Chapter 319

  Class Selection

  “For all of you still here, know that I have to get you all down to thirty-nine potential students.” I shout out, my words echoing as the final few students press their final precious few moments towards trying to complete one more of my three impossible tests.

  “The only way to guarantee that one of those thirty-nine sports are yours is to finish and complete all three glyph tests. After that, it is all up to my indiscretion as to who will retain a spot,” I warn.

  People are still trying, which is good.

  But many have stopped.

  Six apparitional Deolarians have completed all three magical tests. While five mortal Midnight Hunters have also completed the three tests, claiming a total of eleven of the thirty-nine spots available.

  Likewise, five guild members have completed the Qi training exercises, which is great. And surprisingly enough, two Deolarians have completed the Qi challenges as well.

  That honestly surprised me, as I realize I might be biased against ghosts apparently. The reason being is that I thought it would take a bit longer for the apparitional Deolarians to learn to use spirit Qi. Though maybe that is just my own biases on how long it took me to learn to utilize spirit Qi after learning about regular Qi.

  Still, this apparent surprise at their accomplishments is something I need to be aware of and hopefully prevent in the future.

  Afterall, each student is only going to be held back by three things; potential, self-determination, and my own ability to provide them the guidance and resources needed for them to succeed on their own.

  That is why I am both encouraged and discouraged by the level of effort being displayed by everyone.

  Right now, I am just two Deolarians away from meeting what would have been one of the toughest of my nine assignments.

  Just two Deolarians would be enough to close out this task and call it a day.

  The only problem is that, if I did that, chose just to complete based on the race of the individual, then I would in fact be doing a disservice to everyone who attended.

  Looking at all the applicants, I see the remaining falling into one of three main categories.

  Those with Exceptional talent either in Qi or Magic. These were the student candidates that I am most disappointed with. These students clearly could complete the task provided, but are playing it easy, going for the numbers game.

  The idea is that if I accepted all of them, I would easily meet my quotas and max out at thirty-six students. A number well below the thirty-nine allotted spots, which would also allow me to pick three other worthy students from my other rankings.

  These are likely seen as the easy option by the system, as each group has exactly two Deolarians meaning I could either get a two Deolarian student buffer, or I could choose either more magic or Qi students and again be done.

  Again though, that is too easy.

  Worse, it would only encourage this type of lackluster efforts from these people in the future.

  No, I was a Pixie of my word, those eighteen that already passed the three tests were in, they had the drive, talent, and adaptability to make it.

  As for these eighteen students with exceptional talent but no real interest to try to push and solve this third test, I will not choose them.

  Of course, I don’t tell them this, instead letting my words push my opinion further than I ever could alone.

  “Come one, push it, many of you are right there, just a little bit further and you could be guaranteed a spot.” I shout.

  Again, the gaggle of students just stare at each other.

  By now there are less than a hundred applicants in each box, all separated into rows based on how many of the glyphs they have solved.

  Many with only one glyph by now have stopped.

  With so few applicants left, I don’t force a rotation out, and instead have let everyone stay, slowly trickling forward, trying to reach the prize of a guaranteed acceptance to SVC.

  While those without any glyphs have left, but are still staring on, watching to see who gets in. For those that choose to stay and watch, I take a moment to remember them. These are the ones that while slow to start, will be unstoppable once they get going. That is why I take a moment to memorize each of their energy signatures.

  I want to remember those that stayed behind to watch, to remember what was at stake, and to come back all the harder for their efforts.

  Even with my words of encouragement, those eighteen students in the exceptional range, or third band just do a quick head count and look around. Most here have given up, and seem relaxed. They all tried, but after one or three failures, they all seemed to quit on the test and are all just waiting.

  Watching everything, I already know what will happen.

  By the end two, possibly three more from the second tier will be able to advance to the third tier, getting me the remaining twenty-one candidates. A perfect thirty-nine seats.

  Again though, I’m judging for something different.

  As expected, three magic students rush forward, having completed the second glyph pattern and having evolved to the third form. While no Qi students rush forward to the third tier.

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  Immediately, a few of the students who have been in this tier the longest get up to their feet and look around, but then quickly calm down as they do a quick head count and realize they are still good, from a numbers perspective.

  Many also likely assume that they will be given a pass because they were here first and instead go back to resting while they can.

  I won’t begrudge them at all, these tests were meant to be tedious, taxing, and cause you to focus on details. Everything you need in any aspect of life but especially dealing with energized particles that flow into and through your body.

  Yet, I can’t help but feel disappointed with the efforts, as it seems that the lazy nature of these third-tier students is infectious, as only one of the students a mage student immediately charges forward and begins going through the different test patterns for the third glyph.

  Her dedication and perseverance apparent as she bites her lower lip and tries.

