Feltaria

Chapter 7: The Entrance Exam

 On exam day, the air was tense and full of mixed emotions. Some students; clearly scared to the bone and some who would clearly rather be sleeping. Everyone found their way to their assigned testing rooms and found a seat. Aaron, as well as a handful of other students, were in the class.

Aaron munched on his apple, nervous as ever. He then saw Meelo walk in, taking deep breaths, when she laid eyes on Aaron, she seemed a little annoyed.

Then Cassian walked in, confident per usual, strutting without a care in the world. He waved to Aaron as he found his seat.

Finally, Aia found her way in, she was silent and rather solemn, she found her seat and sat without a word.

Eventually, the room filled up, and the professor running their test came up to the front of the room. "Hello students, and welcome to the first part of the entrance exam. Remember to breathe, and relax. You have one hour to answer all of the questions. Any questions?"

Noone gave her a response and so she took that as a signal to begin. "Alright, let's do this then." She passed out the tests.

Aaron felt a little queasy and raised his hand. "Has anyone ever died from this?"

The professor giggled a little oddly and then shook her head. "No honey."

Time flew during the test, 60 minutes feeling like seven, but in the end Aaron felt as though he had done alright.

The professor collected the tests, brought them to the front, and clapped her hands together. "Well! Onto the second half of the test! Everyone go outside."

Aaron unzipped his sweater which is now sweaty from his nerves, and stood up. He looked around, he saw Cassian let out a big yawn like this had been no big deal. Meelo looked to be a nervous wreck, and Aia was calm as ever but in a demure way, as opposed to a carefree one. They all stood up and began for the door.

Cassian stretched and cracked some of his joints. "Finally, done with the snoozefest!"

Once outside he bounced on his heels as if sizing up the opposition.

Aaron used his jacket to dab the sweat off of his face, he noticed that Meelo cringed when he did so. Then she went to surveying the people as well.

Everyone seemed to be approaching orbs sitting on the tables, there were a few of them, with professors on each side. One of the professors spoke. "If everyone would please line up at one of the tables, we're now going to be measuring your divine energy."

Cassian's bravado shrank quickly. "This... isn't a duel?"

"SO trigger happy," Aia commented.

Aaron walked up behind Aia, who had approached a line. Meelo followed behind him. He mumbled to himself "Okay, okay, okay, I got this..." He was practically wheezing.

Aia smiled, "Aaron, go first, waiting is the true torture of tests."

"Unless... oh gosh what if the divine energy suddenly drained out of me all at once??"

"Unlikely, you're not Cassian." She laughed gently.

Cassian, looking grumpier than usual snapped "Say that again and I'll floor you."

Aia led Aaron in front of her to the orb, guiding with a gentle hand on his back.

Aaron walked up nervously and hovered his hand over the orb. His thoughts raced faster than he could recognize them. The orb began to shine brightly, swirling orange and light blue, the colors began to spin rapidly, glowing brighter as they span. The colors suddenly turned a deep blue, before all of the color faded and the test ended.