Test (I)

The oppressive heat of the midday sun bore down upon the town, its relentless rays baking the cobblestones and turning the air into a shimmering haze. The streets were eerily silent, save for the occasional caw of a crow or the distant rumble of thunder. The sky, usually a vibrant blue, was now a hazy, milky white, the sun a blinding disc of white light that seemed to drain the life from everything it touched.

It was finally the time of day when the Mages assessment test would begin. The town was mostly empty, all the residents congregated at the town square. A tent was placed in the middle of the town square, that too with a throne like chair inside.

Teenagers from all over the town, formed a neat single file line, not at all minding the blazing heat. The adults were over by the side watching and sometimes scolding some kids who were playing around instead of putting on a serious demeanor.

The mayor, whom the town's residents referred to as Mayor Lundy, was moving up and down making sure that everything was well in order before the Immortal mage arrives. That too can be said about the managerial staff appointed by the mayor.

Everyone was doing their best to present themselves well, afterall first impressions are always important that too when it's someone more important than themselves.

In the midst of the line that the teenagers made, two boys could be observed diligently having a conversation whilst maintaining focus. One of the boys wore brown trousers, sturdy and held up by worn leather suspenders, were paired with a crisp white shirt. A wide-brimmed straw hat, slightly tilted, cast a shadow over his face, he was a picture of rustic charm, his appearance a blend of practicality and a touch of the eccentric.

The other was even more modest, just a plain black shirt and white buggy pants. That's right, they were North and Noir.

"Are you nervous, Noir?" North asked as he adjusted his straw hat.

"It's hard not to be nervous when your future is on the line, no?"

"It's just a test though, you will still have your life even when you fail." North responded with a slight chuckle.

"Should you really be saying that, you being the one who is most expectant out of all of us, haha." Noir teased lightly. "I mean you did promise Granny Willow and Abigail that you would become a legendary Immortal."

"That doesn't mean I have to be nervous – a test is a test and passing it I have slightly better chances."

Afterall, I am a transmigrator, bit hard to believe that I can't pass a simple test haha…North thought with a slight grin.

Granny willow and Abbie were over by the side watching the two sworn brothers.

"Those two, hmph." Abbie sighed

"They make a perfect team don't you reckon?" Granny willow asked with a chuckle.

"A team of trouble is what they'll make granny, stop defending them, hmph." Abbie quipped with a slight teasing frown.

"You better propose to North grand-daughter you're almost at that age."

"Grandma, wh-why would you say such things. I-don't I uuu."

"Look at you, so easy to tease hahahaha." Granny willow laughed, causing the people and even North and Noir to take notice.

"Look at them!"

"By the way, why isn't Abbie taking the test North?"

"Yeah, I asked her but she just said her heart's not in it, she'd rather do normal things than explore danger and I like it that way too." North answered as he nodded his head approvingly.

"Look at you looking out for your future Mrs., hehe." Noir joked.

"Whatever, jerk!"

"Bitch!" Noir countered.

"…"

"Hahaha" they both laughed at each other, as is the usual dynamic between them.

"Move!"

Suddenly another boy interrupted, Joe Krasinski, son of Paul Krasinski, he was tall with a long face that resembled a horse. He was prideful seeing as his father was a famous hunter in the town with considerable influence, he was always bragging about the boars and bull-deers his father successfully hunted.

At this moment, he made way for himself in front of North and Noir, he then pridefully said, "No matter what, I, Joe Krasinski, must be selected." He then touched a small bulging object in his pants pocket as he made his way past the boys.

Selected, not being selected, it all depends on your talent you moron, nothing that we ordinary mortals can control…. North inwardly sneered and rolled his eyes.

In the midst of the crowd's mummering and conversations, a sudden gust of wind blew and a man could be seen defying gravity and majestically floating in the air. The man who looked young, had on long flowing white mage robes with a staff made of ancient oakwood with a crystal at its top.

The residents of the town stared on with shining eyes, even the mayor could not keep his cool.

"This is an Immortal mage!"

Everyone had this thought seemingly crossing their mind. The mage slowly descended – he was used to this type of awe mortals display when parlor tricks are performed, suffice to say it is handy when it comes to garnering their attention.

