Elomburg’s Entrance Exam (1)

Elomburg academy is the undoubtedly the best place to make connections. There is only one way to be accepted, pass seven out of ten tests.

Only the elite may join, no matter wether one is a noble or peasant. Each test is rigorous and lacks any discriminatory requirements such as knowing how to read.

They only want the best and accept every admission sent to them.

For a price.

The only restriction is that ten gold must be paid up front, alienating most potential candidates. In turn, there is a higher percentage of nobles attending Elomburg, than peasants like me.

I can feel myself grow slightly excited for the first time in a long while.

'Revenge is within my grasp, I just need to take hold.'

I'm led through brilliantly made halls of stone and marble. Statues of great men and paintings of others decorate my path.

I'm led outside into an open field which holds about thirty men and women my age.

I approach the mass of bodies and wait a few feet away. My body is dangerous and I know I can hurt others easily.

I'm already noting each one's stance and debating what would be that fastest way to dispatch each.

'Stop it you fool! You're here to gain favor, not ire.'

A young man with shaggy blonde hair seems to take great interest in me. His eyes sparkle a little and he makes his way over.

I unconsciously back up and grasp the air at my side.

He sees my movements and starts to smile.

He's even more eager to reach me now. I circle the crowd, not understanding why I'm even avoiding him.

'Harry.'

His eyes remind me of Harry when he had an idea of mischief.

I force myself to stand my ground and wait for his approach.

His voice is full of mock hurt and playfulness as he reaches out his hand.

"Hello friend, Elias Hayford. What's your name?"

My idiot mouth speaks before my mind can comprehend what I'm saying.

"I'm no friend of yours."

His face tightens at my rejection and he awkwardly keeps his hand out. Then he laughs like I've told the funniest joke he's ever heard.

"Hahahaha! You're a pretty interesting….?"

His tone indicates he still wants to know my name.

'My revenge will never be accomplished if I run away from everyone who speaks to me.. gods, I need to get it together.'

I reach out take the offered hand in my own. His skin is smooth like a girls and I wonder how a man can live this long without ever- I tense a little as I realize he must be a noble.

"K-Kelric Bladebane."

I manage to pass along my name, but Elias's face is twisted in a grimace.

I'm confused until I let go of his hand, my grip had been way too hard.

He shakes his hand at the wrist and chuckles a little.

"Gods above Kelric, your're strong as an ox!"

Sheepishly I reply.

"Sorry.. I wasn't controlling myself."

Elias suddenly looks as if he's won some great victory and stops nurturing his hand. His playful demeanor returns.

"Tell me Kelric, what brought you here to join Elomburg? It wasn't so that you could look all scary and menacing in the background, was it?"

His teasing tone reminds me so much of Harry that I forget myself for moment.

I don't know my expression as Elias's face drops his smile.

"Uh.. sorry, maybe I shouldn't have asked."

The air is a little weird between us and I see him about to speak before a voice cuts through the chatter.

The man speaking looks unkempt with long brown hair and a patchy beard, his tone is bored.

"All right, looks like everyone's here now. It's time to begin the first test of the entrance exam. Please direct your attention to my left, your right. This is starting point of the obstacle course."

His arm makes a huge sweep behind him as he continues.

"The course goes into the woods and bends around to the exit right there. Say your name as you complete an obstacle or it won't be recorded, even if you did complete it."

He's now pointing some distance away where two men stand holding pen and paper.

"When you finish, say your name to those two or you won't be recorded as having completed the exam, even if you did. You have one hour. Time starts now."

I'm the only one who rushes forward as the rest of my group stares at the instructor dumbly.

There are panicked cries behind me as the others finally let the words sink in.

The course is actually kind of fun and I see a little disbelief in the faces of the people who were recording names at the obstacles.

I make sure to say my name a couple times at each because they seemed too dumbfounded to write it down.

I only slow on sixth obstacle as I have to crawl under a net as blunted arrows are shot above me. I lowered the pace to keep an eye on the man recording names, it was a perfect opportunity to strike me down.

Even as I shake my head at the possibility, my eyes do not leave his.

I'm not even out of breath when I exit the trees fifteen minutes later.

I say my name to the two and walk forward.

One reaches a hand out towards me and I instinctively grab it and twist.

I let go and backpedal, pulling my hands up in front of my head.

I hear a voice boom with laughter and I turn to see the bored looking instructor.

He's dangerous. I couldn't detect his presence.

He wipes a tear from his eye as he mocks the man who touched me.

"He almost broke your hand Cordin! Hahaha! Holy gods this kid is funny."

The man known Cordin was not as amused.

"I was just trying to make sure he didn't accidentally skip an obstacle, I've never seen someone do it that fast.."

The bored man kept laughing as he responded.

"Maybe that'll teach you to keep your hands to yourself..hehehe.. besides we'll know when when the others get back. It would be his fault, if he did."

Cordin rubbed his arm and glared at me.

"You can wait over there, it's going to be awhile before anyone else is done-"

His voice is cut off as Elias announces his name.

Cordins lips tighten into a thin line as he's instantly disproven.

I feel a small smile tug at the corner of my mouth as the bored man holds his stomach and points at him.

His laughter is almost contagious.