As I quietly left in the chilly morning, I hadn't dared to look back.
I had felt a weird sense of relief; I felt free.
As if a door opened up.
As the warm sun slowly started to rise, it shunned brightly, the sudden warm rays almost blinded me.
As I walked for a while, arriving at the streets of Gora, the bustling market full of people, I heard everything: people shuffling their feet on the warm cobblestone floor, people haggling and trying to negotiate with the vendors.
As I passed by a market, I stopped momentarily.
"What if, instead of one copper for a carrot, two coppers for three carrots, how does that sound?" an old lady had tried to pursue the vendor she had kept insisting with a playful tone.
The vendor denied the old lady's offer, as he explained his profit was minimal.
Hearing the conversation, my stomach ached; as I looked down to my side, I saw boxes full of carrots.
My stomach aching.
An idea stormed my mind.
I thought to myself 'a carrot wont hurt, right?'.
I slowly but steadily passed by the box of carrots waiting for the right time to play my act.
As I braced myself, I accidentally tripped, putting my hands before me so I wouldn't hurt my face. Knocking down the carrots out of their boxes.
*thud*
The vendor seemed to notice a loud sound hitting the cobblestone floor.
As he poked his head outside his market to see what had made such a noise, he noticed me laying on the floor.
His face went blank as he saw his merchandise... his precious carrots lying on the dirty cobblestone pavement, "GET UP AND PICK UP MY CARROTS!" he demanded While glaring at me.
"I am very sorry; I will pick them up this instant," with my head down, I spoke in a. Low tone voice. My gaze drifted away.
"THERE SHOULD be THIRTY CARROTS IN THAT BOX," he scolded me. "NONE OF THEM BETTER NOT BE MISSING"
As I crawled on the ground one by one I stayed picking up the carrots.
One... two... three...
Twenty-seven... Twenty-eight...
My heart was racing as the vendor looked at my back, my arms sweaty; I slipped a carrot into my sleeve; thank goodness it had gone unnoticed.
And Thirty... I exclaimed, nervously handing the box back to the vendor.
I walked fast with fear the vendor had realized a carrot was missing.
As I walked a bit further, letting my tense muscles loosen up, letting my nerves calm down, I pulled the carrot hidden up my sleeve I had stolen
I Neatly rubbed it with my clothes, brushing off the little dust it had, as I took a big bite of the juicy crisp carrot, enjoying the sweet taste of the carrot; as the juices filled my dry mouth, hydrating it, I felt satisfied.
As I was strolling through the empty alleys of the kingdom, a magnificent set of buildings caught my attention, it had a magical feeling to it.
As I got closer, I saw a golden gate panning the distance hundreds of feet!
The design was magnificent, resembling a garden of flowers.
No doubt, this was the Gora Academy.
As I stood still, fixated on the amazing and harmonious design of the buildings with a seemingly long garden, if you can call it that, resembling land described to be made by the heavens.
Full of massive trees! Long stone paths and a unique tree, it had pink petals, something I had never seen before.
Something... that seemed out of this world.
Lost in the moment, I remembered what Alan and Freya were talking to me about.
'Maybe I had a chance...
Maybe I could assist this sublime of a school.
Even if there's a slim possibility.' I had thought to myself.
I just had to find the entrance to the examination room.
It wasn't hard to find, as there were other young people, just like me, trying to find an opportunity.
As I formed in line, people were exiting left and right with their heads down; none of them spoke, just walked out quickly.
As I got closer, nearing my turn, I was close enough to see what the test was about; everyone in front of me seemed worried as if they would not be enough.
Then a boy with light brown hair slowly walked up the stairs, being greeted by a man with professional attire; I could sense something emitting from him, something strong.
"First, place your hand on the crystal ball, take a deep breath, relax, focus hard on your mana, then try to pour it into the crystal ball," The man spoke firmly, loud and clear.
I was scared, as I had never controlled my mana, heck, I didn't even think I had mana.
As I looked at the boy, trying to learn, he placed his hand on the crystal ball; he closed his eyes, focusing on his face as if he had pulled a hair out.
Suddenly water appeared out of thin air,
But... only as the size of a small pond, filling up only a tiny fraction of the crystal ball.
As he saw the results, his body became as if it was lifeless; his muscles loosened up, and his lips curled, uncertain if he wanted to laugh or sob.
"You've failed, please remove yourself, or you WILL be removed." He spoke firmly.
The boy had left moments later.
Sending a chill down my spine, one by one, rejected after another, I had to see all of the talented young people leave with a face full of disbelief.
After a deep breather, it was my turn.
As I went up, my body trembled, I stood in front of the glowing crystal orb.
"First, place your hand on the crystal ball, take a deep breath, relax, focus hard on your mana, then try to pour it into the crystal ball," the intimidating man spoke to me in a firm yet spine-chilling tone.
I felt nervous; my body was hot, I was sweating, I couldn't stop shaking.
I took a deep breath and I closed my eyes.
As I placed my hand on the crystal ball.
As I focused, I felt something, I felt a similar feeling, a cool yet refreshing pressure in my abdomen.
I felt energy flowing through my body, and in less than a split second, I manifested a medium fire out of thin air.
The man is ready to make his decision.
"You have fai-" He spoke; suddenly, he paused, his face in disbelief.
As He saw my mediocre fire become purple.
The flame sent out a dark menacing blast wave, hitting the walls of the crystal ball.
I opened my eyes; my eyes widened, and a big smile suddenly started forming on my face.
As I turned a second, I saw the crowded line; the people's jaws opened with a face of astonishment.
As if they had never seen something before.
As The crystal ball filled with smoke, the man spoke again, "Y-You have passed, congratulations." He stuttered for a second while pulling an envelope out of his pocket, extending his arm, and handing me the envelope.
I graciously took I; II stood there admiring the invitation; II could not spill any words...
'I-I made it... I DID IT,' I thought to myself, screaming in excitement in my mind.
I suddenly realized I had something that didn't belong to me.
I reached for my pockets and pulled out a similar envelope that I had received.
"Here, take this; I found it on the ground near the bakery," I spoke in a silent tone to the intimidating man, handing over the envelope.
After I did, I left; I ran in excitement.
Envelope in hand, analyzing it, he saw a familiar name...
It belonged to the daughter of the king a lady known for her arrogance and extreme beauty. Before he could process how someone else could've acquired it.
A glow caught his eye; it was the crystal orb...
There was a flame..., it was no ordinary flame.
An ominous flame, the one that would make anyone shiver as it emitted a sign of destruction and chaos.
It was a black flame...