Chapter 5: Impression
Ravi had finally found the person he was looking for.
The person was hidden well within the crowd, his mouth and nose concealed behind a white cloak. The only distinguishing feature was his short shiny black hair—rare among the crowd, where such color was uncommon.
"What do you think my Essence Aspect will be?" A small girl wearing a white scarf over her head and a plain black dress, no older than seven, asked with bright enthusiasm. Her large onyx-black eyes sparkled with innocent excitement as she looked up at the man beside her.
Her black hair was tied in a ponytail, and she stood slightly taller than most children of her age. Long eyelashes framed her expressive eyes. Despite her plain, commoner's clothing, her striking appearance effortlessly drew attention.
The man beside her had an average build and height. In every way, he was unremarkable—intentionally so.
"I don't know," he said quietly. "It all depends on luck." He sighed inwardly, tension coiled in his chest. He knew how pivotal Awakening Day was. Whether or not she awakened an Essence Aspect would shape the course of her entire life. Still, in this era, even those without one could still carve out a decent future.
"I will have an Essence Aspect, right?" she asked, her voice hopeful.
The man placed a hand gently on her head and smiled. "Whether you do or don't, don't let it weigh too heavily on you. Understand? ... May Allah do what is better in your destiny. "
The young girl replied in a cute tone, "Ameen!"
A teacher emerged from the Red Arena Academy, thick rectangular spectacles perched on his nose, and a list clutched in his hand. He wore a vermilion robe, his blond hair neatly combed. A group of guards in black armor over red robes stood behind him, spears in hand.
He first greeted the people before he began calling out names, his tone weary—likely from the overwhelming duties of Awakening Day.
"Follow me," he said shortly after assembling the children.
He turned on his boots and began walking ahead, not sparing another word. The academy gates creaked shut behind them, leaving the anxious parents outside.
Ravi observed the academy's structure—simple, with red walls and roofs, yet meticulously clean and symmetrical. It held no grand embellishments, but something about its order exuded quiet authority.
Weaving through the crowd, Ravi slipped between people with practised ease until he reached the man with the short black hair—the same one who had stood beside the little girl earlier.
Without turning around, the man spoke in a low voice, "Who are you?"
"Just a traveller," Ravi replied calmly.
"What are you looking for?" A glint of steel flashed as a dagger silently slid from the man's sleeve.
"Justice," Ravi said, unfazed.
"I asked what you are looking for."
"The house on the far west."
The dagger disappeared.
"Wait for me in the third house left of the Few Spices Restaurant," the man instructed.
Ravi gave a small, respectful bow. "Yes, teacher." With that, he melted back into the crowd, vanishing as quickly as he had appeared.
Inside the academy, the children followed the spectacled teacher through the quiet grounds. Everything was new and wondrous to the little girl. To her, the plain academy buildings seemed grand and majestic.
In contrast to the clamour outside, the inside was serene. The blond-haired man led them to a circular building and turned to another teacher. "Please wait here for a moment," he said.
Then, addressing the children, he smiled faintly. "Listen to the teacher's instructions. Good luck. Don't worry—your parents are just outside. It won't take long."
After a while, a voice echoed through the academy, calling seven children at a time into the circular building along with the information that the results would be announced tomorrow.
Time dragged on. Outside, parents waited in the ever-growing heat of the midday sun. Inside, the children's initial excitement slowly began to fade.
" ... Aslam, Saad, Dua, Zaara!" The voice called out the names, according to the list.
"I'm here!" the young girl exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement as she jumped up, unable to contain her joy.