"What took you so long?"

Ray who was surprisingly waiting for Lucifer asked with a concerned expression, he had gotten quite close to Lucifer during the journey and could even be considered as friends by now.

"Would you believe me if I told you it was due to the number of praises I received from the Pope?"

"As if, Besides what element do you have an affinity with?"

Ray was truly curious, he was quite happy to see Lucifer with a smile since it meant his magic affinity was decent.

"Oh right magic, I have high affinity with Dark"

Truth be told Lucifer could have chosen any magic he wanted, but since it had been used to being called the Prince of Darkness he subconsciously responded with dark. Ray's expression paled as he lost his smile, he had a look of petty and empathy on his face.

"I'm sorry..."

This confused Lucifer, what was so bad about Dark magic. Oh right, of course, Dark is associated with evil....

"Although you will be excepted by any academy due to your Affinity, I believe you will be discriminated against"

Lucifer laughed, him being discriminated by society. how long had he been ridiculed by humans, he had long gotten used to the feeling of despair.

"Worry not with my face who would dare make fun of me?"

"Although you look pretty good it doesn't give you the right to brag"

"Don't worry ill send some of them to you, besides I'm pretty sure ill average 1 or 2 good looking girls a day"

Lucifer grinned whilst changing the subject.

"Oh right, which Academy are you going to?"

They were currently standing outside the church which seemed to be crowded due to the Academy selections, there were various experts from different Academies trying to recruit members. however, Lucifer wasn't familiar with any of the academies so he decided to go to the same one as Ray since he was the first human he had conversed with since he arrived at this world.

"Since I have a High Affinity with fire I have a shot at entering one of the top ones. I'm gonna apply for Phoenix Academy it's a prestigious academy and can be considered as the top academy in the kingdom of Astia, why don't you apply as well that way we can study together"

"I guess ill be troubling you then"

Lucifer and Ray made their way towards a crowd standing front of a group wearing Crimson red robes with a Phoenix emblem located at their back. and a miniature version located at the front near the left breast. there were countless Nobles applying for the academy whilst hardly any commoners could be spotted beside Ray.

"So how do they check if you're worthy?"

Lucifer hadn't taken the test previously, and ray didn't have any sort of proof which could show the academy his affinity and magic.

"Don't worry they have a miniature version of the magic orb to test you"

Lucifer and Ray patiently waited as they witnessed countless Nobles being rejected by the academy, however, there had also been a huge number who had passed. they had been transported to the academy through what seemed like teleportation.

"Look Lucifer! that's Arch Mage Cassius he managed to awaken Space magic at a young age and is considered to be one of the leading figures of Astia"

Ray spoke out catching the attention of the nobles waiting in line.

"What is a lowly commoner like you doing here, Phoenix academy is for talented nobles not lowlifes like yourself. I who is predicted a rank 7 Affinity with water can be seen near dogs like you"

Academies could determine a magicians affinity and rank it based on its strength, a rank 5 or 6affinityy is mediocre whilst a rank 7 could be considered rare. people with rank 8 affinity were seen as a genius with the potential to become a grandmaster magician. lastly, rank 9 or 10 affinity had the potential to awakening and reaching the Archmage level which was seen as the peek of existence as a mage.

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"Avoid causing any trouble!"

one of the magicians from Phoenix academy broke the tension as he spoke out. Commoners didn't receive the same rights as Nobles after all nobles were seen as influential figures within the kingdom so they would be favored by academies. Lucifer who had been standing silently snapped his finger causing a wave of his aura to surge and head towards the Noble who had offended Ray. The Aura was to fast and feint to be noticed even by the magicians in the surrounding area including the archmage.

The Noble kid went towards the examiner to take his test, a few seconds later a raging shout could be heard coming from ahead.

"How Dare you!, are you mocking the Phoenix Academy. Trying to take the test with such a trash affinity, you are truly despicable"

"Look he was boasting about Rank 7 Water affinity yet he only had rank 1 affinity what a fool"

"He deserves to be trampled over, does he think the Phoenix Academy is a joke?"

