Psychokinetic Eyeball Pulling

Chapter 20: Wayfarer's Exam, Begin!

Astrid’s bedroom was emitting a dim orange light. Her window was wide open, bringing in the gentle sea breeze as it tickled the back of her nape. She sat down at her study table with the book she received from the magic shop.

It was difficult to make out the fancy words, but after being forced to read countless books by her private tutor; it was manageable. She placed her finger just under the writing she wanted to read. Advanced calligraphy–stupid mages–always making everything so complicated. Astrid shook her head at the headache inducing words.

“Psychic Theory begins with the mind. The mind, even to this day, is left vastly unexplored. Even with introducing magic, that fact remains. Mages are capable of brilliant feats of the supernatural. They can create fire with the mana of the world, or control that energy to summon storms, or cure wounds and even illnesses.“

Astrid took a breath and continued. “Psychics change mana to empower the mind, and with that comes endless possibilities of great powers. The records we have named only one Psychokinetic in existence, King Tyrek. Although only rumours, he could connect to the surrounding matter to form it to his will. Creating something out of nothing. Even that, which seems impossible, is just the tip of the iceberg…”

Astrid read further. The nameless man expounded in great detail the powers, or, more accurately, the theory behind controlling the matter around the universe to create things. Before it could explain further, the pages ran out. Either ripped out, or eroded from the harsh passage of time.

Although it wasn’t overly useful, it has given me a glimpse of what my class can do. Not only can I move things. I can create things from nothing. How do I do that?

With the thought, she closed her eyes. Connecting to the matter with her mind, she began playing with it. Sifting it through her hands.

She cranked Psych Domain to the maximum. Next step would be trying to think of something to create? It just sounds so ridiculous. Astrid shook her head. It sounded like something straight out of a fairytale. However, her heart raced. Travelling a path only a few have ever set foot on, if that wasn’t an adventure. What was?

Once again, she connected to the matter. With an image in her mind, her slender fingers brushed against the mist-like specks. A thought struck her. The specks of matter were like grains of sand, only far smaller. She used her minor illusion spell as a guide.

Astrid scooped it and began forming it with her hands. This is a lot harder than I thought. Her mind started trembling. She tried creating a teddy bear, but quickly it turned into an illusion instead. Astrid realised it was far too complicated to create. From its fur to the beads and stitching. It was impossible. Instead, Astrid worked on creating a basic metal knife.

With creating metal in her thoughts, her eyes lay on the table in front of her. With her mind strained, blood dripped from her nose and onto the deep oak table. Astrid could feel her brain trembling within her skull as she concentrated not to turn it into an illusion–but something solid. The matter congregated and absorbed the other specks all around it, becoming even more dense. Then she felt her mind recoil backwards. She stopped.

She gazed down at the table. Within a little puddle of blood lay a single grain of shining metal. A grain even smaller than sand. But a grain nonetheless.

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“I–I did it! Kind–of–Oh shit.” An intense nausea hit her. Scuttling over to the bathroom, she could no longer hold in her bile as it projectiled right into the copper bathtub.

Waddling back to her seat at the desk, she glugged down a pitcher of water. Okay, so next time your mind warns you, Astrid, don’t be so damned stubborn. This isn’t a race. Your mind is on the line and you only have one. Taking a deep breath, her eyes rested on that one little grain of metal. A weak smile crept onto her lips.

It was evidence of things to come.

Four days passed within the blink of an eye, or that’s what it felt like to Astrid. Every day–All day–she would spend all of her time training.

Every night she would try to create that damned knife, but still only a grain of metal was formed. She concluded that her intelligence stat wasn’t high enough. She simply didn’t have the power to form it, but it meant she was on the right track.

She still hadn’t met the prerequisites to evolve her Psychokinesis skill. She didn’t expect to meet them soon–legendary skills were strong, but they took a long time to advance.

Astrid sat at the dining room table. A straight strip of bacon hanging out of her mouth as she lethargically chomped on its salty, delicious bark-like meat. The usual sounds of plates and glasses clinking together were gone. Astrid peered at the empty table. Everyone's on missions, or dealing with the aftermath of the Leviathan.

“Oh, shit.” Her vision snapped to the enormous grandfather clock looming in the hall. Her hand snatched a hand full of bacon strips as she bolted out of the room.

“I’ll make it in time if I run!” Rushing past the guards, she made her way to the train station. Hopping on and taking a seat, her feet repeatedly tapped the floor.

I need to pee.

When it stopped, she sprinted off once more and immediately sprinted down an extensive set of metal steps that were bolted onto the side of the ship. Nudging past the soldiers on her way, Astrid entered a door on the side of the ship. A large room, much like an enormous hangar, presented itself. A group of uniformed men and women were in front of an even larger group of youngsters. They all watched as Astrid quickly approached, sweat dripping from her forehead and clinging to her back.

“Astrid Sinwen, just in time.” The man in the middle said. He was clean shaven with a green beret atop his head. His eyes gleamed with vitality and craftiness. He was a Major in the Wayfarer division. Major Adam Steele. He was around the military circles as someone that was laid back, but you absolutely didn't want to get on his bad side. With a good sense of humor and a solid head on his shoulders, he was someone to be respected.

“You know what they say, Major. Arriving bang on the mark is the sign of a hardworking individual.” Astrid nodded seriously.

“That’s strange. I’ve never heard of that one before.” Major Steele said. “Did you think of that while scrambling here to be on time?”

