Clueless Delver

The next was a young man of average build with a tan, chiseled countenance, blonde of hair worn in a bushy ponytail, dressed in an open breasted robe. And the last was the scrappy girl who had made her declaration. Unlike her gloating expression from before, hers was now somewhat serious. All four gazed upon the middle of the bronze faced pillar, which appeared to be completely smooth.

Soon, all that remained in the hall were four individuals. One was the old Narim-Imdar who stood where he stood moments ago, still gazing upon the hexagonal pillar. The other was a girl in a clean white robe - of a tall, straight and sharp eyes but relaxed posture who gazed upon the bronze face of the pillar.

Some exclaimed after identifying their own names, wading out of the crowd to look for the location of their next trial, which would likely happen the next week. And gradually the crowd began to disperse, no doubt to prepare for their next ordeal.

After the venerable headmaster spoke the words the crowd sank into silence for several moments before erupting in excitement, many shuffling toward the other sides to the pillar to find their names to discern the location of their next tribulation.

"In other words, the intention of the pillar has never been to disqualify those not etched upon this pillar, but to better find the one the most appropriate to succeed the Cauldron..." "Now, do not lose hope and continue your endeavours! You may yet be chosen!"

After several moments the Narim-Imdar spoke. "Have one's name upon a surface of granite may not necessarily disqualify one from the later stage of the Tribulations, they indicate where the next stages will be held for each group, forming six separate groups that are tested through several trials before convening yet again according to the late Cauldron's arrangements."

The crowd parted, making way for the venerable headmaster to pass through until he reached the foot of the pillar and raised his head to look not at the bronze gilded face but at the adjacent rough stone face upon which considerably more names were inscribed.