Chapter 16 The First Stage

Evernya’s tail nervously swished as she followed Meira down the crowded walkway leading to the high school. She drew a few glances, but with their own test to think about, no one gave them any issues as they entered the building.

Upon entering the building, they followed the signs to the gym for the mage testing. Even without the signs, they would have no trouble finding their way with the herds of teens and family members flowing toward the gym.

A few minutes later, they arrived in an open lobby-like room packed with finely dressed teenagers and family members seeing them off before they took their place in a long hundred-plus person line. A large gray metal double door resided at the end of the line with a black square scanner locking the door. Standing next to the door was an official-looking woman in a dark gray pantsuit and black heels, watching each teen press their hand to the black scanner.

As they entered the lobby, a similarly official-looking middle-aged man stopped them. “I will have to ask you to leave. This is a mage’s only area. If you took a wrong turn, please walk back down the hall, then take the first left, and you will find someone to help you.” The man politely informed, assuming as a shifter, Evernya was not here for the mage’s test.

Meira took point when she noticed her kitten’s tail flicking in annoyance. “We are here to have Evernya here tested. I know for a fact she is a mage, so she may take part. If she isn’t, she will fail the first test with no harm done. As for me, have you ever heard of an elf incapable of external magic?”

The man paused before conceding, “You are right, but we are not liable for the trauma she may endure if she cannot open the door.”

The man turned his attention to Evernya while pointing at a long table to his right with several tablets displaying sign-up sheets and boxes of color-coded and numbered wristbands. “Miss Evernya, please print your name on the tablet and choose a wristband matching the number and color showed on the list.”

Evernya followed the instructions, writing out her name on the provided tablet next to number 1523 red. Despite never having written her name before, she instinctively knew its exact spelling. After signing her name, she picked up a red wristband with 1523 printed on it in bold, black lettering. She secured it around her right wrist with the clasp.

In a rehearsed fashion, the man continued. “To activate the wristband will your mana into it. The wristband will then lock onto your wrist, preventing removal until the end of the test. The wristband will record all your results during the mage test. Any tampering or attempts to remove the wristband will result in your automatic disqualification. At the end of the test, an official will record your results and perform a body scan to link the results to your identity. This process is to ensure the accuracy of all results.”

Evernya followed the man’s instructions. Immediately after her mana entered the wristband, she heard a click from the wristband as it locked into place. The wristband then glowed faintly, showing it was active.

After walking past the table toward the line, Meira gave her a quick hug while reminding her, “This is where I leave you. Good luck, and remember to stay calm. They are just trying to rile you up to make you do something stupid.”

After bidding Evernya farewell, Meira walked toward another door on the right side of the lobby with a sign stating ‘spectator seating’.

Evernya took her place at the back of the line to wait for her turn. For a few minutes, no one noticed her standing in-line. However, her peace didn’t last long. As soon as people filed in-line behind her, someone just had to point her out.

“Why is there a shifter in-line?” Asked a late teen blonde girl to her friend behind Evernya.

This question caused a chain reaction, leading many teenagers in line nearby to notice Evernya. Most of the teenagers glanced her way before returning to their previous conversation with their friends in line. However, some closer to her talk about her amongst themselves, as if she wasn’t there.

“I thought they didn’t allow demi-humans to take this test.” Questioned a skinny brown-haired teen boy about ten people in front of Evernya.

“The rules don’t directly forbid them from taking the test, but it’s pointless to try since they can’t pass it, only a human can.” replied a short black-haired girl in the line right behind him.

“Why can’t they pass the test?” Asked the same teen boy.

“I heard shifters can’t use external magic, making the first stage of the test impossible.” Answered a tall, blonde teenage boy in front of him.

“That’s not true some demi-humans can do external magic like elves, but she isn’t an elf.” interjected the short black-haired girl.

“That still doesn’t explain why she’s here. Beasts don’t have the right to take this test.” Sneered an attractive blonde-haired girl, three people in front of Evernya.

Evernya clenched her hands into fists, but otherwise showed little outward reaction.

“Maybe she thinks she can pass it, unlike all the other animals.” Remarked an attractive dark-skinned girl right in front of the blonde-haired girl.

“What arrogance, why would she think she is any better than other beasts. Look, she even has a collar, maybe she’s someone’s pet.” The blonde girl sneered.

The comment caused the average-looking brown-haired teenage boy, who was directly in front of Evernya, to turn around to take a closer look. “She has a slave band, but I don’t see the wrist and ankle limiters, nor is the slave band glowing.”

His comment prompted a sharp glare from Evernya, causing the boy to turn back immediately.

Upon hearing the boy’s comment, the blonde girl mocked, “Wow, so she really is someone’s pet! Maybe her master ordered her to take this test as punishment. I know I would rather die than fail the Mage’s test in front of everyone.”

