They talked for a while and did not notice how fast time passed. Suddenly the portal lit up and out of it came a magician even smaller than the present candidates. As a result, all conversations abruptly stopped and they turned to the magician. He looked pretty wild, with his thick, curly hair and beard. His black eyes radiated a warmth that only a few people knew Ulf.

The dwarf went to the only exit and turned to the students. "Welcome to Magus Academus," he greeted the 13-year-olds. "My name is Professor Norano and I teach Animalus. But you can choose this subject only from the 3rd year. Just behind this door, you must face the path of knowledge. "

He raised his hand and the inconspicuous brown wooden door behind him seemed to be broken by flames, revealing a portal that looked the same as the door and seemed to be made of red mist. "One after the other you come to four different rooms where you have to make a choice. Finally, you will come to the realization of which circle you are fit for. «

Above him, heraldic animals suddenly appeared, shining in different colors. "Either you are daring like Aramis." He pointed to a white tiger, "or you are fair like Irmengart," his hand wandered to a bronze wolf, "or inquisitively like Tamika," he showed them a silver falcon. "Fourth Circle is Verenus's friendship," he finished his description by pointing to a black snake.

"What's important about this exam is that you must be wrapped in your magic all the time," the professor explained.

"How do we know we're wrapped in it," came the question from Ariane in a hateful tone. "We can not see when the magic envelops us."

"You had a year to learn that," Norano answered. "If you have to see that you can do it, you will not be able to pass the Academy's training."

What do you mean, you can not see the magic of the mages? Dad always lights up in red, even though it's darker than this portal. Mum is always blue.

All pupils closed their eyes for a moment and Ulf saw how shortly afterwards everyone was apparently surrounded by a colored mist. But for most, they were different colors. Ariana went first through the door and Ulf could barely see that she was surrounded by a white light. It shines in the same color as the heraldic animal of Aramis. Please do not let them go into this circle.

As with Ariana, the magic of Martin and Navina was only one color. With Martin it was like a bronze shimmer and with Navina a silver glow. All others surrounded multi-colored fog. As Ulf looked down, he saw for the first time how a black mist surrounded him. What's going on here? I used magic quite often, but so far I've never seen it in my life. Could the color have something to do with the four circles? But then I would have to go to Verenus.

Last of all, Ulf stepped through the portal and the boy was as if he were looking straight into the sun, it was so bright for a moment. When he got used to the brightness, he saw that he was standing on a grassy hill that seemed to rise from a fog. At the summit stood a tree with white flowers. Below stood a white wooden bench, on which sat a man with white long hair. His equally white beard reached up to his lap. The blue eyes of the man shone like the sky.

Ulf approached him and was curious which exam he would have to face. "Hello Ulf," the old man greeted him. "Before you can make your decisions, there is someone who wants to ask you for a favor."

"That is not part of the path of knowledge yet?" The boy asked.

The answer came from a man with blond short hair. He was shaved except for his chin and the beard on his chin was cut short. Ulf recognized him very quickly, because since he had awakened the magic in him, he had often considered a painting of this magician. It was one of his namesake Elmar Erikson, who was the grand master of Magus Academus for just two years.

"You look so much like your father," the former grandmaster greeted him. Ulf grimaced, as he always does when compared to his father. "I know that as a freshman he could almost have gone to Verenus, but by his election he came to Aramis. It looks like you're facing the same choice. I have a wish. Please show everyone that not all of Verenus are evil magicians. There has been enough trouble. If you have a tendency for my old circle, accept it and make sure that my Verenus no longer has the negative reputation. Rely on your magic and do not be afraid to choose. "

Ulf did not know what to say. He had always been afraid to come to Verenus, but was it really that bad? Can I possibly make sure that Verenus and Aramis finally make peace?

Then thought that Ariane was surrounded by the colors of Aramis and he was able to make a decision. He just nodded and could just see the relieved face of Erikson before he stood in a room similar to the one he had arrived in. Other than that, there were 4 exits on the opposite wall. The walls seemed to be reddish rocks. The portals were oval and seemed to consist of orange fog.

