Chapter 3: Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion – Chapter 3: Trials of the Pavilion

On his bed, Oscar was reading one of the books he had brought. Whenever he was down and needed encouragement, Oscar would delve into reading. Right now, he was bothered by the previous conversation with Lewis about Exolsia and Anima.

He did not put it down until Lewis opened his door.

"It's time. Get to the deck." Lewis did not linger and went away to inform Isabella.

Oscar stepped onto the deck, seeing Lewis and Isabella laughing together while feeling isolated. He did not mind being excluded because he decided to be a better Exalt. Also, it was great for Isabella to make connections.

"Ah boy, you're here." Lewis finally noticed Oscar.

"Come on, Oscar."

What came into Oscar's sight was so overwhelming. In the distance, he saw a massive set of palaces and buildings. The trees were nothing but twigs compared to the wall's massive frame.

As they drew closer, they could see the walls gilded gold with ocean blue carvings and patterns, seemingly made from sapphire, adorning the sides. The gates were massive and black. On its doors was the image of swirling waves with a trident in the center. On the arch above were the engraved words 'Blue Ocean Pavilion.'

Oscar stared in wonder at the enormous size of the gates. Even more surprising was that the gates reached only halfway to some buildings.

"I can understand the gates, but what kind of buildings can be so big?"

Lewis smirked at Oscar's innocent question.

"Wait until you get inside. You'll be able to enter those buildings…or not."

Lewis mumbled the last part, but Oscar managed to hear it. What could the Exalt mean by that? Oscar thought they could enter without issues, but it seems that it may be more complicated.

Meanwhile, Isabella was looking from left to right. She wished to burn this image in her memory. Her anticipation grew as she eagerly wanted to get inside.

As they got closer, more airships appeared in their view. There were several tens of them. Oscar saw other youths on the airships, marveling at the Pavilion while accompanied by other proctors.

"Hey, Lewis. How was going to the backwater villages?"

The mocking voice came from an airship that made its way next to Lewis. On its deck, Oscar saw three other youths like himself. The older man next to them was dressed the same as Lewis.

"Stan, how was the western lake?" Lewis nearly smirked but held it in to keep his poker face. He knew Stan had come to cause trouble.

From the time they had entered the Blue Ocean Pavilion, they were always at odds. They sought to outdo each other, whether in fights or bets. Before Lewis departed for Oscar's village, Stan goaded him into a bet about who would bring the better talent.

"Not too bad. I found some good talents." Stan sneered at Lewis, thinking about how he had won the bet.

"Oh? What Exolsia do these prospects have?" Lewis played along with Stan's arrogance.

"Two of them are Grade 7, and the other in Grade 6. Sorry, Lewis. It seems you owe me quite the amount." Stan laughed.

The youths behind Stan stretched their backs out with a grin. A feeling of pride swelled in their heads as they looked at Oscar and Isabella with competitive eyes.

"Hmph. You've had quite the haul. I congratulate you, Stan, on contributing to the Pavilion. Now it's my turn. First is this boy. He has Grade Four Exolsia."

Stan and the other youths snickered at Oscar. Grade Four? That was the bottom of the list for the Pavilion's requirements.

"Finally, this girl, Isabella. She has Grade Eight Exolsia." Lewis said with great enthusiasm.

Instantly, Stan's face paled from disbelief. Earlier, he envisioned his victory and the chance to put Lewis further down. But, he never expected Lewis to find a Grade Eight. Do you know how rare Grade Eights are? How can such talent come from a desolate region?

"Y-you're joking, right?" Stan pointed at Lewis meekly. After all, Lewis might be lying to try to avoid embarrassing himself.

"Not a lie. I can fully confirm the results. You can watch as I relay them to the judges if you want."

It was Lewis's turn to mock Stan, who was still in disbelief and staring dead at Isabella. The other three youths' attention was locked on Isabella, who returned a triumphant smile. She did not like why they scoffed and looked down at her earlier. So this was a sweet little revenge.

"Should we make our way inside?" The airship was fast approaching the wall, and Oscar was impatient to get in.

"Kukuku, you're right. Let's go inside. Stan, I'll look for you later. Don't be cheap and refuse to payout." Lewis made one final remark to Stan and began to steer the airship.

The airship began its descent to a large port on the wall, consisting of many circular landing pads connected by stairs. Many of the pads were already occupied by an airship as people began to descend the stairs.

THUD

Finally, their airship landed on one of the free landing pads. Oscar immediately hopped off and stretched his body. He could not wait to see his new home.

"Follow me."

Isabella and Oscar followed Lewis down the stairs onto the main building in the port. Several groups of teenagers made their way, accompanied by proctors; the largest group was a group of twenty. From their fashionable clothes, Oscar could tell they were most likely nobles.

As Oscar glanced at other people, many others were taking peeks at Isabella. Mostly the boys who were enamored by her striking beauty and amber hair. Some of the girls, however, had frustrated expressions from jealousy.

Oscar was reminded of a quote he read in a book, 'Great beauty invites obsession of love and hatred.' No doubt, those words perfectly described the scene before him.

Inside the port's main building, Lewis led them to a beautiful woman. She had rosy lips, a slender neck, and clear yellow eyes. Her green hair was tied in a ponytail that stretched down to her thin waist.

"Lewis, what is your report?" Her voice was sweet to the ears.

"Ivanka, nice to see you again! How's dinner sound for today?" Lewis smiled cheerfully at Ivanka Klein. They had gotten acquainted during their years in the Pavilion. It's always been his dream to take her out on a date.

"Enough. I asked you for your report."

Ivanka was a Judge, one of the more important positions at the Blue Ocean Pavilion. They were responsible for recording students' progress and history. They were the first to record new students and introduce them to the rules.

