Connection

Chapter Six: Cliff

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Chapter Six: Cliff

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Cliff arrived at the gates of the fire sector to Raven Eye out of breath. He only had a few minutes to get to his assessment and he didn't plan on being late. The wind pushed back the ginger hair that was getting to be too long as Cliff sprinted through the iron gates, expertly navigating his way through the extravagant halls.

As he ran, he cursed—not for the first time—the fact that the battle arena was buried deep in the section of his school. It was often times he found himself dashing through the corridors in an attempt to make it on time to a class or assessment there. Without shame, he wished he owned some sort of device that could transport him to the room, though he knew that was impossible.

The only thing that kept his legs pumping was the horrid idea of the board of wizards forcing him to go home after he barely missed the time that his assessment began.

He skidded to a half just outside of the large, oak doors with a stitch in his side and burning legs. Other element wielders sat on the stone ground, their faces white as they murmured incantations to themselves or practiced motions with their shaking hands.

Cliff had been so busy with what the headmaster had made him do that he didn't have time to worry about the actual content of the assessment. He realized with his heart pounding against his ribs like a jailed man that he hadn't yet tried the time freezing. 

And it was there that the cold tendrils of worry tugged at him. Quickly, Cliff sat down with a rash inspiration to execute it at this very moment.

As if on cue, a woman dressed exceedingly casually opened the monstrous door.

"Cliff Halowglite and Grayson Pullond, you guys are up," her bitten lips informed. Without a glance backward, she spun on her heel and walked away, her short brown hair swishing as she went.

A boy who looked as if he was about to throw up pushed himself off the floor. Cliff had never seen him before and as he walked through the doors, trembling, Cliff wondered if Grayson was just very advanced for his age, hence the anxiety and fear that was written all over his features.

Shaking all thoughts from his head in a feeble attempt to focus himself, Cliff entered the enormous arena that was usually used for training in battle. The equipment that was littered across the floor during their regular classes had been removed, the cracks from rogue spells repaired.

A silky green curtain hung in the middle of the circular room. Grayson had taken the side which the doors opened into, so Cliff crossed the room and pushed aside the divider.

On the other side the room mirrored the first. Against the wall sat a panel of adults, all dressed like the woman who'd retrieved Cliff and Grayson. Though their warm, comfortable clothes could deceive of their personalities, their cold and calculating stares did those hearts of ice justice.

"Cliff Hallowglite, let's get started," a man with a high pitched voice announced. Cliff nodded absentmindedly too busy encouraging himself to worry about the reputation he had among the judges. He reminded himself that he had to pass this, no matter what in his head over and over again.

"You know how this goes, but we have to tell you anyway. We will give you tasks that you should be able to perform if you're prepared to move on to the next level of magic. Whether or not you move on depends on how well you do. If you do well enough to pass, you'll move on to the next level and continue your studies. As I'm sure you're aware, you'll get a piece of paper for passing but you're not granted with any sort of special powers," the same man said, his voice sounding tired and bored.