Lucian's Genin Exam

Well, Funkgakure had not changed much since Lucian had last been. As promised Taios showed the young boy to the academy before going off to do god knows what. In the back of his mind the boy did not doubt he would see Taios again. For a citizen of Funkagkure Taios seemed civil enough on the surface, but Lucian had seen what was underneath, rather he had heard it. However, for now, he did not not have to think of Taios and his oddities. Pushing open a bloodstained door, which led to the volcano village's academy Lucian took a deep breath. 

As the door swung shut the boy was surprised to find himself in a vast dark room lit by candles. Blinking rather rapidly as he got his eyes adjusted to the lack of sunlight, Lucian wondered where everyone else was. With his limited vision in the shadow steeped room he could not see a single soul nor could he hear any nervous breath. The whole satin sent a shiver down his spine. Swallowing his fear he spoke up into the darkness.

"Hello? I am here for the genin exam. My name is Lucian of the Nazar clan."

Hoping to hear something even if it be his own voice echoing off the distant walls, Lucian waited for a response.

The proctor smiled at the young man who approached, revealing mismatched teeth and breath foul enough to rot apples. "Of course you are." Raising one bone white hand, the proctor gestured the visitor to take center stage.

"Let's see what you know. Explain and perform the clone and transformation technique. And if you fail..." The proctor licked its lips in anticipation. "Well, you'll see."

(800 words and you're good to go <3)

Lucian nearly jumped out of his skin when he heard a voice drift out of the darkness from the back of the room. In an instant he zeroed in on the source as his eyes became acclimated to the dimly lit room. The figure that greeted him could very well have been taken for a corpse. The person, who could only be the proctor for the exam, looked as if he had not seen a day in the son for a very long time. Lucian half considered taking him for a vampire until his common sense got the better of him. There was no such thing as a vampire, right? Right?

Pushing his silly superstitious fancies to the back of his mind, Lucian focused on the task at hand. Stepping to the center of the room with a few confident strides the boy was surprised as the candles that lit the room flared up. Perhaps it was his imagination, but each fire seemed to dance like a tormented soul. Furthermore he found himself standing in the center of a pentagram that appeared to be drawn in some red substance. Stay focused, stay focused, stay focused he repeated mentally as he squared up to the sun deprived proctor.

Clearing his throat and mind Lucian clasped his hands behind his back and began.

"First I will be demonstrating the transformation jutsu. As a jutsu it is very basic, thus its requirement for the genin exam. However, its uses are almost innumerable. One can use it to intimidate or hide, blend in or stand out. In essence it is a versatile skill." Pausing the boy took a breath before continuing. "The actual theory behind the jutsu is that you envision who you wish to transform into down to every last detail. Then, using the required hand seals you mold chakra around yourself to take on said form. Today I will be transforming into a man I know Taios. He is large muscular and in sharp contrast to myself."

Falling silent he began the familiar string of hand seals. Dog...Boar...Ram. Taios, Taios, Taios, he had done it before. He remembered every detail of the man. His muscled body, his scruffy beard and messy hair. He was every once a wild man. With the last hand seal a slight poof of smoke issued from Lucian. As it cleared the hulking form of Taios stood in his stead. Not a detail was awry or a hair astray. It was a perfect technique. Bowing ever so slightly he dispelled the transformation jutsu and moved onto the next one.

"Next up is the clone technique. Much like the transformation technique it is a simple jutsu on the surface. It allows one to create illusionary copies of oneself, which imitate the original's every move. Naturally, these clones have no physical substance and can easily be identified as fake if given time as objects pass through them and they cast no shadow. However, if used in a split second they can serve as an excellent diversion. Now, if I may I will move to the actual demonstration."

Ram...Snake...Tiger...The hand signs flashed through his mind right before he formed them. Interestingly this was only his second time performing the jutsu, but this thought did not give Lucian any pause. He knew the theory behind it all and he had done it before. Once was enough, more than enough even. With the completion of the hand seals a clone appeared on either side of Lucian. Bowing once again the clone followed Lucian's every move to a tee. Taking a breath again he released the clones and they dispersed like mist.

Returning his hand to their clasped position behind his back, Lucian stood ready for his evaluation. He had performed both jutsu without a single flaw. So, he knew his practical application would be passable. However, he was not too sure about his explanation of the two jutsu. He had not been expecting that. Honestly the explanations he gave were more so his interpretations, not word for word from the textbooks he read. All in all though he felt he had performed more than adequately.

With his test complete the candles dimmed again. Their once lively dances fell down to a deadman's jaunt. Glancing at the ground again, Lucian found that the red substance he had seen before looked quite a lot like blood. This whole place was really spooky. Wanting to get out of here as soon as humanly possible Lucian shifted his weight nervously. The village reeked of death. It was a smell he did not like to constantly have invade his senses. And, unfortunately, it was a smell that he would never forget no matter how hard he tried. Hopefully, he would soon be walking safely out the door with the rank of genin and a shiny new headband.

{Word count: 814}

The proctor watched its prey through yellow, slitted eyes, its breathing becoming shallow as the student proceeded, almost tasting the boy's blood on his parched tongue.

"You want this?" It rasped, the Funka headband dangling from its withered fingers. "Then come and get it."

The proctor licked its lips once more. It was time to see what this young man valued more: his life or the sense of... adventure that came with being a Funka ninja.

Without a second of hesitation Lucian walked forward. With each step his heart felt as it would jump up out of his throat. Upon reaching the old man he would attempt to grab the headband. If successful he would bow slightly making sure to keep his eye on the proctor as he bowed. He would then turn in an attempt to leave out the way he came.

The proctor let out a thin, reedy cackle through its moist, cracked lips as the young man approached. It seemed this one was made of sterner stuff than most. As the student reached for the headband, another bony arm would shoot out from the proctor's side, attempting to catch the boy by the shoulder.

"A pity...." it would hiss as its face began to crumble, its eyes sliding down the slope of its crooked nose. "I was so hungry..." its lips would manage before crumbling into powder, the hand clutching at the boy dissolving similarly into dust.

In the end, all that would remain would be the new genin holding his trophy, a mound of ash and dust all around him where the proctor had once been.