Soon, the moment of truth arrived. Connor could feel the heat that radiated from Mayor Bueacanon as he approached him. The classic sign of a heat man was of course their name sake, heat.

A young woman walked away from Mayor Bueacanon slowly, head down in obvious distress. Her parents quickly came to comfort her but they too were distraught. Some dreams were never meant to be fulfilled, high hopes can lead to great triumph or immense pain.

Connor stepped forward with confidence, the thought did not cross his mind that he would not be able to travel the fantastical path of a cultivator. Sweat dripped down his face and promptly he arrived in front of Mayor Bueacanon.

“Connor, the first step of the process is very simple but arguably the most important so listen close. I’m going to cycle my Qi through you, you are either going to feel or you’re not. It’s that simple, yes or no, do or do not. All right?” He said in a tired but serious tone.

“Yes sir.” Connor said with a grim smile.

Connor closed and he could feel the heat of Mayor Bueacanon as his hand approached his head, like a sitting by a fire during the day the heat grew uncomfortable but not unbearable. Suddenly, contact and then he felt it, he felt it! Power flowed through him, his body felt energized like it never had before. His muscles contracted, eyelids fluttered, fingers spasmed. He felt like he could lift an Ox and throw a bolder. Nothing could stop him, the universe laid itself bare before him. Then it was gone.

“Congratulations my boy, it looks like you do have it.” Mayor Bueacanon said a smile on his face but the bags under his eyes made it clear how drained he was feeling.

A single tear slid down Connor’s face. He stared at his hands, a sense of deep loss filled him. He slowly lifted his head and then took in his surroundings. “It’s so barren. I... That sense of power.” He looked around again. “I can barely feel it. This... This is terrible.” He looked at Mayor Bueacanon who wore a knowing smile. “How can you live in a place so bereft of power.”

“Because I don’t have anywhere else to go.” Mayor Bueacanon answered slowly, a pained look infecting his features.

“Hey asshole, move before I make you.” Eric said, not bothering to hide his annoyance.

Connor turned back to look at Eric blankly then with stiff movements walked away to stand behind Mayor Bueacanon with the rest of the future cultivators. In total they numbered 3 out of 37, including Connor, a stern young woman with dark brown hair and a scowl on her face plus a short young man with a wiry frame, blonde hair, and a mischievous smirk on his face.

Eric stepped forward to Mayor Bueacanon and like Connor before him closed his eyes. When Mayor Bueacanon’s hand was placed on his forehead no obvious outward signs appeared. A subtle, almost imperceptible shudder and twitch of the body was scene and then his hand was taken away.

Eric opened his eyes, he did not show any signs of happiness or joy but Mayor Bueacanon’s words quickly cleared up any doubts. “Congratulations Eric, you have it.” He looked past Eric and then addressed everyone. “The first stage of the aptitude ceremony is over, it is a year worthy of celebration! 4 child have an aptitude, 4!” He paused at that and when no response occurred continued. “I remember a time not too long ago when the results of this ceremony would be 0. I’m very grateful that we’ve had such a prosperous year, the divines have truly blessed us! Now it is time to move on to the second stage of the ceremony.”

With that he turned away from the slowly dwindling crowd and addressed Connor and the rest. “Follow me inside the town hall, we shall proceed with the second stage in there.” He then walked around the group of young people and opened the door to the town hall. Without looking back, he entered the building.

The teenagers looked at each other then with a shrug Connor followed.