"Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand here as candidates...but this is neither a competition nor a battle for supremacy—not a test of wills, but a test of heart. Both of you may prevail, or neither."

—Master Eraqus to Terra and Aqua.

TheMark of Mastery exam (マスター承認試験, Masutā Shōnin Shiken^?, lit. "Master Qualification Exam") is an event which serves as a test for those strong of heart that have been chosen by theKeyblade to becomeKeyblade Masters.

Process[edit]

The criteria for passing is up to the Keyblade Master serving as the examiner. The exam itself varies in its process, with some being simple duels, as seen with Terra and Aqua's exam, and others being entire journeys to resolve pressing issues, such as Sora and Riku's quest to awaken the Sleeping Worlds. If outside forces interfere with the exam, the examiner will determine if the applicant still meets the criteria for passing. Eraqus failed Terra for using darkness, due to his own aversion to it. Despite Sora also gaining thepower of waking in the exam, Yen Sid did not pass him due to Xehanort making him lose most of his powers.

Apprentices of Keyblade Masters who pass the test have a few paths open to them. Traditionally, new Keyblade Master will eventually take on their own apprentices, passing down their beliefs and shaping a new generation of Keyblade wielders. Others may become teachers. In addition, one Master is given the title of "Successor", charged with keeping watch over the sacredLand of Departure.^[1] New Keyblade Masters may also choose to embark on their own journey, as Master Xehanort did.

Story[edit]

Kingdom Hearts Dark Road[edit]

As part of their Mark of Mastery exam, Hoder, Helgi, Heimdall, Vala, Vali, Vidar and Sigrun travel to other worlds, but due to conflicting beliefs among them and the loss of Hoder, the remaining students were struck down by Baldr, who was possessed by Darkness. Years later, Eraqus and Xehanort took the exam themselves passing and earned the title of Keyblade Masters themselves.

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep[edit]

The first stage of Terra and Aqua's Mark of Mastery exam consists of a battle against several Orbs of Light.

After an intense evening of training,Terra andAqua arrive before Master Eraqus, with their friendVentus eagerly watching. Master Eraqus announces that his old colleague Master Xehanort has come to help judge their skills, then warns Terra and Aqua of the strong heart and will required to pass the test, and that their fate will be decided through the exam. As soon as his apprentices are ready, Master Eraqus proceeds to summon severalOrbs of Light for them to battle, but Master Xehanort covertly infuses the orbs with darkness, forcing Ventus to help defeat them as well. However, Eraqus allows the test to proceed.

The second stage of Terra and Aqua's Mark of Mastery exam consists of a one-on-one duel.

Once the orbs have been destroyed, the second stage of the Mark of Mastery exam begins. Terra and Aqua engage in a fierce battle, and as Terra begins to lose the battle, his inner darkness begins to emerge, but he quickly dismisses it. When the battle has ended, Master Eraqus acknowledges Terra's great strength, but chooses only Aqua to become a Keyblade Master due to Terra's reliance on his darkness. Master Eraqus states that he expects Terra to try harder the next time; he then tells Aqua he will later inform her of her new duties as a Keyblade Master, leaving behind a confused Terra, who soon leaves to get his head together.

In the meantime,Mickey Mouse takes his own Mark of Mastery exam under his masterYen Sid by journeying through different worlds via his Star Shard and aiding Ventus and Aqua in their battles against Master Xehanort,Vanitas and theUnversed. Not long after the disappearance of Terra, Ven, and Aqua and the appearance ofTerra-Xehanort, he returnshis Keyblade and Star Shard to Yen Sid, believing he has failed; however, Yen Sid hands the Keyblade back to Mickey to show that he has, in fact, passed.

Kingdom Hearts Re:coded[edit]

Main article:Signs of What's Next

Yen Sid orders Mickey to bringSora andRiku to him to undertake the Mark of Mastery in response to the coming return of Master Xehanort.

Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance[edit]

For their Mark of Mastery exam, Yen Sid assigns Sora and Riku a journey through the World of Sleep.

"If we are ever to strike down Xehanort, we need the individuals King Mickey spoke of in his letter. We must lead them out of sorrow and slumber, and back to our world. To do so, seven Sleeping Keyholes must be found and unlocked, and a great power retrieved."

—Yen Sid to Sora and Riku.

As their Mark of Mastery exam, Yen Sid assigns Sora and Riku to travel the World of Sleep and awaken seven worlds which remained submerged in sleep followingAnsem's defeat, but ayoung Xehanort appears to hinder their progress. Initially, Sora and Riku hesitate to take the exam, Sora believing that he is unbeatable as he is, and Riku concerned about his past experiences with the darkness.

Despite the interference of Xehanort and hisnew Organization XIII, Yen Sid states that both Sora and Riku deserve to become Keyblade Masters, but since Riku went to the Realm of Sleep again to save Sora, who has lost most of his power because of his near possession, Yen Sid names only Riku as a Keyblade Master.

Notes and references[edit]

• Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
• Events