Chapter 7 – Release

Threads of thaum snapped, plunging the room into darkness.

"What happened?!" Someone asked in the dark.

"Try to call the main desk..." suggested another voice.

"My phone is dead!" came Professor Raevers' sultry voice.

"Seems that the building just got hit by lightning," said the oracle's raspy voice.

Several sparks appeared as the professors used their own magic to light up the room. They turn to Dorin who still stood in front of them, staring with a questioning look on his face. They frowned as they noticed the boy's brown hair standing at end and crackling with light.

"Oh!" Dorin said as he noticed it as well. "It's comi – "

Suddenly, the leaf covering the doorway exploded as a thick bolt of lightning traversed into the room towards Dorin.

The boy raised a hand in reflex, catching the bolt. The electricity cursed into his arm and entered his body, without leaving a single singe mark on its trail.

"Ward him!" shouted Professor Morell.

Prof. Althea was suddenly beside her nephew, chanting so fast that Dorin could hardly catch a word. She raised both hands palm out and slapped Dorin's bare chest.

The power of the ward sent both of them flying at opposite directions.

Gen. Muller quickly caught Prof. Althea in mid throw, while Dorin was suddenly in the arms of Prof. Dupont.

"Are they both okay?!" Professor Dimitri asked with concern.

"Prof. Dupont!" Johan called as he and Sebastian ran towards the fallen mage and professor.

"Gen. Muller, how's Prof. Althea?" asked Professor Morell.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't fast enough..." whined Professor Raevers.

"She seems to be okay, just a bit winded," replied the general. "What about Dorin?"

They looked at the other side of the room. Dorin was surrounded by Johan, Sebastian, and Prof. Dupont.

"How's the kid?" Professor Morell asked.

"He's fine," said Johan, facing them.

Sebastian kept his eyes on Dorin who was unconscious in the professor's arms.

He watched as electricity traveled from the boy's body to the other. He looked at the Professor who simply smiled and winked at him.

"Did the ward work?" Professor Reavers asked as she went to Dorin's side.

"I think so..." Prof. Dupont said with a worried look.

The lights went back on just then.

Sebastian opened a vial from a random pocket and passed it under Dorin's nose. Dorin woke up with a start.

"Wha... happen...?" he looked around, confused.

Professor Raevers knelt by his side and touched his chest. A trail lighted up, showing 2 palm-sized incantations on his chest, which trailed to his shoulders, elbows and the back of his hands. More trails went down his torso.

"What's that?" Dorin stared at the trails. "More wards?"

"Your aunt cast them to keep the lightning at bay," Prof. Dupont said from behind him.

Dorin looked around and realized he was sitting on the professor. He quickly stood up and ended up falling back down on Prof. Dupont's lap.

"Sorry... I've never been this week before..." he mumbled.

"It's okay," Dupont assured him, "you should rest for now," he placed a comforting hand on Dorin's shoulders. "I do believe the exam's over?" he asked the 3 professors standing around them.

"Yes, of course..." Professor Dimitrio said with the wave of a hand.

"And my class?" Dorin asked expectantly.

Professor Morell Took a white sheet of paper from his coat pocket.

Dorin gulped.

"Rank A Elementer."

As he said this, the paper turned a golden hue. He handed it to Dorin who was already grinning from ear to ear.

"I did it! I did it!" he burst out happily. "Look! Look Sebastian! I did it!" he looked at his aunt who was just coming around. "Aunt Agate! Look! Look!" then he looked at the crowd outside that was beginning to thicken. Some of the onlookers were clapping their hands. "What happened anyway?" he asked Sebastian.

Prof. Dupont was laughing hysterically behind him. "You did it alright!" he was able to say between breaths.

[There was suddenly a loud clap of thunder, then the lights all went out.]

"Yeah, then this crazy lightning zapped into the room and blasted that leaf door – Zkraa-bamm!!!" finished Johan. He looked flushed and stared at Dorin with a new found respect.

"Did the wards work...?" they heard Prof. Althea ask. She was already on her feet.

"Yes, your wards never cease to amaze me," said Professor Dimitrio. "Are you feeling okay after casting that potent lightning ward?"

"I'm fine," Prof. Althea snorted. "It would take more than that to put me down!"

"Well, now, I dare say that's enough excitement for today..." said Professor Morell with a sigh. "Should we continue the exams tomorrow?"

There was an audible 'ah' from the people outside.

"We can squeeze in one more," said the Oracle head who have not left their chair during the whole ordeal.

"Who's next in line?" Asked Professor Raevers.

Sebastian quickly raised his slate. [I am!]

"Sebastian Revious." Professor Raevers looked at him coldly. "Are you here for another level assessment?"

[Yes, ma'am] Sebastian replied with a nod. [May I take another one?]

The head of Charms sighed, "If you insist..." She went to the table and took out the box containing the bell tree leaves. "You know the drill."

[Thank you.] said the slate. Sebastian was about to touch the red bell when Professor Raevers interrupted him.

"Just start from your last color," she said almost mockingly. "We haven't much time, you know."

Sebastian looked at her, his eyes lost under the gleam of his spectacles.

[As you wish.]

He touched the orange bell leaf. It gave off a loud clinking sound and shattered into a thousand pieces.

"Oh, it shattered!" said a surprised Professor Dimitrio with a little laugh. "It seems your level have increased significantly."

[Can I try the next color?] Sebastian asked. Professor Raevers was silent.

"Skip to the blue one first," said Professor Morell. "It's hard to get new bell tree leaves, you know."

Sebastian touched the blue leaf. It gave a light bluish tint, but made no sound. He moved to the green one next. Upon touching it, the leaf gave out an emerald glow and made a sound so sweet it was like the humming of birds.

"Ah," they heard Pan sigh, "Silver always rings true."

Sebastian and Dorin both looked at the oracle head who had a ghastly smile on their face.

"Well, that concludes our exams for today." Professor Morell clapped his hands and went to the doorway to instruct the remaining students – and bystanders, to leave. "We will resume the exams tomorrow."