Sebastian was also stunned for a moment but quickly regained his composure, though his arrogance diminished.
Several more beams of sword-light arrived, each revealing a monk with a few youths of fifteen or sixteen. The newcomers were equally dumbfounded.
After everyone arrived, Brother Malachi looked at them emotionlessly. "Only a very few of you will be chosen as disciples of St. Helman's Abbey."
The youths trembled. Martin counted forty-eight candidates.
"The holy light values aptitude first. The first test is for affinity with the light. I will call each of you forward."
One by one, the youths stepped up. Brother Malachi placed his hand on their heads.
"Unqualified. Stand on the left."
"Unqualified."
"Unqualified."
After more than ten, no one stood on the right.
When Sebastian was called, he stepped forward nervously. Brother Malachi placed his hand on Sebastian's head, then smiled warmly. "What is your name?"
"Sebastian Lynn, holy father."
Brother Malachi nodded. "Ah, you're the one Father Theophilus mentioned. Stand on the right."
Sebastian beamed and walked to the right, looking contemptuously at the others.
"Lucky bastard," Raymond muttered to Martin.
Martin grew even more nervous. He remembered his parents' expectant faces and clenched his fists.
"Good. You too, stand on the right," Brother Malachi said to a girl.
Soon, only a few remained unqualified. Then Raymond was called.
Raymond trotted up, knelt, and kowtowed loudly. "Holy father, may you live forever. I'm Raymond Lynn. You must be tired from testing so many. Why don't you rest a while? I'm in no hurry."
Brother Malachi smiled wryly. He placed his hand on Raymond's head and shook his head. "Poor aptitude. Not…"
Raymond's heart sank. Before Brother Malachi finished, he took a jade box from his clothes and offered it with both hands. "Holy father, my father found this in the mountains. He tried many times but could never open it. I brought it from home to give to you."
Brother Malachi was about to refuse, but when he glanced at the box, his pupils contracted. He took it, examined it carefully, and smiled. "A three-hundred-year-old ginseng, sealed by a monk. No wonder your father couldn't open it." He paused thoughtfully. "I need a servant for my herb garden. You seem clever. Would you like to serve me as an assistant?"
Raymond was overjoyed. The sudden reversal made him tremble with excitement. He shouted, "Yes! Holy father, I am willing!"
Brother Malachi nodded. "As my assistant, you won't be treated unfairly. You may cultivate the abbey's holy arts alongside the other disciples. Stand on the right."
Raymond ran to the right and shot a triumphant look at Sebastian.
The failures looked on with envy and despair. Some wept.
Brother Malachi frowned. "Anyone who cries will be sent away immediately."
Several monks standing nearby stepped forward, grabbed the weeping youths, and flew off without a second glance.
Brother Malachi pointed at Martin.
Martin took a deep breath and walked over nervously. His mind went blank. He prayed silently. His parents' expectant faces flashed before him.
I will be chosen.
Brother Malachi placed his hand on Martin's head and said three words that plunged Martin into an icy abyss.
"Unqualified."
Martin did not remember walking to the left. He only heard those three words echoing like thunder in his ears.
Soon, all were tested. Only three stood on the right. In the eyes of the failures, they were like heavenly sons.
Sebastian looked at Martin with undisguised contempt.
"Aptitude is important, but perseverance is even more critical. The second test is perseverance," Brother Malachi said emotionlessly. He paused, then continued, "Climb this stone stairway. Those who reach the top within three days pass. Failures will be sent back to their families. If you give up or encounter danger, shout 'I give up,' and someone will come to take you down."
He then smiled at the three on the right. "Come with me to see the Abbot. You will be assigned mentors. Raymond, you come with me to the herbarium and learn the basic tasks."
With that, Brother Malachi led the three away and disappeared up the mountain.
Martin took a deep breath, his eyes firm, and stepped onto the stairs without hesitation for the second test of perseverance.
Excluding the three successes and the six who had cried and been sent away, thirty-nine remained. Some were dejected, some determined, some afraid. They began climbing, each walking toward a different future.