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2024-10-29 19:42:56Frost, incensed by the derision directed towards him as he took the task at hand seriously, lunged toward the suspended rope ladder with fervor. However, as he progressed up the rungs, the ladder appeared to elongate, rendering his ascent increasingly arduous. Eventually, the challenge proved too much, causing him to topple to the ground, engulfed by the coils of rope and wooden steps.
Finick viewed the situation with amusement.
"Very well done," praised Master Eldritch. "Who wishes to make an attempt next?"
"Allow me to try once more," Frost requested, a hint of resentment creeping into his voice. "I am now cognizant of the approach required."
"There are many aspirants waiting eagerly for their turn," Master Eldritch noted, exhibiting a noticeable enjoyment.
"It's unjust. Once someone succeeds, all will know the solution, and I am being penalized for going first."
"It seemed to me that you were eager to go first," Master Eldritch retorted. "However, if there is available time after everyone has had their turn, and you still wish to make another attempt, you may do so."
It appeared that Frost would be granted another opportunity, a conclusion that Fin inferred from his demeanor and probable notable background.
Most of the students failed to perform better than their peers, some only managing to scale halfway before losing traction and plummeting. A few couldn't even initiate their ascent. Lirien was the most accomplished, until her grip gave way, causing her to crash onto a training mat. Her hair accessory, adorned with a flower, suffered some damage. Despite trying to hide it, Fin discerned that Lirien was distressed by the way she repeatedly attempted to restore her hair clip.
Master Eldritch consulted his roster and announced, "Lance Sterling." The athletic and confident Lance stood before the rope ladder, stretching his fingers in preparation, exuding a sense of comfort in his physicality. Fin felt a pang of envy, as he was unable to participate in team sports, due to the fear of humiliation.
Lance approached the rope ladder with determination and launched himself onto it. He scaled the rope with agility, propelled upward by a seamless combination of pushing his feet and pulling with his arms. The speed at which he climbed caused the rope to fall slower than Lance's ascent. Higher and higher he went, eliciting a hush from the onlookers, including Fin who held his breath in awe.
Lance ascended to the summit with a gleeful grin plastered across his face. With a swift motion, he used the edge of his hand to strike the ball and release it from its perch. He slithered down the ladder with the grace of a gymnast, landing soundly on his feet.
The other children erupted into an impromptu applause, even Frost, who grudgingly patted Lance on the back in recognition of his achievement.
Master Eldritch, with his characteristically monotonous tone, acknowledged Lance's success by uttering the same words he used for all the other participants. Finnick suspected the grumpy old mage was irked by the fact that someone had defeated his tedious task.
"Finnick Black," the mage announced as he moved on to the next candidate.
Finnick stepped forward, wishing he had thought to bring a physician's note excusing him from the physical challenge. "I can't," he declared.
Master Eldritch scrutinized him, asking "Why not?"
Finnick lifted his head, casting a defiant gaze towards the mage. "My leg," he explained. "I'm not allowed to participate in gym activities."
The mage shrugged nonchalantly, "So don't."
Finnick struggled to contain his anger as he noticed the reactions of the other children, some expressing pity, others annoyance. Normally, he would have eagerly embraced the opportunity to engage in physical activity, but he was determined to follow the restrictions imposed upon him. "It's not an excuse," he retorted. "When I was a baby, my leg bones were shattered, and I've undergone ten surgeries with sixty iron screws holding my leg together." He hoped Master Eldritch would decline his offer to see the scars, as his left leg was a disfigurement of red incision lines and unsightly scar tissue. Finnick never exposed it to anyone, having avoided shorts since he was old enough to comprehend the meaning behind curious gazes directed towards his leg. He was at a loss as to why he had revealed so much, save for the fact that he was consumed by fury, losing control over what he said.
Master Eldritch, twirling his whistle contemplatively, addressed Finnick. "The trials before us are not easily surmountable," he declared. "At the very least, put forth effort in this endeavor, Finnick. If you are unable to overcome this obstacle, we shall progress to the next challenge."
