Chapter 10: Assessment
The lead proctor calls forward the first child who is wearing red and gold clothes which advertise, 'I am from a wealthy family'. The boy places his hand on the orb and a constellation of stars light up in the clouds above. As the orb glows with a swirling green pattern, a sword symbol appears.
"Warrior Tier, Maria's Wind Spirit-Root."
The constellation of stars glowing in the clouds earlier is known as Maria's grace. This represents details about the boy's spirit-root and meridians, the bodily structures through which the natural energy, Qi, flows. The orb's color and pattern reflect the element— in this case— a wind-aligned spirit-root. Finally, the symbol and brightness of the glow both show its potential strength classified into a tier.
Spirit-roots are the root through which a cultivator attracts Qi for Qi-based cultivation. As most natural Qi has an elemental affinity, so too do spirit-roots. Without a spirit-root, one could not become a cultivator of Qi. But even within spirit-roots of the same element, there are many types of spirit-roots. The sum of these properties reveals the primary meridians, which will be most effective in training Qi for that cultivator. Thus, one can determine which cultivation techniques are suitable.
Next, the boy took out an ornate dagger and slices his finger to drop blood on the scroll of bloodlines. The blood soaks into the scroll and words appear. At the same time, the silver silhouette of a wolf appears in the clouds.
The proctor leans over the scroll and announces, "Warrior Stage, Silver Wolf Physique."
The young boy is quite pleased with himself and taunts the children behind him, "It must be tough trying to follow after me. Try not to embarrass yourselves after my performance."
Haughtily, he whips his head back, flicking his sleeves like a proud expert while steping under the doorway. His body freezes for a moment— foot hanging in midair— before he stumbles forward with a paling complexion.
The proctor glances at the door and then turns to the clouds before shaking his head and announcing, "Mortal Soul, Mortal Intelligence."
Special or above-average results in the trial of the door manifests as glowing on the door's surface or images in the clouds. Clearly, this boy was only average in these aspects.
The young boy's face grows red and Adam snickers loudly.
"Watch it! If you don't score better than me, I'll make you regret laughing at me." says the rich boy, glaring at the crowd of children.
A few breaths later, the proctor announces the results of the next child's evaluation: "Mortal tier pixie's water spirit-root, mortal stage snow hare physique, mortal soul, and moral intelligence."
As the assessment continues, most children receive mortal grades.
It's thought that 1 out of 50 ten-year-olds will have a single attribute of warrior grade. While 1 in 10,000 has a single saint grade attribute. Variants of saint grade appear in 1 out of 20 saint grade children.
Keep in mind it is possible to increase in stage and tier through training, worldly treasures, and fortuitous encounters. Although, increasing a spirit-root's tier is much more difficult than increasing a physique's stage.
As the assessment proceeds, the pain in my head increases and I find myself slightly unsteady. I would like to go first, but Adam is too excited and rushes up ahead of me.
He steps up and touches the crystal ball. The orb lights up with a dull fiery red pattern and an elongated-hexagon-shaped constellation appears in the sky. "Mortal Tier Mica's Fire Spirit-Root."
The rich kid who is now in the audience holding his jade stick, a record of his results, taunts, "See you're not so great after all!"
Adam frowns but doesn't reply.
"Brother don't listen to this showoff," cheers Ellen from the crowd.
He smiles at his sister and takes out a silver needle to prick his finger.
When his blood drips onto the scroll, an orange tiger appears in the sky. The tiger, unlike the animals before it, raises its head and opens its mouth to roar. The roar is audible to all echoing through the hall. This is the first time an animal with both movement and sound has appeared. This can only be a good sign for Adam.
The crowd goes silent, staring intently at the proctor.
After a brief pause, the proctor nods with a smile and proclaims, "Saint Stage, Roaring Tiger Physique!"
The crowd breaks into an uproar of cheers.
"That's my brother! That's my brother!" screams Ellen.
The rich kid stares at the ground, shaking his head and tightening his fists.
Hurry! Hurry! I think as the crowd cheers wildly.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for Adam's excellent results. It's just if they continue to take time cheering, I may pass out before my assessment. If that happens, it will reveal my collar early.
Finally, the proctor raises his hand to silence the crowd and encourages Adam to continue with a wave.
Adam steps into the door and freezes like all the others but this time it lasts a little longer and, in the clouds, a golden halo appears. But the door doesn't glow.
"Mortal intelligence, Virtuous Warrior Soul."
He's the most impressive so far, and I am up next.
I walk through the formation, gritting my teeth. The boarder of the formation is a wall of frigid air. A temporary wet sensation passes over my skin as I step through and my headache diminishes by a small amount.
This formation has the added effect of calming the participant's mind. The atmosphere inside is still and serene.
"Would you please lower your hood, so the formation can properly record your appearance?" says the proctor.
The jade stick given at the end of the assessment not only lists your credentials but also makes a record of your appearance.
"Ah, yes sir." I lower my hood. My scarf is still covering my neck.
I step up to the glowing orb and stretch out my hand.
Please let me have an affinity with ice or fire!
My favorite techniques aligned with these elements, and I have the best understanding of them.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
NitrogenousBeing
NitrogenousBeing To be clear, the children are not currently powerful. It's the potential being accessed. Strong spirit-roots allow faster cultivation thus higher potential maximum cultivation. Physiques of any rank— except for a few extraordinary exceptions— are not powerful unless trained. Intelect should be fairly self-explanatory. Soul assessment detects the special characteristics of the soul, not size, strength, or power.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone