CHAPTER 7 - A mere dream

When Azyl reached the Combat class hall, Zewoulf inquired to him if he had got himself another punishment?

"Nothing like that. I'll tell you after this class though. It is important information." He said in a low voice as every student properly lined up and arranged themselves in a box formation.

This was how the Combat teacher had disciplined and taught them to be in their first class. They all then simultaneously turned towards their teacher and stared at him intently. Sensing that something seemed to be strange, the teacher towards their gazes.

"What are ya all looking at? Don't be expecting a lecture like the one in your previous class. Although body does play a role in cultivating prana and elements, its nothing too important. You just need to have a strong and fit body, so get on complete your reps properly."

He roared at all of them, and like that their second class of the day was over.

......

As they all finally left the Combat class hall, with their bodies feeling sour all over, Zewoulf helped Azyl to stand and then they trudged back to their dorm.

They had an hour break to rest and have their lunch after which they would have their final theory class. As he lied down on his bed, Azyl quickly felt drowsy and would have drifted, if not for Zewoulf suddenly interrupting him.

"So tell me what you wanted to tell and also about the dream. You were too tired to mention anything about it yesterday so tell me about that as well." He quickly spoke. A little excitement could be felt from the way he talked about the dream part especially.

But Azyl as always was too airheaded to have noticed that.

"Ah right about that. I got some information from teacher Zeke. This could possibly also have some clues about the initiation test that will be a day after tomorrow. Also we have the whole day free tomorrow so I will properly tell you about the dream then, first lets talk about what I have just learnt." Azyl quickly spoke, his earlier laziness vanishing. And just like that, the details of the dream that Azyl knew had once again eluded Zewoulf.

On the other hand, Azyl really wanted to sleep right now but he needed to talk with Zewoulf as well to warn him and also come up with some idea about their upcoming exam.

After he clearly explained all that Teacher Zeke had told him, he waited a few moments to catch his breath. Then he looked at Zewoulf intently for his thoughts.

"Thinking about it clearly, what he said is true. Our empire was supposedly established only twelve years ago. Even though we are receiving help to manage the cities and territory, in the end the main purpose is to gather all the top talents here. They will eventually make a loyal force under the Lord who is helping our region now."

"So the Academy wanting to choose and nurture the select few who are above all others should be correct. In fact I think that there should only be a few spots even in the Elemental class each year. While the initiation test will segregate out the top students, I think its main function is something else now."

"What do you think could be another reason? Don't they want to find out who all are talented and should be nurtured through that?"

"No, that is only in case a dark horse appears, an unexpected talent. The initiation should be to find out the second slot of potential students, who will be assigned to classes like Yoga and Combat. The real talents must have been selected in advance and might have been under observation individually since they stepped into the academy. Its possible that is true, since a lot of capable instructors must be present here. We have not even fully explored the academy yet. There are even areas where we are not allowed to go to."

"But the main issue is that, till now we have made no contact with senior students who should have been in the academy since before us. We have had glances of them, but no one has communicated with them. It makes me think they are trying to hide information from us." Zewoulf summarized his thoughts.

"Woah woah, slow down. You really do get into all serious mode when you start thinking, don't you? But what you are trying to say is that, we already had no chance at being in the elemental class since we came here?" Azyl loudly exclaimed.

"It isn't that we don't have any chance whatsoever. But compared to the top students in our class, do you think that normal students will have a better chance to be selected to be nurtured? Simply put, Teacher Zeke's message was, unless you can break past your limits and perform exceptionally, there is no chance of getting selected. Specially for you." Zewoulf again calmly analyzed the situation and explained to him.

A dull expression settled on Azyl's face. He thought back to how he had been sleeping in every single theory class until now. Although he performed above average in yoga, he barely reached average in combat class. And he would be ranked at the last in case of theory class. Judging based on this, he was already far behind the competition.

Zewoulf was probably way ahead of him and even he was not assured to get a chance. He couldn't help but feel listless.

"What do I do now? I don't think I can perform outstandingly in the test either." He spoke in a low voice.

"You should not bow down so quick. Nothing is set in stone yet and I could probably be wrong as well about this. But now it also seems that you should think about something important. The really important aspect. Which is that why do you want to be an Elementalist? If its something as simple as due to a mere childhood dream and being inspired due to the stories, then you should consider about trying better in Yoga maybe." Zewoulf coldly told him.

Well that was put bluntly.