"How interesting," I murmured to myself. "I can’t wait to see his face when I outclass him tomorrow."
With that small boost of motivation, I focused on preparing for the upcoming test. The next morning arrived quickly, and the energy around the Elemental Mages' training center was electric. The building was enormous, filled with every tool and environment necessary for honing magical skills—targets, obstacle courses, and even elemental simulation chambers where students could test their abilities under extreme conditions.
As the students gathered, we were greeted by a stern-looking woman with sharp silver hair tied tightly into a bun. Her robe shimmered faintly, as if alive with magic.
"Welcome, students," she announced, her voice sharp and authoritative. "I am Eira, the head tutor for the Elemental Mage division."
Her piercing gaze swept over us, lingering briefly on me, as if trying to assess my worth with a glance. "Today, you will prove whether you have what it takes to succeed in this section. The evaluation will test your control, speed, precision, and creativity with elemental magic. Remember, this is not just a competition—it’s a reflection of your potential."
She gestured toward the training grounds, where various magical targets and challenges were laid out. "You will face obstacles designed to test your mastery over fire, ice, wind, and earth. You must demonstrate your ability to adapt, strategize, and execute spells under pressure."
Then, her sharp eyes landed on me. "And Griffith… I’ve heard about your performance during the initial assessment. Let’s see if you can live up to the expectations."
Her tone was measured but carried a hint of skepticism, as if daring me to prove her wrong.
"Of course, Professor Eira," I replied confidently, meeting her gaze. "I’ll do my best."
She nodded curtly, and the evaluation began.
One by one, students were called to step forward and face the challenges. Some performed admirably, while others struggled, their spells fizzling or missing their targets. The air buzzed with tension as everyone tried to size up their peers.
Finally, my name was called. I stepped forward to the center of the arena, feeling every pair of eyes on me. Eira stood at the edge of the field, clipboard in hand, watching me intently.
"Show us what you’ve got, Griffith," she said.
The first set of challenges activated: moving targets made of wood and stone sprang to life, darting unpredictably across the field. Without hesitation, I summoned a flame to my palm.
Interface: [Skill Activated – Flame Burst (Level 2)]
A surge of mana flowed through me, and a ball of fire shot forward, striking the first target dead-on. It burst into flames and collapsed to the ground. I pivoted quickly as another target appeared.
Interface: [Skill Activated – Ice Spear (Level 2)]
A shard of ice materialized in my hand and launched toward the second target, shattering it into icy fragments.
The third target emerged—this one zigzagging erratically. I took a deep breath, feeling the mana course through my veins.
Interface: [Skill Activated – Wind Blade (Level 2)]
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A sharp gust of wind sliced through the target, cutting it clean in half. The pieces clattered to the ground, and the audience murmured in amazement.
But the final challenge was the trickiest yet: a series of stone pillars shot up from the ground, creating an intricate maze. Somewhere inside, a glowing orb awaited retrieval.
"Let’s see if you can adapt, Griffith," Eira called out, her expression unreadable.
I entered the maze, summoning a small flame to light my path. The walls were high and jagged, and I could feel the mana in the air shifting—traps were waiting for me.
Sure enough, as I turned a corner, an earth spike shot up from the ground.
Interface: [Skill Activated – Lightning Reflex (Passive)]
I sidestepped just in time, the spike barely grazing my arm. Gathering my focus, I retaliated with a precise lightning bolt, shattering the trap.
Deeper into the maze, a wall of ice suddenly formed in front of me, blocking my path. I smiled.
Interface: [Skill Activated – Flame Surge (Level 3)]
A wave of heat erupted from my hands, melting the ice into a puddle. As the steam cleared, I spotted the glowing orb ahead. I rushed forward, only for the floor beneath me to crumble, revealing a pit below.
Reacting instinctively, I leaped and cast a wind spell to propel myself across the gap. I landed smoothly on the other side and grabbed the orb, raising it triumphantly.
The maze dissolved, and I emerged back into the training field, greeted by stunned silence.
Eira approached me slowly, her clipboard forgotten at her side. "That… was remarkable," she said, her voice tinged with awe. "Your control, precision, and creativity were beyond what I expected. You didn’t just pass the evaluation—you set a new standard."
A ripple of whispers spread through the crowd, and I caught the challenging stare of the cocky student from yesterday. His smug grin was long gone, replaced by a look of disbelief.
"Thank you, Professor Eira," I said, bowing slightly. "I’ve trained hard to be ready for moments like this."
Eira’s lips curved into a rare smile. "And it shows. You have an exceptional gift, Griffith. But remember, raw talent is only the beginning. Your discipline and determination will determine how far you go."
"I understand," I replied seriously. "I’ll continue to work hard."
She nodded and turned to the other students. "Take note, everyone. This is the level of excellence you should strive for."
As the evaluation continued, I returned to the sidelines, feeling a surge of pride and satisfaction. But I also knew that this was only the beginning. If I wanted to truly stand out at the Academy, I’d need to keep pushing myself.
Later that evening, as I relaxed in my room, there was a soft knock at my door. When I opened it, I was surprised to see Seraphina standing there, her usual serene expression replaced by one of excitement.
"I heard about your performance today," she said, her voice warm with admiration. "Everyone’s talking about how incredible you were."
"Thank you," I said, scratching the back of my neck. "It was… intense, but I’m glad I did well."
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "You didn’t just do well, Griffith. You shone. I can tell you’re going to accomplish amazing things here."
Her words filled me with a renewed sense of determination. "And I can say the same for you, Seraphina. You have a passion for magic that’s inspiring. I’m sure you’ll become an extraordinary mage-priestess."
She blushed slightly and glanced down, but her smile remained. "Thank you, Griffith. That means a lot."
For a moment, we stood there in comfortable silence, a sense of mutual respect and understanding passing between us. Then she straightened and said, "Well, I won’t keep you any longer. I just wanted to congratulate you. Goodnight, Griffith."
"Goodnight, Seraphina," I replied, watching as she walked gracefully back down the hall.
As I closed the door, I couldn’t help but feel that this was just the beginning—not only of my journey as a mage but of a friendship that might shape the days to come.
Lying back on my bed, I stared at the ceiling with a quiet smile. Whatever challenges awaited, I was ready to face them head-on.