The Ruler Of Gilead 7 Coming Of Age Ceremony

"Yes, father."

"Your mother has gone ahead to meet the council of Elders. So we'll catch up to her there."

"Oh, okay."

"That look on your face shows you have the right a.s.sumption. Yes, your parents and grandparents are a part of the council, so be at ease and perform to your fullest."

"... Yes, father."

"Your mother has told me about your skills and I'm quite impressed! I've heard you mention your goal for the village before and you should know that your mother, grandparents and I support you..."

'It seems they take turns watching me?'

"... To further that goal you need to impress the Elders, fully. You need to show them the strength you possess and your potential. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I do."

…...

When they arrived at the gathering hall, Hittan finally came into contact with other members of the village not a.s.sociated with the King Beast Pavilion. His grandfather and village leader, Fan, was already addressing the Elders, other partic.i.p.ants.

"Gentlemen, today we will have 7 candidates partic.i.p.ating in the coming of age ceremony. Three from the Phoenix Clan:

Sahar

Ona

Falkner

Two from the Dragon Clan:

Samir

Valencia

And two representing the King Beast Pavilion:

Edan

Hittan

A total of 3 girls and 4 boys. As we all know the ceremony consists of 4 test areas: G.o.dbeast Sign, Mineral Purity level, Strength Capacity and Practical Strength. Juniors, I am sure your Elders or parents would have shared the details with you all by now. So we shall skip the boring descriptions.

However, there is one point that I will emphasise and that is the issue of confidentiality. After the conclusion of these examinations, those who qualify will be selected to attend the Sky Element Academy. The location of this village, your status or others as members of the village and the information observed in this ceremony are all confidential. The Academy's Headmaster and senior staff are aware of who you are, but others are not permitted.

Now, once your name is called you will step forward and enter the stage then begin the test a.s.signed to you. I wish you the best of luck!"

"Sahar of the Phoenix, Please step forward!"

"Yes, Lord."

"Placed before you are the Orbs of the White Diamond Phoenix and Corundum Dragons - Sapphire and Ruby, Vermilion Bird and the Land Dragon. Stand before the stones and the one that resonates with your soul will represent your birth legacy."

Sahar stepped forward and the Phoenix Orb lit up with a strong White Bluish Glow. Next came Ona - White Bluish Glow and Falkner another White Bluish Glow. Next came the Dragon Clan with Samir registering a strong Red glow and Valencia a Blue glow. Finally came the Beast Pavilion with Edan stepping forward.

"Edan of the Beast Pavilion, step forward."

Edan had long since noted Hittan, but given the atmosphere of the ceremony, he thought it inappropriate to greet him. But just before stepping forward he gave a knowing wink. Both acknowledging Hittan's presence and his confidence.

"What!? What's happening here? How can two Orbs respond to one person??!"

Hittan himself was surprised by the number of Orb resonance that Edan initiated, but not too much. After all, he knew he was special. Edan had a strong resonance with the Vermilion Orb and a moderate reaction of the Phoenix Orb! Two Orbs, a first in the village. Edan himself could only smile as he proudly swaggered off and rejoined the group with all eyes on him.

"He could be a true Vermilion Bird inheritor…" as one of the Elders turned to say to the chief in hushed tones. While the commotion was still going strong the Chief proudly called his grandson forward.

"Hittan! Step forward, my boy!"

His loud voice immediately quieted the crowd of Elders and kids. As. .h.i.ttan made his way to the Orbs the crowd naturally started to whisper as the chief did not say which Pavilion or Clan Hittan was from. But they all knew from their parents that Hittan was his grandson, a lowly King Beast!

"IMPOSSIBLE! HOW COULD THERE BE TWO FREAKS IN THE CLAN TO PRESENT SUCH AN ABSURD REACTION FROM THE ORBS!?!?!?" Shouted the male Phoenix Clan child, Falkner.

Hittan himself just calmly looked at the glowing Orbs while another shout came from the back.

"So that's how it is! No wonder you're so much stronger than me Hittan!!" With his arms raised high Edan couldn't help but holler in despair.

