After being accepted into the school, we were sent to the main building. It didn't look like the main building at all. I was smaller than most of the others and wasn't even in the center. But after going in, it's understandable. Everywhere in that building shows luxury. Sculpture of high quality are everywhere, and painting that would value in the millions are just as common.
Anyways, in that building, there is all the info needed for the next few days.
Tomorrow is the written exam. History makes most of the test, and the rest is basic mathematics (at least that's what the info says).
Then two days after that there is the magical exam. You will use a few magic spells of your element and will be evaluated for that. If you had already learned magic then you do the best spell you know followed by some simple ones, if not they will teach you some simple spells and You will be evaluated based on performance and time needed to learn that spell.
Then, two days after that is the physical exam. This exam takes two days, being the first day some basic tests like push-ups and the second day is one of the big events of the academy. They call it the Rookie Tournament. In this tournament winning or losing doesn't really matter at all... At least at first. That tournament is going to be watched by everyone at the school from teachers to higher grade students. I don't dare say that they are older because age doesn't determine your class, the time when you enroll is what determines the class you are going to be in. I'll probably be in the same class as Mirim and Galgo. Anyways, everyone watching will take their favorites and then the more support you have, the more advantages you get... Basically, you want to show how strong you are so that you have people taking you under their wing.
After that, every score will be added up and done some stuff to, and it somehow becomes a grade from D to S.
These exams only determine your rank in the school huh?
«Looks like they have a good system, right Jim?»(Mirim)
«Meh.»(Me)
«Don't you just "Meh" me! I want a decent answer!»(Mirim)
«Alright, Alright... For me, everything is fine except for the part where you basically MUST get support from others to succeed.»(Me)
«You can still do it on your own right??»(Mirim)
«Yes, but there is a great difference in the advantages you have.»(Me)
Now that Mirim is kind of satisfied with my answer we go into the town. This town looks like any other really... The only thing is that it looks more like a capital somehow? There are more people, more houses, more shops, more luxuries.
There are all kinds of demons here. From Beastmen like Galgo, imps, to some demons that are clearly of a high standard that I can't identify at all.
«Is it normal that everyone has humanoid forms?»(Me)
«Of course it is! Otherwise, some wouldn't even fit in the city! Do you think that the family of the Leviathan would fit anywhere in here?»(Mirim)
That... is true. I completely forgot about the gigantic demons. It's going to take a while to get used to the new common sense huh...
After sightseeing for a while, we all go back to the dormitory.
It is located right beside the main building that by the way is located in the northeast corner of the academy.
When we enter, we are greeted by a woman with an important look. Important here just means that she stands out...A lot. She is almost the definition of beauty. Nice curves, long straight caramel hair, an expression that imposes kindness, that kind of stuff.
«Hello there! My name is Lilith. Can you give me your names?»(Lilith)
With a bewitchingly sweet smile, she asked for our names and Galgo went ahead as soon as she finished. Mirim seems kind of mad somehow?
«My name is Galgo, a lion beast-men! Pleasure to meet you!»(Galgo)
«Y-yeah... pleasure.»(Lilith)
I don't know what he did, but her expression changed from "Let's be friends forever!" to "What does this freak want?" really fast. That was surprisingly enough to also change Galgo's confident expression.
«Wh-what's wrong?»
«Don't talk to me ok? Pfft, I hate guys like that. And you two? Can you tell me your names?»(Lilith)
She turned down Galgo and turned to Mirim and me. I have to admit it, that personality swap was incredible. It's as if she never showed her other side.
«My name is Mirim. Nice to meet you, Lilith.»(Mirim)
«Mirim! What a great name that your parents gave to you.»(Lilith)
She said that with the usual smile and then turns to me.
«And what YOUR name?»(Lilith)
«Jim. Pleasure to meet you.»(Me)
When I said my name, she stepped back and made a curious face.
«That name sounds like that of a human. Are you from near a human country?»(Lilith)
«Yes, we all are from near the country of Naian.»(Mirim)
When I was about to answer, Mirim did it instead. Did she think I would say something bad?
«Hmmmm... Anyways! You will be on the rookie side of the dormitory so go that way and then search for the room with your name on it. You might be paired with another person so don't find it strange if your room has another name on it.»(Lilith)
«Thanks, Lilith.»(Me)
«You welcome sweetie.»(Lilith)
I don't really know why but it looks like I'm her favorite? Poor Galgo looks devastated.
