Magic, Dark Lords, and Other Lies From The Empire

Chapter 7

I took a deep breath as I walked down the halls of the academy, making my way towards the room where my interview would be held. I couldn't see it yet, but it was as if I could feel it glowing through the walls. It was the third day of the Temples Trials, and even with the help of my aura, I was starting to get tired. On the first day of the cycle they had us perform a series of physical tests, the Trial of the Flesh. Then on the second day, we did a written exam, the Trail of the Mind.

Now, it was time for the interview with the five commanders, the Trial of the Soul.

'It's just some questions. The physical tests were easy, the written exam was basic, all that's left is the interview.' I took another breath. 'Just a few questions...will decide my fate.'

A few minutes later I was stood before a large wooden door. I was so stressed that my claws refused to retract and I could feel my muscles twitching. I felt like I was in the middle of a fight, except for once I was nervous about the outcome.

"Enter," a voice said from within.

Grabbing the doorhandle with my sweaty palm, I opened to door.

I took one step inside and immediately I felt my stomach lurch, my claws retract, and my muscles stiffen. A moment ago I was so nervous that I was ready to fight.

Now my instincts were screaming at me to run.

"Xara?"

I was snapped out of my stupor by the sound of my name being called. "S-sorry."

Shutting the door, I entered the room and sat down on a lone stool in the center. A few feet away from me was a long table.

The table that they were sitting at.

High Commander Qog Karr from the Temple of Z'deac.

High Commander Zemi Vyqal from the Temple of Q'kaw.

High Commander Poeas Lyqsu from the Temple of Z'ayk.

High Commander Qarreta Qoak from the Temple of Q'komy.

And Commander Osgoqu Laqbeka, soon to be High Commander Osgoqu Laqbeka from the Temple of Z'kyd'qa.

These five people were individually so powerful that their unrestrained presence was making me feel in danger, and any one of them could probably tear down this whole building with their bare hands. In terms of influence, they were even more frightening, as each of them held the authority to mobilize dozens of paladins and hundreds of soldiers from their respective Temples.

It wouldn't be strange to say that these five people could wage war on any other country outside of the Empire itself.

'They aren't even doing anything,' I thought, feeling a mix of panic and awe. 'They just have to sit there and it feels like a threat.' As the top student of the graduating cohort, I had thought that I was strong, obviously not strong enough to beat a high commander, but I had thought that I could at least fight back. Now I understood that that would be impossible. I could tell that Commander Laqbeka was a bit closer to my level, but if any of these people wanted me dead, it would take all of my strength to have a chance at running away.

'Why would anyone become a mage if it meant making people like this their enemy.'

"So this is the one you were looking forward to Laqbeka?" High Commander Karr asked, his leathery face wrinkling as he squinted at me.

"Well, I suppose they have some talent," High Commander Qoak commented, disinterestedly scratching his stubble-covered chin.

"Oh be nice," High Commander Vyqal chided while reorganizing the papers in front of her. "Now where did I put her...ah!" She smiled as she pulled a small bundle of papers out from the pile. "Let's see...Xara Hitax, born to citizen Akay Hitax and Mythsmith Gammiz Hitax."