Dance between Mortals and Immortals

Chapter 2.2

Grandmaster Zhou walked into the testing room that was merely a giant circular room with small observation pavilions on the second story of the chamber leaving the children at the bottom he made his way to the central pavilion and looked down at the many children crowded near the back of the chamber. The room had been used since the foundation of the academy to focus the magical energies of the world and concentrate on them like a sauna. He could feel the almost heavy quality to the air like a hot humid day.

Looking down on the parchment that was stained with tea marks and a slight worn edges from the long travel that was made. Captain Takeda gave him that listed all the names of the children from his latest excursion to the outer edges of the empire... ‘this won't do...there are much too many of them I need to narrow down the field’. Though Grandmaster Zhou as his time was quite valuable and he was the only tester today.

"Alright! I will call you up by tens and you will attempt to do as we ask you to if you pass a glowing light will be shined down on you and you will go to the doors to the right if you do not go to the left and meet back with Captain Takeda" is that understood Grandmaster Zhou said sternly he looked at the large group of children before him. Even if there were a lot of them he sincerely loved meeting the new children of the academy.

"Yes sir!" they all cried out at once in agreement. He called the first group up which consisted of the oldest of the children that could be admitted into the academy they often were not useful starting in the academy at a later age was not recommended and only allowed when it was decent talent. The sooner they could indoctrinate and infiltrate their daily lives with the loyalty to the Imperial pantheon and Imperial family the better for the Sato Empire.

"Alright I want each of you to put your hands out and act like you are cupping a ball between both your hands" he watched them all do as he was told and continued with the explanation "Now. Focus all your will and energy on forming a ball of light between your hands" it was at that moment that looks of confusion sprouted upon the numerous students as they looked around trying to see if the others understood what to do, meanwhile others were sweating profusely trying to do as they were told. Being intentionally obtuse was part of the test if these students couldn't grasp basic concepts of Ki without an in-depth explanation, they didn't have a natural affinity for magic.

Grandmaster Zhou looked down at them frowning slightly. Not one could even do the first part of the test properly, he sighed, taking in the disappointment. "None of you passed, please exit and the next ten come up." A look of dismay came across some of the students while others looked relieved not all are meant to be Ki users.

The test was testing for three things.

First that they could conceptualize something that wasn't there, but simply a concept or idea in their heads, the second was if they understood the idea of letting their spiritual energy flow thru their bodies, and the final test was to see if they could actually conjure some of their spiritual energy before them...that was when the true test began. Because simply having Ki wasn't enough to gain entrance into the academy. They needed to be exceptional.

A person who could use a low level of Ki would excel with a mixture of martial arts training and Ki training as it could supplement the weaknesses in martial training, but low level Ki users rarely were blessed by deities and if they were they were incredibly minor gods or goddesses who had no business in this academy next to the Imperial Pantheon. The Imperial Pantheon was the primary gods that were commonly worshiped or recognized wide spread in the Sato Empire. Though there were untold numbers of deities many did not have a single follower. Though it wasn't uncommon for those outside the pantheon to get into the school it simply was preferable for the students to be acknowledged by the deities of the Empire as it was much easier to train and teach students in gods that they already knew about.

Group after group came up before the grandmaster and none were passing several could pass the first test, which meant they may one day understand, but they simply lacked the minimum level of talent to be accepted by the most prestigious school in the empire. If they could do the first two steps then they were a mediocre talent and would become an outer disciples. If they could do all three they were considered an average talent. What made one stand out from the rest was how strong the ball of light was when they conjured it from their spiritual energy. Someone who couldn't get to step three would have to work significantly harder to keep up with someone that had talent. Those who couldn't even pass step one had little hope of ever keeping with them therefore would not be accepted into the academy.

After the last and youngest group were up. Grandmaster Zhou's eyes skimmed over the last batch at which point he had little faith that any of these youngsters would pass. His eyes fell heavily on the last young girl furthest to the right of him. At that moment a brief moment of shock flashed across his face that went away as fast as it came. This girl was extremely interesting he thought as he looked at her. Those eyes were truly haunting; he had never seen such piercing blue eyes in his life. Though blue eyes were considered cursed never has a parent or someone with those colored eyes come into the academy. This would be the most interesting he thought with a glimmer flashing in his eyes.

"Proceed!" he commanded the children to do as the others did. He kept his eyes on the girl without letting any of the others see he was paying attention particularly on the blue eyed girl.

The girl held out her hands her arms at her side were at a ninety degree angle and her hands held out in front of her as if she were delicately holding a fragile ball in her hands a moment of surprise flashed onto his face again as he looked at the very interesting girl. She was able to perfectly conceptualize that she really was holding a ball something that wouldn't take much effort ought to look natural not any muscles straining to hold it like all the other students did "good" he muttered to himself... "next!" he spoke out more loudly urging them onto the next step. As they all moved onto trying to tap their spiritual energy Zhou felt absolutely zero spiritual energy from the entire group all save the blue eyed girl who he could feel a modest amount of Ki flowing thru her it was nothing to go shouting down the streets over, but her Ki was slightly different feeling. At the last step a small light formed between her hands a look of joy sprouted across his face. 'We finally have one' he thought slightly relieved even if the talent wasn't extraordinary it was good that they caught her at a young age that would help her immensely in the future. Talent was only a small equation… hard work would matter all the more.

"GOOD!" he cried out "everyone but the young girl to the far right may leave. Young one you are going to exit out the opposite way I will be over there in a moment along with the other masters... be mindful when speaking in the other masters presence, understood?"

The young girl nodded before silently leaving towards the next room. She's a quiet one… good I enjoy someone who knows when to speak and when to listen.

Grandmaster Zhou turned to leave as well a small smile on his face. It truly was rare to get a new disciple before the annual test happened there would be high expectations for her, plus with her eyes he doubted that even in a place for the unique and gifted she wouldn't stick out. Hopefully.