17 Shocking Everybody

After waiting until midday, head teachers of each department finally walked out into the large courtyard. All of the new students had already arrived, Greyson glanced around and estimated that there were around 30 kids in total. Since the exam happened semi-annually this amount was not too large because there would not be too many new kids every 6 months who could join the Academy. One of the teachers walked out in front, he was a clean-cut middle-aged man with black hair and light blue eyes in a blue robe. He radiated authority and looked down through his silver rimmed glasses with his icy blue eyes. He cleared his throat softly, however, the power echoed through the courtyard and silenced all the children.

"I am Elendil Hargrave. I am the Head Teacher of the Water Department. All of the Head Teachers of each element department are present here and we will test each new student for their element affinity and those people will join their respective departments. We will call each of you in and test your element. In the rare event there is someone in your group who is a multi-element magician they will be a co-member of whatever corresponding departments." With that ending statement, he turned heel and the other teachers followed behind.

Greyson felt his nerves build up. Although he decided to show that he could use seven elements, he was very worried of the enemies he might receive and the threats of jealousy. Even at 5 years old, he understood the concept that the tallest tree gets chopped down the fastest. Showing off his talents was a risk since he had no background or powerful family, but if he didn't show his talents there would be no way to advance. He would never get the best resources. He was not sure that he was making the correct decision, but he trusted Lucius's judgment. He just hardened his will to become as powerful as he could as quickly as he could. Greyson felt the best solution would be for his personal strength to be his biggest backup.

...

The children were lined up by age and Greyson happened to the youngest while Claude was one of the oldest as having just turned 10, so they were separated. Unfortunately, most of the kids were 10 and took this past exam as their last chance. Therefore, he ended up near the stuck-up Arwen. It also looked like he purposely lined up at the back of the 7 year olds. Arwen turned back and smirked over at Greyson.

"Hey, little girl. You'll see what you missed out on. It would have been an honor to be a follower and friend. I am the most talented magician of the Godfey family. I am a double element magician. Hear that? Wind and fire. They compliment each other and that only makes my magic more powerful. You'll only ever be below me, you would beg for me to help you out in the academy later!" He turned his nose up at Greyson and bragged. Greyson just rolled his eyes and didn't look at him. He felt the stupidity would be contagious. Double element? What about seven? Looks like this idiot would be embarrassing himself later if he continues bragging. Greyson could tell the eyes of the others were glowing while looking at Arwen and they were looking to kiss up to him and join under his umbrella. When Greyson's talent was revealed, would he have to deal with people like that too? He couldn't help but feel helpless and annoyed. Sensing his uneasiness, Lucius assured him.

"Yeah, there will always be weak suck-ups who want to use your talent to benefit themselves. You can just ignore them it's not a big deal. You will be able to pick out the real friends."

Greyson nodded. As he had his mental conversation with Lucius, Arwen felt his temper flare again seeing Greyson completely ignore him. He gritted his teeth while promising himself that he would embarrass this stupid girl. This lowly girl was probably some commoner with a little bit a talent, plus she looked so young. How could she be that powerful?

"Sure, keep putting on airs. Self-important little children will only be embarrassed later when they see real talent. You're probably the weakest one here." Following along with his words, the rest of the children sneered in Greyson's direction and snickered under their breath at the stupid girl who didn't understand the power and rarity of multiple element magicians. Greyson glanced at their faces and was determined to remember them for later. They were just mindless people who followed the powerful. Surprisingly, as he was analyzing the crowd, he saw a face that looked toward Arwen in derision. His interest piqued he analyzed the face a bit more. He was at the back of the 8 year old group with dark blue hair and dark blue eyes. He accidentally locked eyes with the boy and the boy sent Greyson a knowing smile. Puzzled by the smile, he seemed to question the boy with his eyes but the boy turned away and didn't continue looking. Greyson felt the boy was different and kept a mental not of him.

Every single child kept filing in then standing under one of the department flags. Claude had gone in early and was already standing underneath the Water Department flag. Arwen had also filed out but was standing to the side because he was a multi-element magician and he was joined by that same mysterious dark blue haired boy. The blue haired boy was a water and lightning magician. His name was Lyle but no last name. He was also a commoner like Greyson.

The sun slowly started to set until it was finally Greyson's turn. He was the last one in, the runt of the group. He slowly walked into the large room for the test, wondering how it worked. When he entered the room, it was dimly lit with the Head Teachers all standing in a circle.

"Greyson, correct? We have heard of you from Teacher Harrison. He reported of your high talent. Come sit in the middle of the circle. Begin meditating and the Head Teachers will direct the elements in your direction. We will be able to sense what elements you can absorb and then assign you to a department." Teacher Elendil's cold voice echoed. Greyson nodded and quickly walked into the middle of the circle. He sat down and breathed slowly trying to calm down. He soon entered a state a meditation trying to feel the elements. The Head Teachers felt he entered meditation and took action. Their mana started flowing towards Greyson as they waited to whose element could be absorbed.

Greyson felt the mana surround him and a warm feeling rushed over him. He smiled comfortably and allowed the elements to come into his body. The Head Teachers began to raise their hand if their element was absorbed by Greyson. It started with Elendil, then the Wind Department Head Teacher, then the Earth Department Head Teacher, all of a sudden, the eyes of the teachers finally changed. The seventh hand of the Lightning Department Head Teacher went up last and the Head Teachers looked around at each other in surprise. Seven! What did this mean? How could it be? Teacher Elendil signaled for them to stop and Greyson felt the inflow of mana stop so he ended his meditation. He opened his eyes and looked towards them in question.

"Were you aware that you could use seven elements?" Teacher Elendil once again spoke up. His icy voice suddenly showing a hint of surprise. Greyson slowly nodded his head.

"Why didn't you indicate to Teacher Harrison earlier?"

"I was worried about what my talents would indicate to others. I am still weak and with no background." The Head Teachers nodded their heads in understanding. They appreciated that a 5 year old was able to think that far.

"We shall discuss with the Principal what you shall do later. Belonging to seven departments may be too much." After Teacher Elendil spoke up, he and the other Head Teachers led Greyson over to the flags where the others were waiting. Arwen looked over and smirked at Greyson waiting for him to walk over to whatever flag as he stood out among the others. But his smile faded as Greyson stayed with the Head Teacher.

"What you were so weak you couldn't even absorb the mana of one element?" He suddenly snorted. Greyson rolled his eyes wondering how someone could be so thoughtless. If he couldn't even absorb the mana of an element how would he ever be accepted. Obviously, he was special. He didn't even bother to refute and waited for the Head Teachers to say something.

Teacher Elendil's blue eyes slid over to look at Arwen without any emotion, "Greyson is a seven element magician, so we cannot determine how his situation will proceed."

Seven... Everyone suddenly froze in shock. Elendil said the words quite easily without any emotion, but the reaction to those words was completely different. How could he be so nonchalant? All the children who looked down on Greyson suddenly blushed with shame and averted their eyes. While Arwen suddenly looked like he swallowed a fly. How? HOW?! How could the little girl be so talented? He clenched his fists until his nails dug straight into his skin. Greyson suddenly glanced over in his direction and finally met Arwen's eyes for once. He grinned with obvious mocking laughter in his eyes. Arwen put his head down and tried to avoid looking in the direction. He swore to himself that he would avenge this humiliation.

The students were dismissed as teachers of each department separated them by level and stage and brought them to the dormitories. Greyson followed the Head Teachers as they walked further into the school to the Principal's office.