Eldric stood before the grand gates of the University of Arcane Studies, feeling the weight of the moment. The towering spires and intricately carved stonework of the university loomed above him, a testament to the centuries of magical knowledge housed within its walls. His journey had led him here, to one of the most prestigious institutions in the kingdom, and now, only one challenge stood between him and his goal: the entrance exam.
He stepped through the gates and made his way to the admissions hall, where a large board displayed the list of applicants and their assigned examiners. His eyes quickly found his own name, written in elegant script alongside the title Dean of Dark Element Magic. A surge of anticipation ran through him as he realized he would be meeting one of the most esteemed figures in the study of dark magic.
Eldric followed the directions given to him by a helpful receptionist and soon found himself standing outside a heavy wooden door, the symbol of the dark element—a crescent moon shrouded in shadows—emblazoned on its surface. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for what was to come, and knocked.
"Enter," came a deep, resonant voice from within.
Eldric pushed open the door and stepped inside, finding himself in a dimly lit office lined with shelves of ancient tomes and curiosities. The air was thick with the scent of old parchment and something else, something darker and more elusive. At the far end of the room sat a man in his early fifties, his piercing blue eyes watching Eldric with an intensity that belied his otherwise calm demeanor. His hair, streaked with gray, framed a face that was both stern and wise, a face that had seen much and judged even more.
"Eldric Thorne," the man said, not as a question but as a statement of fact. He gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit."
Eldric complied, feeling the weight of the dean's gaze on him. He could sense the undercurrents of power in the room, the way the shadows seemed to cling to the edges of the dean's form, as if drawn to him.
"I am Dean Aelric of the Dark Element Magic Branch," the man continued, his voice as cold and precise as a sharpened blade. "I will be your examiner today."
Eldric nodded, maintaining eye contact, though he could feel the tension in the air. This was not a man to be trifled with.
Dean Aelric studied him for a moment longer before leaning back in his chair. "Before we begin the practical examination, there are a few things we must discuss. The first is the evaluation of your mana core. As you are aware, the strength and stability of your mana core are crucial in determining your potential as a mage. It is not just about how much mana you can store, but how efficiently you can channel it."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. "The second part of the exam involves determining your elemental affinity. While most mages are born with a natural inclination towards a certain element, the process of choosing your branch here at the university is both a reflection of your innate abilities and your future ambitions."
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Dean Aelric's eyes narrowed slightly. "You have chosen to pursue the dark element. I must warn you, dark magic is not a path for the faint-hearted. It requires not only a deep understanding of mana but also the strength of will to control forces that others would shy away from."
Eldric met the dean's gaze evenly. "I understand the risks, Dean Aelric. I have chosen this path because I believe it aligns with my abilities and my goals."
The dean's expression remained unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps approval?—in his eyes. "Very well," he said. "We shall see if your confidence is well-founded."
He rose from his seat and motioned for Eldric to follow. They exited the office and walked down a long corridor, the stone walls lined with portraits of past deans and notable mages. Eldric could feel the history of the place, the weight of the knowledge that had been passed down through generations.
They arrived at a large door marked Examination Chamber. Dean Aelric pushed it open, revealing a spacious room filled with arcane symbols and runes etched into the floor and walls. In the center of the room was a large, ornate circle—an evaluation array.
"This is where your mana core will be evaluated," the dean explained. "Stand in the center of the array and focus your mana. The array will measure the stability, capacity, and elemental resonance of your core."
Eldric stepped into the circle, feeling the hum of energy that emanated from the array. He closed his eyes, reaching inward to connect with his mana core. The familiar warmth of mana flowed through him, and he directed it outward, allowing the array to do its work.
For a moment, the room was silent, save for the soft hum of the array. Then, the symbols on the floor began to glow, casting an eerie light that flickered like a heartbeat. The light intensified, and Eldric felt the pull of the array as it probed the depths of his mana core.
Dean Aelric watched in silence, his expression unreadable as the array completed its evaluation. After what felt like an eternity, the light faded, and the room returned to its previous dimness.
The dean stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Eldric. "Your mana core is unusual," he said finally. "It shows great stability and a high capacity for mana storage. But more than that, there is a… complexity to it that I have not seen before."
Eldric remained silent, waiting for the dean to continue.
"This complexity," Aelric continued, "will serve you well in your study of dark magic. It suggests a potential for adaptability and growth, traits that are essential for mastering this element."
He turned and gestured to a set of doors at the far end of the chamber. "Through there, you will find the division halls for the various elemental branches. Choose wisely, Eldric Thorne. The path you take will shape your future as a mage."
Eldric nodded and made his way to the doors, feeling the weight of the decision that lay before him. He pushed them open, revealing a long hallway with branching corridors, each marked with the symbol of an element: fire, water, earth, wind, and at the very end, the dark element.
Without hesitation, he walked towards the corridor at the end, the one shrouded in shadow. As he passed under the archway, the temperature dropped, and the light dimmed, leaving only the faint glow of runes to guide his way. The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, but Eldric felt at ease. This was the path he had chosen, the one that resonated with the depths of his soul.
He stepped into the hall of the dark element, the shadows embracing him like an old friend. Ahead, he could see a group of students, all clad in dark robes, gathered around a figure who could only be another professor. They turned as he approached, their eyes curious and appraising.
Eldric stood tall, meeting their gazes with confidence. He had made his choice, and now, he would see it through.
As the professor stepped forward to greet him, Eldric knew that the true test of his abilities was about to begin.