But he straightened his posture, a confident resolve in his eyes.
"I will silence all these
doubts today."
The family gathered for breakfast.
Lucenio: "So, what's the plan?"
"Based on your request, we won't accompany you to the exam. Your mom, Eden,
Reya, and I will go to the wedding. After your exam if you're still conscious, you'll join us."
"And if you feel any side effects, just send Nolan or anyone, and we'll leave immediately.
The second try is always stronger than the first."
"Don't worry, I'll change into the new clothes after I finish, and Nolan can teleport me
there."
"But keep in mind, I don't think he can’t teleport even to the front porch."
"Yes, he knows that our house can't be teleported to. Also, if anything bad happens, Kai
can come."
"Kai is busy. He won't be here today," alexander explained immediately after hearing Kai's
name.
After an hour there was a knock on the door, and it was Nolan.
"Hello, everybody. Is Lucenio ready?"
"Lucenio will be ready in a minute. But before he shows up, when you finish the exam,
take him immediately to your house. I don't think the results will be what he wishes for,"
Alexander instructed Nolan, surprising him, but he accepted.
Before leaving, Eden hugged his brother, Lucenio hugged him back and Reya, and went to the
exam.
"Are you sure you don't want him to come to the wedding?" Aria asked.
"Yes, I know the exam results won't be as he wishes. After taking the pills and encountering
anyone who might anger him, I'm afraid he might do something to himself“Alexander replied
Nolan teleported Lucenio to the exam location. CALIQORA empire was divided into was divided
into regions called provinces, each governed by a governor or a “Walayi” appointed by the king
facilitate assistance and work throughout the empire, and each place had a building just for the
power exam. It was on the highest point in this part of the empire, like a tower. On the door, a
majestic statue of two warriors, one holding a feather and the other a sword, stood. On top of the
door, a balance was depicted.
lucenio walked into the building, memories of his first visit flooding his mind. He remembered his
parents holding his hand, his aunt accompanying them. He approached the receptionist, who
directed him down a hallway flanked on both sides, each have 3 different statue wearing robes
that concealed their faces, each holding a special item. As he entered the main room, another
statue caught his eye. It depicted a great warrior, with a scar on his left face, holding a sword in
his right hand and a dragon’s head in his left. The statue was mostly white, except for the black
sword and the red part of the face.
Lucenio continued gazing at the statue until an elderly man interrupted him.
"You have every right to admire this great hero” the old man said, his hair thinning and his long
white beard. He was short but commanded respect; he was the head of the teams conducting the
exams. "How I enjoy seeing youth seeking their way in life each year. you both look like you've
taken the exam before."
"Yes, we have. My friend here passed, and now I've come again to see if I have any abilities. Can
I ask, Dr Sellisan, is it normal that I can't show any signs of powers?" Lucenio inquired.
"It might happen, young man. But who are your parents?" the doctor asked.
"Oh, I'm the son of Captain Alexander," Lucenio replied.
"You are the son of the Empire's Shield and the Princess of the Storm! I remember you, young
Master Lucenio. I recall your first attempt; the results weren't great, but there were signs that you
had a trace of power in you. Then, are you his brother?" the doctor asked.
"No, I'm his friend. I'm the son of Alaric the trader," Lucenio explained.
"I see. We have VIPs here. You know, both your fathers came to me every couple of days when I
was a doctor in your village, covered in bruises from their harsh training. Your father, Nolan, had
great potential to be a great captain next to Captain Alexander, but he chose a safer path to live.
And I don't blame him," the doctor remarked.
"So, I need to give it my all?" Lucenio asked.
"Ho ho ho, I'm not telling you that to put pressure on you, but I see in your eyes the same
determination I saw in theirs. Now, Lucenio, go to that door and wait until they call your
number," the doctor instructed.
"Number 44! Looks like I have a long wait," Lucenio sighed.
"Ho ho ho, don't worry, child. Just focus," the doctor reassured him. He then added “you know
both of you are lucky to just being here each year the number of special kids is decreasing so
again do your best and hopefully it will go as you wish”
{While he waites his turn, let me explain the exam.
