"963"

From the moment of hopping into a horseless carriage at the Academy Hall, Elijah took every second to view the landscape of Gion once again. 

The southern farmlands of Gion were filled with massive barns, storage houses, and even a few homes where prominent farmers lived.

The journey was five hours long until arriving at the gates of the exam center, which was clearly not built for students, for for military personnel.

Just from a first glance over the wall, several tall buildings adorned with barely slanted roofs were seen, while an equal number of barely oriel windows lined the walls like stale poetry.

"Ahem… Emblem please?"

Sitting in a carriage directly in front of a silver-bar gate were Elijah and Niko, who had also arrived with a few other children in the comfort of a covered carriage. 

The Barracks of Digon was clearly an important piece of Gion.

Standing in front of the gate was an enormous figure with long messy black hair, and a braid that went down his right shoulder. The man was clearly someone who prioritized his beauty over everything, hence why he stood guard around an unoperated barracks building that saw zero action besides the yearly entrance exams.

"Ah… Sorry." Elijah handed his emblem to the man, and was followed by everyone else in the carriage. He soon received a leather circle with the number 963 engraved into it, likely making everything easier to track.

After the man next to the tall figure checked his name on an alphabetical list, Elijah made his way through the gate while staring at the tall limestone and wooden buildings that were expertly crafted with stability in mind. 

Instantly, Elijah was welcomed into a vast open field with patches of dead grass, and thinly cut grass. Seven buildings were arranged in a slightly diagonal pattern on the left and right sides, while a wide and tall building sat in the very center. Elijah knew there were seven buildings based on the path that led in between the sides of the center building and side buildings.

After arriving at his room with Niko and two other boys their age, they began unpacking their bags with everything they needed for four days and four nights. Two bunk beds on both sides of the room, while a window sat in the center. On the wall opposite of the window were four closets next to the door.

The layout was simple yet refined. The sheets were of high quality, the ladder leading to the top bunk felt secure, dressers sat in front of the bunk beds, and the window had a black curtain that could be rolled down to block out the moonlight at night.

Two more kids around the age of 13 soon arrived into the dorm, and took the right side of the room.

Not many words were exchanged between the unfamiliar boys at first, but when Elijah saw black leather shoes with white details and engraved runes, he began asking questions.

"You don't know what these are?" Asked a boy that had turned with a grin.

"Well… I've heard of them before, but just never seen them in person." Elijah said, responding to the blonde-haired boy.

"I'm guessing you guys are commoners?"

"Yes, but why would that make us any different from you?" Elijah quickly responded while feeling tension.

Both of them gave a smile to Elijah's remark and introduced themselves. Since they both had blonde hair, they differentiated themselves by their eye color. Declan has green eyes, while Ashton has blue eyes. 

"I suggest being careful around better-dressed people. There are many nobles, dukes, and even royals who enjoy beating down the commoners as if they are nothing but trash. I'm nice because it seems you both have power. Affinities, right?" Ashton said while stuffing black tightly knit cotton clothes into his drawer.

"Hmph… Seems like you know your stuff…" Niko remarked while looking at the pair of clothes found in his dresser.

Suddenly, a loud but not too loud voice began to sound within the walls of the barracks.

"Welcome! All of my commands will be straight to the point with zero nonsense. When you are finished unpacking and settling in, please make your way to the common grounds in front of the gate, as there will be an announcement in roughly one hour detailing the structure of this entrance exam!"

Elijah and everyone else in the room were quite surprised by the efficiency of the test. The simple twin-sized bunk beds with four dressers and small closets in a square room for everyone was perfect for storing their gear. 

Once Ashton and Declan walked out of the room, they both began to organize the belongings they took out of their spatial storages while also wrapping their bracelets around their ankles — underneath their socks. 

A travesty related to them losing their spatial storages was the last thing they wanted to occur, which also led them to placing their rings inside their bracelets.

They both chuckled before walking out of the wooden door with a simple windowless opening at the top.

…

Standing tall, above all for everyone to see, was a simple brown hair and brown-eyed individual with not a single speck of interesting details. The stature of the man radiated the word 'boring'.

