Friend To All

The Test

As I grew older I learned that I was the daughter of farmers. They lived at the edge of the kingdom due to harsh rumors about my mother being a concubine of the late king. My mother was named Laui and my father was Ki. My father also gained money through hunting demons in the forest. He was called an adventurer.

But he wasn't well known or strong. He simply anything he could to protect our small little family. And I grew up in that caring household until the age of twelve. That was the age of adulthood in this small country. And so I was to be sent to see if I possessed magic. If I did, I could go and learn at the prestigious magic school at the capital. If not I return to my farm and live there peacefully.

I knew very little of this world only that it was filled with magic and swords. Demons haunted humanity and war raged since the races were created. Besides humans and demons there were beast-men, a race that offered immense diversity. Then there were the elves with long pointed ears and possessed by fairies. Nestled in the mountain were dragon worshiping dwarves and gnomes that stood barely to human's waists. In the sea were a form of beast-men that took the shape of fish. They had a rare ability to tame demons. 

Today, we walked to the small church built out of the surrounding trees. There were many other families waiting there. However, I knew none. No one ever spoke with our quiet family nestled near the forest and my parents never told me about them. Not that it mattered. We walked up and we were greeted by stares of hate. It was clear that the rumors ran deep with the other farmers.

However, kids did not care about such rumors. A young girl ran up to me. She had long brown hair and her wolf ears were tattered and torn. Her tail however swung furiously with curiosity. She spoke with a cute voice, "I am Rachel. What is your name?"

I replied, "I am Li. It is a pleasure to meet you Rachel."

Rachel blushed and before she could say something, her mother scolded her back. I let out a sigh but my parent's smiles comforted me. Before anything else could happen, the doors to the church swung silently open. The parents let their kids run in and I gave one last look to mine. My mother crouched before me and said, "Don't let them bother you. You are my little angel."

I smiled and left into the church. It was small and warm, lit by the sunlight and small candles. Vines clung to the walls and at the center was a large crystal ball that glowed with a light akin to moonlight. Before it was a priest in white and gold robes. From what I know, he is a worshiper of the goddess of light. He is also the one who will measure our aptitude for magic. 

One by one the kids placed their small hands on the orb. Only one was lucky to make it glow. It was the wolf-girl, Rachel. It glowed a brilliant red that was tinged with orange and yellow. Almost like a hearth fire used to cook stew. The priest was amazed that a farm girl could produce such a color. He said with a grin, "You have been chosen by the spirit of flames. You will make a great addition to the school."

Rachel smiled but there was something hidden underneath. It was as though she already knew this outcome. Finally though, it was my time to place my hand on the crystal. I reached out and I felt my energy be absorbed by the large crystal. From the center came a faint purple glow that danced with hues of pink. I let go and turned to the priest.

He replied dishearteningly, "You have been chosen by the spirit of illusions. I'm sure they will be able to make use of your abilities somehow."