The late afternoon sun warmed the bustling stalls, and the market's lively atmosphere was both overwhelming and curiously engaging for Lucas. As they navigated through the crowded paths, Ben pointed out various vendors and their special treats.
"You have to try the apple pies from over there—they're the best." Ben said, his voice filled with a local's pride.
He led Lucas, who moved awkwardly, still adjusting to the sensory overload and the limitations of his new body.
Lucas's responses were stiff and formal.
"Indeed, the variety of offerings is impressive." he remarked, his tone more suited to a scholarly review than a casual conversation.
Ben chuckled, but his smile faded into a puzzled frown. He handed Lucas a strawberry tart, watching him closely. "You sound really formal today, like more than usual. Everything okay, man?"
Lucas took a bite of the tart, pleasantly surprised by its burst of flavor.
"It is... very good." he admitted, relaxing slightly.
"Just say it tastes good, man. Why the fancy talk?" Ben nudged him, trying to lighten the mood, but his eyes were searching.
Lucas's smile faltered, his gaze drifting to the ground before meeting Ben's concerned eyes.
'Yeah, just feeling a bit overwhelmed,' he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
"Yeah, but you sound like you're from another time or something. Just relax, okay?" Ben said, his tone a mix of concern and confusion.
They continued their stroll through the market, Lucas absorbing every new sight and sound, feeling like an alien observer in a familiar yet strange world.
"This isn't so bad, right?" Ben asked, trying to gauge Lucas's comfort level as they stopped to watch a street performer.
"Yeah, it's not bad at all." Lucas replied, his voice finally holding a hint of genuine ease.
As the sun began to set and the market started to empty, they made their way back to Lucas's home.
With each step, Ben's concern grew. Lucas's odd demeanor and formal speech were unlike the friend he knew.
"You're sure you're okay, Lucas? You've been acting weird all day." Ben pressed as they reached the front of a modest house.
Lucas paused at the door, his mind racing. "I appreciate your concern, Ben. I... I'll see you tomorrow." he said, stepping inside and leaving a worried Ben on the doorstep.
Inside the quiet of his home, Lucas leaned against the door, exhausted from the effort to appear normal.
He trudged to his room, the weight of his new reality pressing down on him. Lying on his bed, he stared at the ceiling, pondering his next steps.
'Ben is perceptive. I must be more careful.' he thought. The day's interactions, the laughter they shared, and Ben's worried glances all swirled in his mind. Despite the alienation, he found a curious comfort in Ben's persistence.
As sleep claimed him, he resolved to maintain a better facade, unsure yet how deeply he could trust Ben with his true self.
The Next Day.
Morning arrived with the cheerful chirping of birds and gentle sunlight that eased Lucas' sleep.
Today was no ordinary day—it was a defining moment, an opportunity to face the academies and prove his capabilities among peers oblivious to his true identity.
Dressed in a simple black shirt and loose pants, Lucas examined his reflection in the mirror, practicing his expressions to strike the perfect balance of casual indifference.
He needed to blend in, not just to learn but to bridge the vast gap between his cosmic awareness and his forced human adolescence.
Stepping out into the early morning sunlight, Lucas took a deep breath. The town square was bustling, alive with the energy of kids and the chatter of excited conversations.
As he walked toward the gathering area, snippets of hushed discussions floated around him, each group of students buzzing about the day's tests and their hopes for the future.
"I heard the Warrior Academy's test is brutal this year." one boy said to another, his voice laced with both excitement and dread.
"Yeah, but if you get in, it's worth it. Imagine being chosen in the academy!" his friend replied, eyes wide with anticipation.
Lucas absorbed the conversations, intrigued by the fervor with which these humans discussed their futures.
As he navigated through the crowd, a familiar voice caught his attention.
"Lucas, over here!" It was Ben, standing with a small group of friends near one of the food stalls. His easy smile was a stark contrast to the tension in Lucas's own chest.
Making his way over, Lucas managed a stiff nod in greeting.
"Ben." he acknowledged, the name feeling still somewhat alien on his tongue.
"You seem tense, man. Loosen up! Today's gonna be great—you'll see." Ben clapped him on the shoulder, trying to ease the obvious stiffness in Lucas's demeanor.
