Secret Invitation

Before dinner began, an announcement was made within the barracks to return to the dorms and put on the specified clothing.

A simple brown leather, blue, and white uniform with black pants was seen lying comfortably on each bed. On the back of said outfit, was a spot meant for the engraved letter circle Elijah and Niko had both received upon entering the gates.

Dinner was a spectacle to see. Full-sized chickens were laying in the center of the long wooden table with mixed sides ranging from in-season fruits, cooked veggies, and a very special looking potato salad.

During his dinner, Elijah conversated with the people sitting next to and across from himself. Oddly, during a conversation with a boy known as Lith, he received a tap on the back by a passerby only to receive a thick piece of aged parchment paper that said, "Hold onto this tightly and tell no one, as the truth will be revealed soon".

Both Elijah and Niko received one while receiving curious looks from others. Considering what the parchment had said, he followed along as there must be a reason why.

"I think we should stick together. In the preliminary academies, bullying is quite heavy, especially in the nicer academies." Lith had said while following Elijah and Niko to their dorms considering they both stayed in the same floor

The building they were in was on the western side of the barracks, in between two of the diagonally facing buildings found on the left side when looking at the barracks from the entrance. 

The view was nothing more than stunning.

Through the oriel window was a neat view of the Eastern Coriad farmlands, and even small tidbits of Coriad itself.

Walls made of limestone, and a blue carpeted wooden floor gave him an ominous feeling similar to the architecture inside Astraea. Simply crafted without the need for unnecessary elements.

After all, this was a military barracks.

"I agree, but you shouldn't let them beat you down. All you have to do is use common sense and the idea that we are all citizens of the same kingdom. Equality seems to shut them up…" Elijah thought back to Ashton and Declan. Two people that he felt negative energy from after uttering his first words.

Upon slumping into the bottom bunk while Niko climbed into the top, he began to stare at the thick parchment paper to see a different set of words.

"Niko! Do you see this?" Elijah didn't hide his feelings as Ashton and Declan were not in the room yet, likely frolicking with their noble buddies. 

"Are you talking about the parchment? All it says is—" Niko gasped. "Please meet outside the western wall of the Digon Barracks."

"Well… I guess we better get going." Elijah said while slipping on his exam uniform. Attached to the back was a slightly thick leather patch with his number engraved into it.

As soon as they walked outside the dorm room, they witnessed a few people panning their vision down the halls. It seemed they had received a letter too, and just realized the sudden change.

Upon reaching the gate, a guard asked for their parchment, to which Elijah and Niko instantly showed him knowing this would be their key outside. A simple strategy to stop anyone who had not received an invitation and instead heard the many rumors likely to go around the barracks.

Based on Elijah and Niko's application of common sense, they found themselves turning to the right, and wrapping around the wall in the direction of the west side that faced the city of Coriad.

Minutes passed while lingering in the crowd of likely over three-hundred people. Thankfully, the organizer of this so called event appeared, standing atop a pedestal of stone that didn't budge with the semi-harsh winds. 

Even his black robe with white ornamental patterns didn't move with the winds.

Tigon Alphonse.

"You all may be wondering why you received a secret invitation. So, to start, I want to make it clear that every single one of you is a holder of an elemental affinity."

Whispering began to occur as they looked around themselves, staring into the vividly colored eyes that shone within the early darkness of the night.

"The reason you are all here is to participate in a simple game that acts as an experiment and a way to become noticed… and maybe even secure your admission into your selected academy. Currently, a few assistants are passing around flags that you will attach around your waist. All of which are the same color! Your goal is simple, travel through the forest behind the barracks while attempting to grab as many flags of the green color as possible. Green belongs to the team on the opposite side of this forest."

"The nature of the power you are able to display is simple. You may not deal any physical harm through hits from your physical body, and can only disable your opponents with your elemental abilities. If you must know, all of you are up against anyone who has gotten lucky enough to obtain a power…"

More whispers were traded within the crowd, leading to Tigon raising his hand.

Tigon continued to explain how the number of people with powers are slightly less than the number of people with affinities. The limits of the game were quite interesting to Elijah that he believed was purposeful in showing off the truly creative individuals.

However, there was also the motive to likely make everyone realize the differences between powers and affinities.

After finishing with the details, he sent everyone to the edge of the forest where they lined up next to each other. 

Riddled with hills, small ponds, different sized trees, and maybe even some other surprises as Tigon had explained, was a forest that just barely blocked the view of Elijah and Niko's room, and stretched far, eventually leading to the northern edge of the Crosstree Jungle.

Next to Elijah and Niko were a large number of people who had an assortment of basic elemental affinities. 

What they both noticed was how very few people in the group of around 330 people had what Astraea called, "rare affinities". 

Of course, not a single person had an affinity on the level of space, which Elijah did not miss at all for it caused him pain from the fear of using it or making it known.

In the end, he was only able to save his life.

Yet… he was doing the exact same thing again. Hiding the full extent of his abilities alongside Niko. The difference between now and then was that he actually had a reason to keep his abilities a secret compared to the choking feeling of entrapment.

Although, deep down, if the moment came to it…

Everything would be unleashed without a shred of worry.

"Here it comes!"

"Haha! It's time to show those power freaks that flaws are not worth the trouble."

"My whole family is flawed because of my brother. Never will I ever think taking the chance will be worth the price…"

Several contestants staggered their stances, and bent forward with the intention to run into action.

Their breath's were nothing short of intense, and filled Elijah with a competitive spirit.

Baboom! Boom!

A loud explosion of fireworks signified the start of the secret event, freezing Elijah in place as it felt like an eternity since he had seen a spectacle full of vibrant colors.

Once the view consisted of bright pink flags the size of one's forearm fluttering behind the figures racing into the darkness of the wilderness, Elijah began as well — not worried even the slightest at his late start.

If the goal was to grab as many flags as possible, even after your own flag had been taken, then the best strategy would be to ignore your own. 

Elijah did feel that having your own flag attached to your body would be a feat worth recognizing.

Thankfully, there would not be a single cheater in this secret event as Tigon had repeatedly said there would be a large number of teachers watching your every move. 

Similar to the King of Crystals, Elijah would have to be careful if ever put into a situation forced to use his power.