The next day, Mnemésyne and I got up early so as not to be dismissed as the day before. At this early hour there was hardly anyone. The guards asked us to wait until the advisers arrived. When the doors opened, they were already waiting inside.

The stadium, a huge oval arena, had a large number of tiers. Large oblique masts served to stretch canvases to shade the central arena. Although I did not know the place, I had the unpleasant impression that the wooden pens I saw in the center were not part of the usual decor. I will count a dozen on each side of the central aisle formed by this alignment, ready to welcome people who accumulated since our arrival.

A councilor, seated behind a table, not far from the entrance, had us put in a row before him. One by one, we declined our identity and our magical abilities.

When my turn came, the elected official seemed disappointed that my faculties were limited to telekinesis and communication with animals. He seemed unenthusiastic afterwards, of which we still knew nothing.

Once everyone was registered, he stood up and declared that what we would see and hear should not come out of here. He invited people who could not stay there on the spot. Mnemésyne and I were astonished to find that all those aged thirty or more got up. Some seemed upset, others happy to be able to leave earlier. The doors closed on them. The counselor's voice rose to cover the whispers.

- You will start today a tournament to select the best warrior among you.

We were stunned, incredulous and dismayed by these words. Soon a buzz of protest and question arose. What could bring our Council, usually with such peaceful manners, to start fights?

Others decided to leave. " Stay," the voice murmured in my mind. Mnemésyne did not move either, certainly by attraction for this adventure. The reason that justified the fighting was undoubtedly important, my curiosity prevailed over prudence.

The representative of our government set up groups of five and introduced us to our first adversaries. For me, they were definitely strangers to this planet. Their build and their looks impressed me, I imagined Troll origin.

***

Today I still perceive the apprehension I felt at the time. I can not remember the details, my memory is lacking. Nevertheless, this need to write is getting heavier, as if I sensed that something terrible is being prepared.

***

The fighting started under the supervision of another counselor, the first having left to welcome a new group. It was with little conviction that my compatriots fought with the weapons placed at our disposal. Unlike our adversaries who took advantage of our reluctance to use our powers.

I had the chance to fight among the last ones. I took advantage of my observations of my opponent's previous passes. I attacked his bad guard on the left until he gave in, exhausted. I was one of the first to win a race, among my companions. In addition to the basic fencing training that we all received, although his parents did not like it, I was training with Mnemésyne. The weapons were badly seen on Atlantys. Apart from the soldiers, I remained the only one to bear this paternal memory with pride. Today, he favored me, allowing me for the first time to distinguish myself.

At the end of the day, Mnemésyne and I were instructed to represent us for the pursuit of the selections. We were stopping sweat and dust and still did not know anything about their end goal, it was annoying. And the result was even more trying. However, I got by, to my surprise, by the way.