Chapter 63: The eleven prodigies
"Let all those who hear their names step forward and join me on this stage," ordered Gramm.
The candidates were completely bewildered. They had no idea what criteria had been used for this so-called promotion. Some even began to believe they might be among the chosen.
As Gramm spoke the first name, the anticipation reached its peak.
"Elizir Mist, step forward."
Murmurs spread among the candidates from the Empire. The surname Mist was exclusive to the imperial family: the first to be called was therefore a prince. He was a young man with golden hair and a princely demeanor, like something out of a fairytale. He walked gracefully to the stage.
"Ronel."
This time, it was a woman. The moment the screen zoomed in on her, every man present was shaken. She was the kind of woman said to be blessed by nature from head to toe. Her wild green hair and an outfit that revealed more skin than it covered sent blood rushing to the heads of many young men.
"Lucy."
Since Lucy was a common name, several female candidates, along with a rare male one, stepped forward at the same time. As the director hadn’t specified a surname, they clung to the hope that their performance in the first trial had caught attention. However, the illusion didn’t last. Gramm snapped his fingers, and a golden fireball danced through the crowd before engulfing the real Lucy and lifting her onto the stage.
"Gracia Snowtail."
A pretty white-haired girl in a tracksuit took her place beside the others on the podium.
"Ereis Victara."