CHAPTER 24 - Strange occurrence.

In the area where the teachers were seated, Teacher Zeke looked at Azyl's back as he strode off back to his place. He was one of the two who had noticed the strange reaction that Azyl had. In fact, he had been paying attention to this kid for sometime now. Earlier, when he had given him a hint, it was his way of telling him he was observing Azyl. His instinct told him that there was something wrong with this kid. Or maybe something right? He just knew that his instincts were never off mark in these cases.

Teacher Zeke had been always good at observing and deducing knowledge from what he could observe. At one point he was even inclined to become a private investigator, but then the Elementalists came and the need for that swiftly decreased. The establishment of a new royal family that had powerful backing also brought the benefit of proper enforced law and order in every state and city. And he had no wish to work directly under them either. So he instead pursued the mystic knowledge that was now available for people to learn and became a teacher. He was proficient in yoga since a young age, many in their nation were as it was widespread. Once the corresponding knowledge to use yoga to improve one's mental energy was distributed to the academies, it become a popular choice to become a teacher.

He also believed that his practice of improving his mental energy was the reason for his extra sensitivity.

Back then when the students started speaking about this student who always slept in the theory class, he started paying attention to him. And some strange points came to his notice as he continued to observe. Every student that came to this academy was at first filled with enthusiasm to chase after their dreams and learn to control elements. Even though this would diminish for most of them after their first week going through boring, long lectures, they would not outright give up. And even if they did, it wouldn't be like how Azyl behaved.

He could see that the kid was doing fine in his yoga class and from the combat Teacher Rawk he was able to grasp that even though he was below average, it was mainly because of his own lethargy, not lack of diligence. Although he would always do the tasks reluctantly, but that was because of his natural aptitude at being lazy. There was no intent of giving up in him. So there must be some other reason for this kid to act the way he did in the theory class.

And then the day before when he heard from Teacher Ren how Azyl had confronted him to teach him for the class he missed and this confirmed one thing, something was up with this kid. Of course he did not bought the excuse that the kid gave to Ren, about being exhausted after combat class and all. So he paid extra detail to when the kid went up to test his prana level. And he was not disappointed as he saw his results.

And now when the elemental affinity test took place, he had acutely grasped that something happened when he placed his palm on the obelisk. He would try to talk to him later about this, but for now he just wanted to nab this student under his yoga department. He knew Azyl had not been included in the ten selected for this year, so he had to make sure that it remained so. Until now, he had been lucky with Nigel, but even then, he had to share that student with the combat department. But now he felt that there was an opportunity here.

He turned his head, to glance at the other teachers and saw that no one seemed to have noticed this anomaly. But of course he could not be sure. He doubted that something like this would go unnoticed by the principal's keen eye. But the principal would not take action until he saw a really remarkably talented person.

With these thoughts, he turned to look at the other peoples result, while looking forward to what fresh surprises would Azyl bring.

Soon every student was done testing. The most amazing this time was once more none other than Zewoulf. When he went to get tested, the pillar instantly fired up in a bright red color, with the topmost section, that had a flame like symbol glowing. He had an affinity for fire element awakened and it looked like the affinity was really strong, judging from the intense glow. Even the principal felt surprised and excited at that moment. Finally there was a talented individual among the students.

Zewoulf had a gloomy look, as he had not at all expected this to happen. He could not blame anyone but his own luck for being too good. It couldn't be changed now, and he could only feel dry inside. When he looked at the principal excitedly getting up from his seat, he knew he had become a big target and a lot more eyes were now focused on him. He had only wanted to attract a little attention from the crowd, but now the entire crowd would be upon him.

To make himself good he thought,

'Now at least there will be less eyes on Azyl. I can act as the light while he remains in the shadows.'

Woulf really wanted to go talk to Azyl right now about his plans, but he felt it would not be right. He had encouraged him to give his best for this initiation and he did not want to pull him back from it now. Now he could only hope that Azyl would not outperform others and have an average performance, just enough to get him in the Yoga class. It felt strange to be wishing for his friend to not perform good in a test, but only he knew the truth that was not known.

Other than Zewoulf, there 7 more students who could get a reaction from the pillar. And half of them were kids who did not fare well in the first phase. Only one other person was a high ranking student. From this we could see that this elemental affinity was really random. Your prana level did not affect it.

Azyl wondered whether this elemental thing was all important at all.

'The academy has no discrete method to determine whether a person has awakened an affinity, so how do they include this in their grading to select the ten students? Ah yes, the initiation is probably for such situations. So among those six not-so-amazing students who also got an elemental affinity, will someone get lucky to get into the elemental class. If they performed good in the next exam maybe they will?'

Once they were all done, they were asked to once again take a rest as the next phase would only start after lunch break. It would be an hour long break for everyone to prepare themselves for the task that would make them go through the beast forest.

Just as they were all about to disperse, a voice called out Azyl's name.

"Student Azyl, please come forward. The principal would like to talk to you." One of the attendants said.

Azyl was confused when he was called out, and even more so when he heard that the principal was the one calling him.

Immediately, many thoughts went through his mind as he thought the reason for this.

'Am I being expelled him for his past behavior? Or was it because of some other reason? The result from the first phase should at least be of some help to mitigate sometrouble, right?'

As these thoughts raced in his mind, he slowly trudged forward and reached the area where the teachers sat.

Zewoulf could only look from a distance. He did not know the reason either for this.

Teacher Zeke looked at the principal with a slightly raise eyebrow, as he could not tell what this poker-faced old man was going to do next. But he was ready to make sure that he did not forcefully put Azyl in the Elemental class.

As Azyl stood before the principal, the hoarse voice asked him,

"Do you wish to become an Elementalist?"