"Now, the nature of this exam is to test your potential. If you make any mistakes, do not fret, as we do not mark you down. The first test is a simple power examination if you have an affinity or power. For those that use magitech, you can't participate. The second test will be about pure physical combat to see which of you have a talent for it. Do not worry if this is something you do not specialize in, there will also be a strategic test that you all can choose to take, perhaps both. The third test will be the true test that will help us gauge all of your capabilities. Myself, along with the dozens of other academy teachers here will be spectating you. It is a game known as capture the flag. Just make sure that leather number engraving stays on your back when you are given the proper gear. Lastly, for anyone we have yet to confirm to the different major academies, we will host one versus one sparring. This will also be our way of dividing you all into the different class ranks. Intermediate, advanced, and elite."

Clearly, just by the way his voice traveled through Elijah's head, proved his previous notion incorrect. It was obvious this exam had been performed hundreds, if not thousands of times.

"This will be a four day process, and due to the length of time we have been doing this and the number of professors and examiners who will oversee it, it will move rather quickly. There will be no breakfast, but only lunch and dinner. However, you may grab your breakfast at will from the dining hall whenever you wake up."

"Again, this test will move rather quickly, and everyone with a strategic set of skills will be tested in different ways to the norm. Trust me, you will be seen. Now, since it is just before lunch, you may go to the dining halls based on the building you are in. We have an enormous amount of chefs and dining halls that can seat 300 people at one time. So everyone should be finished eating within one hour…"

The man known as Borus Greyrat, the Northern Sefrah Academy Vice-President, finished his speech in front of everyone, and quickly returned to the floor indicating he has an earth affinity. 

 On the way to the dining hall with Niko, he couldn't help but wonder what core stage he was at. 

'Cyan? Or maybe even what comes after, which is obviously blue…'

After all, this kingdom is far more advanced and sophisticated with almost thirty-three thousand years of history. It seemed natural for Astraea's fake heights to be passed up easily.

Elijah didn't know much about the specifics of the history, but it made zero sense when compared to the Astraea's history of 6,000 years. Obviously, the Kingdom of Astraea were the liars, withholding the truth. But what even was the truth? What came before the Kingdom of Astraea?

Finally, Elijah and Niko sat down with a plate full of different spiced meats and carbs. Elijah had a breakfast full of fat, and knew it would be wise to load up on carbs for energy. Especially rice and honey.

Nearby, conversations related to the layout of the barracks were overheard. Apparently, there were seven buildings total with on belonging to staff. Inside each building was a dining hall allowing thousands to each at the same time instead of cramping into a single dining hall.

…

"963."

When Elijah gave his number to the exam assistant, he couldn't help but realize his number had a meaning dear to him. The frequency of 963 had always been his favorite. What Elijah would do to hear the purest form would be anything…

"Do you have any powers or affinities to declare?" The assistant asked.

"Water affinity."

Elijah was pointed to the white and blue striped tent the size of a two-story building that was held up by wooden posts. Once inside, a simple conversation between three people finished as a man known as Tigon, professor of the History of the Supernatural class began to ask him about his way of fighting and water affinity.

Thankfully, Elijah had been focused on his water affinity lately and conjured the spells he preferred while keeping the environmental manipulation at bay.

Continuously rippling, a spear of water materialized with a small arrowhead — dripping onto the browning grass.

Vortexing just above Elijah's palm, a ball of water that the professor quickly poked sprayed water in both of their faces.

Acting as a message, a round shield of water was created.

Once the funny games were finished, an explanation of "riding the waves" he created underneath his feet that could only be performed with cut-out shoes or no shoes at all.

Finally, an explanation of a wave of water that would submerge an enemy or area. 

"I like your creativity… Although, I would focus more on defense." Tigon said while marking something next to his number and name on a large parchment resting on a clipboard.

Elijah grew curious to see if they understood the concept of principles that lay in each affinity. "What would you suggest, Professor?"

"For one, you are an orange core mage based on the fact that you can conjure a spear. How you got there at your age… I would rather not know…" Tigon raised his eyebrows while staring at him intently — trying to gauge a reaction. "An orange core grants you the ability to shape your spells. A cocoon of protection that heals you at the same time would be a spell you should try to theorize. Also, the water affinity caters towards defense instead of offense. From what I can see, you are an offensive water-mage which is great, but too many times have I seen kids like you performing poorly against powers and other affinities…"

Elijah stared blankly at Tigon — trying to mask his stupidity for revealing a suspicious fact about oneself, while also trying to think of why he didn't come up with this spell himself.

He believed he had used the spell before, but was not actively sitting in. His arsenal to be used.

When reaching for the stars, it is only natural to pass by the mountains…

Unfortunately, the answer was too vague to realize if Tigon knew of the ways the many principles of magic can be shown through each affinity.