Mark of Mastery exam
- "Today you will be examined for the Mark of Mastery. Not one but two of the Keyblade's chosen stand before me as candidates... but this is neither a competition or 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
The Mark of Mastery exam (マスター承認試験 Masutā Shōnin Shiken, lit. "Master Qualification Exam") is an event that takes place in Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep, a test for those strong of heart that have been chosen by the Keyblade to become Keyblade Masters. The exam is taken by both Terra and Aqua, but their friend Ventus is not allowed to participate. Apprentices of Keyblade Masters that pass the test have two choices:
- The Keyblade Master may take on their own apprentices, and reshape their world to one more of their liking as Master Eraqus did.
- The Keyblade Master may go out on their own journey as Master Xehanort chose to do. Should one choose to embark on their own journey, many different paths open up to them.
Story
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
After an intense evening of training, Terra and Aqua arrive before Master Eraqus, with their friend Ventus 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 several Balls of Light for them to battle, but although Master Xehanort covertly infuses the orbs with darkness, forcing Ventus to help defeat them as well, Eraqus allows the test to proceed.
Once the orbs have been destroyed, the second stage of the Mark of Mastery exam begins. Terra and Aqua engage themselves in a fierce battle, but as Terra begins to lose the battle, he allows his inner darkness to emerge. Despite this, Aqua wins the fight in the end. 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.
Kingdom Hearts Re:coded
Shortly after sending the letter to Sora, Mickey travels to the Mysterious Tower to update Yen Sid on Ventus's location. Here they speak of how Master Xehanort will return and discuss the events concerning his return. At the end of their conversation, Yen Sid orders Mickey to bring Sora and Riku to him to undertake the Mark of Mastery exam.
