<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ff9999">Tessa watched the girl’s reaction to their presence carefully as she settled down into one of the three chairs that had been provided for the judges. The girl had shown so much potential and promise once, but Tessa knew this was going to end in failure, just as it had the last two times. The girl just couldn’t hold it together under pressure. In a way, she felt bad for the girl, constantly encouraged by other masters to keep trying, when it was obvious there was nothing to be done. And certainly not in such a short amount of time. Four years perhaps, but Dreven had the twins only about two or three months.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ccff99">Ayla bowed respectfully to the three judges before turning to face the proctor</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#a6ff4d">. “Thank you Master Ovira. And yes. I am here of my own volition, and desire to test for entry into the third circle of illusions.”</span><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ccff99"> her response was formal, as was expected. There was a level of tradition and etiquette required with these tests, as the judges could theoretically deem someone unqualified simply for being an ass, unless they had near perfect scoring.</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#99ffcc">Alexi smiled, hugging Ordenel before settling down next to Lucian, sliding his chair a little closer so their legs were touching. He was worried about his sister, doing his best to stay back, away from her mind. He was glad that they hadn’t succeeded at anything involving their bond as of yet, knowing what was going on down there.  At least with the end of the third circle test, the others were all research presentations, and not something that a link such as they shared could have been used to cheat with. </span>