*Click-Clack Click-Clack Click-Clack* Early the next morning, the sounds of horses could be heard galloping around the kingdom.
August along with the king, Olivia and Alexander all gathered in front of the palace, preparing to head off.
"Make sure you three take good care of each other, and I'll see you after the exam August" The King said as everyone got on their horses.
The King didn't accompany them on there way to the Divine Wind Academy but he sent a dozen guards along with them.
After a few words, they set off towards Divine Wind Academy.
It took them 3 days and nights to reach their destination. When they reached there, they were instantly shocked.
They knew that it would be a lot of people coming to participate in the exam but this was outrageous.
The line for the exam was roughly 10 miles long. The exam was intended for youths 16 and younger who had reached the profound realm but you could spot several older people trying to sneak their way through.
They made their way to the back of the line, they all had helpless looks on their faces. It seemed like it would be a long wait.
During the wait August and Olivia often chatted while Alexander meditated to himself, ignoring the both of them.
The exam moved quite fast and within a couple of hours it was almost their turn to take the exam.
"Next" Called out the elder in charge of the exam.
"State your name,your age, your hometown and your realm."
Alexander was the first one to step forward.
"Alexander White, Age 16 from Broken Sky Kingdom, Level 3 Profound Realm."
He said proudly with his chest puffed out.
The elder perked up a little bit. Although a 16 year old with a profound realm cultivation was considered very good to the outside world, here it was merely so-so.
"Place your hand on pillar and it'll send a strand of every into your body. The energy will do one full cycle through your body before returning to the pillar. If you fail to light up at least 3 rings of light then you ultimately fail the exam"
Alexander nodded and stepped towards the pillar before placing his hand on it. A bolt of energy shot into his hand and just like the elder said it would it did one full cycle through his body before returning to the pillar.
One light, two lights, 3 lights, 4 lights, 5 lights. Finally when the pillar reached 5 lights it gradually came to a stop.
The people in line all had a look of admiration in their eyes. This 16 year old youth had gained entrance into the academy that everyone dreamed of joining.
"Good, Rank 5 meridians. Your journey will be much smoother than a lot of others. Welcome to academy"
Alexander was ecstatic. He quickly bowed to the elder before turning to his sister "Good luck sister." He said to her before walking into the academy. He said nothing to August and completely disregarded him.
"Next!" The elders voice sounded out again.
Olivia stepped forward.
"Olive White, Age 16 from Broken Sky Kingdom, Level 1 Profound Realm."
"Was the last participant related to you?" Asked the elder, as it couldn't be a coincidence that they had the same last name and the same hometown.
"Yes, he is my twin brother." Olivia quickly replied.
"Well I hope that you can follow in your brother's footsteps. Please step forward."
Without anymore hesitation, Olivia stepped forward and placed her hand on the pillar.
A few seconds with by before light began to radiate from the pillar.
One light, two lights, three lights, four lights. The pillar came to a stop at four lights. Olivia heaved a sigh of relief.
"Very good. Your parents should be really proud to have two talents such as you and your brother. Welcome to the academy."
Olivia thanked the elder before bowing. She turned to say her farewells to August but was shocked to see him step forward.
"August Cloud, Age 16 from Broken Sky Kingdom. I have yet to gather any energy." August's voice sounded out, instantly enraging many people including the elder.
"Be gone boy! What do you mean that you have yet to gather energy. Do you take my Divine Wind Academy for a joke?." The elder stood up and roared.
Before this outburst, August remained calm and composed.
"I think elder has misunderstood. In the past I had no interest in sorcery and I came on this trip only to accompany my brother and sister. I have no hope of entering the Academy and only wish to test my talent."
Hearing August's explanation the elder slightly calmed down although a frown still hung on his face.
"Let him take take it" A voice suddenly sounded out through the skies.
Although everyone clearly heard a voice. There was no one to be seen. It was clear that the person wasn't actually here.
Upon hearing this voice the elder didn't there to delay. "You heard the Head Master, hurry up and approach the pillar."
August was slightly shocked. Although he stood out, he didn't think he would actually get the chance to the that exam.
He quickly approached the pillar and placed his hand on it.
Almost a minute went by with no reaction when suddenly it started to light up!
One light, two lights, three lights. It shot up in hurry.
5 lights, 6 lights, 7 lights, 8 lights, 9 lights, 10 lights!!
The light had reached the very peak of the pillar and the pillar could no longer contain it.
The light broke through the top of the pillar and shot into the sky!
August still stood with his eyes closed and his hand on the pillar. The small wisp of energy had awaken something within his body. His meridians that had never been nourished were like an awakened celestial dragon at this moment.
He was in a trance like state. His awakened meridians had completely taken over. His mind was empty except for one thought. "Energy." His body crazily absorbed the elemental energy from around him into his creation core. Level 1 Apprentice, Level 2 Apprentice, his level rose at an alarming rate. 10 minutes with pass and his level finally gradually came to stop at Level 8 Apprentice.
The light from the pillar gradually diminished and every one silently stared at the youth in shock.
The elder looked at August as though he had seen the devil. He had never heard of anyone going from Level 1 Apprentice to Level 8 in a single go and in time span of 10 minutes at that.
"Ahhhhhhhhh" August fell over holding his forehead.
Olivia wanted to run to him but an invisible force held her back.
August's scream quickly caused all the spectators to snap back to reality.
They silently thought to themselves 'What an idiot. Of course increasing your level so fast would cause you immense pain and backlash.
Only the elder had a look of curiosity on his face.
He could tell that August wasn't screaming because of any backlash but because his Element was finally being awakened.
*Woosh* August's body burst into black flames and his screaming intensified.
The crowd hurriedly took a few steps back as it felt as though their face would melt if they continued standing so close.
The flames began burning away at his skin and hair. He felt as though he was thrown into the pits of hell.
Seeing these flames the elder once again jumped up out of his seat. "Impossible" he murmured to himself.
Soon the screams stopped and the fire died down.
August's charred body laid motionlessly.
Witnessing this Olivia's small hands balled so tightly that her nails dug in to her skin causing her to bleed. Lines of tears ran down her beautiful young face.
Under everyone's gazes something miraculous started to happen.
The skin and hair on August's body started to reform. This new set of skin was was as smooth as jade and the hair on his head was as black as ink.
Quickly all of his skin grew back and his inky black hair reached the middle of his back. There was not a scar in sight. The him now could be described as perfect in terms of appearance.
Olivia's previously tightly clenched hand now covered her mouth as she was in shock.
In the middle of his forehead a flame symbol had formed. Indicating that he had awakened the fire element. But it was clear that the black fire that appeared wasn't a normal flame. It wasn't a regular flame that he awakened. Instead he awakens a variant flame and it didn't seem like a weak one either.
August had yet to regain consciousness and remained laid out on the ground.
"Carry him into infirmary. He has passed." The voice of the Head Master suddenly sounded out again.
A man appeared and took August away into the academy.
For a long time the crowd was completely silent. Even the elder was stuck in his thoughts. They would never forget what happened here today. The day they witnessed the birth of a genius.
Leave behind your power stones or your head. Your choice!