We go through the corridors, and we each find our rooms. They are right in front of each other on the second floor of the rookie section. It is already kind of late, so we went into our rooms. Only Mirim has another person in her room, so I'm going to sleep like a rock today without having to care about waking others up with the monstrous noise I do while sleeping. By the way, the rooms are simple: small, with a desk, a wardrobe, and a bed. There is also a big window and a carpet on the ground. Well... it's still better than sleeping on the ground inside a tent right?
In the morning I wake up as if in heaven... It's so good to have a bed again. The bed is not all too bad after all. I get up, dress in the uniform that was in the wardrobe and head out. The clothes were of a perfect size somehow. I guess the appraisal also shows that kind of info. Galgo and Mirim were already there. It seems like I slept a bit too much.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
«You are late Jim! As a man, you shouldn't make people wait!»(Galgo)
Wow... Galgo is inspired today. He was faster that Mirim this time!
«Yeah sorry. Let's go to that written test then?»(Me)
«YEAH!»(Mirim)
Mirim was faster this time. Keeping her pride, I see.
We walk to the building that was identified as the "Classroom building" when we saw all the info. It's just a normal building, to be honest.
We walk in, they call us after a bit, we do the test, and then we exit that place. The test Is basically all a summary of common sense, basic math, and history. I'm pretty confident in my answers, but the history part is making me nervous. The history that I was told might not be the same as the history that they were told and even common sense might be different. All that might get me in trouble if someone actually puts some thought into it. Well, I still doubt someone will actually think that much about me for now.
Now we have a mission... Finding something to do with the time we have until the physical test. I wonder what they will do...
«So... What are you two going to do for the next days?»(Me)
«Well... I don't really know. Heh... What will you do Galgo?»(Mirim)
«I don't really have anything to do so I'll just stick with you?»(Galgo)
I kind of feel like I shouldn't be with them too much for now... Well, I might just wander around. This is a magnificent city after all.
Like that two days passed by and it was the test day. These last days I simply just explored the town and played with some kids. They were all happily playing around, and training and I couldn't resist joining them ok? Don't judge me!
Anyways, The tests were in an open field that was identified as the training field in the info. There were a lot of people here. We were simply told an exercise and then we would have to complete it as fast as possible. All the exercises were as simple as "20 push-ups then one lap then 20 sit-ups and repeat 2/4 more times!" and such. Even if exhausting I managed to finish everything. There were some that dropped out instantly right at the start and some that didn't even look exhausted at all. That most likely sets apart the mages, the warrior and all the others out there. One specific long haired blond guy seems to have an exception physical capability. He has great speed, great strength, great resistances... pretty much perfect? What the hell is that guy!?
I head into town and find the kids training. They wave at me like I'm someone they have known for years. Well, at least humans would only be like that to someone they had known for a really long time.
These next two days will be spent in the same way as the previous ones, wandering around and interacting with people. The people here don't even care about my mask for some reason. Neither they mind nor they even ask about it. I wonder if there is a demon race that uses a mask like this one. The villagers probably gave me this mask because of that.
Today is the magical test. The test will be really simple as always, you go in, they check your elements, then ask if you ever trained magic, and you do a few spells. If you don't know they give you a simple explanation to use "element manipulation". Element manipulation is simply having your element in front of you and being able to control it using your mana. By the way don't go asking how magic works, apparently no one knows... it seems suspect but whatever.
I'm with Mirim and Galgo again today. They were waiting for me when I went out of my room. This time I wasn't late to be honest, but they were already there. Mirim went first and checked her element. It was obvious that her element was "Nature".
There are a lot of different elements, and they are divided into three groups: Simple elements; joint elements; And finally the supreme elements. The simple elements are the ones that are only composed of themselves, unlike the joint elements that are made of 2 or more simple elements, while the supreme elements are basically extremely evolved forms of an element or an element that is extremely powerful and rare. Some examples of each would be fire and life for simple elements, Nature (life+earth) and mist (water+fire) for joint, Infinite and golden fire for supreme.
Meanwhile, Galgo already went ahead and discovered that his element was earth. With earth magic, you can reinforce your body, so I guess he has been using it for a while... never mind, he didn't know he had an element. If everyone has an element, I wonder why that idiot thought he didn't have one.
Well, it's my turn now. I already know my element anyway so this will be no surprise. My element is wind. I was told that by a sage that passed by the village and decided to be kind to me as I was the Lord's son.
