Elias and I stand in the shade of a tall tree as we wait for the others to finish.
His breathing is rough and ragged as he tries to speak.
"Holy.. crap.. man.. how did… you.. doitsofast.."
His words are a little unintelligible as they rush out all at once on an exhale.
I just shrug my shoulders, it really wasn't that fast. I couldn't done it faster but I wanted to save my strength for the other tests.
I am a little warm though, I have a long sleeved shirt on with a high collar. I only bought it cause the man at the store said it was the current style.
Elias reaches out to me, wanting a hand to help him off the ground. His face is confused as I flinch back two steps.
"Your sure have.. your guard up around.. people."
I admonish myself silently.
'He's a noble damn you, this a great opportunity to forge an alliance.'
"Yeah.. sorry. It's an old habit."
Unfortunately, I can't seem to hold a conversation if my life depended on it.
His hand is still out and I reach down to yank him up. This time I control my grip so I don't hurt him. I forgot to control how fast my arm moved however.
Elias is sent flying over my shoulder and lands face first into the dirt.
I stare in shock at my hand like I'm not the one who did it.
I panic as I realize i just fumbled my chance to make a good impression.
I rush over and pick him off the ground and try to swat away the dust.
Elias is blown away by what just happened and I step back and avert my eyes while coughing.
To my surprise, he takes no insult at this and laughs like a fool.
"You might be the most interesting person I've ever met Kelric."
His lips tremble as he manages to speak without erupting into another fit of laughter.
There's a heat in my cheeks I can feel rising without my consent. I haven't felt embarrassment in a long time.
My body tightens as his hand claps my shoulder.
"Don't worry about it Kelric, it's obvious you didn't intend to hurt me and I'm fine."
I turn to look at him and I'm overwhelmed. His face morphs into Harry's as he keeps talking.
"Well maybe not completely fine.. my pride is a little wounded."
He laughs like a fool again and I have to hide my face. Hot liquid flowed from the corners of my eyes.
I'm in disbelief at myself because I haven't cried since Harry died.
Elias looks at me concerned, his laughter giving way to seriousness.
"Hey friend, I'm all right really. No need to beat yourself up about."
I wipe my eyes with sleeves.
"Sorry, you just looked like someone I used to know.."
Elias is obviously surprised at my willingness to volunteer information and sleuths for more.
His tone is a little creepy as he brings his hands together and curls his shoulders inwards.
"Did I remind you of a cute girl.. I'm told that I have that effect on others."
His voice changes as he puts a palm out to me and covers his face with the other.
"I must inform you Kelric.. I don't swing that way."
The way he says this which such certainty picks at something inside me. It's not much, but I feel a little crack in my walls I've built around me.
A small sound escapes my mouth and I feel myself wearing half a smile.
Elias is shocked by this meager display of emotion.
"Did I just hear that!? The great lord of doom and gloom just laughed.. I never thought I'd see the day."
I shake my head at his stupidity.
'It really feels like I'm talking to Harry right now..'
I feel my smile vanish instantly at this thought and the crack in me is patched.
'I need alliances not friends. I will avenge my people.'
Elias stops his act and sighs a little.
"…and there he is. You know.. your face is quite intimidating when you look like that."
I'm confused by his words, this is just my face? I don't think I've ever been classified as intimidating.
He shakes his head a little and we wait for the others to finish.
I'm shocked when I find out only thirty seven out of fifty made it through.
'The way they're gasping for air.. are most people these days this delicate?'
We're guided to our next test soon after by the bored instructor.
"Okay, this will be a lot faster than the first test. Does everyone see this?"
He points to a white boulder in the middle of our group.
After a couple noncommittal grunts and agreements he continues.
"This is a resonating stone as I'm sure your aware. Form up in a line and take turns placing your hand on it. This will display your affinity, if you have any."
I've never seen such a thing and I'm confused as to what he means by affinity.
I line up at the very back and watch as people are graded.
My eyes widen as the stone glows different colors as people place their hands on it.
The bored instructor seems surprised as a fiery haired girl makes it shine bright with a powerful dark red.
"That's very good miss Pyne. Grade 7 fire affinity is rare."
The woman smugly tilts her chin up and folds her arms. She moves a second later when she realizes she's holding up the line.
More people get graded as my turn gets nearer.
"Pass, grade 5 earth affinity."
"Fail, grade 3 water affinity."
"Fail, grade 2 fire affinity."
"Pass, grade 7 death affinity, that's rare as well Tobin."
"Pass, grade 5 water affinity."
Elias is next up and is second to last, because he followed me to the back.
The white stone doesn't glow a different color like the others had, instead an intense white light stung my eyes.
"Pass, grade 8 light affinity.. Elias that's really incredible."
The bored instructor looked impressed for the first time that day.
Elias turned to me and flipped his hand up to tousle his hair.
"Am I not the most amazing person you've ever met."
His eyes are closed, but one eye cracks open after I don't respond.
I try retract my expression of mild disgust, but it's too late.
His mouth works up and down till he settles on closing it and walking away.
Now that it's my turn, I feel eyes on me as people wait to see what affinity I am.
'Here goes nothing.'
I reach out and touch the stone. Instantly, there is an absence of light.
A dark roiling mass of pitch black vapor flows around the stone. It looks almost corporeal and I can feel it's coldness as it passes over me.
Then I notice the edges of the black are a vibrant orange. It looks almost like an eclipse, but I know the glow isn't blocked by the shadow, but feeding it.
I get the same feeling from the stone as I do when I look inside myself and feel my hate. My anger. My wrath.
The instructor seems very surprised by the show and his tone proves it.
"Wow.. I haven't seen an emotional affinity displayed before.. the black being consumed by fire.. hmm.. I think I know about this…"
He holds his chin as he ponders and I see the moment he remembers.
"Yes there's no mistaking it… and the way it manifested.. it's a least grade 8.. I need to show this professor Mateo."
He snaps out of musings and announces my affinity.
"Pass, at least a grade 8 rage affinity. Kelric I do so hope you pass at least five more tests to be admitted."