Lucas attempted a smile. "Indeed, it is quite an important day." he replied, his formal tone drawing a quick grin from Ben.
"Dude, you really need to relax. Just act normal, okay? You're sounding like a textbook again," Ben teased, nudging him gently.
Lucas's smile wavered, and he nodded, unsure how to mimic the ease of human interaction. 'Act normal, easier said than done.' he thought wryly.
The morning sun cast a warm, golden hue over the town square, its rays gently kissing the cobblestone paths and painting long shadows that danced with the excited chatter of students.
Lucas, still acclimating to the vibrant pulse of this planet's life, wove through the crowd with measured interest.
At the square's center, a raised platform showcased two prominent figures from Valor Academy: Professor Lyra and Professor Darian.
Professor Lyra, her pink hair a striking contrast against her violet robes embroidered with golden runes and the academy's eagle emblem, greeted the crowd warmly.
"Welcome, future mages and warriors! Today, you'll have the opportunity to explore your paths. For our mage aspirants, we offer two tests using these Elemental Orbs."
She held up a transparent orb and a black orb.
"The white orb will determine your elemental affinity, while the black orb assesses your magical aptitude."
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Professor Darian, clad in red and gold armor that mirrored Lyra's insignia, took over with a robust tone.
"And for those drawn to the warrior's path, we will test your physical strength and endurance through various challenges."
The crowd, a mix of nervous and excited faces, listened intently as the professors elaborated on the assessments.
"For mages, discovering your elemental affinity and aptitude will indicate how far you might advance." Lyra explained. "High aptitude could see you becoming a fifth or even sixth circle mage, whereas a lower score might limit you to the third circle."
Darian added, "Warriors, remember, your path is not bound by initial talent alone. Hard work and determination can elevate you to high ranks, though some may advance faster than others due to innate skill or fortuitous insight."
As the professors spoke, Lucas absorbed every detail, gauging his own capabilities against the described tests.
Around him, students buzzed with commentary.
"Did you hear? Only one in ten thousand has the aptitude to become a mage. It's so rare!"
"Yeah, but think about the power at your fingertips as a mage! Casting spells seems way cooler than just swinging a sword."
"Maybe, but don't underestimate swordsmanship. Some of the empire's strongest are sword masters."
"I guess it depends on what you're drawn to. I'm all for the magic, personally."
"Lucas couldn't help but let out a low chuckle, the earnest naivety of his peers both endearing and amusing. 'Oh, to be young and oblivious.' he thought, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth."
'They think this is power? If only they knew what the real strength was.' he mused internally, his smirk hidden by a thoughtful frown.
"Why only one academy?" Lucas whispered to Ben, playing the part of the intrigued newcomer.
"Valor's local, and one of the best. Other academies from the capital rarely venture this far unless it's for high-stakes selections." Ben explained.
He then lowered his voice, "And don't get started on Evercrest Royal Academy. That's where the true monsters are trained, only the high-ranking nobles and prodigies get in."
Lucas nodded, his expression contemplative as he absorbed the information, his amusement at the local customs growing. 'So, this is what passes for elite here. Interesting...'
"Ben's eyes sparkled with excitement as he shared his insights about Evercrest. 'Those students are something else, you know? But hey, we're here to find our place too.' he said, giving Lucas a reassuring pat on the back."
As Lucas glanced at Ben's animated gestures and bright eyes, he couldn't help but marvel at his friend's boundless enthusiasm.
'Must be nice.' he thought, a flicker of envy passing through his mind.
As the presentations concluded, the students eagerly split into two streams, each drawn towards the tents that signified their future ambitions—one for warriors and another for mages.
"Can't wait any longer! Let's check it out Lucas!" Ben exclaimed, his voice crackling with excitement.
"Sure." Lucas responded, his tone measured, betraying little of his inner amusement.
They made their way toward the mage tent, already bustling with a lineup of hopefuls. As they approached, a familiar and unwelcome voice sliced through the hum of excited chatter.
"Hey, look who decided to show up—Lucas the Fatso!" jeered a boy from their class, the same one who had mocked Lucas during their classroom encounter.
His name was Rolf, a tall boy with blonde hair and a sneer that seemed permanently etched onto his face, flanked by a couple of snickering lackeys.
