As the first light of dawn broke over the horizon, the city of Nexaria came together in solemn unity. The memorial service for those lost in the abyssal invasion was a solemn affair. Steeped in the cultural traditions and grief, a grand pyre was constructed from the entirety of the elements.
A metal platform was first constructed to raise up those lost in the battle in reverence.
Plants from nature were grown on top to hold them in place and provide tinder for the next step.
A lightning bolt would then strike the top of the pile to then become a blazing fire to encompass the dead. The burning of the bodies was a sacred act, releasing the fragments of their cultivation back into the cosmic cycle, to the world and the heavens, where they could once again contribute to the flow of life and mana.
The ceremony would commence with the rising sun to not only show both sides of night and day, but it was the belief in Nexaria that it was good luck to usher the souls of the departed on their new journey to the next life with the dawn’s first light.
When the final bits of mana would be returned to the heaven’s, water would wash away the ashes and then wind to dry the area. This would complete the elemental wake.
This rite, a long-standing custom following portal invasions, was not only a farewell but also a respectful acknowledgment of the cyclical nature of life and power in their world.
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There, in the inner city’s plaza, stood such a platform that was constructed overnight. It was a testament to the lives of the fallen.
Some additional plaques with names of individuals, mostly created by grieving families whom were unable to find the remains, were present along the edges of the platform.
Citizens from all walks of life, alongside the valiant individuals who came to aid during the invasion, filled the plaza The air was heavy with a mixture of incense and other herbal scents, creating a serene yet somber atmosphere.
The collective prayers of the gathered masses rose in a harmonious chant, seeking safe passage for the souls of their friends, family, and heroes into their next existence.
In Nexaria, the soul’s journey was not just a matter of faith but a recognized and sometimes visible part of their reality. Lassim’s ice dragon soul fragment is one such example of souls being a very real and tangible existence.
Among the mourners were Lassim and Lustria, standing side by side. During this moment of sorrow, Lustria’s small and gentle hand reached for his and held it tightly. Tears streamed down Lustria’s cheeks. The pain and loss of Master Kale moved her, and similar tears fell down from the others gathered around. All remembering those who had perished.
Lassim, feeling the small and light touch of her grasp, found a silent solace in her touch. He held a mutual feeling of loss and sadness, but he felt he had no tears to give. Only strength would change this situation from happening again, yet he knew it would. It would continue repeatedly until the moment he became as strong as he needed to be.
Even Famthar reprimanded and reminded him yesterday that he specifically is the weapon the gods created to help control the oncoming storm.
As the ceremony concluded, and the last of the pyre’s embers floated skyward, the gathering began to disperse. With the washing of the ashes and the strong swirling winds clearing the area, all that was left behind was a a sense of solemn unity and determination for the spirit warriors in the crowd. They all wished to be stronger, not just Lassim.
Returning to the Myriad Spirit Academy, the scene in the main entrance courtyard where the portal once stood was starkly different from the vibrant, bustling grounds of before.
Workers were still there, amidst the ruins, laboring tirelessly to repair the damage wrought by the invasion. The once-filled courtyard with eager first-year students prior to the trial was now noticeably thinner. The damages and the losses were much clearer to the students that could literally see the difference from only 36 hours prior. The abyssal assault was harsh on everyone’s mental state.
The students who remained carried a somber demeanor as they observed those left that had survived. Every student’s eyes reflected the harsh lessons of survival and loss learned too early.
Yet, this was Nexaria. For millions of years, the Dragal had been attacking all planes of existence from their dimensions and this would not be the last.
Within that quietude of the glances between each other, there was a flicker of resolve and a shared understanding that the path of cultivation was fraught with peril. However, it was also paved with the opportunity for the growth and strength to someday overcome it all.
Headmaster Ferrum began the awards ceremony to announce the final rankings of the trial. "Despite the unexpected invasion and the threat that has befallen our academy, it is important to acknowledge the courage and strength displayed during the trial. Like the elemental wake and our wishes to allow those that have fallen to begin anew, it is my wish that we can continue the fight where we left off.
You still have much training to do and more to learn over the next few years until each of you awaken into the Spirit Growth stage." He stated, his gaze sweeping over the students.
