The Guardian Test (Legends of Lotus Island #1) by Christina Soontornvat

Author:Christina Soontornvat [Soontornvat, Christina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2023-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

I had never been so glad that Rella had started skipping Breath class. Master Sunback’s lessons might have been boring, but at least I didn’t have to deal with a cruel classmate.

“You are only the breath, in and out. Only the breath . . .” repeated Master Sunback.

My mind was still fixated on Rella, and when I breathed out, a frustrated sigh fluttered from my lips. I quickly shut my mouth before Master Sunback could hear.

Too late. “My dear Trainees,” she said. “We will stop our lesson for a moment. I can feel that you are like guitars with the strings stretched too tight. Let me answer your questions, and let’s see if we can ease the tension.” She turned to me and smiled. “Plum, let’s start with you. You have a question for me?”

I cleared my throat. “Well, Master Sunback, I wonder if maybe some of us were never meant to be very good at Breath. Like, maybe we’re Heart Guardians.”

“Or Hand!” blurted Cherry.

Some of the other kids murmured and nodded in agreement, and I was very glad I wasn’t the only one wondering what the point of this class was.

Master Sunback nodded. “I see. You think that if you are not a Breath Guardian, you don’t need to learn the power of the breath. But do any of you question the need to learn defense in your Hand class?”

“Well, that’s different,” said Mikko. “Everyone has to know how to defend themself.”

“And everyone should learn some Heart skills,” said Salan, “in case they have to help a creature who’s hurt.”

“Ah, but you don’t think you need to breathe?” asked Master Sunback with a tilt of her chin. “The Great Beast gave us three gifts for a reason. Without mastering Breath, you will not be able to access your Guardian powers.”

Mikko threw his hands up. “Master Sunback, it sure would help if we knew what our powers were going to be! I mean, what are we working so hard for?”

Master Sunback tilted her head one way and then the other. And then she transformed.

We all gasped and scooted back. Master Sunback was a bearded lizard with sunset-red scales. When she stood on her back legs, she was as tall as Mikko. She peered at him with her dark eyes and beckoned for him to stand beside her.

Mikko gulped and went to the front of the class.

Master Sunback put one scaly claw on Mikko’s shoulder. “My own powers are in recognizing the strengths of others.” She winked. “A century of being a teacher helps too.”

A century? How old was Master Sunback, anyway?

“Mikko, please shut your eyes.”

Mikko smashed his eyelids closed.

“Let’s breathe together, just like we do in class,” said Master Sunback.

For a few minutes we watched as Mikko stood with his eyes shut, breathing in and out. Then Master Sunback tapped him, and they both opened their eyes.

“Mikko, your abilities are in stamina and endurance. If you pass the first test, I can almost guarantee that you will be a Hand Guardian.

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