The hall was silent. No one dared to answer the elder's question. They were all trembling in fear because of the pressure that the man was applying on them. Some of the applicants even went out to vomit because they couldn't take the pressure.
Celes frowned even more when he received no answer from the people in the hall. He looked at the facilitator and asked him instead.
"Do you know who this person is?" He pointed at Cygnus who remained silent at the back.
The facilitator trembled and shook his head. He had no idea who the participant was. "I'm not sure elder. What I only know is the name he registered at the entrance."
Celes waved his hand, "Then, will you look again at the list you are holding and read his name again, so that all of you will know who he is."
The facilitator slowly raised the list of names he was holding and read the name on it. His eyes widened when he clearly saw the name on the paper. He even raised his head and took a peek at the young man before returning his gaze on the paper.
"What are you waiting for?" Celes asked because the man was not doing what he asked for and he was getting impatient.
"Elder...this...I..." He couldn't read the name. He wouldn't dare but the elder's gaze made him flinch.
"What? Are you only going to stutter there and won't read the name? Or you need my help?" Celes's voice was sharp and full of sarcasm as he sneered at the man.
He had no other choice but to do what the elder was saying so he raised the paper once again and read the name on the form. "Rigel Maverick G-Ginehart." He suddenly fell down on his knees after reading the whole name in the paper. "Please forgive me! Please have mercy on me! I swear what was written on the paper was only Rigel Maverick!" He pleaded as he also tried to defend himself.
"Enough!" Celes's booming voice echoed in the room as all the instructors also fell down on their knees.
They couldn't believe what they heard. The young man was a Ginehart and he even had the favor of an elder. This only meant one thing, the young man was extraordinary. While they were kneeling, they felt a bit relieved that none of them were the person who gave the young man those bruises.
"This matter, I will let all of you be responsible for it but to those who willingly and knowingly bullied him, expect a harsher punishment for all of you. You can go back to your posts because I don't want to see your faces any longer." Celes waved his hands before turning around to face the young man.
"You shouldn't be too harsh on them and besides I enjoyed joining the tests. At least I was able to test myself and I even defeated the instructor who was incharge of me during the first test," as those words, the atmosphere that eased for a moment once again turned tense.
"You don't have to force yourself to say those words. That man will surely face a punishment equivalent to what he did, even those three guards who blocked you, they will receive special punishment." Celes sighed and let go of his anger.
He did not give any more attention to the other people in the hall. He then waved his hand and a magic circle appeared on the ground. Celes stepped in then let Cygnus and Mr. C in before they all disappeared.
The moment they disappeared, just as the instructors felt relief, several uniformed individuals came in to take the three guards. They also instructed the others to return to their rooms because they will be under house arrest for a couple of days to reflect on their wrong doings.
Those people also organized the applicants who came and announced that the selection will be postponed for now until further notice. Those who already passed the tests will automatically report to the tower the next day to start their training.
Celes and his guests directly appeared inside his study at the Hall of Time. He then ushered them to the lounge inside his study and even served them tea and cake. He then sat down on the empty seat in front of Cygnus.
"I apologize for the blunder of our mages," he immediately apologized. It was better for him to maintain a good relationship with the young Ginehart since he was going to be a part of the tower soon.
"No need to worry, they were just doing their job even though they really went a little overboard and you already gave them punishments. I just hope that it won't happen to the other applicants." Cygnus appeared like a nice guy with a warm deceiving smile on his face.
Celes was glad that the other seemed to have no grudge against what happened. "Thank you for the understanding. Now we can put that behind us and focus on the most important thing. I couldn't believe that you would come to the tower personally."
Cygnus's smile did not disappear as he answered the elder, "Well, my father and mother left for our territory the other day and my brother is a bit busy because of the incident in the palace so I took that chance to come here."
Celes was happy because of the good news he was currently hearing. This was a sign that the young man has no malice towards the Magic Tower which the whole Ginehart carries. Although it was a bit suspicious, he didn't care because this time the other elders will not be able to mock or ridicule him for his incompetence.
"That decision of yours, isn't that going to affect your relationship with your family?" Celes appeared to be concerned but Cygnus knew that he was only showing superficial care.
The master shook his head, "I believe not and I know that they will understand my decision. Although my family hated the tower, I believe that I can learn more about myself when I join the tower." It was only a lame excuse but the elder believed every word he said.
"Then, I officially welcome you to the tower. The other elders will welcome you too." Celes did not think twice and accepted him immediately just in case he suddenly changed his mind.
He stood up and walked towards his table and picked up a document which he handed to the master. The first word that caught his attention was the word 'Contract' written in bold letters at the top of the document. It was a contract which states that he would be a part of the Magic Tower and will serve it with his heart and life.
"Do all of the mages in the tower sign this kind of contract?" Cygnus asked because he was genuinely curious. He knew that there was a contract but the contents of it were hidden so the information about it was a bit lacking.
"Yes, it is to ensure that they won't betray us when the time comes. Without the permission of the Grand Maximus, one cannot undo the contract. You don't have to worry though because that contract will ensure your safety and identity." The elder explained as he pointed at the clause which states that the other party will be protected by the Magic Tower and if ever, he traveled to another kingdom, he can use his identity to inquire at the other Magic Towers.
Cygnus read through the contract once again before he decided to sign it. Once the contract had a drop of his blood, it emitted a golden light before it rolled itself and returned to the hands of Celes. The elder then kept the contract in a special box sealed by magic before he mumbled a spell and the box disappeared.