Finick reluctantly approached the rope ladder, bracing himself for the task ahead. He placed his left foot on the lowest rung, only to be met with a searing pain that forced him to abandon his attempt. The sound of Frost's mocking laughter echoed behind him. Despite the aching in his leg and the numbness in his stomach, Finnick steeled himself and reached for the ladder once more, determined to succeed.
However, the memory of years of ridicule and ridicule for his physical limitations overwhelmed him. As he gazed up at the red rubber ball at the top of the ladder, frustration and anger surged within him. Suddenly, with a loud boom, the ball erupted into flames. The room was filled with smoke, and everyone, including Master Eldritch, stared in awe as the ball burned. The stench of burning chemicals permeated the air, and Finnick stepped back as a lump of melting plastic fell to the floor.
"Everyone, evacuate the room," ordered Master Eldritch as the students started to choke and cough on the smoke.
"My turn!" protested Frost. "How can I have my second attempt now that the freak has ruined the ball?"
"LEAVE," commanded the mage, and the students hastily fled the room, with Finnick bringing up the rear. Despite the goop splattered on his T-shirt, Finnick was acutely aware of the hateful glares from both Frost and Master Eldritch directed towards him.
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The indomitable Master Eldritch strode forth with ire, leading the cohort down the corridor with purpose, away from the examination chamber. The pace of the procession was rapid, rendering it impossible for Finnick to keep pace. His injured limb throbbed with pain, and the scent of burning tires emanating from him was overpowering. He hobbled in their wake, ruminating if there was ever a failure of similar magnitude in the annals of Memora. He dared to dream that they may grant him a premature discharge, both for his own well-being and that of his peers."Are you faring well?" Lance queried, slowing his stride to fall in step with Finnick. His countenance was affable and benevolent, as if their fellow group members' avoidance of Finnick was a trifle."I'm perfectly fine," Finnick replied through gritted teeth."I am at a loss to explain your feat," Lance marvelled. "The expression on Master Eldritch's visage was akin to..." He attempted to imitate the visage, furrowing his brow, dilat
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The contenders congregated in the foyer, arrayed before a formidable portal, awaiting their summoning. Frost conversed with Lance, directing his gaze towards Finnick, who appeared to be the focus of their discourse. Finnick heaved a dejected sigh, recognizing that this final examination would likely have minimal impact on his abysmal academic record. Regardless of the outcome, he would soon depart with his father, completing this trial.A mysterious mage, adorned with an intricate serpentine necklace, approached without introduction. Perusing a folio, she declared, "Finnick Black, Master Zoltar is eagerly anticipating your presence within."Fin pushed away from the wall and trailed the mage through the double doors into a vast, dim chamber. The floor was made of wood, and upon it sat a solitary magician next to a substantial wooden basin filled with water and a flickering flame that burned without any visible source. Fin froze, feeling a sudden unease at the nape of his neck as he rea
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Fin's father's sudden recoil was inadequate, as two mages forcibly pried Fin from his grasp. The father's outcry filled the air, but Fin's thrashing and resistance proved fruitless as he was hauled over to Lance and Samantha, who appeared petrified. Fin retaliated by launching a well-aimed elbow at one of his captors, eliciting a pained groan and causing his arm to be wrenched behind his back. The reaction from the assembled parents, who had come to observe their children's aerodynamics schooling, was a mystery to Fin."Fin! Listen not to their deceitful words!" His father's fervent shout echoed as he was being escorted out of the hangar by other mages. "They are ignorant of your true nature!" Despite the commotion, Fin struggled to comprehend the surreal events unfold.Suddenly, a glimmering object caught Fin's eye. Unbeknownst to him, his father had broken free and had thrown a dagger toward him. The projectile flew with uncanny accuracy, its blade aimed straight at Fin. In a daze,