«Well aren't you a rare one?! Two elements? Not only that but they are elements that work really well together!»(Tester)
Wait a minute...*Breathe in*... WHAT THE FUUUUCK?!
«hum... I think there might be a problem... I have only one element.»(Me)
«Don't be modest! Having wind and fire elements is incredible!»(Terter)
«No, no... My element is only wind...»(Me)
«See for yourself kid. Each different color is an element. Yours are the bigger ones that can be clearly seen with the naked eye! See the bright red and the light green? Those are your elements! You are blessed kid!»(Tester)
What appears in the crystal is undeniable. A big zone of light green and a slightly smaller zone of red. Those 2 occupy around 95% of the crystal. The rest is a mix of black, blue, brown and a few other colors that are mixed in a way that they can't be identified. Doesn't that mean that I have a lot of different elements?
«Well kid, did you ever do any magic?»(Tester)
«No. I was trained as a swordsman.»(Me)
«Well then, take this and go over there.»(Tester)
He gives me two papers with a simple explanation on how to use element manipulation and points to the place where Galgo was also sent. Mirim went the opposite way.
When arriving at the place I'm asked to show the paper I received (even though I have 2) and then I'm sent to the place where the people with fire element are located. A few teachers are in front of the rookies evaluating them one by one. How do I know they are teachers? Their clothes and what they are doing is just like that of teachers.
My time finally came, and a pig-like man stands in front of me and hands me an unlit torch.
«Light it.»(Pig teacher)
It looks like the first task is very simple. To light the torch. Both papers I received say the same. Magic is all about visualizing the magic happening in your head for the most part. More complex spells require a chant, but simple ones don't and can be very useful if used in combination with close quarter combat.
«Very well. Now, increase the flame.»(Pig teacher)
After lighting the torch, I am asked to increase the flame, which by the way, is just as easy.
«Looks like you have talent. Here, chant this spell, it's called fireball, and it's one of the simplest spells there is.»(Pig teacher)
After looking at the chant, it has ten words and the effect is simply creating a small mass of fire and shooting it in a certain direction. This spell does something so simple... let's try something fun... I imagine a fireball the size of a human head and shoot it directed at the target that the man had prepared. It worked just fine. The target was destroyed and is now burning beautifully. It looks like I can do anything with magic as long as I can correctly visualize it in my head right? Doesn't that make magic extremely powerful?!
«Uh... boy? Are you sure you should be on this side? The side of the people that never used magic?»(Pig teacher)
«I never used magic.»(Me)
«Are you sure? Because what you just did was an intermediate level spell without any chanting. Either you are a liar or a prodigy. You can go now... I'm going to report this to the higher-ups.»(Pig teacher)
«Can I really leave? I thought I had to evaluate my other element.»(Me)
«You have another element?!?! What the hell... and what element is it?»(Pig teacher)
«Wind.»(Me)
«And it's wind... Go to that group. I will tell them to give you a basic spell immediately.»(Pig teacher)
I walk to the place that the pigman pointed and a child looking woman arrives and give me a paper with a spell while murmuring something along the lines of "Is he really like that" while looking at the man from before.
The spell is "Air Shot" and has the same basis of the "Fireball" spell. So I just imagine a mass of air and shoot it towards the target just like last time. The spell hits the target and passes through like the target wasn't even there and hits a rock right after. This was to be expected after all I tried to manipulate the shape of the shot to a spearhead shape which enhanced the penetrative power of the shot. I learned of how the shape of the weapon changes the damage dealt to the opponent from that bastard of a father, and I plan on using this against him.
«What was that? What did you do to that shot?! An Air shot isn't supposed to have that kind of power! It was supposed to be like a long-range punch and not... that! And on top of that, it was chant-less! What did you just do?!»(Loli teacher)
The teacher that looks like a child is acting like a child...
«I just changed the shape of the shot... It wasn't that much.»(Me)
«You shut up! Just get out of here! »(Loli teacher)
Wow sorry. It looks like I'm in the wrong somehow. I'm just going to obey her for now, or something bad might happen here.
Well, now I'm going back to the routine of wandering around and interacting with people.
Two days pass like it's nothing huh? The kids are going to see me in the tournament tomorrow because they now see me almost like a "gentle man of justice who will use his strength to put an end to the evil humans". Well, they're not wrong but neither are they right. But in all seriousness, I can't deny them, so I kind of want to live up to their expectations.
Well, now I'm going on my usual stroll, and then I'm going to bed. The Rookie tournament starts in the morning, so I better go to sleep early today.