Mia sat with her family during the break between tests, quietly nibbling on her meal. As she watched the other students conversing and sharing their experiences, she couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of nervousness about the upcoming examinations.
“What's wrong Mia? There is no need to be nervous.” Her mother said to her.
“Yes, you just need to do your best.” Lin added.
“Also, remember to eat.” Huang said. They understood somewhat how Mia felt but they did their best to appear calm.
Mia tried to articulate her concerns, her voice tinged with anxiety. "The next tests... they're probably going to involve magic and fighting. And I heard that people here can watch. I'm just worried that I'll mess up in front of all those people... I wish Onyx was here."
“No need to worry my dear. We will be with you all the way.” They all said in some way or another while giving her a warm hug, that gave her some comfort.
After roughly an hour and a half of break time, academy staff arrived to escort the students to the next round of examinations. Parents and guardians were also given the option to accompany the students if they wished to witness the proceedings up close. However, the tests would be transmitted via magical means to the building they were currently in, similar to a form of television. Most opted to follow the students.
The assembly was guided toward a massive structure known as the coliseum. Students were directed onto the arena floor, while the remaining attendees occupied the spectator seats. The coliseum was substantial in size, resembling a small football stadium, with enough seating for around twenty thousand people.
After a few minutes, everyone arrived at the coliseum: fifteen hundred students and more than twice that number in spectators. Once again, the principal took the stage, this time to explain the nature of the upcoming test. Every student would have the opportunity to showcase their physical and magical abilities to the gathered audience and be evaluated accordingly. The academy's teaching staff, including some who might assist when necessary, would be observing. The principal stressed that each student had only one attempt, and the process couldn't afford to take too long given the sheer number of participants.
Students were then given the choice to either remain in the spectator seats and observe their fellow students or wait within the coliseum's waiting rooms. Only a handful didn't go to the seats.
Over the next few hours, students took turns demonstrating their abilities. Some students, despite limited magical or martial aptitude, attempted the test out of necessity. However, most genuinely tried their best, showcasing various forms of martial arts, feats of strength, engaging in brief sparring matches with academy instructors, and unleashing spells that were either beautiful or impressively potent. Mia found herself captivated by the displays of magic. More than ever she felt how it was to live in a world of magic.
When her name was called, Mia made her way to the center of the coliseum, where she signaled for a teacher's assistance. She was given the option to choose, and she requested a physically strong male instructor.
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Like those before her, Mia was required to explain her planned demonstration. However, she couldn't really showcase her physical abilities like she could magic so she decided to opt for a physical display of strength. She would strike the instructor as hard as she could, as many had done before her.
Stepping back and creating some distance from the instructor, Mia activated her cultivation. Now in the Ki Condensation Stage she could exert ten times her normal strength. Although it might not have sounded exceptionally powerful, Mia's current strength surpassed that of most adults. As she dashed toward the instructor, she executed a reverse kick, her left stomping on the ground before she spun, connecting her left foot with the outstretched arms of the teacher, causing him to move back slightly upon impact.
To the untrained eye, it might have appeared as if a young girl in a pink kung-fu uniform embroiled in flowers had just executed a kick. However, individuals with a discerning eye for martial arts recognized the extraordinary force behind Mia's strike, which far exceeded what her cultivation alone could produce. While it wasn't enough to harm the instructor, even he couldn't help but be impressed by the display, offering her his congratulations.
Following her physical demonstration, Mia froze momentarily. She had initially intended to perform her most potent spell, but she suddenly realized there was no suitable target, and launching it aimlessly into the air was too dangerous. The teacher overseeing the test noticed her distress and approached.
“Did anything happen Mia?” The teacher asked.
“Uhm... I want to use a really powerful spell but I don't have a target and just throwing it in the air might be too dangerous.” Mia explained in distress.
“Give me a minute.” The teacher said before he went to talk with the other teachers. A minute later a teacher appeared, having volunteered himself as the target.
Mia cast a nervous glance back at her family nervously, Mister Dimitri clearly in their memory.
“You can do it Mia!” Lin shouted.
“Do your best!” Marry shouted.
“Show them what you can do!” Huang shouted.
Hearing her family, Mia gulped down her worries and prayed that nothing bad happened.
Magic seemed to be regarded as a science here, with uniformity and predictability at its core. Mia's magic, in contrast, was driven by imagination, willpower, and emotions. The clearer her mental image, the stronger her desire to manifest it, and the purer her feelings, the more potent her spells became.
Mia wanted to do really good on this test. She wanted to prove herself, not only to everyone watching but also to her family. She wished to demonstrate that her acceptance into the academy wasn't merely the result of someone powerful pulling strings. Mia was aware of the whispers questioning her presence, suggesting she had only gained admission through influential connections, and she was determined to silence them as it was making her family look bad.
Mia initiated the process by allowing mana to flow and emanate from her, initially forming a small ball of fire. However, she was unsatisfied with mere power; it needed to appear visually striking. The fireball transformed, elongating and assuming the form of a snake, then further growing and morphing into an eastern dragon. Mia was nearly in a trance-like state, witnessing the metamorphosis but driven to do more. She strained herself to the limit, expending every ounce of her mana to shape the spell. From the first dragon emerged another, and another, until nine majestic dragons danced in the air. With her remaining willpower, Mia shouted and released the dragons toward the instructors. The exertion drained her of mana, and she collapsed on the spot, her heart pounding in her chest.
Mia knew that if this display of power wasn't enough to silence everyone and give her good grades, nothing would.