The Eternal War Kasarewang
City of Drestha (4)

Some time ago, after climbing a few minutes of climbing, Aster and Adi arrived at one of the land with rare rubber trees. Unlike the forest they passed through, a hut to the left was destroyed. Aster gave Adi a doubtful look, but Adi knocked on the front door of the hut without paying attention to the part of the hut that opened on the left.

Before long, the door of the hut opened, and a man half-hair grayed out of the hut. He was wearing a white coat that was clearly dirty with dust and powder. Behind his suit, he wore a shabby t-shirt and jeans that had been thin and torn. In general, the person's appearance did not show a noble, but his eyes instantly mesmerized Aster.

Putting aside the panda eyes and the wrinkles around his eyes, the old man's gaze was gentle as well as sharp. Both eyes were deep purple, but not only dark purple, dark blue and black colors also often involved there. The glittering dots also shone from those eyes, like an extraterrestrial painting sprinkled with silver gliters. Looking into it was like being sucked in by a black hole.

“Ehm.” The old man coughed.

Aster just realized from his daydream heard a cough. He automatically looked down in embarrassment.

“--------------------.” The man greeted Adi kindly. He's shaking hands. However, Adi instead knelt down with one leg before welcoming the handshake.

“---------------------------.” Reply Adi. Then turn to Aster. “Include, he is the mentar I mean. His name is Duke Aakil.”

Aster bowed and introduced himself. The Duke led them to an empty plot of land behind his hut. There, he said to Aster in Kasarewang. “------------------------------------------------------------------------.”

“He asked you to demonstrate your magic.” Adi translates right away.

Without a doubt, Aster directly controls the elements of wind, water, and soil. He also showed how he could make these elements from the physis in his body. Although, Aster ended up being extremely exhausted. Lastly, he also showed his mastery of the living edict by making one small piece of meat, which instantly disappeared when Aster ran out of his physis. Tired of running out of physis, Aster fell because he could not bear the weight of the Spirit World Bank.

“--------------------.”

“How about one more? You can create a physis backup instead?” ask Adi.

Aster looked at Adi uncertainly.

“That you make in your body. What you do outside of your body. What stone, you call, that can store physis.”

“You mean this?” ask Aster took out a agate that he accidentally formed while playing around with physis. Agate is what Harsa took from Aster's room to find the whereabouts of Aster when he was kidnapped.

Without saying anything, Aakil extended his hand, asking for the agate from Aster. Doubtful, Aster handed over his masterpiece to Aakil.

The Duke watched the shiny black agate carefully before smiling obliquely. He returns the agate to Aster, then goes back to talking to Adi. The two of them continued to converse while Aster waited. At first, Adi looked happy and proud, but his smile soon disappeared after a few words from the Duke. Their conversation turned into a debate, but one stern look from the Duke silenced Adi's mouth.

The young Kasarewang sighed in surrender, then gave his salute to Duke Aakil. “Come, go.” He said to Aster.

Aster's forehead is wrinkled confused. “What?” He gave his last greeting to the Duke before following Adi's footsteps. “What's up?” ask Aster while chasing Adi who has started to go down the mountain.

“He said your ability is very unique and you are talented, but he apologized for not being able to teach you.”  Answer Adi without stopping walking.

“Why?!”

“Well, the first reason is more acceptable. He said it would be hard when you don't even understand what he's saying. Second, he said he had promised the Ministry of Education to teach fully at the University five decades ago, so he felt it impolite to accept students outside the University.” Adi's Story. “But that doesn't make sense! He is the Duke! The Ministry will not be able to urge him. He need not fear offending anyone other than the King!”

Aster was silent listening. It seems that a word of her will even make Adi more upset.

“Ya, already. First we find where Harsa used to be.” Adi said in response to Aster who kept his mouth shut.

“Oke.” Aster agreed.

Adi was just about to widen his aura to find Harsa, when the sound of a fire explosion from within the forest rang out loud. Adi tilted his head. “It doesn't seem hard to find the kid.”

Harsa's eyebrows rise after listening to the entire Aster story. “So, we're here in vain?”

“Well, at least you can go for a walk, and get this magic deer.” Deny Adi directly.

“Then we know what the conditions are so that Duke Aakil will teach me magic.” Add Aster with a forced smile.

“You mean?” adi asked confusedly.

“Please teach me Kasarewang.” Aster said full of determination. “Then, how do I get into this Drestha University he's talking about?”

“Ka, you want to enter the special university Kasarewang?!” ask Adi in shock.

“Can't it?”

Adi shakes. “Not allowed, just…. No human has ever taken such a test before.”

“Means can't you?” Corner Aster again.

“Yes, I think you can. but to enter the university you have to pass the standardization exam to get citizenship Kasarewang. Usually Kasarewang children will go to school for ten years to take the exam. School is not compulsory, but.”.

Aster's face paled. “I will try. When is this exam usually held?”

“Maybe another year.”

“What does this test look like?” ask Harsa curiously.

“The usual standardization test is divided into three parts. Written, magical beast practices, and the practice of defeating formskitters. In the written exam, you must be able to solve questions about Basic Knowledge, History of Kasarewang Kingdom, Kasarewang Language, and General State Regulation.” Adi's Story.

“Sound a lot.” Harsa said as she gulped.

“Will I try first. If it fails this year, next year can also try again right?”

“There are no rules for that, but it's true you think that way. Unlike the written exam that can pass just by memorizing, to pass the practice exam you must be strong, Aster.” Adi said, then turned to Harsa. “How about you Harsa? Yesterday I felt you were strong enough to fight the formskitters. I've also felt that you're strong enough to pass the practice exam, but considering that you don't know anything about Kasarewang…. I think I should go home to teach you, guys... teach Aster.”.

“Uhh, do you mean do I want to take the standardization exam?”

“Good idea!” Welcome the spirit Aster. He held Harsa's hand. “Come, Sa! Take this exam with me! So we can learn together!”

“Ohh, but I don't know if I want to stay in Drestha City or not.”.

“I think you'd better try to learn to come along. Usually Kasarewang who takes this exam is two decades old, but it would be better if you start studying early. Unless you really don't want to work in Drestha at all. What do you want Sa?” ask Adi.

Harsa was confused. What does he want? Harsa closed her eyes, she imagined the face of the annoying Kasarewang soldier earlier. “According to brother Adi, what will continue to be treated like before if you do not take this test?”

“For sure your life will be easier in Drestha if you have a citizenship stamp, because everyone will think of you as an adult.” Answer Adi.

“Good. Maybe I'll try.” Harsa said in the end, although he had not imagined how tired he was back training every week with Adi.