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The nocturnal bus journeyed deeper into the stygian wilderness, as the last vestiges of twilight vanished from the horizon. Through the window, Fin gazed upon the celestial expanse, speckled with countless glittering constellations. The dense, leafy foliage of the forest and jagged rocks were obscured by the enveloping darkness, rendering them indistinct and eerie."And that's precisely what the Deathless one is waiting for, a chance to breach the Treaty," interjected Frost, his tone sardonic."He wasn't the sole practitioner of magic in his generation," Samantha added, her voice reverberating with reverence and conviction, as she recounted out the tale she'd learned by heart. "There was another, a valiant champion named Radiant Storm, who was slightly older than us, but she fought valiantly against the Deathless one and we were gaining ground. Unfortunately, the Deathless one committed the most heinous act imaginable." Lowering her voice, Samantha continued, "All knew that a great ba
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Fin's father's sudden recoil was inadequate, as two mages forcibly pried Fin from his grasp. The father's outcry filled the air, but Fin's thrashing and resistance proved fruitless as he was hauled over to Lance and Samantha, who appeared petrified. Fin retaliated by launching a well-aimed elbow at one of his captors, eliciting a pained groan and causing his arm to be wrenched behind his back. The reaction from the assembled parents, who had come to observe their children's aerodynamics schooling, was a mystery to Fin."Fin! Listen not to their deceitful words!" His father's fervent shout echoed as he was being escorted out of the hangar by other mages. "They are ignorant of your true nature!" Despite the commotion, Fin struggled to comprehend the surreal events unfold.Suddenly, a glimmering object caught Fin's eye. Unbeknownst to him, his father had broken free and had thrown a dagger toward him. The projectile flew with uncanny accuracy, its blade aimed straight at Fin. In a daze,
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Master Zoltar emerged from one of the doors with a commanding presence, causing the assemblage to fall into a hushed silence without uttering a single word. His piercing gaze scanned the room, eliciting palpable anxiety among some of the familiar faces in the crowd, including Sophia, Lance, Frost, and Samantha. The latter appeared composed, seated between an opulently dressed couple of dark-haired individuals with brown skin, elegantly attired in cream-colored attire."Aspirants of the year," Master Zoltar addressed the crowd, "I extend my gratitude for your attendance and tireless efforts during the Trial. The Memora extends its appreciation to the families who have supported and waited for the outcome." He paused, surveying the bleachers. "Nine mages are present and authorized to select up to six applicants each, who will serve as their apprentices for the duration of their five-year tenure at the Memora. This decision should not be taken lightly, as there will be more applicants th
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The contenders congregated in the foyer, arrayed before a formidable portal, awaiting their summoning. Frost conversed with Lance, directing his gaze towards Finnick, who appeared to be the focus of their discourse. Finnick heaved a dejected sigh, recognizing that this final examination would likely have minimal impact on his abysmal academic record. Regardless of the outcome, he would soon depart with his father, completing this trial.A mysterious mage, adorned with an intricate serpentine necklace, approached without introduction. Perusing a folio, she declared, "Finnick Black, Master Zoltar is eagerly anticipating your presence within."Fin pushed away from the wall and trailed the mage through the double doors into a vast, dim chamber. The floor was made of wood, and upon it sat a solitary magician next to a substantial wooden basin filled with water and a flickering flame that burned without any visible source. Fin froze, feeling a sudden unease at the nape of his neck as he rea
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The indomitable Master Eldritch strode forth with ire, leading the cohort down the corridor with purpose, away from the examination chamber. The pace of the procession was rapid, rendering it impossible for Finnick to keep pace. His injured limb throbbed with pain, and the scent of burning tires emanating from him was overpowering. He hobbled in their wake, ruminating if there was ever a failure of similar magnitude in the annals of Memora. He dared to dream that they may grant him a premature discharge, both for his own well-being and that of his peers."Are you faring well?" Lance queried, slowing his stride to fall in step with Finnick. His countenance was affable and benevolent, as if their fellow group members' avoidance of Finnick was a trifle."I'm perfectly fine," Finnick replied through gritted teeth."I am at a loss to explain your feat," Lance marvelled. "The expression on Master Eldritch's visage was akin to..." He attempted to imitate the visage, furrowing his brow, dilat