Although she and Lewis were both Knight Exalts, she was higher ranked. Thus, Lewis could not keep teasing her too much.

"Alright. I have one Grade Four boy and one Grade Eight girl." Lewis went back to business.

"Grade Eight!" Ivanka accidentally shouted, catching the attention of everyone. The onlookers were eyeing Lewis's group in astonishment. Since when had a Grade Eight not been from a great noble family or powerful group?

"Introduce yourselves. Name, Age, Home, Exolsia Grade"

"I'm Oscar Terr, 15 years old, Moniht Village, Grade Four."

"I'm Isabella Thorn, 15 years old, Moniht Village, Grade Eight."

Ivanka took out two blank sheets made of metallic material that Oscar could not recognize. She took out a peculiar stone pen with a crystal tip and began carving their names and grades on the sheets.

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Ivanka slowly eyed Isabella, as did most of the Proctors, youths, and other Judges. The group of noble teenagers also looked at Isabella with pondering looks. Their eyes gleamed with great interest.

"Ok, finished."

Oscar glanced at the metal sheets and saw a difference in their content.

"

Name: Oscar Terr

Home: Moniht Village

Exolsia: Grade Four

Take the trials at age fifteen.

"

"

Name: Isabella Thorn

Home: Moniht Village

Exolsia: Grade Eight

Inner Hall student at age fifteen

"

"Excuse me, what are these trials? And what is the Inner Hall?"

"I was just going to tell you both. Hang on a bit. You can leave Lewis."

Ivanka rolled up the metal sheets and tied them with a ribbon. She dropped them into a tube, sending them to somewhere unknown. Lewis bade his farewells to Ivanka and Isabella while barely acknowledging Oscar.

"To the explanation. Our Blue Ocean Pavilion is divided into four different divisions."

"The Minor Hall, the Outer Hall, the Inner Hall, and the Legacy Hall."

"The trials that I have set you for Oscar is to see whether or not you will be entering the Outer Hall or the Minor Hall. The difference in the halls would be the number of resources you get for your training and access to some higher tier instructors."

"All those who are Grade Four to Six will take the trials. Isabella, on the other hand, is in Grade Eight. Anyone above Grade Seven has the privilege of skipping the trials and directly entering the Inner Hall."

Isabella beamed with joy at hearing this news while Oscar stewed sadly over it. He'll need to pass the trials to have a better chance of being a great Exalt.

"What is the meaning of each hall?" Oscar asked.

Ivanka put her hand to her cheek to rest and replied, "The Minor Hall is the lowest place where they are relegated to doing menial tasks and receiving little to no teachings. The Outer Hall is almost the same, but you have options for classes and no need to do chores.

The Inner Hall has specialized teachers for individual needs and better rewards. But the Legacy Hall is the absolute peak. They enjoy the attention of multiple teachers and all the resources they could want.

Of course, people can advance from one hall to the next by passing the promotion tests. But Legacy is different in that there is no test, but an individual must reach the Knight Level before the age of 24, doesn't matter what Grade Exolsia either."

"Really? The Legacy Hall doesn't care about the grade?" Oscar got slightly excited at this revelation. The most vaunted place in the Pavilion did not care about the grade?

"It is the truth. If a low-grade person can reach Knight Level before the age of 24, there is a greater talent we have not seen. But don't get your hopes too high."

Ivanka could tell what Oscar was thinking. But how many people in the lower grade managed such a feat? In all of the history of the Blue Ocean Pavilion recorded, there was only one, a Grade Six.

This boy's Grade Four is a drastically bad situation. Alas, she did not want him to experience a bigger disappointment if he failed. So it was better to nip it in the bud before he breaks down.

Oscar understood Ivanka's words. But for him, as long as there is a chance, he will take it. After all, how can he be an Exalt without traversing through adversity like in the stories?

"Also, you can only be students here for a certain time. You will only be a graduate if you become a Knight Exalt by the age of 30. Those who do not can continue to stay and work for the Pavilion or leave."

Ivanka flicked her hand, and two books floated into Isabella and Oscar's hands.

"These are the rules of the Pavilion. Don't break any, or else one of the Judges will come for you." Ivanka let out an oppressive aura that overwhelmed Oscar and Isabella. Their faces became pale, and they felt no resistance come from their body.

Oscar could tell from the feeling that Ivanka was stronger than Lewis. The oppression only lasted for a few seconds until it vanished.

"Isabella, go to the door on the right. Oscar, go to the door on the side. I wish you both luck, and remember to work hard."

Ivanka let them pass by to greet the next batch. Oscar and Isabella looked at each other.

"See you, Oscar. Good luck in the trials."

"Don't worry, Isabella. I'll be in the Inner Hall before you know it."

They separated, but Oscar took one last look at Isabella's back before disappearing into the door. He never thought there would be such a big disparity between him and his childhood friend.

"Never mind that. I need to focus on the trials."

Oscar strode to the door and pushed it open. It led to a large outdoor enclosure. He saw a vast crowd of people like him, who were sent off to the trials. Some of them glanced at Oscar and his large backpack before turning back. Others were silent and seated in meditation. A few were swinging their weapons in training.

Oscar also sat down in a free grassy area and read a book.

Time passed as more and more people made their way to the enclosure. Suddenly, as the last batch came in, the doors slammed shut by some force.

"Welcome to the Blue Ocean Pavilion. I am the Trial Master, Robert Levitt."

An old man stepped forward, dressed in blue robes. He bore a signet of five waves. His hair and beard were completely white, and his eyes were closed. Nevertheless, everyone felt as though a monster was staring at them.

"The trials will consist of two tests. Those who fail shall be sent to the Minor Hall."

Everyone audibly gulped upon hearing about the Minor Hall. Certainly, that was the place they must never enter for their future.

"The first trial, the Trial of Storms, shall begin."

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