We arrived at the location where we were doing the testing. The proctor stood in the center of the ring patiently watching some of the others utilize their magic or sword skills. It was more just to add more time as the actual test of determining your class was to simply rest your hand against the glass orb in his case.

He was a lanky man, tall with years on his face. He wore a black jacket with a white undershirt and patched brown pants. One of the men in the crowd was talking to him, while the rest of the families stayed away from the center of the ring in other corners to give everyone space. There was excited laughter and giggles as they watched their children practicing.

The moment we walked through the door, a silence hushed across the crowd. I was now cross legged as I floated in the ball of water. Its contents gave a sound of dripping as we moved along. The proctor held up his hand to the man who was near him as we walked closer.

My mother never broke eye contact with the proctor as we arrived in the center of the ring. I readied myself for my escape. The moment that she let the ball of water drop, I would run out the side door and get away. She looked at me briefly and with a twinkle in her eye, she smiled. Fright ran up my spine. She knew my plan. The orb of water created a current within that dragged my outstretched arm closer to the edge.

“No fair!” I howled as we got closer.

The proctor looked at my mother and nodded. He quickly grabbed the orb and prepared to start the class ceremony with a speech.

 “Ahem.” He said quickly to the crowd. “This will be my 30th year doing the classing ceremony. I am proud to have sent so many off to their future jobs and life long ambitions. If everyone will please take a seat, we will begin.”

With a wave of his hand, stools of stone rose from the ground and everyone slowly filed to their way to sit down.

“As you know. Our kingdom prides itself on properly assigning each of its citizens to rolls that are best suited for them. Not only does this keep with in boosting morale but also the happiness of all those within our borders. This year, we will be starting off the ceremonies with Emily. We have a live one, ladies and gentlemen!”

A bit of giggling spread throughout the crowd. The others there for the class ceremony whispered to one another. The ball of water churned and gurgled around me.

“Now, I just need her hand to be placed on the orb for us to begin.”

A hole in the water appeared around my hand. Allowing it to touch the globe.

“I don’t wanna!” I screamed trying to pull my hand back but it was too late. 

My pruned fingers touched the glass of the smooth surfaced orb. The evil smile appeared on my mother’s face. I glanced and saw my father in the doorway with crossed arms. His face filled with shock as my mother glanced at him with a wide smile so demonic in its enjoyment of the moment that he looked away.

The orb glowed white for a moment as it registered my magic and abilities. The proctor stepped back for a moment as he held up the glass globe high into the air for all to see. He stared at it with intense interest. A smoke like substance filled the inside of the glass and finally a small series of words floated through the contents of the soup within.

The orb glowed brightly for two seconds and then finally a paper card appeared in the proctor’s hand. 

“Now the moment you’ve been waiting for!” He looked at the card and smiled. “Cleric!”

The puddle of water dropped around me as my mother hugged me. 

“You did great, hunny!” 

“What does that mean? What’s a cleric?” I said aghast as I dropped to the floor. 

“It means that you will be able to have a wide range of jobs. Clerics are known to be a staple in our society as they are closer to the church and the deities with which our society is bound.”

“Closer with the deities? You mean I can talk to them or something?”

“You got it! And your closeness gives you more powers as your proficiency grows, they may deem well to bestow upon you greater power or abilities.”

Then it hit me.

“Does that mean they’re always watching me?”

“Yes, they’d always be guiding you on your path to help others and protect the kingdom.”

The flash of the god I had originally talked to came across my mind. Him!!! He wanted to make sure I stuck on my path! He wanted to make sure I found my way to whatever doom he needed me for!

An image of a smile that showed up on his face appeared in my mind. He knew he’d need to do this. I grabbed the paper in anger and held onto it in disbelief. Damn him!!

“Now go sit down, hunny.” My mother said with a smile.

Her eyes were relieved. She guided me to my seat and sat me down. I continued to stare at the paper. Damn him!!