Freedom Jumper-Chapter 143: Secret Invitation

Before dinner began, an announcement was made within the barracks to return to the dorms and put on the specified clothing. A simple brown leather, blue, and white uniform with black pants was seen lying comfortably on the bottom bunk. And on the back of said outfit, was a spot meant for the engraved letter circle Elijah and Niko had both received upon entering the gates.

Dinner was a spectacle to see. Full-sized chickens were laying in the center of the long wooden table with mixed sides ranging from in season fruits, cooked veggies, and a very special looking potato salad.

During his dinner, Elijah conversated with the people sitting next to and across from himself. Oddly, during a conversation with a boy known as Lith, he received a tap on the back by a passerby only to receive a thick piece of aged parchment paper that said, "Hold onto this tightly and tell no one, as the truth will be revealed soon".

Both Elijah and Niko received one while receiving curious looks from others. Considering what the parchment had said, he followed along as there must be a reason why.

"I think we should stick together. In the preliminary academies, commoner bullying is quite heavy, especially in the nicer academies." Lith had said while following Elijah and Niko to their dorms considering they both stayed in the same area.

The building they were in was on the far left side, and fortunately gave them a beautiful view. Being that there were 1000 students in each building, their number signified themselves as being one of the last rooms that had a view of forest behind them, and the edge of the Crosstree Jungle. Walls made of limestone, and a blue carpeted wooden floor. Subconsciously, it gave him an ominous feeling similar to the architecture inside Astraea. Simply crafted – albeit without magic.

"I agree, but you shouldn't let them beat you down. All you have to do is use common sense and the idea that we are all citizens of the same kingdom. Equality seems to shut them up..." Elijah thought back to Ashton and Declan. Two people that he felt negative energy from after uttering his first words.

Upon slumping into the bottom bunk while Niko climbed into the top, he began to stare at the thick parchment paper to see a different set of words.

"Niko! Do you see this?" Elijah didn't hide his feelings as Ashton and Declan were not in the room yet, likely frolicking with his noble buddies.

"Are you talking about the parchment? All it says is—" Niko gasped. "Please meet outside the western wall of the Digon Barracks."

"Well... I guess we better get going." Elijah said while stuffing his poison runic knife into the obvious knife pocket within his white and blue knitted jacket. The rear of the thin jacket held his leather number, as well as a thick leather guard. Niko himself had grabbed one of his large knives that illuminated itself with heat and stuffed it into his own.

Without knowing what they were getting themselves into, this was the obvious choice.

Upon reaching the gate, a guard had asked for their parchment, to which Elijah and Niko instantly showed him knowing this would be their key outside. A simple strategy to stop anyone who had not received an invitation and instead heard the many rumors likely to go around the barracks.

Based on Elijah and Niko's application of common sense, they found themselves turning to the right – in the direction of the west side that faced the city of Coriad.

Minutes passed while lingering in the crowd of likely over three-hundred people. Thankfully, the organizer of this so called event appeared, standing atop a pedestal of stone that didn't budge with the semi-harsh winds.

Tigon Alphonse.

"You all may be wondering why you received a secret invitation. So, to start, I want to make it clear that every single one of you is a holder of an elemental affinity."

Whispering began to occur as they looked around themselves, staring into the vividly colored eyes that shone within the early darkness of the night.

"The reason you are all here is to participate in a simple game that acts as an experiment and a way to become noticed... and maybe even secure your admission into your selected academy. Currently, a few assistants are passing around flags that you will attach around your waist. All of which are the same color! Your goal is simple, travel through the forest behind the barracks while attempting to grab as many flags of the green color as possible. The nature of the power you are able to display is simple. You may not deal any physical harm through hits from your physical body, and can only disable your opponents with your elemental abilities. If you must know, all of you are up against anyone who has gotten lucky enough to obtain an ability..."

Tigon continued to explain how the number of people with powers are slightly less than the number of people with affinities. The limits of the game were quite interesting to Elijah that he believed was purposeful in showing off the truly creative individuals.

However, there was also the motive to likely make everyone realize the differences between powers and affinities.

After finishing with the details, he sent everyone to the edge of the forest where they lined up next to each other.

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Riddled with hills, small ponds, different sized trees, and maybe even some other surprises as Tigon had explained – was a forest that just barely blocked the view of Elijah and Niko's room, and stretched far, eventually leading to the southern edge of the Crosstree Jungle.

Next to Elijah and Niko were a number of people who had an assortment of basic elemental affinities. What they had both noticed was how very few people in the group of around 330 people had what Astraea called, "rare affinities". Of course, not a single person had an affinity on the level of space, which Elijah did not miss at all for it caused him pain from the fear of using it or making it known. In the end, he was only able to save his life.

Yet... he was doing the exact same thing again. Hiding the full extent of his abilities alongside Niko. The reason being completely unknown to himself caused him a mild amount of agony and fear as he worried about his own state of mind.

Although, deep down, if the moment came to it...

Everything would be unleashed without a shred of worry.

A loud explosion of fireworks signified the start of the secret event – freezing Elijah in place as it felt like an eternity since he had seen a spectacle full of vibrant colors.

Once the view consisted of bright pink flags the size of one's forearm fluttering behind the figures racing into the darkness of the wilderness, Elijah began as well – not worried even the slightest at his late start.

If the goal was to grab as many flags as possible – even after your own flag had been taken, then the best strategy would be to ignore your own. However, Elijah felt that having your own flag attached to your body would be a feat worth recognizing.

Thankfully, there would not be a single cheater in this secret event as Tigon had repeatedly said there would be a large number of teachers watching your every move.

Any cheating would immediately be caught.