“It’s a shame she’s an animal. She looks stunning in that dress. I would definitely do her.” Commented a tall, muscular teen boy a few people back from her in-line.

The air rippled with force for a moment as Evernya’s temper spiked, but after taking a deep breath, the storm calmed.

“Eww! I didn’t know you were into animals! Sure, she is pretty on the outside, but she’s still a beast.” Teased another muscular teen boy right behind him.

A growl rumbled in Evernya’s throat. But again, she reined in her anger before she reacted to their taunts. They are just some stupid teenagers they don’t deserve my attention.

“At least we won’t have the animal in-line with us much longer. It’s almost our turn.” The blonde girl sneered.

Evernya’s attention diverted to a quiet and friendly voice behind her. “Just ignore those bullies. People like them aren’t worth your time. By the way, I like your dress. It looks pretty on you.” Whispered a brunette boy, slightly taller than Evernya, directly behind her.

“Thanks, I am trying, but it is hard,” whispered Evernya back through gritted teeth.

Through all the insults directed at her, she somehow kept a blank face, tail proudly raised, ears forward, but inwardly she was seething. She noted everyone who has insulted her so far in line, committing them to memory.

Taking Evernya’s response as a green light, the boy continued to talk. “So, why are you here? If you don’t mind me asking. Those bullies are right about one thing, shifters aren’t capable of external magic.” Whispered the boy behind her.

Happy to have a distraction from the insults, Evernya responded. “Well, apparently, I can, though I’m not sure what class yet.”

“Cool. I’m pretty sure I am a water sorcerer. By the way, my name is Alex, what’s yours?” Whispered Alex, the friendly boy behind Evernya.

“Evernya,” replied Evernya.

Alex continued to converse with the mysterious shifter in front of him. With an active curiosity, unable to resist the temptation to find out more about her. “What a fancy name. Mine is so boring compared to yours. How old are you? If you don’t mind me asking, it’s hard to tell with shifters sometimes.” Whispered Alex.

“I don’t know exactly when I was born, but the scan says I’m 19, you?” Evernya responded, playing along with the more personal questions.

With a question barrage on par with Evernya’s, Alex continued. “I’m 18, graduating from Druth East high school in a few weeks. Do you go to school somewhere?”

“You could say I am being homeschooled,” replied Evernya vaguely.

“By your clan? Sorry for all the questions I’ve never talked to a shifter before.” Whispered Alex.

“No, I do not have a clan. Right now, I am living with an elf named Meira.” Whispered Evernya.

“Wait, how don’t you have a clan? Only alphas don’t need to be in a clan. Also, did you say Meira the elf as in the great Enchantress Meira?” The unrelenting boy inquired.

“According to Meira, I am an alpha, and yes, Meira is an elf enchanter.” Replied Evernya, ears twitching in annoyance at being on the receiving end of a question barrage.

“WHAT!!” Exclaimed Alex, causing people nearby to give him weird glances. Alex stared down, embarrassed, with a reddened face.

A few seconds after Alex’s outburst, it was Evernya’s turn to unlock the door. Evernya walked forward, presenting her wristband to the examiner. Now, up close, Evernya got a better look at the examiner. The examiner was a woman in her early 30s wearing a dark gray pantsuit and black heels with her brown hair twisted into a tight bun at the back of her head, giving her a more serious appearance.

The examiner looked on with pity for a second before gesturing for Evernya to step forward. “It’s okay if you can’t pass this test, so don’t be too hard on yourself,” said the examiner, hoping Evernya would back out.

Evernya ignored the attempt, opting to examine the door three meters in front of her instead. “What do I need to do? Do I just press my hand to the scanner like everyone else?” Asked Evernya, disregarding the woman’s attempt to console her.

The examiner paused for a moment before recovering to answer her question. “Yes, press your palm to the scanner and will your mana forward. The scanner will only register mana more than a centimeter away from the body, proving the person is capable of external magic. If you succeed, the door will open. If not, your wristband will deactivate automatically, failing the mage’s test. It isn’t too late to back out. There is no need to try to be something you are not.” Instructed the examiner, giving the shifter one last chance to escape potential embarrassment.

“Thank you for answering me,” stated Evernya politely to the woman before turning her attention to the door.

Evernya walked toward the door, ignoring the sudden silence of the room. She pressed her right palm to the smooth black scanner mounted on the door. Evernya funneled her mana from her mana core through her mana veins and out through her right palm into the scanner. After a second delay, a loud click sounded, announcing the door unlocked.

“She cheated! There is no way a shifter can be a mage!” accused a nerdy-looking teen who was in line behind Alex. Alex elbowed the teen in the stomach while smiling at his first shifter friend.

Finally, recovering from her shock, the examiner announced Evernya passed the first stage. The announcement caused an uproar from the nearby teens and even several parents watching from the sidelines. Dozens of accusations of cheating flew toward Evernya and the examiner, prompting Evernya to push the door open and rush in to avoid the attention.