Chapter 20: Wayfarer's Exam, Begin!

Chapter 20: Wayfarer's Exam, Begin!

Astrid’s bedroom was emitting a dim orange light. Her window was wide open, bringing in the gentle sea breeze as it tickled the back of her nape. She sat down at her study table with the book she received from the magic shop.

It was difficult to make out the fancy words, but after being forced to read countless books by her private tutor; it was manageable. She placed her finger just under the writing she wanted to read. Advanced calligraphy–stupid mages–always making everything so complicated. Astrid shook her head at the headache inducing words.

“Psychic Theory begins with the mind. The mind, even to this day, is left vastly unexplored. Even with introducing magic, that fact remains. Mages are capable of brilliant feats of the supernatural. They can create fire with the mana of the world, or control that energy to summon storms, or cure wounds and even illnesses.“

Astrid took a breath and continued. “Psychics change mana to empower the mind, and with that comes endless possibilities of great powers. The records we have named only one Psychokinetic in existence, King Tyrek. Although only rumours, he could connect to the surrounding matter to form it to his will. Creating something out of nothing. Even that, which seems impossible, is just the tip of the iceberg...”

Astrid read further. The nameless man expounded in great detail the powers, or, more accurately, the theory behind controlling the matter around the universe to create things. Before it could explain further, the pages ran out. Either ripped out, or eroded from the harsh passage of time.

Although it wasn’t overly useful, it has given me a glimpse of what my class can do. Not only can I move things. I can create things from nothing. How do I do that?

With the thought, she closed her eyes. Connecting to the matter with her mind, she began playing with it. Sifting it through her hands.

She cranked Psych Domain to the maximum. Next step would be trying to think of something to create? It just sounds so ridiculous. Astrid shook her head. It sounded like something straight out of a fairytale. However, her heart raced. Travelling a path only a few have ever set foot on, if that wasn’t an adventure. What was?

Once again, she connected to the matter. With an image in her mind, her slender fingers brushed against the mist-like specks. A thought struck her. The specks of matter were like grains of sand, only far smaller. She used her minor illusion spell as a guide.

Astrid scooped it and began forming it with her hands. This is a lot harder than I thought. Her mind started trembling. She tried creating a teddy bear, but quickly it turned into an illusion instead. Astrid realised it was far too complicated to create. From its fur to the beads and stitching. It was impossible. Instead, Astrid worked on creating a basic metal knife.

With creating metal in her thoughts, her eyes lay on the table in front of her. With her mind strained, blood dripped from her nose and onto the deep oak table. Astrid could feel her brain trembling within her skull as she concentrated not to turn it into an illusion–but something solid. The matter congregated and absorbed the other specks all around it, becoming even more dense. Then she felt her mind recoil backwards. She stopped.

She gazed down at the table. Within a little puddle of blood lay a single grain of shining metal. A grain even smaller than sand. But a grain nonetheless.

“I–I did it! Kind–of–Oh shit.” An intense nausea hit her. Scuttling over to the bathroom, she could no longer hold in her bile as it projectiled right into the copper bathtub.

Waddling back to her seat at the desk, she glugged down a pitcher of water. Okay, so next time your mind warns you, Astrid, don’t be so damned stubborn. This isn’t a race. Your mind is on the line and you only have one. Taking a deep breath, her eyes rested on that one little grain of metal. A weak smile crept onto her lips.

It was evidence of things to come.

Four days passed within the blink of an eye, or that’s what it felt like to Astrid. Every day–All day–she would spend all of her time training.

Every night she would try to create that damned knife, but still only a grain of metal was formed. She concluded that her intelligence stat wasn’t high enough. She simply didn’t have the power to form it, but it meant she was on the right track.

She still hadn’t met the prerequisites to evolve her Psychokinesis skill. She didn’t expect to meet them soon–legendary skills were strong, but they took a long time to advance.

Astrid sat at the dining room table. A straight strip of bacon hanging out of her mouth as she lethargically chomped on its salty, delicious bark-like meat. The usual sounds of plates and glasses clinking together were gone. Astrid peered at the empty table. Everyone's on missions, or dealing with the aftermath of the Leviathan.

“Oh, shit.” Her vision snapped to the enormous grandfather clock looming in the hall. Her hand snatched a hand full of bacon strips as she bolted out of the room.

“I’ll make it in time if I run!” Rushing past the guards, she made her way to the train station. Hopping on and taking a seat, her feet repeatedly tapped the floor.

"Why do we only need to tell our basic class? I can't show off my paladin class?" Froderick said.

"Does anyone know why we wouldn't expose our advanced classes to the masses? Especially as Wayfarers?" Jacob said.

Before Astrid could speak, one of the high nobles quickly said. "Because Wayfarers are not only under the threat of monsters, but pirates attempting to steal the relics and equipment they get."

Gloria Hartelle. She was the opposite of Astrid. Long black hair as dark as a raven’s feathers. Her personality matched the tone, serious and strict. She was known for her arrogance and unwillingness to be defeated in anything she does.

"It's the harsh truth." Jacob continued. "It's why a lot of Wayfarers have trust issues. Alright, save the rest of the questions for later. Gloria, step forward."

Gloria nodded. She held the pride of her family, her posture showed it. "Rogue." With her words, two pitch black daggers flashed into her hands. She stepped forward and vanished into a puff of smoke.

Astrid could sense her every movement, even when shrouded. Unlike Brett.

Gloria reappeared behind the dummy in a second. Her dagger exploded in a purple-black light and slashed across the nape as a large gash swept across, felling the dummy's head to the floor. Walking back, Gloria smirked at Astrid.

The other examinees looked over in shock.

Looking at that smirk, Astrid felt a burning sensation well up inside her.

Froderick was next up. A holy light appeared around his sword. His attack was exactly how Astrid would have imagined it. Slow and straightforward. However, it was indeed powerful. As it struck the dummy, the light flashes on the blade, leaving a dense cut into the shoulder.

Next was the others. Three were from the Lower District, two boys and one girl. They were strong for their age, but they simply couldn't match up to the noble’s rare classes.

Finally, Astrid's name was called. Taking a step forward, Jacob stopped her.

"You should be at a higher level, right?"

"Twenty-six, to be exact."

The others within the group widened their eyes.

"Alright then, show me what you've got." Jacob nodded.

Astrid placed her hands behind her back. She held no weapon to channel her mana. She corralled the matter Infront of the dummy.

"Are you going to do anything?" Gloria frowned.

Just as her words finished, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the dummy. Unlike a regular explosion, there was no dust or smoke. Everyone got a front-row seat as the dummy shattered into fragments. There was no sign it was going to happen, no collection or surge in mana. It was instant. The matter, unable to be sensed. The dummy littered the floor in little pieces.

Astrid peered at Gloria and stuck out her pink tongue. A sense of glee filled her stomach as she watched the dark-haired girl clasp her hands shut.