Start Of Something Big

The competition continued for about two hours, Maya, Tayo, Ren, and Ford passed through the first stage.

Director Herald stepped on the stage again.

"This competition for a spot in the trial ground will stop here for today but we will continue tomorrow," the Director stated, and most of the students took a sigh of relief. Most of them were already tired from their various fight.

"We have twenty more people, twenty already disqualified, so the remaining will compete for the 15 spot in the trial ground given to the academy, " Director Herald explained. "We will pair you up in two then 10 winners will move forward while the remaining 10 losers will compete for the remaining 5 spots"

*******

On the road to Wales, he travels with his uncle Thimi on foot, his boot almost worn out and his worn leather bag on his shoulder, he looks up to his uncle Thimi who doesn't seem tired from the journey despite the hot wind and scorching sun.

'He must be really strong' Wales thought. All Wales knows about his uncle is that he is an elder in one of the most prestigious elemental academies, nothing else; he didn't get to know him that much, as he comes and goes as he likes, but Wales likes him nonetheless because every time he shows up, it was always something good for him.

The last time his uncle showed up, it was for him to start his training as an elementalist, which he had always dreamed of. Before he started his training as an elementalist he had first built his body to be fit physically by combat training. Now that his uncle has shown up again he is going to a training ground for elementalist created by Hightower himself.

"What is the trial ground really like, Uncle?" Wales asked glancing up at his uncle.

Thimi smiled, "I was expecting you to ask the question."

"It is an unreal world, a place conjured from pure energy and thought, shaped by the will of the Hightower "

"An Unreal world?" Wales asked blinking.

"Yes, an unreal world," Thimi nodded. "It's a place where the young Elementalists — especially those at the Evolver level, like you are tested. Not just their strength, but their will, their wit, their control over their elements. It will be trail after trail"

Wales' eyes sparkled now that he was really happy his uncle had brought the information to his mother and decided to let him participate, there is no way they would have heard about the opening of the trail ground, in the outskirts where they live.

Seeing the sparkle in Wales' eyes Thimi decided to tell him more about the trail ground. "Each level becomes harder. But if you keep winning, you move on. There is no end until the Trail Ground itself recognizes you as worthy. When that happens, you'll be transported out and the portal you entered trail ground through will glow green, a sign of your success."

"What if you fail?" Wales asked

"If you fail too many times, the trial ground will also transport you out, but instead of green, the portal will be red," Explained Thimi.

Thimi clapped him on the shoulder. "You've got what you need to win, boy. You wouldn't be here if I didn't think so. But be ready. The city will test more than your skill or your elemental prowess. It will test your heart."

Thimi's words sound clearer than ever in Wales' ear, and he nodded in understanding. He had not really associated with people, it as always been just his mother and him, but now he is going to a city where there are thousands of elemental kids like him who received better training than him, yet he has to prove worthy of the opportunity his uncle his giving him, and maybe this will be the start of something big.