Chapter 61: And Found Wanting

“Now sit and prepare for an hour of meditation. No sleeping. If you fall asleep, I will push you into the river.”

“At this point that might be a welcome present compared to last night. I was so tempted to just drop into the water many times,” Trint partially joked.

“Enough, this is serious. Your time is precious; this is the last hour today you will have to rest. I want you to earn your sleep tonight.”

Trint’s eyes snapped open, and his head shot towards his mentor. “We might not get to sleep again?”

That is a possibility, but don’t worry about that now. Resume your posture and close your eyes. Ruminate on what you would do if you had limitless power and could affect any change you wanted in the System and iterations.”

Limitless power and any change, Trint thought as he tried to enter his Spirit space. He forgot that it was locked to him and still attempted that and checked his stats. Status. Still nothing.

Limitless power, Pneuma considered. That would be great. But what does that mean if others also have power equal to or greater than mine? No, let’s first consider having the most power. I would protect Trint and his family. I would help them gain the power to protect themselves. Huh, I know my bond with Trint has brought us closer, but I didn’t realize that is where my mind would first go. But what do I want? Separate from my desire to protect and care for Trint?

My family, Trint couldn’t help but think of his family. All the power I’ve attained so far is nothing if I can’t get to them.

The hour passed in a blink. The focus of their mentor’s questions kept them from sleeping and they were taken back down to the courtyard. It was easily the size of two football fields. Half of them were parking and walkways on the side nearest the gate. They were on the opposite side in some grass. The sun was up but not yet over the walls. They sat in the shadow of the wall.

Trint and Pneuma arrived while the others were getting seated in a semicircle facing yesterday’s speaker and mentors. Ele’Azar waved them towards the disciples and left them to take a place standing by the mentors.

“Not all of you look awake,” the old man laughed to himself. He was an old man in appearance with humble red and silver attire. His hair long and gray was pulled back and tied with a narrow silver string. He carried himself with a confidence that usually bespoke power or arrogance. He smiled kindly to the Mentors but directed his words back to the disciples, “Maybe some exercise? No, it is time for introductions. I as many of you know am Fineran, but more commonly known as Chief Cease Architect. I have a Penultimate ranked Soul of fire and Spirit. Many know me as the Inferno’s Judgment. For your time here you will address me as Chief Mentor and nothing else. These standing among me are the Mentors. Each is worthy of their position as the Premiere Cohort Mentors. Your Prime Mentors you should either know or get time to soon and follow their instructions explicitly. If in their absence you are directed by another Mentor, you are to follow their direction as well.”

“Each of you has earned your place here. Even those who have inherited their role or bought a position here with family connections, money, or favors. No one here, regardless of their origins, is here by accident. All of you have been vetted individually. And today will prove that with a simple test. All of you are ready and have prepared for this training. I suppose not exactly everyone.” The Chief Mentor looked to Trint and Pneuma. Trint’s adrenaline spiked as all eyes turned to them. “That we will have to remedy. Please bring out our other guest.” At the announcement, the speaker watched a door open, and a woman ushered a small child out. Guiding them with one hand over their shoulder. They must have been 10 or 12 years old.

“This one came from the far reaches of the planetary systems to become a disciple. From sector 10, this child will be the first to be measured and weighed. Keep in mind he has had next to no training and according to initial tests was on the low end of potential. Let us see if our estimates are in line with a more accurate measurement.”

The child was led to a spot behind the Mentors where a circle of black stone was surrounded by grass. The black stone with the white circles appeared seamless. The innermost circle was solid white and was the size of a man’s palm. The outermost circle was 10 feet across. As the child was taken to the edge of the circle the solid white center rose as a pillar, out of the ground to about 4 feet in height.

“Don’t be scared, child,” the child’s escort encouraged the child. Seeming apprehensive in front of the crowd, the child still knew what to do and removed his sandals before stepping on the stone. He walked to the center and placed his right hand on the pillar and then placed his left hand on top of the right. The floor of the stone began to glow, and the white circles allowed the light to shine through. The boy's body began to levitate slowly from standing to laying above the pillar and his body ended up with him horizontal with the ground with the center pillar aligned over his chest. Slowly the outermost white circle rose but it didn’t rise straight up but curved to form a dome the two halves meeting at the top to form a half sphere above the ground. The white shining stone dome became transparent and allowed everyone to view the boy suspended in the air. The now sealed chamber began to fill with mist. The boy breathed it in. It was obvious when he passed out as his head drooped.

“Don’t be alarmed,” Ele’Azar whispered between Trint and Pneuma. This is harmless. Watch the readouts on the screen, this test will impact you more than you’d like.”

Trint noticed a screen like a TV rise out of the ground to the side of the test chamber. Results began scrolling.

