There are not less than a hundred of us -seeking to be titled reverreds-, I analyze my surroundings -placid- is all I can use to describe the dense atmosphere, it's as if I can sense the heavy aura of fear, tension and nervousness, nobody makes even as much as a squeak in this climate.
The hall is large and dark, it is a picture of elegant architecture, the low light seem not to have a particular origin but on closer observation, the walls engraved upon with unique insignia, appear to be rather producing or radiating this low lights, how possible this normally is, I cannot fathom but I cannot fathom how I'll make it as a Referred either, so unbelievable things happen with the Reverred I suppose.
It is evident that we all come from different backgrounds, the only thing distinctly similar with all of us, is that we await an orientation to tell us how we can effectively become reverreds, I look around in disinterest, impatience creeping up into my consciousness, it's been about an hour already,
-when begins my route to success?-
Presently, an elegant figurine climbs upon the uplifted podium before us, her beauty is exquisite, her aura mystifying, her hair is lengthy and hued in a bold fiery red,it is a perfect combination of spiky yet rich in texture, her eyes are a fiery red as well, -something in those eyes mystify me even more than her aura alone-, I avert my gaze turning my attention to her dress, it is elegantly crafted linen, a design not just any person can tailor, it's shade appears as layers of fire -real fire?-
We need no orientation to tell -this is a real reverred-
"I'll first say…"
She begins in a clear, contra-alto tone, her eyes roam the ceilings -the ceilings also have insignas upon them similar to those upon the walls- I cannot possibly understand what the insignias insinuate,
"…I'll say that not up to a quarter of you lot will eventually become a reverred…" she pauses;
"Many of you will die, some of you will give up, many of you will die…" she specifically repeats the 'die part'
"So out of mercy, I'll give you the go-ahead…leave now…because those of you who give up later will still DIE…",
We are all vividly shaken up by her stern words but nobody moves a muscle, she smiles broadly;
"Alright then, I believe we're all on the same page here...I am Netyisha a rank 2 reverred, you may call me Rev Netyisha…the screening processes will take exactly six months and the other six months will be for intense training, the handful of you left will thereafter be titled rank 4 reverreds..." she pauses and intones with an almost sneering tone;
"…but I assure you…this is all easier said than done…" she claps her hands twice, "I am certain that you all know the duties of we reverreds..." she pauses
"....And if you do not, then listen up...we are a bridge between magic beasts and humanity…our responsibility is towards ensuring the safety of regular humans and fighting off beasts that seek to wreak havoc... and just in case you didn't know, you may very much be discovered to be an empty shell at the end of the screenings, but nobody who turns out to lack core ever makes it to the end of the Screenings anyway...so not to worry"
She says this cheerily and too casually for comfort,
"But most importantly, we Reverreds have one distinguishing factor between us and mages"
She begins all too seriously, her face unsmiling now.
"Chastity..." she mutters simply, "So I will ask an open question…I believe we are all virgins… right?"
There was a difference between Mages and Reverreds?, I chose to become a Reverred because it sounded easier, well not that the whole chastity thing makes any of a difference. Meanwhile somebody beside me gulps hard, and queer remarks are passed around, all the hassle and tension thrills Rev Netyisha relishes in the tension.
" Well...tell the truth or not, you'll be found out sooner or later"
She smiles,
"But what is it about the screenings anyway? Well, we'll be testing out how efficient you are tackling low class beasts even without your core being activated, and your survival alone will make you prove yourself"
I sigh in exhaustion, -Survival or whatever, I've just got to make it to the top,-
She turns to leave but abruptly stops in her tracks and turns back, her eyes glint in a maniacal thrill
"You all come from different families…" she pauses " People from cursed families don't make it anywhere"
Her eyes seem to rest on me, I gulp hard, for some reason her eyes also glance back to the girl beside me, we look at each other -in an unfriendly manner-