"For years we've recycled the same tired tests, keeping the bar low to coddle you. But not anymore," Elysia said. "This year is going to be different. I must inform you for your own good that the exams would be brutal."
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, muttering to themselves.
Elysia continued, her voice sharp. "As you all know, traditionally, only ten candidates gets accepted into our prestigious school after the selection exam. But that's about to change because this year, only three candidates would be accepted."
The Murmurs was louder this time. It was such an unexpected surprise that every began protesting.
"Three? But that's unfair!"
"We all worked hard. Why only three?"
"When was this decision passed?"
"This is madness. I will not accept it."
Elysia raised her hand. The noise gradually subsided.
"I wasn't finished," she said, coldly. "As I mentioned earlier, this year's selection would not be easy. There are three stages of the exam. Each stage would be more difficult and dangerous than the last. Some of you... will die."
Everyone reared their head back in shock. Did she just say die?
"Yes, you heard me correctly," Elysia continued, her lips curling into a smile. "The moment the exams begin, you will all be responsible for your own lives. You will prove yourselves in the three stages. The first three candidates that makes it out alive becomes our initiates."
The hall erupted into an uproar.
"This exam sounds like a death sentence," an adult mage raised his fist in the air.
"We didn't travel long distances, just so we can throw away our lives!"
"The academy must've lost their minds."
"Some of us are barely sixteen. You don't expect us to go on a suicide mission?"
"I'm not taking this stupid exam. I'm leaving!"
Elysia allowed them to rant for a while, then she uttered in a powerful chilling voice, "Silence, you miserable insects!"
The noise instantly ceased.
"Grow a spine all of you," she uttered, her eyes knitted in a frown. "No one is forcing you to take the exam. If you are so scared, so comfortable with being mediocre, you can leave now."
"The Demon King's legions has been going on a rampage for years," she continued after a short pause. "Each day, they grow stronger. There are no heroes left to protect us from such threats. The academy is running a new program with the sole purpose to forge the most powerful mage this world has ever seen. And it begins—with you."
I listened attentively. This woman was heading somewhere with this talk of hers.
Elysia's fingers pointed straight at us, her eyes sharp.
"Many of you have the raw potential to become Archmages. This exam is structured to pick out the ones with the talent and strong drive to become the best. If it is your desires to become the strongest in the world, then you would hunger to prove it not just to me but to the Council Of Seven and the Archwizard himself."
Another pause. The air was thick with tension.
"However," her voice dropped. "If you're scared of losing your life, then leave. Nobody will stop you. Just know this: those who walk away will never be allowed to sit for this exam for as long as you live. You will be barred forever. Neither you, nor your descendants will enroll in Waurweth academy. Ever."
Everyone froze. A lifetime of ban down to our descendants told us it was really that serious.
Elysia turned to a circle of scholar mages. "Open the Red Gate," she ordered.
The mages started chanting an ancient magic spell.
Suddenly, a swirling red portal tore open before us. I could feel it's raw power pulsing around the room.
It literally gave me the chills.
Elysia faced us again, her gaze hard. "Beyond this gates lies the three stages of the exam. It's the survival of the fittest. No rules apply here. Only the strongest will be enrolled in our academy. Our newly initiates would enjoy a range of outstanding benefits."
Elysia cleared her throat as she revealed the benefits. "You will awarded with the prestigious Gold Badge of Waurweth academy, granted private lessons with the Council of Seven, and promised a seat beside the Archwizard himself—upon his passing."
This was too good an offer. The dream of every aspiring mage.
A boy in his mid teen stepped forward. "But what about our parents and guardians? Do they know about this?"
"They are being briefed on the exam as we speak," Elysia replied. "But it is left to you to decide if you will carry on with the exams or not. The door is always open. Whoever fears for his life, please leave and never return. For those who wants to prove themselves however, step through the portal and you might just change your fate."
This was intense. The challenge was daring but the rewards are great.
Still everyone hesitated. No one wants to risk losing their lives over an exam, but whoever bails out would never enroll in Waurweth Academy for eternity, down to their last descendant.
Cruel but understandable.
Suddenly, a girl no older than me stepped forward. Her brown hair was tied back into a braid.
She wielded a wooden magic staff almost her height and is dressed like a noble.
Without so much as a word to anyone, she walked gingerly into the portal, her eyes filled with steely resolve.
Everyone else were startled. This girl showed no fear nor hesitation.
Whatever was going on with her, she displayed a great deal of courage that shamed the adults candidates.
"Damn it!" An adult mage swore under his breath. "I'm not going to be outshined by a little girl."
He charged after her into the portal.
Another stuttered, "M-me too... I'm going to be the most powerful mage in the world."
He also ran into the portal.
Before anyone knew what was happening, half of the candidates were charging into the portal like flies.
Others who weren't so sure of themselves began to leave. I guess their courage wasn't just enough.
I let out a sigh. "Very well, Waurweth Academy, I will play your game. Bring it on."
I walked gingerly towards the portal. Before I entered, I was quick to steal a glance at Elysia.
There was a wide grin on her face. Too wide to be human. She spread her arms and uttered in a voice that echoed across the hall, "Let the Selection Exam, Begin!"