“I did indeed, Major sir!” Astrid saluted.

The officers forced back their laughter.

“Alright, at ease.” Major Steele, seeing her surprised face, continued. “What? Were you expecting me to shout at you?”

Astrid bobbed her head up and down. “I heard the Seafarers a bunch of times yelling so loud that it traversed the seas.”

Major Steele chuckled. “Yeah, the Seafarers are a strict bunch. They modelled their training after the Humanity Corps military. While we are just a bunch of uniformed adventurers.” Major Steele continued. “Despite that, we are still the most highly trained soldiers on this piece of scrap metal. Complete your training without a whimper and we won’t have a problem. You respect us, we respect you.”

Astrid nodded. “Yes, Major.”

“First off, what do Wayfarers do?” Major Steele held his hands behind his back as he asked the youngsters.

“They are adventurers that travel down to the Bubbled-Cities at the bottom of the ocean, cull the monsters and scavenge for long-lost relics.” Astrid was the first to speak out.

“That’s correct.” Major Steele nodded. “The monsters down there are faster, stronger, and smarter because of the dense mana within the bubbles. However, our most important aim is to solve the mystery behind the Bubbles. Why are the monsters there, and how? What caused the world to end? These are the questions we are yet to have answered.”

“How have we not discovered the secrets by now? It’s already been hundreds of years since then.” A young man said. Astrid recognised him. He was a high noble, just like her. Froderick Oswald. He had gentle brown hair and freckles on his face to match it. He was rather short, having to crane his neck to look at the Major. Froderick wasn’t the most intelligent of the bunch, if Astrid remembered correctly.

“Think of how big this planet is. Then think further, how many villages, towns, and cities are there? It’s in the millions. Only once per year are we able to even venture into a city because of how powerful the monsters are. If we attempted to increase that rate, we’d all be dead. But I’m sure you all knew that, anyway.” At the Major’s words, Froderick’s face blushed with a deep tint of pink.

"Anything to add?" The major turned to the other officer. They shook their heads. "Excellent, let's get the examination under way."

“The examination is complete after three tests. Swimming, survival, and combat. After that, you’ll be assigned to a team of experienced Wayfarers for your first mission.” The major continued. "Alright, for the first test, you'll be split up into groups. One officer will shout your name. They'll take you to a separate area to be tested."

Soon, Astrid had her name called out. She walked next to Froderick. The group was small, seven people in total. She recognised a few of them being from high nobility families. However, there were a few in basic clothing. They must be from the Lower District. Astrid eyed them up. If they were half as talented as Daniel and the others, they would make for great Wayfarers.

"Alright, my name is Jacob. I'll be in charge of your preliminaries. Once you step forward, name your basic class only and use your strongest attack against the dummy. Don't hold back, they don't have feelings."

Froderick unsurely placed his hand in the air.

Jacob nodded. "Yes?"

"Why do we only need to tell our basic class? I can't show off my paladin class?" Froderick said.

"Does anyone know why we wouldn't expose our advanced classes to the masses? Especially as Wayfarers?" Jacob said.

Before Astrid could speak, one of the high nobles quickly said. "Because Wayfarers are not only under the threat of monsters, but pirates attempting to steal the relics and equipment they get."

Gloria Hartelle. She was the opposite of Astrid. Long black hair as dark as a raven’s feathers. Her personality matched the tone, serious and strict. She was known for her arrogance and unwillingness to be defeated in anything she does.

"It's the harsh truth." Jacob continued. "It's why a lot of Wayfarers have trust issues. Alright, save the rest of the questions for later. Gloria, step forward."

Gloria nodded. She held the pride of her family, her posture showed it. "Rogue." With her words, two pitch black daggers flashed into her hands. She stepped forward and vanished into a puff of smoke.

Astrid could sense her every movement, even when shrouded. Unlike Brett.

Gloria reappeared behind the dummy in a second. Her dagger exploded in a purple-black light and slashed across the nape as a large gash swept across, felling the dummy's head to the floor. Walking back, Gloria smirked at Astrid.

The other examinees looked over in shock.

Looking at that smirk, Astrid felt a burning sensation well up inside her.

Froderick was next up. A holy light appeared around his sword. His attack was exactly how Astrid would have imagined it. Slow and straightforward. However, it was indeed powerful. As it struck the dummy, the light flashes on the blade, leaving a dense cut into the shoulder.

Next was the others. Three were from the Lower District, two boys and one girl. They were strong for their age, but they simply couldn't match up to the noble’s rare classes.

Finally, Astrid's name was called. Taking a step forward, Jacob stopped her.

"You should be at a higher level, right?"

"Twenty-six, to be exact."

The others within the group widened their eyes.

"Alright then, show me what you've got." Jacob nodded.

Astrid placed her hands behind her back. She held no weapon to channel her mana. She corralled the matter Infront of the dummy.

"Are you going to do anything?" Gloria frowned.

Just as her words finished, an ear-shattering explosion rocked the dummy. Unlike a regular explosion, there was no dust or smoke. Everyone got a front-row seat as the dummy shattered into fragments. There was no sign it was going to happen, no collection or surge in mana. It was instant. The matter, unable to be sensed. The dummy littered the floor in little pieces.

Astrid peered at Gloria and stuck out her pink tongue. A sense of glee filled her stomach as she watched the dark-haired girl clasp her hands shut.