Usually there is three types of powers in this world you can be an extender or an incider or a
Morphozer
The second trial have zero percent chance of being an extender, but one could attempt it if
desired. However, it wasn't encouraged because the intensity of the trial is always stronger than
the first trial. So, there were two options: an incider or a Morphozer. The elders provided special
pills for the test, and any remaining pills were returned directly to the elders. The pill acted as a
senser and induced a small attack on the power essence to awaken it. The test covered the
physical, mental, and emotional aspects of the individual's power. Is also divided into
two parts The first part involve meditation to test the mind spirit and heart, where the person sit in
a specific position, and a type of potion was used to make him unconscious, indicating whether
they have powers or not based on their reaction. If there was no effect, they proceeded to the
second part, but the examiner can't intervene unless necessary and he cannot tell the examinee any result until he finishes the whole test. They could request another pill, but at their own
risk.the second part tests the physical part strength reflexes nervous system and breathing a chain
was worn, and a barrier surrounded the person the chains based on the examiners give a level of
difficulty gives killing pain and react to the one tied to and the barrier cuts any oxygen and push
the nervous system to the max, tricking the body into reacting and revealing any powers.
Finally, the time came for Lucenio's turn.
The moment froze for him until he heard, "Number 44,
it's your turn."
Lucenio walked towards the hall until someone pushed him from behind. "Go on. I want to see
my rival's powers, or I'll leave you behind" Nolan said.
Entering the exam room, Lucenio signed some papers and accepted the offer of taking another pill
during the interval between tests. As the examiner explained the first part of the exam, Lucenio
took the pill and waited, hoping for some sign of power. However, the pill didn't seem to work
except for one thing: Lucenio lost his balance and clutched his head, experiencing a wave of pain.
Another examiner approached to help, but he was stopped by the dr. Sellisan watching the exam.
Lucenio eventually recovered, but as he placed himself in a circle, he felt suddenly disconnected
from the world around him.
In his mind, Lucenio found himself in a dark place. "Where...where am I? I saw this in my
dream," he muttered, hearing a crying sound. Approaching the source of the sound, he found a
mysterious person sitting and crying. " hello. Can I help you?" Lucenio reached out, but the person suddenly attacked him, screaming accusations. "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOU WHY ARE YOU TORTURING ME! Lucenio couldn’t react until the man transformed into a weird shape swallowing Lucenio until the bell rang and he regained his conscious
With heavy breathing, Lucenio found himself on the ground somehow far away from where he sat as if he was crawling to the door. "Did I show anything?" he asked the examiner, struggling to regain his composure.
Dr. sellisan interrupted “Im sorry lucenio but we cant answer that please rest a bit so we can take the second part”
Lucenio behind him noticed scratches on the floor couldn’t understand the dream or what he did
"We didn’t see any signs of powers, but your fingers have black traces, and you started screaming strange words," the examiner replied cautiously. whispering and instructing lucenio not to look at him directly.
After a long look at his hands he found his nails all black and knew that he was the one that did that to the floor (the floor wasn’t made of wood) after regaining a bit
"I want the second pill," Lucenio demanded, determined to continue despite the pain.
"Are you sure?" the examiner asked, concerned.
"Yes... I can take it," Lucenio replied, his voice trembling.
Taking another pill, Lucenio felt a sharp pain in his head.
"Aaah, my head!" he cried out, the pain unbearable.
"Should we cancel the exam?" the examiner asked, worried.
"No! I can continue!" Lucenio declared, his eyes burning with determination.
The second part started as explained before he experienced intense physical pressure by the chains and the lack of oxygen and battled the voices in his head who screamed as a war was happening. The watchers above marveled at his resilience, but they couldn't ignore the lack of visible effects. "He's holding his ground, even so the difficulty was raised as you instructed dr. but something's wrong," they remarked.
Another added “his spirit unbroken. Never before had I witnessed such resilience, such sheer determination”
"Stop the test! He's passed the time!" the examiner called out, concerned for Lucenio's well-being.
"No! I can still go!" Lucenio protested, his breath ragged.
"We've seen enough. Prepare the report and come to my office in 30 minutes," dr. sellasin instructed,
Exhausted and drained, Lucenio collapsed as the exam concluded. He had given it his all, but the outcome remained uncertain.
