"What the h.e.l.l is this?" I muttered angrily.

After realising that nothing I was doing was helping, I just sat down on the ground. At least I think it is the ground. I can"t see anything at all, not even my own hand in front of my face.

With nothing else to do, I started to use the breathing technique I have been taught and began to try and sense the mana in the air. It didn"t take me long at all, as I have been practicing every spare minute I have gotten.

In this state I could sense that the mana in one direction was really thin and in another it was really thick, though I couldn"t tell what sort it was.

"Maybe if I head into the thinner area I will be able to find the way out. The thickest area should be the core of whatever this is."

Standing up, I began to walk in the direction of where the mana was thinnest. After walking in that direction for about ten minutes I noticed no change at all. Frowning. I checked to see if I had turned off in a different direction.

It turned out I had, though I didn"t think I did. Making sure I was going in the right direction, I headed off. Like before around ten minutes in, I checked the mana to see but found that I had turned again.

"This is odd, I definitely am going in the right direction. I might as well go to the centre then. If I can get there that is."

This time I set off to where the mana density was the highest. After around four minutes of walking, there was a change around me. In the darkness there was slight flickering of runes appearing on the ground before they disappeared some seconds later.

After watching the runes appear and disappear, I noticed that they were all appearing in a circle around a small area. I stepped into that area but nothing happened.

I stood there for a minute, trying to remember anything I knew about runes. After thinking about it, I realised that I knew nothing at all.

"I guess I could try hitting the floor."

I took the sword out. Enhancing it as I went. Holding it with both hands and the point aiming to the floor. I stabbed into the ground. As I did, I heard a crack and the darkness around me faded to reveal a ma.s.sive well lit hall.

Only once all of the darkness was gone did I take my sword out of the ground and return it to its scabbard.

Looking around, I could see lots of people wandering around and somewhere sitting down. They were all in a drawn out circle. Looking down I saw the same circle around me.

"They must be in a similar illusion as was in."

I then heard some clapping from behind me. Turning around I saw a group of people. At a quick count, I made this group at least sixty people. Though I only recognised Master Zophia in that group.

The person clapping looked far more important than the others; he also looked much older and had a long grey flowing beard. His robes were long and were rubbing over the floor.

"As explained by someone with your potential, you completed the test in a much quicker time compared to your peers and they started well before you. Anyway I am the Arch Mage of this tower. I formally welcome you Adoh as the first of the four thousandth and nine hundred and eighth patch of disciples."

After the Arch Mage finished his seemingly scripted speech. He went quiet and focused on the others taking their test. I was left standing there awkwardly. Until one of the Master"s stood up and indicated for me to follow her.

I quickly left, the circle I was in and entered the hallway with the Master mage. She had black hair and was pale but her cheeks had a rosy glint to them.

"I heard you have an affinity with darkness. Is that right? Please say yes! I really want to teach someone about it. No one ever wants to learn. So please say yes. Please."

I froze for a minute. A master mage was begging me to say that I had an affinity to teach me! It should have been the other way around.

"Umm, yeah I do have that affinity."

Hearing my reply a ma.s.sive smile emerged on her face and she gave me a ma.s.sive hug, her whole body pressing against mine.

After hugging me and letting out squealing noises for a few minutes, she let go. "Well then you will meet me here tomorrow morning, don"t mention what happened. Good day to you disciple."

She then left and took her stand on the stands again. Leaving me in the hallway.

I stood there awkwardly for a few minutes. Before entering the hall again and waiting to the side, to see who breaks out of the illusion next.

I wasn"t waiting for long. Eight people broke it almost simultaneously. The arch mage gave the exact same speech, except for a change in name and the place they achieved. All of which got second as they finished at the same time.

Much like me they stood there awkwardly through a few moments later more and more people began to break out. It didn"t take much longer for everyone else to finish breaking out their illusions.

"Well, lots of good potential I see, I hereby invite you all to the welcoming feast later on tonight, now you are all dismissed. Please follow the relevant people to your quarters. Thank you."

Then people appeared all around the room. As they did, the various displaces like me went to a certain person, some of the newer people had up to ten people around and others only had one. Looking at all of the people who had appeared, I quickly worked out that I didn"t recognise anyone at all.

I looked around again, in the corner I noticed one person with no one around them at all. That person was staring straight at me, in fact the stare was so intense I would have thought that he could see into my soul if I didn"t know any better. I hurriedly walked over to him, it only took me a few minutes to cross the whole of the hall.

As I arrived next to him, he didn"t stay anything at all. He just stood there looking at me. I just took it as silent approval. I remained quiet. Then with a wave of his hand the arch ,age teleported us all outside.

Only then, did the person I was with talk to me.

"Follow me."

After that he briskly walked off towards a load of one story buildings. Following him, it didn"t take us long to arrive at what was a rather reserved location. The building itself looked old, but was well decorated and well kept. He led me up to the door, then making sure I arrived and knew how to get in he left.