"Perhaps that is the case… Jedi hopeful," Braze mused lightly, though the sharpness of his jade eyes belied the softness of his tone.
"I do not know the sum of your knowledge, nor what you believe the Jedi to be. Regardless, these are the prerequisite trials, the first step, and what you must know and be able to display to stand as an initiate of the Jedi Order."
He Held his hand up as the parts circled him gently,
"The position you seek is the coveted role of Padawan, a Jedi's apprentice. But to become a Padawan, one must first become an initiate. Before you can run, you must walk. Before you can walk… you must first learn to crawl."
Braze's hand hovered over the scattered components, and one by one they rose into the air, turning slowly in the light. Each part was drawn into alignment with deliberate precision, his presence in the Force guiding them to their rightful place.
First came the blade emitter, the crown of the hilt, drawn together with the emitter matrix and stabilizing ring so the future blade would project steady and true. Tiny circuits and energy modulation arrays slotted delicately into place, their wires linking the systems like veins. The power cell was guided into the hilt's core, coupled with a field energizer and superconductor, creating what would be the lifeblood of the weapon.
He summoned the focusing lens, letting the crystal chamber form around it as the flux aperture, stabilizing coils, and radiator aligned in seamless sequence. Then, between them all, he settled the glowing golden kyber crystal, the most vital piece, humming faintly as though answering his call. Around it, the cyclic crystal array and cycling field energizer encased it like guardians, stabilizing the flow of energy.
Piece by piece, the outer casing closed in as the the waterproof shroud, pommel cap, and power insulators snapping into place. Last of all came the subtle details: the activation stud, the power adjustment knob, the small fittings and specialized modifications that made this saber more than a weapon, but an extension of its wielder.
Each part clicked in to place with a final, resonant sound. Braze reached out his hand, and the completed lightsaber floated down to his waiting palm. With a flick of his thumb, the activation stud engaged, and a bright blade hissed into being, bathing the chamber in brilliant golden glow.
He let the hum settle in the air for a heartbeat, then turned the blade downward in a clean, arcing flourish. Its glow reflected across his pale features, the sound of it resonating like a steady pulse.
"The second test," Braze said softly,
"has not been consistent throughout our history. Once, it was this... The construction of a lightsaber , using crystals provided by the master."
Braze turned slightly, extending a hand toward the workbench where the neatly arrayed components lay. Metal fittings, crystal fragments, and polished lenses glimmered faintly in the shifting light, each piece waiting to be given purpose.
"Care to give it a try?" he asked, voice laced with curiosity, as though testing whether the boy's eagerness could match the patience such work demanded.
