Mark of the Ranger

III. The Ceremony

          I could hardly wait. I hoped I was one of the first called, just so Oculus could get it over with. Oculus walked up to the front stage took a piece of paper, presumably the paper that held all the names of the passing students. He began to read the names. "Lionel McCarthy," he read. I jumped up in his seat and dashed over to the stage.

         "Lio, you are the first to get called. I bet you're glad it's over with, aren't you?" the automaton said to me. I nodded vigorously. Oculus picked up a black pen-shaped object. "Roll up your sleeve, young man," he told me. I complied. He took his pen and drew a long, straight line across the width of my arm, just below my wrist. "Congratulations, Lio. You have passed the Academy's trials. You, from this point on, are a Ranger. Go sit down," he spoke, somehow putting legitimate emotion into his words, even though the speech was routine.

          I sat down. Oculus continued, name after name, speech after speech. The speech never seemed to get old, as the old automaton found out a way to make every speech unique in its own way. That's why Oculus was my favorite teacher. He made everyone feel the way they should--different, talented, and good.

          I sighed in relief when Oculus called Karen and Jeff's names. I was glad to know they were going to be Rangers, as well. I would have been fine if they passed in another regard, like being sent to the Wizarding Guild, but it was best this way, as I could see them all of the time.

          After a satisfying amount of names, Oculus paused. "Now, for those who have excelled in the magic arts. As you probably know, those whose names are ed will be sent to the Wizarding Guild, to be fully trained as whatever magician you are. Now, for the first name. This one has done exceptionally well in all magical fields. I look forward to seeing her as a full-blown wizardess."

          Oculus paused again. I suspected that future wizards, wizardesses, witches and warlocks appreciated drama more than Rangers did. "Isabel Norrima," he called out. A blonde girl tentatively walked up to the stage. I saw the sun mark on the back of her neck, proving she was a wizardess. Oculus fastened a gold bracelet on her wrist. "Congratulations, Isabel. You heard what I said, no need for more talking, right?" Isabel nodded and sat back in a different section, one reserved for Wizarding Guild people.

          Oculus called up more names, giving them a speech to each one, as he had with the Rangers. I looked down at my shiny new black Mark. This mark was known as the One Mark, and it counted as a Mark when determining a Ranger's rank. There were six other Marks: Strength, Resourcefulness, Agility, Endurance, Wisdom, and Courage. The colors of the Marks were the rainbow, red to violet, in the order mentioned above. Once a Ranger earned that Mark, they gained new power, such as increased Strength, Agility, et cetera. Instead of normal Marks, Oculus had lights on his arm. They were all lit up, saying that he was a seven Mark Ranger. Aside from becoming a Ranger, gaining all seven Marks was the biggest moment in a Ranger's life.

          "That is the end of all those who passed the Academy's trials this year. If your name was not called, you have failed. New Ranger recruits, stay here. Wizards and such, the buses will arrive soon. Thank you, everyone, and good day," Oculus finished. The Ranger recruits and I did as we were told. I felt sorry for the families who had to leave with their failed children. It was a fortunately small amount this year, but there were still some. I felt it interesting to talk to Isabel, the first wizardess who was called. "You hear what Oculus said? You did exceptionally well," I told her after getting her attention. Sometime between being called onstage and me talking to her, she had grabbed a black fedora.

          "Thanks," she gratified. "Hey, you're the one who was called first, too, aren't you? Oculus always calls the best ones first." I shrugged. "I just wanted to pass. I get to be a Ranger now! This is so amazing! I wish I knew what being at the Wizarding Guild would be like."

          "I'm sure you could ask around at the next ceremony. The other Rangers and magicians are always there," Isabel told me. A bus honked. "That must be my bus," she said in realization. "I'll see you at some point in time!" I waved in response as she dashed out the door. I felt a tap at my shoulder and turned around. An Outland Ranger, complete with crow's-head mask, was standing behind me.

          "Nice job, kid," he told me. "First called. You know Oculus always calls names in order of their skill levels." I shrugged again, it becoming my patent gesture. The Outland Ranger let out a small chuckle. "I was the last called in my year, you know." 

          "Who are you?" I asked him. The Ranger took off his mask and hood. He had a silvery white hair and sky blue eyes. His face shone with happiness and honesty. "I'm Commander Tallen van Rook," he said, pulling up his sleeve to show his seven marks. "I look forward to commanding you this year, or something."

          Oculus called us all to our seats again. Commander Tallen gave me a small salute, then ran off to do commanding things. Oculus explained that he was going to divide us into sections for our missions. As soon as we were all seated, he read off the first section. "Lionel McCarthy, Jeffrey Swilmore, Karen Ner'ellan, Ko Mo, David C., and Elena Winslow, you are the first section, Dorm 22-A. Receive your keys." Oculus handed us keys with "22-A" printed on them and sent us off. 

          I didn't know Ko, David, or Elena, but I could tell Ko was the snow elf. Snow elves always had one-syllable names. That made them easier to remember, personally. David was the Asmerian, or else his last name would have been something other than C. Asmerians had two-syllable names and letters for last names, just to keep things straight. Since I obviously knew Jeff and Karen, Elena must be the other one.

          We rushed over to our dorm. I unlocked the room, and we all stepped in. 

          The room was great. It had a bathroom and separate shower, and a wall separated the guys' and girls' sides. David, Ko, Jeff and I looked on the beds on our side. The beds were arranged into two bunk beds, and each bed had a pile of clothes with a piece of paper on them. Written on the pieces of paper were our names. We picked up the piles of clothes and realized they were our Ranger Gear. 

          "So," Ko said. "What should we do first?"