an ascent. By the time we were done we were dead tired. Caera isn't able to keep an almost infinite amount of energy for shopping like most women do so she's as tired as me. We rented a small two person room with two beds to rest for the night. Our plan is to go on an ascent tomorrow.

Once we laid down on our bed Caera got up and turned to me. "Hey Grey, do you remember what today is?" Oh no. Did something happen today that I was supposed to remember? I remember Cecilia got angry with Nico everytime he forgot something. I understand if it was their anniversary but she would get angry if he forgot the day they first went out on a date.

"No I don't…" I said cautiously, preparing myself for whatever was to come. Caera pouted as she let her cheeks puff out. "Seriously? Today is the day we first met, remember?" Ah, I should've expected it was something like that. But has it really been two years since that day?

"I'm surprised you remembered that Caera. I completely forgot, it feels like I've lived my entire life here in Alacrya," I said as I stared at the ceiling. I felt truly happy here, I could finally live my life as Sylvia told me to.

"Hey Grey? You won't return to Dicathen when the war starts, will you?" asked Caera with lots of hesitation in her voice. I got up and went over the sit beside Caera. She was lying down on the bed already.

"Caera, remember when you asked me what I consider to be my home?" I asked. Caera nodded. "Do you remember my answer?" Caera nodded again. "You said you considered Alacrya your home," said Caera as she covered half her face in the blanket, completely covering herself except for the top half of her head.

"I have no reason to leave my home Caera. I won't abandon you if that's what you're worried about," I said. Although I couldn't see her mouth I could tell she was smiling. I was about to return to my bed when I felt Caera grab my arm. Caera hesitated before saying whatever she wanted to say. "Grey, could you stay in bed with me? Since this is the first floor I don't feel very safe."

I was taken aback to say the least. Although I understood what she meant. The second floor was too expensive for us so we had to sleep on the first floor. Since the first floor was also famous for being shady and untrustworthy it made sense. I sighed as I lifted the covers and got in. Caera was obviously surprised I compiled but she just moved over so I could fit.

I turned on my side to look at her. Her long hair was covering half her face while her scarlet red eyes looked right into my own. She had a noticeable blush on her face. "Grey, can I hold you?"

My eyes widened in shock but I noticed her hands were starting to shake. If it was from excitement for our first ascent together or if she was afraid from sleeping in a new not very safe place, I could never tell. "Sure," I said in a comforting tone.

Caera then put her arms around me and pulled me into a hug. She dug her face into my chest and she stopped shaking. I put one of my arms around her back and one on her head. I remember how I would comfort Ellie like this whenever she would sneak into my room after she had a nightmare.

Caera's breathing soon turned rhythmic and I felt myself drift off to sleep as well.

CAERA DENOIR

I woke up feeling warmer than usual. That's weird, I swear I'm only using one blanket

I then felt something push up and down. I opened my eyes to see Grey. He was holding me close to him and I was hugging him. I started to freak out. Why is Grey in my bed and why am I hugging him?

Oh yeah, last night I asked if he could sleep with me. I then asked if I could hold onto him. I didn't want to admit it but I was afraid to sleep on the first level. I also wanted to just be closer to Grey. The last thing I expected was for him to say yes! He's Grey! He's the densest person I know!

He never returned my feelings after I kissed him, I don't even think he knows what that kiss meant! I'm not too bitter though, I still get to stay with him most of the time. And if he doesn't love me, why would he sleep with me?

I should probably wake him up but I don't want to. This feels so nice. But I have to get up, maybe more in the future? I took my arms off of Grey and started to shake him. "Wake up!"

I kept shaking for 30 seconds before he started to come. "Huh, oh good morning Caera," said Grey as he began to wake up. "Come on!" Let's go to our first ascent with just the two of us!" I said as I got up.

Grey and I made our way to the ascension portal. "Hey wogarts!" I turned to see a drunken old man making his way towards us. "Alaric?" Grey asked. The old man raised an eyebrow, "Yeah it's me brat. You've grown huh," said the man known as Alaric. Wait, Alaric? The famous ascender?

I turned to Grey, "How do you know the Alaric? He's a famous ascender!" I asked Grey, completely flabbergasted. Grey's expression turned to one of surprise, he then turned to Alaric. "You used to be a famous ascender?"

"Don't look so surprised brat. I promise you I used to be one of the best out there!" Alaric bragged. Grey didn't seem to be very impressed though.

"Anyway, you guys need anything?" asked Alaric. This was a one time golden opportunity, if we could get even a small tip from him it would help us greatly. "Ye-"

"You just want us to owe you one so we buy you alcohol ," said Grey deadpan. I turned to Grey furious, he just ruined our one shot. Alaric clicked his tongue, "You're sharper than I thought, I'll give you that. Anyway, if you need something just ask. You're a golden goose. I'll talk to you later."

Was he able to tell how strong Grey was? I mean, we both reached light yellow core. Grey was ahead of me though, he was light yellow with cracks. The only reason I was at this level was the core Grey gave me.

"Hey Caera, what does wogarts mean?" Grey as me innocently. "Umm, I don't know," I replied. "But I don't think it's a very good thing."

"Anyway, let's get going!" I said, dragging Grey to the ascension portal.