The third floor of the fourth castle wasn't a highly trafficked area, so very few people could be seen walking the halls, and there were practically no guards. However, the directions were still on the walls, so it wasn't too complicated for Apolo to find Room 1C.

Without knocking and maintaining his manners, Apolo entered the room and observed a magician inside looking at him curiously from behind his desk. The magician had long red hair and a bushy red beard covering the lower half of his freckled face. And like all magicians, he was easily recognizable by the black robe he wore.

Seeing that Apolo had no intention of introducing himself, the magician gestured for him to approach and sit in the chair in front of his desk. The young noble understood the signal and, while curiously examining the room, took a seat in front of the magician.

Unlike the other rooms in the castle where improvisation shone, this room was carefully decorated. Shelves lined all the walls, each filled with books and unfamiliar objects to Apolo. On one side of the room stood the most striking piece of furniture: a completely white wooden desk, carefully positioned so that the magician using it could face everyone entering the room. The only illumination in the room came from a large fireplace against the wall, emitting an unsettling green fire that offered little comfort.

—Do you have the card?— the magician asked Apolo with hostility.

Without saying a word, Apolo took out one of the cards he had in his pocket and handed it to the magician in front of him. The magician received the card and examined it carefully before tucking it into one of his pockets.

—What a surprise that you've passed all the stages at this hour. Old Hefesto's interest in the examinees tends to wane over time— the magician commented cheerfully as he played with his beard, completely changing his attitude toward the young man in front of him —May I know the name of such a genius?

—Apolo of the Black Forests— Apolo responded somewhat brusquely, mesmerized by how well-groomed the man's beard was.

—So, it's the young colossus!— the magician exclaimed with a smile hidden by his beard—Pleased to meet you, Apolo. I am Dorien of White Town: the Minister of Magic in the empire.

Hearing the surname and the position, Apolo straightened his back, knowing that his future depended on this person. He knew well that the person in front of him had more status than him due to his diplomatic position. Like him, Dorien belonged to another family of major nobles, in this case, the White Town family. Similar to Apolo's family, the main title of the White Town family was a barony directly dependent on the emperor. Thus, the head of this family could also be called the king of White Town.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Traditionally, the White Town family had an isolationist stance like Apolo's, and this similarity historically led the two families to have a good relationship. However, there was a significant difference between the two families, and that was their specialization. While Apolo's family members were born with the potential to become excellent soldiers, the people of White Town wielded their diplomatic power in the empire through their skilled magicians.

—Your grandfather informed me that you would come. Too bad you arrived on a rough day— Dorien said while continuing to play with his beard as if it were a tic. —Today is the general exams for the commoners and second-class nobles, so the castle might be a bit crowded. I hope it hasn't bothered you.

—It surprised me that so many people want to be magicians— Apolo commented, knowing this was a one-way ticket to being disinherited.

—The dream of many commoners is to become a magician; after all, it only requires talent to pass the exam— Dorien explained with a smile hidden by his beard. —Though it's not exactly easy to pass the exam as a commoner. Few manage to learn to read, and even fewer are willing to pay to take the exam. As for noble magicians, the reality is that most come driven by their misfortune at birth. That's why I was so surprised when your grandfather told me you wanted to be a magician.

—Uh... I mean, yes, I always wanted to be a magician. Magic always seemed curious to me— Apolo nervously replied, remembering that he told his grandfather he wanted to be a magician only to buy himself time to continue exploring the forest. Currently, his main motivation to become a magician wasn't exactly pure: his primary aspiration as a magician was to achieve the financial and political stability the title bestowed.

—So, you're curious about magic. That's a great virtue, Apolo...— Dorien said thoughtfully, slowly rising from his desk and proceeding to one of the shelves on the walls—I wish more people from your family had that curiosity for magic...

Dorien searched the shelf for a leather-bound book, somewhat weathered and lacking a visible title or description anywhere. Slowly, the magician returned to his desk and opened a wooden box he had already prepared on top of it. Apolo could see that the box contained a cauldron, vials of powders, and dried plants that were unfamiliar to him.

—You look somewhat lost by your gaze— Dorien commented, noticing the curiosity in Apolo's eyes as he proceeded to pick up the cauldron and place it over the fireplace fire in the room —Did your family not explain what the Hades Test is?

—I don't know what that is— Apolo responded curtly, watching as the magician poured some liquid into the cauldron.

—It's a test that identifies your primary magical attribute— Dorien explained as he added a bit of black powder to the cauldron and mixed it carefully.

—If I'm not mistaken, my primary attribute is fire, like most members of my family— Apolo replied with some uncertainty.

—The attribute has nothing to do with blood; it depends on how you grew up...— Dorien said as he continued to add powders of various colors to the cauldron —Or rather, with what you grew up around. For example, if you grew up surrounded by fire or with an obsession for fire, then your destiny is to be a magician who specializes in fire.

—My destiny?— Apolo replied, feeling a shiver down his spine. His ancestor's second piece of advice emphasized that he should embrace his destiny; perhaps he was referring to this test rather than literally acting as a servant.