"Now it is my pleasure to announce the final rankings of the first-year’s second ranking trial." With a wave of his hand, a hologram emitted bright in the air from out of thin air. Wherever it was being projected from wasn’t clear and wasn’t from any of the jade bracelets the students could see.
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---Second Trial Ranking Final Results---
Lassim Vanthar - 301,125 pts Rygar Wildheart - 94,344 pts Sirium Giffard - 92,100 pts Lustria Alisone - 92,099 pts Camie Morcan - 90,845 pts Tex Gravewood - 87,365 pts Marcie Springwater - 74,851 pts Bon Alaric - 72,345 pts Tokuno Starborn - 70,123 pts Verf Euryale - 70,120 pts
...
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Headmaster Ferrum, with a voice that resonated with both authority and empathy, began the ceremony to announce the final rankings of the trial. "Despite the shadows that have befallen us, it is important to acknowledge, and reward the courage and strength displayed during the trial," he stated, his gaze sweeping over the students.
"As promised, the rewards for this second ranking trial are the coveted Veridian Mana Fruits for the top ten rankers." As the Headmaster announced the award of Veridian Mana Fruits, calling students from the tenth to the first place, each recipient approached, their expressions a complex mixture of pride and melancholy.
"Verf Euryale, water elemental spirit warrior at Spirit Induction 3! Rank 10! He obtained a magnificent 70,120 points! Congratulations and come receive your reward." The headmaster called out with a loud but gentle voice.
With that, the top ten rankers were then called, one by one, up to the stage with the Headmaster, Vice-Headmaster and other Elders present.
With each name announced, a murmur ran through the crowd of first-years with admiration.
Surprisingly, or unsurprisingly, as the Elders might have held some bias in their rescue efforts, none of the previous Top 10 students were killed during the attack.
The tenth place ranker received a single Veridian Mana Fruit, the ninth received two, the eighth received three, and this continued up until Lassim at first place, whom would receive ten total fruits.
After the other nine had been called, it was then that Lassim’s name echoed in the courtyard as the Headmaster announced him as the first-place victor.
Stepping forward, Lassim felt a weight settle on his shoulders, heavier than the fruits he received. He could also barely hold all of them in his hands.
Thankfully he quickly stored them away into his magic pouch on his hip.
His achievement was a bit sad to him, as while he did advance and make a strong difference in the trial, it was over shadowed by the fact that none of it might have happened if he had been able to kill the beholder. He still gratefully accepted the reward he felt he didn’t deserve, but was then shocked at what came next.
The headmaster quickly made Lassim pause in place when he tried to exit the stage and return back to his spot in the crowd.
"With the Fruits handed out, there is still one last bit of business to award." The headmaster’s voice echoed in the courtyard.
Headmaster Ferrum then showcased an item and presented it to Lassim. It was an additional prize.
"Lassim, for your exceptional performance and potential, I present you with this," he said, handing over an elegant sealed letter, its seal gleaming with the emblem of the academy.
Lassim accepted the letter, feeling the embossed seal under his fingers.
"I will explain your additional reward in just a moment," the headmaster whispered to Lassim before turning back to the crowd.
"With that, my dear students, the second ranking trial has come to an end. Please all return to your cultivation caves or feel free to immediately begin helping with the rebuilding efforts. Special missions are now in the Mission hall and all classes will be on hold for the next two weeks.
I encourage you to help shape the academy and the city with your hands as we build something greater than before..." The headmaster’s voice trailed off as he continued with his speech, encouraging them to continue their cultivation journey and help rebuild. The entire courtyard quickly bowed to him at his final words and began to disperse.
"Lassim, let’s go," when the words had barely reached his ears, Lassim found himself being teleported alongside the Headmaster to his abode atop the mountain.
Thankfully it appeared undamaged at all, possibly due to the immense amount of security arrays that lined the pathways near the top of the mountain. The higher you went the more dense and scary they became.
They had arrived in the meditation area with the predictable presence of Headmaster Ferrum’s massive steel dragon nearby, sleeping, as it seemed that was it’s default state...