In the Great Hall of Luna Hall many of the instructors gathered around the large white cube carefully watching the test. Others kept an eye on their looking glasses. Each reporting whenever they had any interesting information to offer.
The headmaster moved to perch on the back of a chair peering intently at the goings on. Some students seemed to be fairing better that others. Some were trying to go solo, others were breaking up into teams. Regardless of how they chose to proceed from the instructor's stance the trial was a success.
They had a clear way to access the student's abilities.
Inside the test the group of students this story centers on were just starting to tackle the second level.
North, South, East, and West.
Each direction marked a path they could take.
Some of them were right when they decided the directions were relevant to the houses of the school. They were even more right if they had supposed that each level of the test was likewise related to a house. How much each had guessed, however, was still yet to be determined.
The beanstalk at the center and its small way-station marked their starting point. The large pillar with it's riddle was their fist set of instructions. The first task was a simple one.
Choose a direction to go.
The cross roads just beyond this pillar were perfectly set in each direction. The paths were well paved and each went over the top of a hill and disappeared down the other side. All four were visibly Identical.
It quickly became clear to those that bothered to take notice that no matter have far they went, if they got lost, the beanstalk itself served as a central marker. They would always be able to restart if they needed to.
Over each hill beyond sight, was another small pillar marking the beginning of each directional route. On each was a small sign with a verse as to what lay ahead.
They all started off the same way.
One guess and one only
do you need to pass your test
If incorrectly do you answer
return to start and then rest
Each direction by its turn,
in order may you try
As many chances as you need
before onward you can fly.
Following these verses on the pillar were two more that differed by direction
@daird @GamerFangirl @Celestial Scorpio @Shinku⭐Kun @Cresion Breezes
North
I joined the fun for entertainment
To help new ideas grow
Answer me correctly
and onward you may go
Before that lies distraction
twisting pathways of despair
Keep on the up and narrow
to come straight to my lair
This pillar was pale lavender in color indicating it's relation to SphinxHill. The path ahead twisted through the hills making it easy to lose sight of, but ahead those headed north could make out what seemed to be the beginning of a wood and beyond that something that looked like a wall.
South
Temptation may make you tarry
when offered by my hand
Strong of will continue onward
and below to find new land
Yet before that lies distraction
A giver of many tasks
be careful not to lose your time
whatever this one asks
This pillar was a soft orange, the color of a glowing sky when the sun set. South led to DjinnGate. The way seemed mostly flat, but flat can seem to go on forever and distance was difficult to judge.
@Luma
East
I am gone and I am here
find me if you dare
Then answer one of my questions
and continue from here to there
but before that lies distraction
stating what every traveler knows
a marker for your way
and pillar for where one goes
The rose stone pillar was one that belonged to RocCliff. In the distance the hills seemed to grow progressively larger until what seemed to be mountains took form.
West
I am a single answer
Reflected as if beneath glass
face yourself in reflection
then onward can you pass
Still before that lies distraction
a light that wayward leads
A wisp that moves in shadows
and confuses with its pleas
The fourth pillar was a soft teal in color reflecting LeviathanSea. The land started out hilly and the smoothed out, but what lay ahead was obscured by fog.
@Takashi @Gen_ @Teacup @xLarius @Watase Yu @Rapping-Monster
Six students remained at the beanstalk way-station trying to decide on the direction they would choose.