His master’s voice faded into the swirling spectrum around him. Layol was, in his mind’s eye, taking the test at that very moment.

Knock… Knock… Knock…

“Layol?” a voice on the other side of their door asked.

The boy slid back into consciousness with speed and ease.

“Is it time?” Bennegraf asked.

“Yes,” the voice said. “Please report to the gardens on the upper platform for the test.”

“Thank you… We will be there in moments,” the mage said, then added, “To the roof, boy.”

A high-pitched gong was ringing in even intervals as the lanky boy made his way through the gates. They were large stone arches coated in leafy green foliage. His opponent was standing on the far side of the gardens, awaiting Layol’s arrival. The boy made his way onto the soft green turf and stopped on the red line in the short grass. The gong rang a single time… the muscular man that was Layol’s competitor and himself turned and bowed to the elders seated on a platform overlooking the gardens. The gong rang again… they turned to face one another, and bowed in respect. On the next sound of the gong, the two assumed their defensive postures – Layol crouched with one arm angled over his head and the other in front of him – his competitor flexed his fists forward to form a diamond with his arms. The two started to circle one another like hungry cats. Then the man launched an assault.

He came rushing in on Layol’s right flank, and leaped into the air, spinning as he elevated. The boy anticipated what was to come and ducked to the turf, sliding under the foot cutting through the air. Once his opponent had one foot on the ground, Layol swiped his right leg around to take the man’s foundation out. The husky man fell to the grass with an audible thud.

The gong sounded… the official in his white garb raised an arm over Layol. The two competitors stood back on their lines… the gong resonated again.

The tree behind Layol’s opponent started to waiver as the man drew on its energy. The boy shifted back and forth on his feet awaiting the man’s move. The dark-haired man brought his open hands into his chest, and thrust them out toward the boy… A forceful blast of wind swept through the gardens knocking over the smaller shrubs and statues. Layol moved to the side and drew his hands into his chest. The gust from his competitor teetered him as he tried to raise his arms over his head. The wind’s force was too great – Layol toppled to the ground. They returned to their lines once more, and on the tone, reengaged. This time the boy’s opposition ran at him head on. Layol stretched his arms out to his sides, and then above his head in one swift motion. A small orb of glowing yellow light formed between his palms. When his contender got within a few paces of him, Layol thrust his hands at the man releasing the orb. It struck the man square in the chest and stopped him, stunned in his tracks. Layol rushed in for a quick kick to his opponent's face for the second take down. The two moved to their lines a third time, and upon the toll, started again.