"Your lordship!" The mayor said as he gave a polite bow to Victor, he did not directly gaze into Victor's eyes lest he brings doom upon himself and the town if Victor turned out to not be a benevolent Immortal.

"This way please, we have prepared a seat suitable for your Lordship."

He escorted him to his tent and showed him his throne like chair. Victor took his seat which he had to admit was sufficiently comfortable.

Eh? The mortals really out-did themselves…. Victor thought as he gave a silent praise.

"Mortals!" He began as he swept his gaze on the expectant teenagers, "You shall address me as Victor. Now as you may know I have come to assess those with magical aptitude. However, I should warn you, being a mage is being on the path of becoming an Immortal but it all depends on your natural talent. Among the lot of you only a few if at all none will be selected. Now, whoever I point to will come up and be assessed." Victor then emotionlessly pointed at a youth.

The youth walked over carefully, his legs trembling. Victor slowly pulled out the Athame and held it out to his forehead but there was no reaction, "Not qualified. Stand to the left."

The youth suddenly lost all strength. Face looking bleak and eyes blank, he moved to the left in silence.

Then another youth was selected. He moved forward with a fearful expression.

"Not qualified."

"Not qualified."

"Not qualified."

Ten people in a row all failed the test. Up until now there was still no one to the right of Victor.

It was Joe Krasinski's turn. All of his previous pride disappeared from his face. Looking pale, he stepped forward.

Before Victor could even start the test, he knelt to the ground and kowtowed a few times. He said, "Immortal, may you enjoy a long life! My name is Joe Krasinski. You have already tested so many people, so you must be tired! Why don't you rest for a while? I'm in no rush, it's no problem."

Victor laughed out loud. He had tested so many people whose faces were filled with fear, yet this clever youth here, without the slightest bit of fear, was trying to win favor with him. He pressed the Athame on Joe Krasinski's head and said, "Talent is lacking. Not…"

The moment Joe heard that his talent was lacking, his heart plummeted. Without waiting for the Immortal mage to finish, he quickly took out a small box and presented it front of him. Joe wisely said, "Immortal, my father found this by accident in the mountain but was unable to open it. I specially brought it to give to Immortal."

Victor chuckled and shook his head. He was about to refuse Joe, but as he scanned the box, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his face suddenly lit up. "Not bad! This is at least a 500 -year-old night bloom. Looking at the quality box, it was sealed by a mage. No wonder your father couldn't open it." He paused, then said with a slightly faltering voice, "I'm in need of a helper for my potion making. Are you willing to be my helper?"

Joe, surprised, got up quickly. The difference in treatment was like heaven and earth, causing him to be very excited. He exclaimed, "Yes, Immortal, I am willing!"

Victor said, while chuckling, "Since you'll be my helper, I won't mistreat you. Go stand to the right."

Joe was very excited inside. He ran to the right side and gave a triumphant stare. 

The faces of all the youths that failed turned pale. All of them felt very depressed. A few even started crying.

"Mayor, send those crying away from here. My duties will not be interrupted."

"Yes your lordship!" A few older men stepped forward and escorted those crying away from the event.

Victor then pointed at North.

North took a deep breath. He nervously walked toward the side of the Immortal mage, his mind completely blank. Praying silently in his heart, he couldn't help but remember the expectation in Granny willows' eyes.

I will definitely be selected…! He thought with determination.

Victor pressed the Athame on his head. With a deadpan face, he said the two words North dreaded the most.

"Not qualified!"

North had no recollection of how he made it to the left side, only the words of the Immortal mage reverberated in his mind.

Noir stared at North with a sympathetic look. It was his turn next, and he could very well receive the same fate. Granny Willow and Abbie both had their hearts broken but most of all they felt worried for North afterall, he had high expectations.

Noir being the last of the examinees, stepped forward. Victor was becoming worried; he had tested all the people here but none of them was linked to his fate. Only one remained and he hoped it was him.

Victor analyzed the boy kneeling before him finding him quite suitable, with an athletic physique which could mean he could choose two paths to walk on if he is the one. Without further waiting he placed the ceremonial dagger on his forehead.

Kuwoog!!!

There was a reaction, the blade that had otherwise not shimmered with light, finally displayed a reaction. It glowed brightly as Noirs body started to change, no, awaken…

"The storm circuits, it's actually the storm circuits. You…you what are you!"