Stat Average: 5th Percentile

Mana Rank Average: 6th Percentile

Spirit Stat Average: 4th Percentile

Skill Proficiency Average: Common 7% Mastery, Uncommon (Average)

Soul Potential: 10% Standard White

“I’m guessing those stats are rather low. What is the percentile based on?” Trint looked to his Mentor, “Please tell me this isn’t where they are lowing our stats?”

“We will have to see how things go but for now those are likely where your stats will be adjusted for a while,” Ele’Azar attempted to reassure them. “You don’t have the same stats, but they will adjust till they are happy. Which will make adapting for you harder. I hope to see you elevated to the minimum of your Cohort or at least close by the time the sparring starts and before they can challenge you. But don’t worry you won’t be the only one limited over the course of your time with us.”

The screen showed some other measurements, but Trint missed the rest. And the Chief Mentor began speaking to all gathered.

“This boy is an example of the low end of the potential for those you will soon lead and guide. In just a moment you will be ranked based on your current stats and your Soul capacity category. The faction colors you wear will be replaced by your corresponding capacity color during your time here. You will be allowed to wear your faction color again after you return to your homes.”

“As many of you know the test and readout have proven accurate in a statistically significant number of cases. That also leaves room for you to improve. You will all be measured today and again after your initial anchor is set.”

“What does that mean?” Trint leaned closer to his Mentor.

“I’ll have to explain later,” Ele’Azar whispered apologetically.

The dome had retracted, and the boy was taken back the way he’d arrived during the time the Chief Mentor was speaking. He continued, “Who would like to go next?”

At the open invitation, a few jumped from the ground but two of the three lowered themselves, and bowed their heads toward the girl in purple robes, who didn’t bother to look back at them as she walked to the circle. She was probably no older than 16 with long black hair, beautiful with clear poise and confidence as she approached the test as if none of the others were present. Removing her shoes, she entered and without hesitation repeated the actions of the first boy. The light shining from the dome, this time, was green that just slightly turned a mix of blue near the end. Then all the light faded, and the results appeared as she was helped to stand after quickly regaining consciousness. She then gained her composure, her face still turning crimson with embarrassment.

Trint and Pneuma viewed the results wondering if this was the peak of their Cohort or if she was indicative of the rest.

Stat Average: 27th Percentile

Mana Rank Average: 25th Percentile

Spirit Stat Average: 18th Percentile

Skill Proficiency Average: Common 32% Mastery, Legend (Average)

Soul Potential: 78% Peak Green

“That was Arneala of the Violet Scythes, she will be near the top of the results,” their Mentor whispered, having moved closer to them. “She is likely around level 500 but her family’s influence permeates our society. Not many can boast a Violet Soul Master.” Noticing Trint had questions he continued, “The colors follow the spectrum of light. White, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The closer to violet the more powerful. Even one violet or blue can elevate a family to the heights of our society. Her grandfather is the first and only violet on record. She still has a chance to increase her potential and green is probably the best someone here can expect.”

“I thought you said we are remeasured after we set an anchor?” Trint wondered. “Doesn’t that mean this is only an initial guess?”

“Mostly true but gaining a good Anchor can also grant a Lineage. Those with a Lineage, are the only ones who have a chance at a Seat. Think of a Seat like having a specific Class but for your Soul. Those with a Seat then in the rarest of cases get a Name or True Name. That is like gaining a Title for your Soul. A unique identity within your Seat and Lineage. It is the rarest of rare even for the lower-tier Soul Masters. Even the White Masters, the lowest possible can gain Lineage. The lower on the Spectrum of Soul you are the easier it is to gain an anchor. But we have found only Green and above can gain a Seat and we only know of True Names because Arneala’s Grandfather was willing to share the detail with our people.”

During the explanation, Ele’Azar provided, a couple of others from the Cohort had tested. Their stats were lower than Arneala’s and they were yellow and orange potentials. Trint and Pneuma remained silent as the others were also quiet. Each disciple was being exceedingly respectful and even when the results were lower, no one laughed or seemed to look down on the others. Trint noticed the last of his Cohort finished and he assumed he or Pneuma would be called next. Before he could stand, he looked to his Mentor. Ele’Azar, stood over them holding his hand out indicating to stay where they were.

“The potential this Cohort showed even before your Anchors is exceptional,” the Chief Mentor spoke to them. “It seems the Peak of your Cohort will be Arneala, which is no surprise. But remember you have much to learn and prove. Even a red could surpass your potential Arneala if you don’t Anchor well. Which I know you are aware of. Now if all of you would follow your mentors, it is time for a well-deserved lun…” before he could finish his sentence, Arneala cut in.

“What about those two? The one all in black and the other in white robes. Why are they here if you won’t be testing them?”