Previously Lucifer had sucked dry the Noble's affinity leaving him with the minimum amount, he could no longer be called a magician. I wonder why I felt like protecting Ray, after all, he is a human being.

a few hours went by without any more trouble before it was Ray's turn to take the test. the examiner looked up and began to analyse ray.

"Kid we only accept the talented here, stop wasting our time and move out of the line"

Ray was shocked although he had expected them to treat him less than the Nobles he hadn't known he would be rejected with just a glance.

"But.."

Before Ray could speak further the examiner raised his voice releasing some of his magic Aura, Ray who hadn't even advanced to novice magician fell to his knees due to the pressure caused by the examiner. Lucifer who was behind Ray stepped forward.

"He hasn't taken the test yet so how can you tell he's not worthy, I believe only a grandmaster can pull off such a feat are you claiming that you are superior to a grandmaster of the Phoenix academy?"

The examiner was taken by surprise causing him to retract his magic aura.

"Whats going on here?"

A figure appeared from thin air revealing an intimidating Aura.

"Whats going on here?"

"Arch-Mage Cassius"

The examiner immediately bowed down to Cassius showing him the utmost respect.

"This examiner isn't willing to let my friend take the test"

"Is that right?"

Cassius gazed at the examiner with his intimidating blue eyes.

"Of course not, I was just making sure he wasn't lost ill test him right away. P-Please place your hand on the orb young one"

After the issue was solved Cassius retracted his intimidating aura and allowed Ray to take the test. Ray who was still dazed due to the situation got up from his knees and placed his hand onto the orb revealing a burning crimson light which produced an intense heat causing the examiner to fight it off with his magic.

"R-Rank 9 Fire!"

The examiner was in a state of shock, how much would he have suffered if Cassius hadn't made the student take the test. a Rank 9 affinity allowed the magician to awaken in the future greatly increasing their power.

"Congratulations kid you seem to be pretty talented"

Caddius congratulated him on his achievement and luck.

"T-Thank you!"

Ray had actually been noticed by an Arch Magician which caused him to lose his composure, to him such beings were like gods which he had never dreamt to meet.

"Ok your the last one, since we only have one spot left"

"Wait! what about my friend Lucifer?"

Cassius glanced at Lucifer before looking back at Ray, he smiled at the ignorance of this child to have met such a being and not noticed.

"There is no reason to test him, I have already analyzed him"

Cassius knew it would cause a lot of misfortune and trouble if this child before him was forced to take the test, he had already tried to analyze Lucifer but no matter how much he tried he couldn't get through his defenses.

I should put up a fake facade to avoid catching any more attention since I told Ray I have high affinity with Dark I guess I'll go with that.

"All right your the last two, here are the keys to your rooms"

Cassius passed a key to Lucifer and Ray, whilst still trying to figure out Lucifer identity. with the change of his aura suddenly emitting Dark magic it caused Cassius to grow even more confused.

"You will be assigned to a teacher, however, the information will be delivered to your rooms, you are required to rest for today as classes start tomorrow morning"

"Yes, Arch Mage Cassius"

Ray was extremely excited due to this opportunity he received, now that he had made his way into the Phoenix Academy his life would become prosperous.

"Alright ill transport you to your rooms, good luck and may Astia's light shine upon you"

Suddenly Ray's vision blacked out before he appeared in the boy's dormitory right in front of his room.

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"Since your still here I believe the Pope has already conversed with you?"

"I'm slightly tired, I would appreciate it if you go ahead and transport me to my room with your magic"

Cassius smiled as he tried to hold back his anger, he flicked his wrist sending Lucifer to the Academy. However, it was at the entrance instead of the boy's dormitory.

"To think that an esteemed Arch Mage would lose their temper just because of a few words"

Lucifer stretched his hands and walked into the academy, heading towards the boy's dormitory. Lucifer was a divine being and all-knowing directions aren't something that he would have trouble with. a few hour went by since Lucifer had begun his quest to reach the boy's dormitory, the sun had already set and it was past midnight.

"Excuse me do you happen to be lost?"

One of the teachers stopped Lucifer to confront him.

"No I know exactly where I'm going, I'm heading to the boy's dormitory"

"The boy's dormitory is in the opposite direction..."

"Oh Right I was never good at reading maps"