"Why even bother, Lucas? We all know you've got no talent." Rolf taunted, stepping closer with a mocking look in his eyes.
"Leave him alone, Rolf." Ben interjected, stepping between Lucas and the bully.
"What's it to you what Lucas does?"
Rolf laughed, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Oh, I just enjoy a good show, don't we all?" he turned to his friends who laughed in agreement.
"Go ahead, Lucas, dazzle us with your stumbling magic!"
Lucas looked at Rolf, his expression unchanging, an eerie calm in his gaze.
"And you believe mocking others makes you more talented?" he replied, his voice cool, carrying an authority that momentarily silenced Rolf.
"Yeah, right," Rolf scoffed, regaining his composure.
"Just don't cry when you fail, okay?" He turned away with a harsh laugh, his entourage following behind.
Ben sighed, shaking his head. "Don't listen to him, Lucas. He's just trying to get under your skin."
Lucas nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Let's just proceed with our test, Ben. Such distractions are trivial."
As Lucas and Ben queued for the mage tests, Rolf strutted to the front with a cocky swagger, eager to flaunt his abilities.
Ignoring the murmurs of disapproval from the crowd, he reached for the white orb first, which measured elemental affinity.
Placing his hand firmly on it, the orb began to glow with a steady brown light, indicating an affinity for earth—solid and reliable, but common among mages.
"Not bad, huh?" Rolf boasted, shooting a challenging look back at Lucas and Ben before moving to the black orb for the aptitude test.
When he touched it, the orb emitted a moderate glow, stabilizing at a level five out of ten—respectable, but hardly extraordinary. With a smirk, he stepped back, his eyes taunting Lucas.
"You passed." the examiner announced, handing Rolf a simple bronze token; a small disc with the word "Mage" inscribed on it. Rolf pocketed it with a self-satisfied grin, then sneered.
"Let's see if you can top that."
Lucas and Ben calmly ignored Rolf's provocations, which only seemed to irritate him further.
Ben then stepped forward to take his turn.
As his hand touched the white orb, it flared dramatically, cycling between fierce red and bright blue, finally stabilizing in a display of both colors, signifying a rare dual affinity for fire and lightning.
The crowd erupted into murmurs of astonishment.
"Whoa, look at that! Dual affinity? That's unheard of!" a nearby student gasped, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Fire and lightning? That's a combination for the legends!" another added, his voice tinged with envy.
The examiner, clearly impressed, directed Ben to the black orb. As soon as Ben's hand made contact, the orb illuminated intensely, quickly reaching a level nine.
The onlookers gasped and burst into applause, their excitement palpable in the air.
Ben received a bronze token similar to Rolf's, but the examiner's praise set it apart. "Incredible, young man! With your potential, you are destined for great things at the academy."
"Thank you, sir. I'll do my best." Ben replied, his voice humble yet proud.
As Ben returned to Lucas, the audience's comments filled the air, praising his extraordinary abilities and speculating about his future success.
"Man, did you see that? Ben's a prodigy!"
"Yeah, that's crazy!"
"Damn, I am so jealous of him"
Rolf, standing off to the side, watched with a mix of shock and jealousy, his earlier bravado washed away by Ben's stunning performance.
He muttered under his breath, "He is just lucky, I bet he can't do that again."
Someone in the crowd overheard and laughed.
"Luck? With talent like that? You wish you had half his luck, Rolf!"
Lucas, meanwhile, offered Ben a friendly smile.
"Impressive, Ben. I knew you were capable, but this is exceptional."
A warm flush spread across Ben's cheeks, his eyes lighting up with a mix of pride and surprise.
"Really, Lucas? That means a lot coming from you. I had no idea I had it in me,' he admitted, his voice a blend of awe and excitement."
"I am sure you can do better than me."
As they swapped places, the crowd's buzz continued, their anticipation for another remarkable display.
Lucas waddled towards the orbs, his chubby body swaying slightly with each confident step. A smirk spread across his face, amused by the simplicity of the test that lay before him.
He reached out, nonchalantly touching the orb, fully expecting his power to light up the room.
"This is going to be a piece of cake" Lucas thought smugly, curious to see how his powers would interact in this primal world.
"They have no idea who they're dealing with," he mused with a wry smirk, his ancient wisdom cloaked beneath youthful guise.