  Fizzle.

  The first attempt fails, but she is determined to keep trying.

  Fizzle, fizzle.

  She doesn’t have a knack for this more complex processes that are being tested, but she has the one thing I look for most in a potential student, perseverance.

  Mentally noting her, and seeing if she will continue to push throughout, I then go to the rest of the students.

  Directly behind the gaggle of Exceptionally talented students are what I refer to as the Beyond Great candidates.

  These are the students that while not having the god given talent or coordination of those with Exceptional talent are not too far behind. With a bit of polish and effort, they could make it further.

  Many of the mages of this group have given up, and just look around in dejection. They look forward seeing that they still have to complete the second glyph. Then many look behind themselves at the gaggle of those who only have one glyph unlocked.

  It is perhaps this glance back at the few remaining Good or Above Average students who have only managed to complete their first glyph that really sets the fate of what I am about to do.

  Well for the magic users, the Qi users here are a different breed entirely. Those Qi specialists that are still working on their second glyph are all working and moving. In fact, other than the few minute rests that were allotted between cycles, these warriors have not stopped moving. For that reason alone, I mentally praise them.

  Looking at the remaining Great or Above Average magic students, their limitations are clear, they just lack magic capacity. This in turn leads to the inability to alter energy wavelengths quickly enough to satisfy the glyphs that are on their bodies.

  I knew this would be a limitation of the glyphs, which is why I am here to be the final judge and arbiter of efforts.

  “Anyone going to keep pushing to try harder?” I ask.

  With that the one lone newcomer to the Tier Three magic ring tries. Two Qi users are also still trying, but failing to meet the complex patterns required for the third tier.

  By now everyone keeps quiet, as they all know the silencing spell I cast on them, my Modified Radial-Forced Selective Hearing will make it so only I can be heard.

  There is movement, but not enough for me to be satisfied.

  I understand that many of these students have been here for hours, and that the test itself was a few hours long as well, but still, I wanted more.

  Then again, I really shouldn’t complain as all I need are two Deolarians and I can call this portion of the quest complete.

  Yet, I knew I wouldn’t be able to look at myself in the mirror if I did that. Not that I could, get it? It’s a blind joke.

  “And Time!” I call it.

  By now Valeria, my apprentice and someone that is moderately talented in Qi is standing next to her with her hands clasped behind her back. Which apparently is the position all bodyguards take up when they are near their charges.

  “Hey Val,” I begin then calling over my shoulder I ask, “who’s the stiff?”

  At that the stiff, just looks at me confusedly for a moment.

  “Who?” Valeria asks then following my gesture, she responds, “oh this is Staff Sergeant Gabriellaz, she is my…”

  I cut her off, and just turn to face Gabriellaz, “you are like my Jhonny? Is that right?”

  Gabriellaz pauses for a moment, but then her eyes flare wide as she nods.

  “Yes, like your Jhonny, I too am a guard,” she responds.

  Hearing that I just nod.

  “And your motivation is to stick around Valeria and get free training?” I ask, making sure I understand this guard’s motivations for getting close to my Apprentice.

  Blush.

  The girl has the decency to blush at the comment, “I, well yes.”

  For a moment it looked like she wanted to lie but then thought better and answered truthfully.

  Hearing that I pause and think for a moment, before nodding.

  “Good,” I begin, but then after a pause I continue, “I take it you are also interested in the morning Qi Manifestation classes?”

  More blushing.

  “Yes, that is correct, I…”

  I just wave my hand, “that is fine. I’ll see you there.”

  With that Gabriellaz looks flustered for a moment, but then just smiles brightly as she nods. Apparently not wanting to talk and ruin her moment.

  I turn to my Apprentice.

  “So, I take it you saw the students participating in this entrance exam?” I pressed.

  As I spoke, I could all but feel the four hours of active training with my Apprentice burning away.

  “I did,” Valeria nods and proceeds to get closer to me on my raised platform.

  “And what would you say of their efforts?” I ask, my voice loud enough that every potential student could hear.

  “They were all quite impressive,” Valeria answers, clearly not wanting to ruffle any feathers with her response.

  I am also amplifying her voice too, so that each of the students can hear her response and see what others have to say about their efforts.

  “So, who do you think I should allow in for the final twenty-one spots?” I ask.

  Then pointing to the first eighteen that passed, and the only ones that forced their destiny, they were off to the side. Pointing towards them I spoke, “those eighteen earned their spots, so they are already in.”

  With that, the eighteen that were off to the side all visibly relaxed.

  “But for everyone else, we have twenty-one slots available, and a total of sixty-three candidates. So logically not all that remained until the end can remain. Which ones would you recommend?” I ask.