Ulf stepped to the left, stopped in front of it and concentrated his eyes closed on his magic. With his help, he mentally saw a narrow jetty, which was peppered with many dangers. Along the way, it went down steeply, the ground was not visible. Ulf was sure that a crash would mean certain death. An inner urge seemed to push him away from this path, like a magnet when equal poles approached. No, that's the wrong way.

He went to the next portal and felt good as he bathed in his magic, but something was missing. He appreciated the peaceful atmosphere. It did not perceive anything visible, but the sensations were only emotional. So here I do not get any further.

At the third portal he felt almost the same resistance as the first one and here too everything was only on the emotional level without seeing anything. He felt as if his knowledge was accumulating and after his experiences on the Sinmaschool he knew that there was no progress.

Before the last portal, he suddenly felt a huge pull. He closed his eyes again and saw himself mentally in a group of people. Upon closer inspection, he saw that I was dealing with all his family and friends. He enjoyed the feeling and took it in himself. I’m right, here.

He opened his eyes and saw that all the other portals had disappeared and that the one in front of him now wafted in a black mist.

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He entered it and landed in a room surrounded by bronze rock walls. Opposite him was an orange portal and in the center of the room stood a simple table. Ulf stepped closer and saw that there were four objects on it. On the left was a sword, with a filigree ornament, next to it were two identical daggers whose leaves had a curved edge. Furthermore, there was a book with a gray cover on the silver script Magus Academus stood. On the far right was a bracelet with five gemstones.

The central one was orange beside it came to the left a bronze and to the right a silver one. At the edge came on the left a red and right a black diamond. After these valuable crystals came in the entire 8 chain links in different colors. For red diamonds was a red chain link. This was followed by a brown, a blue, a green, a gray and a yellow, purple and the light brown was associated with the black diamond. That's the right thing.

Ulf took the bracelet and saw that the portal turned black. He went to it and entered it. The next room seemed to be surrounded by walls of pure silver, with no exit to see. He met a boy who seemed to be his age. "If you want to pass, you have to fight me," the opponent said. He sounds like me. Without being confused, he approached him and slipped the boy's bracelet around his right wrist.

"We do not have to fight because a friendship is stronger than any twist," Ulf countered, leaving a black oval portal in front of him. Together with his new companion, they stepped through the portal.

Both seemed to have landed at a clearing. Everything about him was in a stifling black. And in the clearing was a camp with man-eating ogres. Without hesitation he went on. "Stay close to me, then you will not be harmed," he said to his new friend.

A black mist formed around the two boys, causing both to disappear. At the far end of the clearing, Ulf saw a black portal. Before he entered it, his companion broke up and that Bracelet was on his own arm. I kind of like it. I wonder what these gems and chain links are for.

He entered the portal and a voice said, "True Verenus!" I did not want it, but I promised. Then it's supposed to be like that.

He appeared in a large hall on a medium-sized stage. At the other end, opposite the stage, Ulf saw a large golden portal. There were five different colored seating groups. In the center was a large ring around the magician sat in turquoise robes. These are the masters of the academy. In a throne-like chair sat a magician a little raised. This must be Grand Master O’Hara, who has been running the school since the Battle of Magus Academus.

The Grand Master opposite the ring was open, so you could enter the center. There was a white marble pillar. Next to it was a very old magician holding a scroll in his hand. In front of this gap were his classmates and waited for the beginning.

Around this ring there were four groups of seats, which were for the circles, because over each hovered their colored heraldic animal. The round tables and seat cushions of the chairs were in the respective colors of the individual circles. Counterclockwise to the right of him were the tables of Aramis, followed by Irmengart, Tamika and to the left of him the places of Verenus. I'll be sitting there soon.