"Three strong resonances with the White Diamond Phoenix and Corundum Dragons- Ruby and Sapphire!" An Elder of the Phoenix Clan shouted.

"The Dragon Phoenix is finally reborn!" The Elder of the Dragon Clan exclaimed with excitement!

"Hahaha!" Laughter could be heard coming from Jalil the Dragon High Lord and Hittan's other grandfather.

Hittan's parents simply sat in silence with a smile plastered on their faces.

"Okay, let's move onto the next test!" Said the Chief with excitement.

As. .h.i.ttan and the group moved onto the next stage the Elders in charge of the test began positioning themselves at the four points of the stage. Each Elder then proceeded to insert a crystal core into an exposed slot situated at that corner. One of the Elders that positioned themselves began to explain how the test will work.

"This stage will be the site for the rest of the exams to be completed. It will project an attack against your base element and from the results, we will then see what level of resistance you can manage and by extension percentage of impurities or weakness. Following that will be a pressure test and finally simulated combat. I must remind each of you, that though this is essentially a light projection if you strain your mind in that world you can die. We shall proceed in the same order as before and as such Sahar please step forward."

Soon Sahar stepped onto the stage and as she did a flash of light projected upwards similarly to s.h.i.+eld wall. However, the audience could see the environment that Sahar was surrounded by and Sahar herself was visible as if they were a few feet in front of her observing. As soon as the test began most of the juniors were in awe at what they saw. Shards of minerals from every direction a.s.saulted Sahar trying to find her breaking point. From her perspective, the world was gla.s.s and it became her enemy as it bombarded her in an attempt to forcefully reject her presence, level 5. She continued her resistance to level 6- igneous stones- where stress fractures finally started to appear. At this point, the test was halted and a score of 40% impurities awarded.

Ona was next and achieved a score of level 5, 50%, Falkner level 7, 30%, Samir tied Sahar at level 6, 40% and Valencia at level 4, 60% impurities stated. Finally, it was time for the two "freaks" to enter the stage with much antic.i.p.ation.

Edan seemed pumped at the thought of showing off his might! As soon as he entered the stage he soon understood that the test was no joke. Level 7, igneous boulders the size of half his body a.s.saulted him. Level 8, the size of the boulders became twice as big as him leaving him no options but to buckle, 20%.

"Impossible!!" How could he have fewer impurities than me a genuine Phoenix bloodline!?" Falkner again was displeased with the results.

"Because he is also a true Vermilion Bird G.o.dbeast." An Elder who happened to hear Falkner's complaint answered.

Falkner had no time to question the Elder's statement as. .h.i.ttan was already on stage at that point. In a flash, levels one to seven were pa.s.sed with ease as he stood still under the tri-sun enjoying his daily walks to the cliff side. Soon level 8 started and again no response was noted from Hittan. The audience was now under the impression that he was bored. Level 9, igneous boulders the size of small hills started a.s.saulting him and finally, some interest noted on Hittan's face. But it didn't last long and it was not until level 10 were mountains appeared and tried to a.s.sault him two at a time! Hittan gave up his relaxed att.i.tude and took up a fighting stance.

What the others failed to realise is that this test is not about physical strength but Will! A Will that matches the hardness of the base mineral in the G.o.d Spark. Each mountain was cleaved in two with each strike of his fist and soon the mountains became rubble. He looked into the void of the light projection and shouted.

"My Will is unbreakable!"

A vague shadow of a planet-size boulder appeared before the projection was shaken and stopped. The entire Great Hall just froze in silence as he walked back to the rest of the juniors. Impurities level 10, 0%.

"HAHAHA, that's my grandson! Jalil shouted with overwhelming pride. Chief Fan was smiling from ear to ear.

"The next test will begin in 30 minutes so that you all can mentally recover."

"Thank you Chief Fan!" the juniors responded and took their seats off stage.

…...

"Challengers, let us resume with the exams. The Strength Capacity test will be next and this test will measure your strength within your rank and the fighting force above your rank." The senior Elder in charge of the stage announced to the juniors.