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Chapter 14: An Invitation Extended

  Having completed the initial physical assessment, John moved on to the next stage of the trials. Despite the growing pressure and the weight of expectation now resting on his shoulders, his determination to perform well remained unwavering. Grod the half-orc was the first to face the spirit cultivation test. With a determined glint in his eyes, he strode confidently towards the orb and placed his large hand upon its smooth surface. The results flashed quickly across the orb’s display: 35% affinity for Earth and a meager 5% for Dark. A small nod of contentment betrayed his satisfaction; it wasn’t a spectacular score, but it was enough to qualify. Alara the drow followed, her dark allure and flowing silver hair exuding an air of quiet confidence. As her slender fingers made contact with the orb, a soft hum resonated through the air, and the results were revealed: 45% affinity for Dark and a surprising 10% for Fire. A fleeting look of astonishment crossed her delicate features; it was clear she hadn’t expected such a diverse result. Then came Kael the human, his light brown hair neatly combed, and his earnest eyes filled with a mixture of hope and nervous resolve. His results appeared on the orb’s display: 30% affinity for Water. A brief flicker of disappointment crossed his face; he had clearly hoped for a higher score. Finally, Anya the high elf stepped forward, her presence immediately commanding the attention of the crowd. As she moved into the spotlight, her ethereal beauty and graceful movements captivated John’s attention. Her luminous silver hair cascaded down her back, and the poised assurance she radiated suggested she was already confident of her own inherent superiority.

  As Anya approached the orb, John found himself caught in a confusing mix of admiration and annoyance. He knew it was unfair to judge her based solely on her striking appearance, yet he couldn’t quite shake off a sense of defensiveness, a feeling that her effortless grace somehow diminished his own hard-won progress. Her results flashed across the orb’s display—55% affinity for Air, 55% for Water, and an impressive 65% for Light—prompting a collective gasp of surprise and excitement from the crowd. Murmurs rippled through the onlookers; their voices filled with speculation. Some whispered about the Church’s potential interest in her, others spoke of a possible invitation from the Royal Academy itself. Her potential seemed limitless, a beacon of light in a world of varying abilities. Then, it was John’s turn. He walked towards the orb, feeling the weight of countless stares pressing down on him like a physical force. He tried to block out the scrutiny, focusing all his attention on the immediate task at hand, attempting to calm the nervous flutter in his chest. As his hand moved towards the orb, an unforeseen event occurred, a moment that defied all expectations. Two crows, as if descending from the heavens themselves, swooped down from the sky, their dark wings beating the air with a soft, almost silent whoosh. They landed gently on his shoulders, one settling on his left shoulder, the other on his right, completely unnoticed by the surrounding crowd, their attention fixed on the orb. John glanced at the crow on his left, a wry smile touching his lips. “Came with reinforcements, did you?” he quipped softly. The crow tilted its head slightly and then gave a distinct nod, as if in affirmation. Turning his head to the crow on his right, he offered a polite greeting. “Pleasure to meet you.” Taking a deep breath, he finally reached out and touched the orb. Instantly, the orb reacted in a way no one had anticipated. It didn’t simply display a number; it fractured, splitting apart into two distinct halves, unleashing a blinding flash of light that illuminated the entire square. As the light slowly dimmed, a stunned silence fell over the audience, their faces etched with confusion and awe.

