*People chattering*

We have arrived at the location where the test will begin. On every side that I look, there were mages who were chattering among their group. There was a clear distinction in which people are on the same group because they were wearing similar attires and their respective emblems engraved on their robes.

One of the most obvious groups were the people in the front. Even among all mages here, they were the ones who attract the most gazes. Their attire was the most grand I have ever seen. Besides the numerous jewelry they have on their body, their clothes were also a sign of nobility.

Their impeccable aura makes people around avoid going near them. I was curious about their identity so I listen to some who were gossiping about those people.

"How unlucky, people from the Endo Clan have joined this year's selection test."

"Not only them, but the Umada clan have also sent their people."

"You should see those people at the front. I was able to sneak a peek on their emblem. I can't believe it but I saw it very clearly. The Oda Clan is here."

"What?! Why are they here? I thought they are joining next year that's why I came for this year's test. If what you're saying is true, we have no chance to be chosen especially when a lot of monsters are present."

"I would be over the age limit next year, damn how unlucky that my last chance would be with those monsters at the same time."

I heard some interesting things among the chit-chat of the people near me. There seems to be a lot of strong people who joined for the test today. I even overheard Bosu's clan name in the mix.

This got me interested in the clan they were talking about. I turned to Yukio and ask if he knows anything about these things.

"You want to know more about the clans? I don't know the specifics of the clans here in Mir but what I know is that clans have power and influence in the place they are situated. They are considered to be the upper-class of society. They can give the best resources for their members. That's why mages from these clans are usually strong."

"I heard Bosu's clan in one of those to be revered. Were you familiar with the Umada Clan?"

"I am. That's why when Bosu-san said his clan name, I was dumbfounded. I never thought we would be traveling with one of them. Bosu-san doesn't appear to be someone who is a part of it."

"Well, he is Mundane. However, he seems to still have a high position despite being one." I remembered how Bosu was for the past few days.

"True. I never expect Bosu-san to be more amazing than I thought." Yukio nodded at my conclusion.

While we were having a conversation, a woman went up the platform that was placed where everyone could see it.

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"Ahem!"

Her voice resounded the area and everyone became silent. All attention of the present people went to her.

'This is familiar.'

The scene that happened a while ago replayed in my mind. I looked over if the woman who took everyone's attention was the same woman we saw at the entrance.

I got a better view of her appearance. Even from afar, her beauty was second to none among all the people here. Her ruby hair was tumbling over her shoulders along with her cloak that was fluttering because of the wind. This shows the shapely figure she has under her cloak. She fixes her appearance before she began talking.

"That's better. Now everyone is quiet, I want you to segregate yourself to the element you think you are best at. Fire runts go here. Water runts go here. Then followed by wind, earth, and light. And if you are a dark runt, I suggest you go home."

Her soft yet loud voice has clearly sent a message to every mage present.

One by one, the participants for the selection test moved towards their respective elements. Meanwhile, Yukio and I were still stuck in our places.

"Silva, that's a big problem for your part. It looks like dark mages are already not welcome here." Yukio was troubled.

"That's indeed a problem but I can still do something about it. I'm going to the fire side and move on from there."

"I can join you."

"No, I know you're more comfortable with wind magic. I can handle myself so don't worry about me and focus on your side."

There was some hesitation on Yukio before going to the wind mages' side. But I only showed him my serious expression to indicate not to try and do anything. He understood and went to his respective element.

After a while of grouping, everyone has finally chosen their elements. Like the woman said, only five groups were formed and there was no group for dark mages.

The element that has the most people was my group, the fire element, while the light element has the least people.

Only when the woman left the platform did something change.

Mages came out of nowhere and positioned themselves in front of each group. They were varied in their appearance. I could see a humongous man on the side of the earth group, a scholarly woman on the water group, a priest on the light group, a peculiar looking man on Yukio's group, and a dog-like person in my group.

They were totally different from each other but one thing was common among all of them. They have the same emblem as the woman who went up the platform has.

*Sniff~ Sniff~*

The mage in our group sniffed us one by one. He looks like a dog and acts like a dog in every possible way. The only difference was that he was standing on two legs. I never saw a species like him before but there was an animal back in my world who looks similar.

His actions weirded out everyone but no one stopped him. It's already clear that he would be our evaluator for the test.

*Achoo~*

When it was finally my turn to be sniffed at, he suddenly sneezed. This caught me in surprise since there was no indication he would be sneezing even after catching the smell of everyone. This also shocked him which just made me all worried.

'Maybe he knows I'm someone not from this world. The dogs back in my world have great instincts when it comes to things like this.'

He went for a sniff for the second time but this time he looks more serious. It took longer than usual before he was done checking on me. He looked at me for the last time before saying,

"You're strange."

Leaving those words then moving on left me confused. I don't know what he found in me that was strange since based on my knowledge, many things are strange within me. He continued sniffing the rest of the group like nothing happened. When the last person was done, he finally introduced himself.

"Attention everyone! I am Admiral Cujo, your examiner for today. If you want to pass for Asmodai, you should do whatever I say. My first task is simple, just follow me woof~"

He lowered his body and place both his hands on the ground. If he didn't talk, people will be mistaken him as a dog wearing a robe. His stance was the same as many four-legged animals do.

"And I warn you, no one is allowed to use any other element besides fire. Starting now woof~"

Cujo sprinted without any warning. The mages, including me, were dumbfounded on what he just did. I didn't expect he would run like a dog. Although it didn't take long before I realize what happened.

I quickly ran and followed before I lose sight of him. The rest of the mages also seems to have realized that they should be following him when they saw me having a headstart.

It was still a mystery whenever we will be eliminated if we won't reach him in time. His speed was not anything a normal fire mage can chase and it seems like Cujo wasn't using any magic to achieve his speed. If this is already the test, there is a high possibility that no one would be left in the fire element group.

Before we went outside the area, I was able to take a glance at the other groups. It seems only our side was running for our chance in the test. Even Yukio's group, the best suited for a speed test, were standing still.

Cujo already said that using any magic beside fire was prohibited so wind magic is a big no. I don't know if he has any way to know if other magic is used but I won't take the risk.

'It's not like I can use wind magic anyway.'

It's a big question mark already from the beginning of the test. If this is what I think it is, I am treading between the line of failing. But for now, all I can do is follow with my everything.