Chapter 13: Time's Almost Up The time for the test was getting closer with each passing day. The test will take place in another 2 weeks. The kids who have reached the age for the test were all excited, as after the test, they will start their own journey. They were all filled with anticipation towards the test and couldn’t wait for it. This usually happens every year. The new kids will be filled with expectation towards their new journey. Not all the kids get into the Academies though, since some have low talents, they are picked up by some lower powers in the empire. Only a few of the kids with Pink talent actually get admitted into the Academies. However, the majority of the kids with Orange talent gets into the Academies. A lot of lives would change after this test just like how it happens every other year. The Academies are the meeting ground for the young people all over the empire. Apart from the Emperor’s faction, the Academies are the next in terms of strength. But they are always below the empire. They have groomed a lot of powerhouses for the empire. The Academies can virtually be said to be an important part of the empire, the Emperors’ faction can’t reach out to every part of the empire. This is where the Academies come in, although they can’t be said to have reached every single part of the empire, they have a larger network compared to the empire. Grey’s full attention has been placed on his training lately that he even forgets about eating sometimes. As the time edged closer, the voice in his head got louder. The voice was telling him to make sure he gets to Purple talent before the test starts. He still has hope though, there’s still 2 weeks left. Grey was very determined and didn’t want anything to stop him from doing it. He really wanted this, so he has to work extra head. Martha didn’t disturb him as she knew with the time of the test getting closer, he needs to be fully focused. If he can make an improvement, it will certainly do him more good. Having a Purple talent and an affinity with the Lightning element, it would attract a lot of attention from the Academies and also the empire. Although the Fire element is just as destructive, due to the fast nature of lightning and also its ability to electrocute people, it has a very high view for the people. Lightning can shock, burn and also has the ability to paralyze people. So it can be said to have a higher firepower than the Fire element all round. Martha always tries her best to support Grey. ‘He has been working really hard lately, he can do it’. Grey didn’t forget to hone his body also, he was very diligent in his training. He always heads out to train every 5 days. He had crossed paths with Jonas during one of the times he went out to train, but nothing was said between them. Grey didn’t even recognize Jonas. He had only seen him once, so he really can’t be blamed for it. He hadn’t made any improvements since the previous time, he knew it would be hard, but he wasn’t giving up. Grey has been hoping to see lightning once again, he had a feeling that if he could see it, he would be able to get a deeper understanding of the element. Lightning is something that can only be seen when it is storming. It doesn’t always appear when it rains also. Also, the few times it has rained, even when there’s lightning, he isn’t as lucky as that day. Besides, no one would wish for lightning to strike their house. It was already 3 days left before the day of the test. Grey still hadn’t made any progress. He didn’t want to give up like this, he would continue until the day of the test. He must try harder. At dinner, Grey asked if Martha knew of a way to attract lightning towards a particular spot, or she knew of a place that attracts lightning to it. “Why are you asking this” Martha inquired “I want to see a lightning strike, I feel if I can see it, I will help me in deepening my comprehension towards it” Grey said. “Don’t you have the chaos space, you can comprehend it there right” Martha asked. “Yes, but due to the uniqueness of the element, it’s hard. And I can’t feel it in the chaos space” Grey explained. Martha mused for some time, “I don’t know anywhere for now, but I will ask around”. “But you will have to promise me you won’t even think of getting close if I find a place for you” Martha added her reason. She will never allow him to head there if he doesn’t promise he wouldn’t get close to it. Grey is very daring, and she knew about this. He truly might get too close to it. “Relax mom, I won’t put my life at risk. I will only take a look from a distance away” Grey reassured. He knew she would definitely know of a place which attracts lightning. If he knows of this place, it would be helpful, well, as long as it storms. “Okay, I know how wise you are” Martha said with a sneer. Grey knew she still hasn’t believed him, so she continued convincing her. Luckily, Martha loved him a lot and quickly gave in. She told him the place where lightning strikes a lot. Grey was happy after finding out the location. It was said lightning always strike that particular mountain top whenever it storms. No one knows the reason or cause of it, but it had been happening for long. They have investigated it, but they came back empty-handed. Grey immediately made up his mind, he will go check out the place tomorrow. That way he would know what to do next when it storms. “Hopefully, it storms before the test. This is my only hope now. I should be able to make it in time, I think” Grey wasn’t too optimistic about his chances of progressing though, but he knew he could get a sudden realization and progress immediately, so he hasn’t given up hope. Grey went to his room, he entered the chaos space to comprehend more. Although he would be heading out tomorrow, it didn’t mean he shouldn’t continue his training schedule. Grey has already gotten used to always training before bed. In fact, he can be said to be a maniac with how he trains. The next morning, Grey got up and prepared for his journey. There was only 2 days left before the time of the test. He had to get something from this.