Moonborn: The Lost Legacy

Elowen stepped into the examination hall, her heart pounding as she faced the three professors seated before her. Their gazes were sharp, filled with suspicion. She could tell they believed she was involved in the commotion outside.

One of the professors, an elderly man with a long beard, cleared his throat and spoke. "Welcome, Elowen. For your first test, you must place your hand on the crystal ball and release your vitra. The crystal will change color based on your affinity."

He gestured toward the glowing sphere at the center of the room. "If your color is pale blue, you are at The Initiate level. Green represents The Apprentice. Yellow signifies The Journeyman. Red stands for The Adept. Purple is for Masters. Silver belongs to the Archmage, and finally, gold represents The Ascendant—a level akin to a demi-god."

Another professor added, "You will understand these ranks better later. Now, place your hand on the crystal and infuse your vitra into it."

Elowen nodded, taking a deep breath. She stepped forward, pressing her palm against the smooth surface of the crystal. A soft hum resonated through the room as she channeled her energy into it. The professors watched her closely, expecting at least a green glow.

But when the crystal changed color, their eyes widened in disbelief. A brilliant yellow light radiated from within.

"Impossible!" one professor gasped.

"A Journeyman level? At her age?" another murmured in astonishment.

"We've never seen such natural talent before!" the third professor exclaimed.

Elowen lowered her hand and looked at them. "So, what do I do next?"

The head professor composed himself and cleared his throat. "You have passed. There is no need for further tests. You may go."

Elowen smiled. "Thank you." With that, she turned and left the hall.

Outside, she spotted Cassian waiting. "How did you do?" she asked.

Cassian grinned. "I passed. Got yellow. You?"

Elowen chuckled. "Same here. Now, let's wait for Keld."

Meanwhile, in another examination room, Keld stood in the center, feeling the weight of three intense gazes on him. Headmaster sat with Professors Jack and Yan, their expressions unreadable.

Keld sighed internally. Why is my luck always so bad?

The headmaster finally spoke. "Keld, place your hand on the crystal and determine your level."

Professor Jack's stare felt like it was piercing through Keld's soul. Swallowing his nerves, Keld hesitantly placed his hand on the crystal and infused his vitra.

Crack!

The crystal shattered.

The room fell into stunned silence. The professors exchanged baffled glances.

"What just happened?" Headmaster muttered.

"It must be an old crystal," Professor Yan suggested, though he didn't sound convinced.

The headmaster summoned another one. "Try again."

Keld placed his hand on the new crystal. Once more, as his vitra flowed in, the crystal shattered into a thousand pieces.

Professor Jack stiffened. "Headmaster, this is not normal."

Professor Yan frowned. "I believe we need a higher-tier crystal. These low-level ones can only measure up to yellow."

"Are you implying that Keld's level is beyond yellow?" Professor Jack asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"I don't know, but we should test it," Yan replied.

The headmaster nodded. "There is no harm in trying."

With a wave of her hand, she summoned a high-level crystal, one capable of measuring all ranks. "Keld, place your hand on this one."

Keld hesitated for a brief moment before obeying. As soon as he released his vitra, the crystal glowed fiercely, bathing the room in a Red light.

The professors recoiled in shock.

"Red... The Adept level?!"

"This is unheard of!"

"A student reaching Adept level during an entrance test?!"

"His potential is monstrous!"

"No wonder the lower crystals couldn't contain his vitra!"

"What kind of prodigy is he?!"

The headmaster took a deep breath, regaining her composure. "Keld, you have passed. You may go."

Keld, still processing what had just happened, gave a polite nod. "Thank you." Then, without another word, he left the room, his mind racing with possibilities.

Keld stepped outside and spotted Elowen and Cassian waiting. He walked toward them, still in a daze.

Elowen saw him first. "Did you pass?"

Keld nodded. "Yes."

Cassian grinned. "So, did you also get yellow or a lower rank?"

Keld smirked. "I got red."

Both Elowen and Cassian froze. "What did you just say?!" they exclaimed in unison.

Keld chuckled. "I said, I got RED. R-E-D. I'm higher than you two. Praise me!"

Cassian burst into laughter. "You are so epic!"

Elowen smiled. "Congratulations."

Cassian threw an arm around Keld's neck. "Well, that means it's time for a party! Let's go celebrate!"

The trio headed to a restaurant, spending the night eating, laughing, and enjoying their victory.

Meanwhile, back at Nishapith Academy, all the professors sat together, deep in discussion. The room quieted as the headmaster entered, and everyone stood up.

The headmaster raised a hand. "Everyone, please sit."

Once the murmurs died down, she continued. "As you all know, this year, we have received many talented students. Ten of them have reached the yellow level."

The professors smiled and began chatting amongst themselves—except for Professors Jack and Yan, who remained silent.

The headmaster's voice turned serious. "I have something more urgent to discuss. One student, Keld—the boy who caused a spectacle this morning—has achieved the red level. The fourth tier out of seven. And he is only seventeen years old."

The room erupted in disbelief.

Professor Jack stood abruptly. "I think he must have used some kind of forbidden medicine or hidden artifact to reach that level! It's impossible for someone like him to achieve it naturally!"

Some professors nodded in agreement.

The headmaster shook her head. "That is not possible. I was there, watching closely. No one can hide anything from me, and you all know that."

A heavy silence filled the room. Despite the truth, many found it difficult to believe.

The headmaster continued. "I understand your doubts. But remember—he was chosen by the Queen herself. If that is the case, then it is entirely possible he is truly this strong."

The room fell silent once more as the weight of her words settled over them.

As the sun rose, Elowen, Cassian, and Keld made their way back to the palace, eager to share their success.