I glance over the test. It looks easier than I thought it would be.

The types of Evocation magic? Fire, Water, Lightning, Earth, Wind, Light, and Dark.

All the answers to the test come to me immediately. I write non-stop and then get to the last question. It’s an unusual one, asking what question I have regarding Mana or magic that was not covered yet. So, as long as I put something that we haven’t formally learned, it should be correct.

Hmm… This is the hardest question for me because I don’t have an immediate answer. I could put any nonsense down, though that would be a waste. This is an opportunity for me to learn something new. The number one question on my mind is about my Mana, but that’s not something I can write down…or maybe I can?

Could there be a fourth grade of Mana?

Alright, I’m done with the test. Before I have a chance to stand up, I notice Luna already handed in her paper, and she’s walking back to her seat. I spent too long with the last question; otherwise, I would have finished before her.

I go turn in my test. As I’m walking back, I survey the room. Everyone seems to be working on the test. We were the only two done so far, despite that thirty minutes had passed. Could it be that the test is hard for most people?

Ten minutes pass before more people submit their answers. It’s a steady flow of papers after that mark.

I wish we could hurry up to the practical. I’ve waited over a year for this moment, an opportunity to show everyone that I’m actually the most talented person here. Time could not pass any slower.

Eventually, Moria announces, "Time is up! Does anyone still have their test?"

No one responds or moves around the room. He stores our exams in a bag he has hanging on the wall. Moria continues, "Now it is time for the practical. Over here, there are two magic items prepared about two feet spaced apart from each other. Your task is to stand on this line over here…"

He walks over and points to a faint line drawn on the floor, “And supply some Mana to both of these devices. You will have to command your Mana so that it reaches the magic item. When a sufficient amount of Mana is absorbed by the device, it will release a ball of water into the air. Make sure to activate both of the magic items simultaneously for no deductions in that category. You are allowed to use both arms for this test, and that is all the rules."

I sigh. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this is too basic. I’m starting to think what Luna presented is going to be miles ahead of everyone else. There’s one thing he said that sparks an idea, though. He didn’t specify what type of Mana to use.

“I have the names of all leaders in this jar. I will pull out a random name to decide which group will go first.”

Come on… Let it be our group! I clench my fists and bounce both of my legs up and down.

He pulls out a piece of paper from it and then says, “Luna. Your group will go first.”

Yes! Now to clarify the task with Moria.

Before I have a chance to ask, Luna stands up and exclaims, “I’ll go first!”

“Very well,” Moria says and sits back in his chair.

Luna walks over to the line.

“So, that’s the genius, Luna?” someone asks behind me.

“Yeah. She scored ridiculously high on the Mana capacity test. Probably the highest of our year,” another says. “I’m jealous whoever ended up teaming with her. They’re probably going to win the competition.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. They’ve got that useless kid on their team. You know…the one who scored E rank on every Mana type. Kai, that’s his name. You see that kid with the brown hair that was next to Luna?”

A bunch of people laughs behind me.

“You’re right. They’ll end up failing because of him.”

Laugh while you can, imbeciles.

Luna straightens out both of her arms in front of her, with each palm facing the magic devices. Scrap Mana comes out of her hand in a straight line toward the target. A steady wave of faint light blue supplies the magic items for several seconds. They release a ball of water in the air while triggering a sound. These balls travel relatively fast, reaching the ceiling in just a few seconds, and hit the stone ceiling together, splashing water down. It is just enough to get Luna and those of us sitting in the front row a little wet.

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"Well done, Luna! You get a perfect 100!" Moria exclaims as he claps his hands. The crowd around the room claps. “Do you have something you want to present for extra credit?”

“Yes!” Luna responds. She shows almost the same thing from yesterday to the class, eliciting cheers throughout it. The only difference is that the sizes of the letters are a bit bigger. The path that the Scrap Mana took could’ve been different too.

“What an excellent showcase of your Mana Manipulation skills! I will reward you with an additional 50 points! That is no easy feat, and you have most definitely scored one of the highest in all of my teaching years!”

The entire class roars as Luna walks back to her seat.

“Amazing job, Luna,” Sitos compliments.

“Thank you, Sitos,” Luna says and sits down.

I smile. Is it finally my turn?

“I will go next,” Sitos says and walks over to the line.

He scores a 95 on the test. For his presentation, he creates a large hollow sphere that converges toward the center giving it an appearance that it’s shrinking. It would’ve been impressive, although his control is not precise. The sphere becomes rough and jagged as he attempts to instruct the Scrap Mana to go toward the center. He still receives 15 points for his efforts.