As Lucenio clenched his head, the pain intensified. His vision blurred, and he felt as though his consciousness was being dragged into a deep abyss. The veins on his temples bulged, throbbing with an eerie blackness that spread across his skin like creeping shadows. Each vein seemed to pulse with a life of its own, twisting and writhing as if trying to break free from beneath his flesh.
They stayed like that for a while till they started fading at a very slow pace back. As Lucenio emerged from the exam room, his body still trembling he was greeted by a hushed silence that seemed to hang heavy in the air especially because of his looks who seemed came out of a warzone
Nolan approached him "Lucenio, are you alright?"
Lucenio with a weary smile, though it was tinged with the weight of what he had endured.
"I'll be fine, Nolan," his voice hoarse from the strain. "
he then made his way to the office where the results would be revealed. As he walked, a mix of emotions swirled inside him anticipation, anxiety, and a flicker of hope. The weight of the moment hung heavy on his shoulders as he approached the door.
Upon entering, Lucenio found himself facing a figure seated behind a desk. This was Enzo, the captain of the Disciples of one of the Elders. He thoguth to himeslef why is he here next to dr.sellasin what’s going on?
"Lucenio," Enzo greeted him. "Please, have a seat."
Lucenio complied, his heart pounding in his chest as he awaited the verdict. Enzo wasted no time,
getting straight to the point.
"We've reviewed your exam, Lucenio," he began, his gaze piercing. "And I must say, the results
are... intriguing."
Lucenio's breath caught in his throat, his mind racing with possibilities. What did Enzo mean by
"intriguing"? Was it good news or bad?
Enzo continued, his expression unreadable. "It appears that you don't possess any conventional powers, at least not in the way most would expect."
Lucenio's brow furrowed in confusion. What did that mean? Was he a failure?
"However," Enzo added "there are signs of something... different within you. Something we've never encountered before."
A glimmer of hope sparked in Lucenio's eyes as he leaned forward, hanging on Enzo's every word. Could it be possible? Was there still a chance for him to prove himself?
Enzo paused for a moment, his gaze locking with Lucenio's. "We believe that you may possess a unique mutation in your powers, something that sets you apart from the rest."
Lucenio's heart soared at the revelation. A mutation? Could this be the breakthrough he'd been hoping for?
"Yes, a mutation. It's rare, but not unheard of. And in your case, it seems to be quite...remarkable."
A surge of excitement coursed through Lucenio despite the unconventional nature of his powers, he had the potential he always wished to have.
Enzo leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "We'll need to conduct further tests to fully understand the extent of your abilities. But for now, I suggest you take some time to rest, and we will see what will happen.
Lucenio thanked the two and left the room, his mind swirling with a mix of relief and apprehension
"So, is he the one?" asked dr, sellisen, breaking the tense silence.
"Apparently, all the symptoms indicate that he's the one. I've sent word to the elders. They'll decide what course of action to take"
"It's a shame. The son of the Keeper is the one we need to eliminate" said the old doctor
"Never speak those words again. If he is indeed the one, and we resort to such extreme measures,
we'll only invite trouble. His father will pose a significant threat"
Meanwhile, in a remote and secluded palace known as the Source of Life, a messenger rushed
through its hallowed halls, the messenger. Bursting into the presence of the elders, he delivered his report with breathless haste.
"ELDERS! ELDERS! Apologies for my interuption, but we have urgent news. We've found
him. He exhibits all the characteristics and has taken two pills. His name is Lucenio, the son of the Lion Alexander, and the Huntress Aria."
The elders exchanged knowing glances, their expressions reflecting a shared understanding. One among them said"We need more information. What are the odds?"
Another elder, his tone laced with urgency, emphasized the need for caution. "He's taken two pills, and from the reports, he's shown remarkable resilience. But his body can't contain the powers. He's currently a ticking time bomb."
A decision was swiftly reached. "Tell them not to intervene. Let him leave. It's not yet time. We can't afford history repeating itself. Let the effects of the pills fade first and then we'll act. For now,we know he is unaware of his powers but im sure he will soon understand them"
With the order given, Lucenio was allowed to depart.but informed him that he had a new test to assess his powers more closely in a week.
The boys left to prepare for the next event today
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