St Chaos Healer

Ch 24 - The Rejects of the Mana

It's been about an hour since they started the first test.
At first, it looked pretty easy and everyone was optimistic and thought this would be a breeze. But as testing progressed, the reality of the matter started to set in.

It's been about half an hour and 40 people have been tested so far.

Out of 40, only 9 kids have passed the test and moved to the next phase.
The rest of those who failed were sent back to their room.

The joyful optimism was now crumbling seeing the threshold for passing.
The kids who failed were heartbroken and shocked. Some even wept in disappointment and some even challenged the test itself.

The one who did manage to pass the test left without any cheers.
It didn't feel right to celebrate in such a gloomy room.

But there were some cocky kids out as well who laughed proudly for clearing the first phase of the test. Even going so far as to mock their fellow candidates next to him who failed.

Right now the 9th batch of kids just got done with the testing.
But there was one kid who was trying to grab the ball desperately and a few minutes had passed but there was no progress. The rest of his four candidates participating with him had already done with their test and left the stage.

Only he has yet to give up.
Finally, Miss Thesia couldn't stand it anymore and decided to intervene.

"Madam why did you stop the test!" the candidate on the stage shouted, "I was so close to grabbing it. Please restart the test."

Miss Thesia sealed the candidate's crystal ball.
"You did good Peter. But now please step down from the stage and check yourself with the healers," instructed Miss Thesia.

"But-but I haven't felt rejection yet. I can still continue, please. I know I can clear this test," argued Peter.

"I said that's enough. As your supervisor, I order you to go step down and get yourself checked by the healers."

"Why? Why are you stopping my test! Is it because I come from a lower class, is that it? That's why you are using your authority to fail me, right?" accused Peter.

Miss Thesia let out a sigh,
"You barely managed to stand by sheer adrenaline that you didn't even notice it. Take a look at your chest."

It's when he noticed that his white full bodysuit had red blotches spreading from his chest. It was slowly but surely expanding in size like veins of a leaf.

"You are bleeding from your chest, you haven't even noticed it. If I let you continue any further, you could have died," added Miss Thesia.

Peter reached out and touched his chest and his hands turned blood red.
"B-but I don't feel any pain. This is not my blood," argued Peter.

Miss Thesia rubbed her forehead,
"Listen, kid lying won't get you anywhere. You are clearly feeling the rejection but you won't accept it. Your stubbornness is just making it harder for yourself. I know you wish to be a mage but just face the reality and save yourself the pain."

Peter finally fell on his knees with a dreadful look.
He had his eyes wide open and tears rolling down from his face.

This time in Peter's batch two boys managed to pass the test.
Sadly Peter's luck wasn't so good.

"Stop delaying and head back to the medic. We have more kids waiting to do their test," said Miss Thesia.

But Peter was motionless on the stage sitting on his knees with his eyes open wide staring at the floor.