Of course, Drugo offers to take the test next. I don’t care at this point. In fact, it’s better to save the best for last.

He scores a 90 and has nothing to show.

Marin scores a 92 and opts for the presentation.

She releases Scrap Mana from her hands that form a small sphere ten meters in front of her. Next, she straightens her left arm toward that sphere and creates a bow out of Scrap Mana as if she’s holding it; however, I know that’s impossible. You can’t actually grab onto it. It merely looks that way. She materializes an arrow made out of Scrap Mana and slowly pulls it back against the string with her other arm. It’s not perfect but looks pretty realistic.

She must be sending updated instructions to the string to give it the appearance that the arrow is bending it. Marin leaves it pulled back for nearly half a minute, likely preparing her next step.

The arrow shoots forward with the string snapping forward back to the default position. It goes straight ahead toward the small sphere. Upon contact, the small sphere disperses, and the Scrap Mana disappears shortly after. The arrow continues forward into the wall that distorts the arrow into nothing but a blob of Scrap Mana. Soon, the bow and blob vanish. She either prepared all of this in advance or sent updated instructions to disperse.

“Good job, Marin! That was very creative,” Moria says. “You will receive 30 additional points.”

Oh, wow. She scored higher than I expected, considering her test score was only 92.

The crowd even claps and cheers for her a little. Marin blushes and returns to her seat.

“Nice, Marin,” Luna says.

Now, it’s just Hiro and me. He’s been quiet this entire time. Is he dozing off again? No, he’s awake, just staring at the floor. Suspicious. Has he been the one bluffing about his skills? Well, that wouldn’t be the first time.

“Who is next?” Moria asks.

“Hiro, you go first,” I say.

“Huh? Okay,” he says and then stands up. He trips on nothing the moment he takes a step forward.

I put a hand to my face and frown. Oh, God…

He stands up as if nothing happened and makes his way to the line. He puffs out his chest and continues with the test.

I cock an eyebrow as he receives his score of 100. Strange. I guess I was worried for nothing. Must’ve been thinking about his presentation. Let’s see it.

He faces us with his arms straightened above him. He screams, “Ahhhh!”

Scrap Mana pours out of his palms. Not just his palms, but out of his arms, face, and practically entire body. Hiro disappears under a shroud of Scrap Mana that travel upward. The yelling makes it more dramatic and extraordinary than it really is. The only impressive thing is that he’s releasing Scrap Mana from every part of his body, if he’s really doing that or if it’s only here and there.

He continues to yell and release Scrap Mana upward. Now, this is just excessive. Is he trying to fill up the entire room with it? He shouldn’t have that much a developed Mana capacity now, so he’ll run out sooner rather than later.

“Hiro, that is enough,” Moria says with a raised voice.

Hiro continues screaming and releasing Scrap Mana.

A massive ball of water materializes out of nowhere and speeds toward Hiro. It makes the Scrap Mana gathered around Hiro disappear and drenches him. After the impact, the water spreads along the floor. Hiro emerges from the magic, lying face up on the ground.

“I apologize for knocking you down, but you did not hear me the first time. Your presentation was getting a bit excessive, so I stopped it,” Moria explains.

Hiro coughs a few times before standing up and apologizing, “Sorry.”

Moria squeezes the skin between his eyes and says, “Never mind. I will give you 15 points for that. I will take care of the water for you.”

The splattered water on the ground disappears, and Hiro appears dry. A strong gust of wind suddenly blows in the room that seems to remove the cloud of Scrap Mana that was above him.

Sitos clicks his tongue. “I cannot believe that I lost to him.”

I can’t imagine how it feels to lose to Hiro. I find it weird that despite what he said about losing sleep because of his showcase. It wasn’t really much preparation or thinking required.

Hiro walks back to his seat. “Get ready ta call me, Hiro the Great, Kai. Just don’t fail.”

The students in the class murmur and giggle.

“That’s the kid who’s afraid of carrots, right?”

“Hehe, yeah. The talentless kid named Kai.”

“I feel sorry for Luna.”

“Don’t listen to those meanies,” Luna says. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, Luna. But don’t be surprised when I beat your score,” I say and stand up. Déjà vu hits me. Something like this happened on my first day.

Luna lets out a chuckle. “I won’t be. You’re actually hiding your real strength, right?”

I smile and walk to the line.