The carriage rolled through the bustling streets of Rakllan, the capital of the Viria Dukedom. The towering spires and grand architecture painted an impressive picture of the city’s wealth and history. John sitting silently inside the carriage found himself overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the capital. Meanwhile, Lief leaned lazily against the window, his cheek resting on his hand as he watched the streets go by.
“So, this is Rakllan.” he remarked his tone dripping with feigned awe. “Look at all those people, all rushing about like ants. It’s almost like they have something important to do. Unlike us.”
Melch smirked but stayed silent, his mind occupied by the upcoming entrance exams at Theoder Academy. Despite his best efforts, he still couldn’t feel any trace of mana within himself. The frustration gnawed at him but he resolved to keep trying.
The carriage pulled up to the gates of Theoder Academy. Even from a distance, the academy loomed large with its towering walls and intricate carvings exuding an air of authority and grandeur. Kaiser, their carriage driver hopped down and opened the door for them.
“Here we are.” Kaiser said tipping his hat. “The academy gates. Let’s see if there’s any news about the exams.”
Galen, ever the pragmatic one stepped forward to speak with one of the academy staff stationed at the gates. After a brief conversation, he returned to the group with an update.
“The entrance exams begin in two days” Galen said. “The first test is the magic affinity exam which will run for seven days to accommodate all the applicants. It’s going to be crowded.”
“Crowded?” Lief groaned. “Fantastic. Now I just love being crammed into a mob of sweaty strangers, all fighting for a chance to prove how special they are.”
Patricia shot Lief a warning look but Galen simply ignored the comment and continued. “We’ll stay at an inn for now. The exams will take over a month to complete so we’ll need a base in here.”
The group made their way to the inn where they settled in for the long stay. John spent the days leading up to the exam trying and failing to sense mana. Lief, on the other hand alternated between lounging and making sarcastic observations about Rakllan’s hustle and bustle.
One evening, as they sat around the inn’s common room Kaiser approached Galen with a serious expression and signaled to come outside.
“I’ve been thinking about the physical exam” Kaiser said. “If the young master doesn’t pass the magic affinity test, we’ll need to ensure he can succeed in the physical portion. I’ve been already started pulling some strings.”
Galen’s brow furrowed. “You’re not the only one thinking that way. Others will be doing the same. But let’s not make any decisions until we see how he performs in the first test.”
Kaiser nodded but remained silent clearly unconvinced. As the conversation wrapped up, Lief chimed in from a corner.
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m sure my natural talent will carry me through” he said, grinning. “As for the young master. Well, he can always charm his way past the judges. That’s a skill, right?”
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Galen shouted “Lief…”. Lief went to Melch and sat together with him.
The day of the exams arrived and the gates of Theoder Academy were wide open. A massive crowd surged forward eager to register and secure their spot. The academy staff struggled to maintain order, their shouts barely audible over the din of the crowd.
“Well, this is a disaster waiting to happen” Lief remarked watching the chaos with amusement. “Who knew mages to be were so pushy?”
As the crowd pressed closer, a young man with grayish hair and glasses stepped forward. He wore the blue uniform of Theoder Academy and raised his hands to silence the crowd.
“Everyone, listen up!” he called out. “My name is Math and I’m a second-year student here. I’ll be coordinating the magic affinity test. If anyone causes trouble by pushing or rushing, you’ll be kicked out and receive negative scores. So behave.”
The crowd murmured but slowly settled down. Shortly after, a woman with a commanding presence stepped forward. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd and she introduced herself as Victoria, a lecturer in the water element on the magic department.
“You will all receive a badge” she announced. “When your badge number is called, you will proceed to the examination room. You must also declare the day you intend to take the test. Choose wisely, as the schedule is tight.”
John observed the process carefully. “With this many people, they could streamline the test with more powerful mages. It doesn’t make sense to drag it out like this.”
“Ah, the wonders of bureaucracy.” Lief muttered with a smirk. “Leave it to the magical elite to complicate something as simple as a test.”
Throughout the day, waves of applicants took the test. Many emerged from the examination rooms looking devastated, their dreams seemingly crushed. The test’s harshness became evident as whispers spread that only a small percentage of applicants had even an average affinity for magic. Those without any affinity would have to rely entirely on the other exams to gain admission.
Occasionally, a few students emerged looking confident with their results drawing the attention of the academy lecturer’s. Among them were two standouts: Elissa, a girl with long black hair and Edwin, a well-trained boy with fiery red hair. Their extraordinary affinities earned them personal attention from Victoria who asked about their future plans.
Elissa expressed her desire to become a mage, while Edwin proudly declaring his lineage as a knight stated he intended to join the warrior department. Hearing this, Lief couldn’t resist making a sarcastic comment.
“Well, isn’t that noble?” Lief said with a mock bow. “Another knight in shining armor to grace us with his presence. Truly, we are blessed.”
Edwin’s eyes narrowed as he turned to Lief, clearly annoyed. “Do you have something to say?”
Lief raised his hands in mock surrender. “Nothing at all. Just admiring your… confidence.”
Melch sighed, pulling Lief away before the situation could escalate. “Do you always have to antagonize people?” he asked.
“It’s a gift.” Lief replied with a grin. “One I intend to share with the world.”
By evening, Melch and Lief had received their badges and registered for the third day of testing. They decided to spend the next day preparing. Melch stayed indoors working tirelessly on an elixir to enhance mana sensitivity. If he could sense mana even faintly, it might give him a chance to pass the affinity test.
On the other hand, Lief took the opportunity to roam the city enjoying his brief freedom. “You know.” he said upon returning to the inn, “if this whole magic thing doesn’t work out you could always set up shop as an apothecary. ‘Melch’s Marvelous Mixtures’ has a nice ring to it.”
John ignored him focusing on perfecting the elixir. The next day passed in relative quiet and soon it was time for Melch’s test.
When Melch’s badge number was called he stepped into the magic affinity measuring room. The atmosphere was tense and the air seemed charged with energy. In the center of the room several white glowing orbs floated their faint hum filling the silence.
Melch took a deep breath his heart pounding as he prepared to face the first of many challenges at Theoder Academy.