As the morning sun rose, casting a warm embrace of light across the landscape, the boys made their way to the Awakening Hall. Excitement and nervousness coursed through them as they contemplated which elements they would possess, a rite of passage that promised to define their futures. The grand structure loomed before them, its stone façade standing as a testament to the many generations that had come before.
Soon, they were confronted by a huge door. The door was massive, intricately carved, and seemed to pulse with an ancient energy. Instructor Duke pushed it open slowly, and it made a cracking sound that echoed through the hall, reverberating in the silence beyond.
Inside, the room was filled with students, each perched on their seats, their backs turned towards the newcomers. Curiosity and an element of mystery enveloped the atmosphere.
"Looks like they were waiting for us," the boys thought, a mix of apprehension and anticipation swirling within them.
"Get to your seats," said Instructor Duke coldly, his voice authoritative and unwavering.
The boys walked down the long hall, scanning for seats that could accommodate the three of them. They finally found a space in the second row and settled into their seats, the sound of their shuffling barely breaking the silence.
Instructor Duke glided up the stairs, moving with a poised elegance that demanded respect. He came to a halt in front of a magnificent white orb that gleamed under the hall's lights. The orb looked neat and pure, its round shape almost hypnotic; anyone who gazed into it could clearly see their own reflection staring back, filled with hopes, dreams, and trepidations.
"Hi students, welcome to the affinity test. Your journey begins here, right now in this hall," Instructor Duke announced, his voice steady, filling the vast space with gravity. "Many have once stood in this hall; now they serve the village and carry on the fire of the first ever lord of the village. They are now the protectors of Bloodborne humanity."
"You will each have a chance to come up here and place your hand on the orb for your awakening. Please, we will start from the first row."
The tension in the room thickened; students exchanged glances filled with excitement and dread. At the front row, three students stood: two boys, sporting green and black hair, and a girl with vibrant pink hair. "I guess they are roommates. Looks like we have been assigned, each of us our teammates by pairing up as roommates," thought Ethan, noting the camaraderie.
"This will be fun! What element do you think I have? What if I have wind just like Nick? Then we can be clan members!" said Asher, his eyes shining at the prospect.
Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the notion of Asher joining his clan, a warm smile of encouragement crossing his face.
The first boy with green hair was the first to approach the orb.
"Place your hand on the orb," said Instructor Duke, his tone even and clear.
The boy placed his hand on the orb immediately, urgency reflected in his actions, eager to unveil his element. But as soon as his palm made contact, he coughed out a mouthful of crimson blood and collapsed, fainting to the floor.
"O, I forgot to tell you—the awakening can be very painful, so prepare yourself," Duke said with a hint of sympathy directed at the fallen student.
From the back row, a boy raised his hand to ask a question.
"Yes, you over there," said Instructor Duke, acknowledging him.
"When you say painful, how painful do you mean?" the boy asked, his voice laced with concern.
"I mean excruciating," replied Instructor Duke with a disconcerting smile that seemed both reassuring and alarming.
The girl with the pink hair began to shiver, clearly not a fan of the idea of pain looming over her.
After a moment, the boy with green hair finally woke up. Though he was still unable to stand on his own, it was evident that he had sustained an inner injury.
The orb had emitted a green glow when he touched it, and Instructor Duke announced loudly for all to hear, "Element: Earth!"
Next up was the boy with raven black hair. He stepped forward, taking a deep breath to steady himself. As his hand moved slowly towards the orb, the air seemed to crackle with anticipation. When he placed his hand on the orb, a grunt escaped him, and a pained expression crossed his face, clearly showing he was enduring torment. The orb began to glow as he fought through the pain.
"Element: Wind!" Instructor Duke announced to the crowd, his voice strong.
The tension mounted as the girl stepped forward hesitantly, clearly still shaken from the earlier incident. She approached the orb slowly, inching closer, and then suddenly tripped and fell.
A hush fell over the hall, and no laughter broke the tense atmosphere; there was a shared understanding of the gravity of the situation. The students collectively held their breath, each one feeling the weight of uncertainty in the air.
The girl regained her balance and rose to her feet, determination etched on her face despite her trepidation. She reached toward the orb, her hand trembling, a mix of fear and resolve coursing through her. She placed her hand on the orb, only to lose her balance once more, but this time a radiant light erupted from the orb, bright enough to blind everyone in the hall for a moment.
Instructor Duke, momentarily taken aback, composed himself quickly. "Element: Soul Manipulation!" he announced, his voice booming with authority as he processed the unexpected revelation.
A quiet murmur spread through the students as they processed the magnitude of what had just transpired. Some exchanged astonished glances, while others whispered amongst themselves in awe of the girl's unexpected power.
"Wait, what? There are not only five elements?" Ethan asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"I said five main elements, not that there are only five elements. Additionally, they are not usually called elements but manipulations, as they mainly manipulate, not control," Instructor Duke explained, his demeanor steady as he addressed the room full of eager faces.
The boys shared a look of disbelief and intrigue. The awakening of the girl had revealed something unprecedented, something that could alter their understanding of elemental powers. The hall buzzed with newfound curiosity, the students eager to learn more about these manipulations and what roles they might play in the larger scheme of their training and responsibilities.
Ethan, Asher, and Nick exchanged words filled with wonder. "Do you think there are more manipulations out there waiting to be discovered?" Ethan wondered aloud.
"Definitely," Nick replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Imagine the possibilities!" After all he already knew of some of this elemental mutation as the word called it that enables some people to have a different affinity all together.
Asher chimed in, "We could be on the brink of a new era of powers! Just think of what we might uncover together!" Clearly not knowing the full extension of this so called mutation.
The anticipation in the hall shifted. It was no longer just about determining their paths but also about embracing the unknown and the potential each of them might carry moving forward. With their eyes fixed on Instructor Duke, they felt a sense of unity, ready to embark on this extraordinary journey that lay ahead.