After Ulf joined the rest of the students, ghosts came out of the walls and started to sing on the stage:

"We are still ready

Are capable and also clever

Even if we are not young anymore

Are we still faithful to the school?

A few years ago was a dark time

But this is now very far

Although cohesion is important

Do you have to decide where you are at home?

Are you brave and strong

Is it Aramis who likes you?

Are you fair and also loyal?

Is not it new at Irmengart?

Are you educative and wise?

Do you get rich food in Tamika?

Real friends with cunning and trick

Make no mosquito in Verenus

Get the fire and be ready

After that you are freed

To celebrate nice and good

Your spirits are on guard. "

Everyone in the hall applauded as the ghosts bowed. Ulf also joined, but only modestly. He was too nervous because he did not know how everyone would react when he announced his election for Verenus.

"Welcome to Magus Academus," the magician at the pillar greeted the students. "Each one of you has the path of knowledge behind you and must now make his all-important choice." He unrolled the scroll and continued, "I'll call up your names alphabetically. You then step forward and put your hand in the flame and announce your choice aloud. "Suddenly an orange flame blazed up at the marble pillar.

"Angel Johanna," he began, and a brown-haired girl stepped toward the pillar and held her arm to the flame.

"There is only one thing in life.

I want to strive for knowledge

Everything is wonderful

That's why I'm going to Tamika. "

The flame became silver. So she made the right desicion because dad said that otherwise the flame would not change the color. The color was transferred to her robe, which gradually became silver. She sat down with her fellow members and was greeted warmly.

Ulf did not listen to every name, but Martin's choice interested him. It would be nice if we could be in the same circle, but if I'm not mistaken, he'll choose Irmengart.

"I'm just looking for peace.

You should love peace and quiet

It will not be hard for me

Because I'm going to Irmengart. "

I knew it! With him, the flame turned bronze and transferred to his robe. With Martin, Ulf observed something that was different from the previous students. He seemed to be made of bronze for a few seconds, but since it was only very short, the boy thought he had imagined it. At Navina Ulf was again alert.

"Curious and wise

I start with my journey.

Tamika will help me

And raise my knowledge. "

Then the color of magic stands for the circles? But why does my mother turn blue? There is no such circle. As was the case with Angel Johanna, her robe silver turned out to be different than her, Navina seemed to insist for a few seconds of silver moonlight and she sat down next to Johanna.

Ariane was next. I hope it does not come to Verenus, but if it continues like Martin and Navina, I'm off.

"What drives me is my strength.

I go to work with daring.

I come to the result:

My journey begins in Aramis. "

As her robe turned white, a whisper began in the hall. "A Malakin goes to Aramis? They've all been in Verenus so far. "Ariane looked like it was white, but like Martin and Navina, it was only a few seconds.

Wait a moment, because the next surprise is already waiting. After all, I am descended from Ammar Aramis. There has never been one in another circle in my family. Finally came the longed-for name: "Yannik Ulf!" He stepped forward, and the closer he got to the pillar, the more confident he became, and so he stuck his hand into the orange fire.

"My friends are sacred to me.

I'm not in a hurry.

I make my choice with pleasure

And I really like to go to Verenus. "

For the second time, the entire hall was quiet for a moment before the whisper began, because of course everyone knew about the bloodline of Ulf’s family. He enjoyed it and the blacker his robe became, the happier he became with his choice. He went to his area, where the Varenus struggled to free themselves from their rigidity. But then they greeted him as if they had just won the jackpot. Ulf sat down next to a boy who had had the election ceremony with him.

"Hi, I'm Luciano Florenz," he introduced himself. "Hard to believe that a Malakin comes to Aramis and a Yannik here."

"Well, someday is always the first time," said Ulf, grinning. "Ariane did not treat me well when we arrived here at the academy and I promised to beat her at the Circle Order. Since she's in Aramis, only Verenus was left to me. "Wonderful, now Martin, Navina and I are in different circles. I hope we can become friends anyway. Who was this old man and why was he so eager to go to Verenus?