"She… laughed."
Back to the present day, in the grand Citadel of Worship, Samuel Juladee and Diallo Haidar stood silent, the former unable to utter a single word.
The air between them felt compressed, as if Samuel's throat had been clogged. He could sense that his back was being pushed to the ground.
Carmel Haidar… Is a mad murderer?
The reveal was so abrupt and unexpected, Samuel couldn't process it.
Yes, Carmel's personality did fit that of a crazed lunatic. She seemingly has no empathy for anyone but herself. Especially during her confrontation with John.
But Samuel still couldn't wrap his head around the notion. Looking at Diallo's broken expression, he parted his lips.
"Hey! Get a move on."
Before Samuel could speak, another harsh, raspy voice awakened both of them, jolting Diallo upward. It was a guard, one who shoved the pair and ordered. "Line up and wait for your turn."
Walking back, the guard tsked. "Damn kids."
Neither Samuel nor Diallo spoke as they gathered their belongings and headed for one of the multiple lines to room A.
While waiting, Samuel tried to calm down.
Diallo's mother murdered his father, then she vowed to kill him and his siblings. Why? Does she have a grudge against them? That wouldn't make sense, though. Diallo's full of energy and joy; I can't ever imagine him purposefully wronging someone. Carmel Haidar... Who are you really?
He stole a glance at the imposing figure resting on the podium. The latter looked bored for some reason. She surveyed the boys lining up with a still expression.
Then, while Samuel was still looking at her, Carmel cocked her head back and locked eyes with him.
She broke into a grin.
Samuel shuddered and looked away. Touching his temple with a hand, a moist sensation could be felt.
Why am I sweating?
Samuel tried to focus on anything else as he waited in line. He tried his absolute best not to look back at Carmel.
Because, for some reason, her gaze continued to lock onto Samuel. He could feel it. It was like a surge of malice directed at the boy.
After the inspection, which Samuel wasn't worried about, given that the thought of cheating had never once surfaced in his mind, they left room B and walked back inside the hall.
This time, 81 chairs were distributed throughout the hall. Each brown desk had a matching chair and was adequately spaced from other desks.
"Find a desk," Carmel ordered.
The boys scattered throughout the large hall and found desks. Samuel located one by the glass windows and sat down quietly.
Scanning the area, he couldn't spot Diallo anywhere. Hopefully, he'll do all right.
The absence of a paper confused Samuel; all that was present was a small stone, one that he didn't dare touch.
How would the test be written without a paper?
As he observed the applicants, Samuel got the impression that most had studied and weren't worried.
Lots of participants sat straight and awaited the next instructions eagerly.
Carmel began speaking. "In front of you is a stone; rub it three times. Now." Every test-taker began rubbing the stone.
In front of Samuel, the stone that was rubbed released a surge of blue magic. It began spinning and formed into an ink-like print.
"To prevent cheating at any cost, I made it so that only you can see the stone's ink," Carmel smirked before continuing.
"Once the test begins, the ink will form into a question. Read it and think of an answer. If the answer is correct, the ink will turn into a checkmark before changing into the next question. If it's wrong, the ink will turn into an 'X' and remain at the same question. You cannot move on to another question until you have completed the previous one correctly."
Is that it? What happens if you just don't know it? A sweat droplet slid down the side of Samuel's face. This exam was serious.
But he decided not to worry too much. Samuel did study extensively before the commencement of the exam, so he felt that he knew everything.
Carmel eyed the boys in front of her. "You have two hours to complete the exam. Begin."
Like clockwork, the applicants turned their heads and focused on the area in front of them.
Samuel did the same. The ink floating in front of him read, "What is a Protector?"
She just answered this. Some who serve His Majesty, the Emperor. The royal bodyguard is a person who must be ready to kill at all times. Putting their life on the line whenever is the core essence of being a Protector.
The ink flowed into the image of a checkmark. Correct!
Samuel suppressed the joy he felt after answering the question and focused his eyes on the next.
The next question read, "Who are those with supernatural abilities?"
Who? Does she mean the Transcended?
The ink flowed into an image of an 'X'. Wrong? Who else has supernatural abilities? It has to be the Transcended!
The ink remained as an 'X'.
Samuel tried to rack his brain and stop the drop in his heart. It's only the second question, and I can't get it right?
His heart started to beat uncontrollably.
Samuel kept trying variations: Transcended People? Incorrect. Beyonders? Incorrect. Those with powers? Incorrect.
Looking around, he noticed every single one of the applicants struggling. Their faces were either plastered with fear or shock.
Are they also struggling with the second question?
Then, a voice spoke. While it was soft and polite, the tone spewed power. "Madam, I believe there has been a mistake."
Carmel's ears pricked up as she scoffed, "Mistake? You better prove yourself correct, boy, or I'm going to kick you out."
The boy remained stoic. "The second question reads, Who are those with supernatural abilities? I presume that everyone here is only aware of The Transcended. It's strange how the ink remains on the X, though. Have we been misled?"
The corners of Carmel's lips curled. "What's your name, smart one?"
"Blepharo Clemens." He had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was of medium height and had a small birthmark above his right eye. It was the same applicant who had noticed Carmel's signal to send security guards after John.
Carmel raised her arm and pointed at Blepharo. "You pass. Go wait in room C until the end of the examination."
Without saying anything else, Blepharo quietly left the hall and entered room C.
Carmel glared at everyone else. "Continue your test; the previous question will be omitted."
The room was left in confusion, many wondering how Blepharo was able to pass like that. Samuel exhaled before looking at the ink above him. "When was Lebrad established?"
Finally, a question I studied... Year 1735
The ink spun and created a checkmark. For the remainder of the test, Samuel was not greeted with any trouble.
After three hours, it was over. Carmel took the podium once more and announced the results.
"Look toward the ink in front of you; if it shows a check mark, you passed. If it shows an X, you failed."
Samuel looked up, his heart palpitating. The ink in front of him formed a checkmark. I passed! While scanning the room, the majority of the applicants had happy expressions.
He finally spotted Diallo, who looked grim. Hopefully he passes...
"Of the 81 of you who took the test, 74 passed. Go to room C now. For the rest who failed... leave."
The participants began moving towards room C, chattering loudly along the way. The minority who failed left the hall somberly. Carmel signaled for more guards to tail them.
On his way there, Samuel bumped into Diallo. "Hey, are you alright?" Diallo looked back and smiled. "Yup! I passed! I assume you did too?"
His behavior had finally returned.
"I did. I'm happy we both passed."
As they walked into room C, they were met with 12 instructors standing behind Carmel, who smiled maliciously when she noticed her son.
"We will now explain the rules of the physical examination."