The Aura Selection Test

Typically, on normal days, the city square of Golgia would not be completely filled. There would usually be street performers carrying out acrobatic stunts and street vendors selling small accessories. However, the city square today had a different purpose. The aura selection was held right in the middle of the city square. The once partially filled city square started getting more and more packed as children all over the city of Golgia prepared for their turn to ascend the elevated earth platform and attain their elements. Parents and relatives of the children were allowed to enter the blocked off city square, while bystanders have to stand at the outer perimeters to get a glimpse of the selection phase.

The aura selection test is only carried out in the three mid-ranking cities of Centriole and lasts for five days. They are Reticula, Mitochi and Golgia. Reticula is the city famous for carpentry and blacksmithing. All people who are looking for an apprenticeship with a master blacksmith or carpenter would seek an audience in the big companies of Reticula. Mitochi is the city famous for being the headquarters of the research sector. Normally, the job sectors are located on the outskirts of Centriole, however, the research sector is the only division other than the guardian sector, that is given special permission to build their headquarters in a mid-ranking city. Lastly, there is Golgia and it is seen as the city famous for cuisines and delicacies.

The reason the aura test is such a big deal in the entire land is that it dictates the children's future. Company leaders from the different sectors come to these events to pick up formidable youths for their group. Thus, parents would drag their children along to this event by hook or by crook as they wanted them to have a bright future installed for them. The way the strong are sifted out from the weak is a result of the test itself. During the test, the selected youth will be required to place their hand on a crystal orb. The crystal orb was created by the research sector and was purposely imbued with extremely pure elemental energy. When the youth's hands come into contact with such a volatile crystal, the corresponding element that is prominent in the youth's body will shine forth from within the crystal. The brighter it is, the higher the affinity of the youth to that specific element. A grandmaster level Elementalist would stand beside the youth taking the test and would be able to identify the level of affinity to the element and would broadcast to the world your affinity. As a result, if you are blessed with the strength, sector leaders would fight for your presence in their company, however, if you are not, you would have to personally apply into the sector and hope for the best.

And now, the three who had left the Dragoon restaurant moments ago has arrived at the city square.

"Wow! The city square is so big!" Muta exclaimed as he was shocked at how large the location of the test was. The city square was made to be a giant circle that is located in the middle of Golgia. The place is large enough to fit tens of thousands of citizens comfortably. Additionally, the rooftop of restaurants that are located on the outskirts of the square is open to the public for this occasion.

"Phew, we almost didn't make it on time," Gavin wipe away the small droplets of sweat on his forehead. "If it weren't for you having to stop by to grab a snack to eat, we would've made it here a while ago."

Gavin glared slightly at the guilty Grant as he was munching on his large bag of popcorn. "Well, I can't help it at times. The smell of the caramel is far too alluring and I just had to buy some! Besides if we were to be late, you'd already grab your son and imbue yourself with your wind element to get there instantly."

Regardless, the trio entered into the Aura selection area and found Grant's nephew. The young boy was at least a head taller than Muta and was muscular build. He looked intimidating for a seven-year-old, which made Muta feel slightly insecure of his own body. "Hey, Gord! Look over here!" Grant shouted over to the youth and the boy turned around to see his uncle. Grant ran over to grab his nephew as he came back to introduce him to the father and son pair.

"This is my nephew, Gord. Gord meet Muta and his father, Gavin. Muta will also be taking the test today." The group of four did their introductions as they waited for the Aura selection to officially begin.

"Nice to meet you, Muta! Where are you from?" Gord asked Muta.

"I come from a small village called Centriole. How about you?"

"Well, I lived in Golgia my whole life, but I was born in Tubula, the small transport town in the east. Do you train yourself?"

"Hmm, a bit. I spar with my father at times, but nothing excessive like weights training." It was true that Muta hadn't spent much time doing muscle training. He had been focussing on learning a myriad of skills from Auntie and Uncle Nat, that his body now looked rather thinly and frail. However, if anyone looked closely, there was actually a thin layer of muscle on Muta's body.

Minutes later, a loud commanding voice echoed throughout the city square. "Good afternoon people of Cellamis! Let the commencement of the Aura selection begin!" The sound came from a crystal that projected out an image of an old man. The elderly had long white hair and a neatly combed beard. "May all the youths who are taking the test have high affinities to your elements and are able to shine forth a greater future for our land!"

"That is the Great Elementalist of Cell Academy, Graybeard Teller. He is currently one of the strongest Elementalist in Cellamis and is the principal of Cell Academy." Gavin spoke to his son as he rubbed the young boy's hair. Muta looked at the shining white crystal as it slowly dimmed away and the image of Graybeard disappeared.

"How did the crystal show an image to the old man, father?" Muta asked his father as he was confused about the physics of the world. Gavin listened to his son's question as he laughed slightly. "I am actually not very sure myself, Muta, but I do know that you would have to imbue a lot of elemental energy into that crystal to create an image, more so, project voice throughout the three mid-ranking cities."

After the old man had disappeared, the person-in-charge of the Aura selection test started to give a few instructions. "Hello everyone! I will start by saying some instructions that you will have to follow when going through the selection process! I will first call out a name and the corresponding child will come on stage. You will then head over to the crystal orb on the table over here and place your hands, palm flat on the orb. Then, you will wait for the orb to make a connection with your body's element. The orb acts as a harnesser and will help activate your element. Do not worry if it takes longer than a minute and just be patient. When your element is shown, I will grade your affinity. There are different levels of affinity ranging from low, medium, high, excellent and flawless. The fellow company leaders of the different sectors can then put forth their interest in the youth if they please. After which, head down the stage and you can decide where you would like to apply into."

"Ok. Now I will call up the first person. Tyra Rellea!" The girl walked onto the man-made earthen-looking stage as she stepped in front of the wooden table. She placed her hand on the orb firmly as she closed her eyes and hoped for the best. Minutes later, "The Grief aura! Affinity low!"

There were slight murmurs in the crowd as many were sympathetic to the young girl. None of the company leaders from the various sectors called out wanting her. In consequence, the unfortunate girl went off stage feeling rather depressed.

"Next up, Sayfred Paniscular!" The man on stage carried on the aura selection indifferently. The result was a very normal occurrence and the man didn't really pay much attention to it. The average affinity of people's aura tends to be around low and medium. Thus, only those with high affinity and above were worth taking into the sector by the leaders.