  Valeria opens her mouth to speak, but then closes it and just shakes her head. Clearly she either feels uncomfortable being thrust into the limelight, or she doesn’t trust her position enough in the guild to feel she can give her honest opinion.

  Either way, I respect her opinion, not everyone can give honest feedback.

  “What about you Qi Stalker girl,” I point to the warrior that had for the moment gone quiet and was just watching our conversation with wrapped attention.

  “Me?” Gabriellaz blurts out.

  “Yes, I’d like to get your opinion on who you though should be accepted to the final twenty-one spots. I’d like to point out that at this point we have almost perfect numbers. Sixty-three final contestants that stayed until the end. Only a third of which can move on. Then we have what seems to be an almost too easy choice of twenty-one students who made it to the third tier, many of which immediately stopped upon arriving there, knowing their spot would be safe.” I state the facts as I see them.

  Hearing that both Valeria and Gabriellaz’s mouths go wide as they seem to be prepared to speak, only to then pause in contemplation.

  “I take it you are not going to go with those that unlocked the third tier of that glyph you gave them?” Gabriellaz asked.

  As she spoke, the crowd of on lookers from down below took in a collective breath.

  “Good observation, but no.”

  At that, the student candidates from the third or exceptional tier let out a breath of relief. That’s when I go in for the kill.

  “At least not all of the failed,” I respond.

  “Wait, some of those that made it to the third glyph failed? But that test was impossible, and you are kicking them out for getting there?” Valeria asked, her mind going wild with implications.

  Hearing her ask these questions I smile.

  This is good, for she is trying to think about the process.

  “How about this, I’ll make it easier on the two of you. I will highlight those that have passed, and then you tell me why you think I chose them.”

  With that, I drop the arbitrary fields that separated the three groups. There was still one kid in the center who had gotten the first glyph for both Qi and Mana, but I don’t really count him as a valid student.

  With the giant colored barriers down, I then go to Illusionary Magic and highlight the students that I am going to pass.

  Of the twenty-one students in the third tier, only one student gets highlighted. The one girl who even now was still trying to understand how to complete the third phase of her glyph. That personal dedication to understanding, even when no one was watching. Or at least, when no one should have been watching, that was huge for me.

  As such, she was the only student who unlocked but had not completed the third glyph that continued onto classes.

  Next, from those students in the second tier, all five Qi users were accepted.

  This put me at a total of six of the twenty-one seats taken, one of which was a Deolarian. Meaning I still needed to choose at least one more Deolarian for acceptance.

  This was where my third grouping of students came in, for the last group I accepted all seven Great or Above Average Tier One mages, three of which were Deolarians.

  This gave me a total score of thirty-one students accepted, and twelve Deolarians accepted. Not bad, as this easily met the ratios provided by the system and I could already feel the checked boxes being accepted.

  Gasps.

  “What this is an outrage!” Voices from down below bellowed out.

  Hearing them, I just recast my Modified Radial-Forced Selective Hearing on the mob of students. Many of whom are overly annoyed at the fact that I would dare pass over them.

  Mumble, mumble.

  Again, once they can’t hear themselves talk, they begin mumbling incoherently.

  Seeing their clear disgruntled nature I turn back to them and speak.

  “I told you all, you did not want me coming up with arbitrary means of predicting your future. You all had your chance. Just like the eighteen students who I couldn’t not allow, you too could have been amongst their kind if you all applied yourself.”

  After that I pause and watch them to see if anyone else tries to mumble their protests at me.

  Silence.

  Seeing that everyone, even the students I accepted are now silent and looking back to me and my Apprentice, I once again ask.

  “Okay, now that I’ve shown you who I am going to accept. Can you tell me why I accepted them?”

  I turned my face towards Valeria, expecting a response. This is just an automatic gesture now, when I am trying to illicit a response from someone.

  Unfortunately, Valeria just shakes her head as a confused look comes to her face.

  With her response, I can only sigh to myself.

  Then turning to her bodyguard, I find myself asking.

  “Can you guess why I chose these final thirteen students to fill in the remainder of the seats available? Despite still having eight vacancies left?”

  The guard, Gabriellaz looks like she doesn’t want to answer, but then pauses and moves forward.

  Looking over the buttress that we are on, she scans for those that are clearly marked with a giant bright pillar showing they were chosen directly by me.

  Gabriellaz just stares at, the one girl with the third-tier glyph unlocked seems to be moving. For her part, the new girl to the third tier seems to be lost in her own world as she seems to be happily trying to solve the glyph on her hand, even now.

  “Is it because they didn’t stop trying?” Gabriellaz asks.

  Hearing her reply, I can only smile as I already like this new guard. I might need to steal her for myself.

  That’s when I begin to reply.

  “You know what…”