  Pandemonium erupted in the square as crows materialized seemingly from thin air, perching on every available surface—the city walls, the statues lining the square, the branches of the surrounding trees. The sudden influx of birds created a flurry of black feathers and harsh caws, adding to the already chaotic atmosphere. The crowd fell silent, their faces a mixture of confusion and apprehension as they tried to comprehend the bizarre spectacle. Anya’s usual composure completely shattered, her eyes wide with a hint of fear. Grod’s gruff exterior was momentarily replaced by a look of genuine unease, his brow furrowed in confusion. Kael simply stared, his expression a mask of bewildered incomprehension. Even the stern-faced officials overseeing the tests were visibly taken aback, exchanging worried glances. The silence was thick with tension until John’s laughter broke through, a warm, resonant sound that cut through the oppressive atmosphere. “Well, looks like I’ve secured my spot at the Royal Academy,” he announced, his voice laced with amusement. Turning to face the talent tester, he offered a wry grin. “Sorry about the…commotion,” he said, gesturing towards the shattered orb with a shrug. “But maybe this little incident will get me out of paying for the testing orb. Think of it as a…discount.” A sharp caw echoed through the square, drawing John’s attention to the crow perched on his shoulder. “I know, I know, you’re hungry,” he chuckled, gently scratching the crow beneath its beak. The crow responded with a series of indignant caws, flapping its wings slightly. “Oh, come on,” John teased, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Remember back when you thought finding a plump earthworm was considered haute cuisine? Then you tried my cooked fish. Talk about a culinary upgrade.” His laughter filled the air once more, easing the tension that had gripped the crowd. “Listen,” he continued, addressing the other contestants with a friendly smile. “I’m going to mingle with these lovely ladies for a bit, then we’ll regroup. I’m thinking a celebratory feast is in order. Thanks for the…support and, uh, vigilance,” he said, glancing back at the crows with a playful grin. “And honestly,” he added, winking playfully at Anya and Alara, “with you two as my wing women, what if an elf suddenly fancies a dance?” Anya’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, while Alara, surprisingly, met his gaze with a mischievous glint in her own eyes. “I just might take you up on that offer,” she replied, causing John’s own face to flush a matching shade of red.

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  As if orchestrated by an unseen conductor, thousands of crows took to the sky, their dark forms swirling in a massive vortex above the city, casting a fleeting shadow over the square. The crowd gasped in unison at the astonishing spectacle, their faces turned upwards in awe. “So,” John asked, turning to the man who had announced the academy’s offer, “what happens now?” The man, who introduced himself with a warm smile, replied, “We’ll head to the academy to get you settled in. By the way, my name is Will. And you are…?” “I’m John. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Will,” John responded, extending his hand for a firm handshake. “The first order of business is to get you to the academy,” Will continued, shaking John’s hand with a reassuring grip. “Your classes will begin next week. This will give you ample time to familiarize yourself with the sprawling campus and locate your various classrooms. Normally, a student focuses their studies on one or two talents in which they demonstrate proficiency. But in your case, John,” Will added with a slight chuckle, “you’ll be taking all of them.” “All of them?” John repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “I’d better still have time for fishing, or the deal’s off,” he declared with a playful but firm tone. “That, my friend, is entirely up to you,” Will replied with a knowing smile. “It depends on how much time you dedicate to your daily training. Remember, in the dungeons, it’s a matter of survival—you either live, or you die.” “Dungeons?” John asked, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What dungeons?” Will’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. How could this young man not know about the city’s infamous dungeons? They were the primary reason guilds existed, the source of valuable beast cores. “Why did you even decide to test your talents if you had no idea what the tests were for?” Will asked, his voice tinged with genuine curiosity. “Simple,” John replied with a shrug. “I figured I had nothing to lose by taking the test. Besides, it would give me a good idea of where I needed to focus my training, even if I didn’t get into the Royal Academy.” “Well said,” Will responded, a smile spreading across his face. “In that case, let’s head to the academy,” he announced to the group of five, gesturing for them to follow him off the stage. John and the other four candidates trailed behind Will, their footsteps echoing across the now-empty square as they made their way towards the imposing silhouette of the academy.

  Alara watched John with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. His performance had been nothing short of astonishing. The sheer power he exuded, the effortless grace with which he carried himself, and the undeniable charisma that drew all eyes to him – it was captivating. She had initially dismissed him as just another human, but now she saw him in a new light. He was a force to be reckoned with, a rising star in this world of cultivation. A spark of competitiveness ignited within her. She would not be overshadowed, not by him, not by anyone.

  Anya's heart pounded as she watched John depart with Will. She had never witnessed such raw power, such untamed potential. The way the orb had reacted to his touch, the sudden appearance of the crows, the undeniable aura of strength that surrounded him – it was both exhilarating and intimidating. She felt a strange pull towards him, a desire to understand him, to learn from him. Perhaps, at the Royal Academy, she would have that chance. A shy smile touched her lips. Maybe she could even convince him to dance.

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