"So you think you're mighty for felling a member of the order, do you? Well you'd do well to remember you're but a thunderchick, yet to spread your wings. This next test will determine your true ability. Each of you is to hunt a beast of at least Rank 2 without aid and bring it back. You cannot help one another, nor can your familiars take any part. You have seven days. Best of luck."
Such a speech was sure to raise determination rather than squash it. These little thunderchicks had something to prove. They could have been told they had to conquer the school and they would have found a way to do it. A Rank 2 beast? Too easy. In fact, several of them already had experience fighting creatures at that level.
This test would be hardest for the telepathy twins and the siblings. The others were all fairly well-versed in working alone. Still, those that had bought their familiars would be at a disadvantage. They'd have to figure out what they need, how to do it, and actually do it on their own. Of course, this was no problem for Michael.
After giving the recruits a moment to think, the masked figures moved aside to let them go to breakfast. They were instructed to reveal nothing to their classmates, lest they be removed from the trials. Already, Michael was finding himself getting used to the delicious meals the cafeteria served. He delighted in their extravagance, but he was not shocked as he had been initially.
There was little talking at the table, as everyone was preoccupied with thoughts of classes or the next task. Their classmates were eager to learn what their task was, but Michael and the others just shook their heads and went back to their meals.
Michael's first class of the day was Beginner's Light Magic. It was taught by Professor Silksen, head of the Light Magic Department. Michael nearly got lost trying to find her classroom, but made it just before the bell rang. He spotted a seat next to Julia and quickly went to sit down.
"Thank you, Mr. Wudwolf, for joining us. It is imperative that you all remember to be here on time in the future, as Light magic is best learned in the early morning. If I could, I'd have you all here for the sunrise, but sadly I have been forbidden from doing so. Instead, I offer a short Light Magic Appreciation Club meeting here at sunrise. I cannot require you to attend, but I highly recommend it, as I will be teaching material not covered by the current curriculum."
Oh, so she was one of THOSE kinds of teachers. Michael was pretty sure that Master Robin had never gotten up to see the sunrise and he wasn't inclined to make Michael do it either. Back on Earth, however, he'd suffered several such teachers. They'd offer an "optional" class, but then test students on it in the required class. It looked like he was already going to be losing sleep...
After introductions, Master Silksen went on to describe the basic understanding of Light magic. "Light shines. What that means is different for every mage, but it is imperative you have some understanding of it. For some, it means light cannot be conquered by darkness, even Darkness magic. For others, it means that Light magic grows as your will or fame does. Now, I'd like all of us to try to cast a basic Light spell."
She instructed them to feel the Light magic around them. Once she was confident that most of her students had completed the step, she instructed them to manipulate it into a small ball of light. Michael, Julia and several others (mostly second-years) completed the task within a few seconds. Jackson took slightly longer, but his ball was brighter than the other students'. Overall, the first-years had done a good job.
Only two of the normal first-years (who Michael hadn't met yet) had difficulty with the task. One of them managed to get it just before the bell rang, while the other was still trying when Michael left the room.
He found his way to his next class, Intermediate Water Magic, much faster this time. He was one of the first students there and quickly found a seat towards the front of the room. He wasn't the type to sit at the very front, but he wouldn't slack off in the back, either. Students filled in and Michael realized that most of them were second or third-year students. A minute or two before the start of class, a thin, bookish boy snuck in. Scott was in this class! He silently took a seat next to Michael, already reading through their required textbook for the class.
This class was much more interesting than the Light magic class. Master Delta had the class moving from one spell to the next, all without dropping the Water magic. The transformations weren't hard, but never losing the connection was. As they shifted from stream, to shield, to barrier, to wave, Michael found himself struggling more than he expected to.
Next to him, Scott seemed to be having similar problems. Their biggest flaw, however, was the strength of their spells. Whereas the older students had thick shields and barriers an inch thick, Michael and Scott could barely form them.
Master Delta spent time giving them suggestions on how to work around that, but the truth of the matter was that they just needed more experience and more mana. Fortunately, they would gain both in the course of the class. Master Delta's class centered on using magic for the entire period, so they would constantly be growing their mana and improving their control.
Michael's next class was Beginner's Earth Magic, which ended up being mostly lecture. Thus, Michael was able to regain some of his spent mana. Lunch was definitely the best part of the day. All of his friends were there, he got to eat good food, and he could even spend some time with Orthus, who wasn't permitted at his classes.
The afternoon was similar to the first half of his day. Fire magic, Air magic, and Darkness magic all focused on lecturing on the meaning of the respective element and an easy application of it. What Michael did notice was that the majority of his dorm friends were in his Darkness magic class. Only Scott, Jackson, Max, Fergus, Nathan and Leo were absent. Even the triplets had shown up, though they failed to produce the cantrip they were learning.
All in all, it was an eventful day. Michael left his Darkness magic class surrounded by friends and together they headed back to the dorms. Everyone was tired from using magic all day, and apparently half of their free periods were spent drilling with Master Robin. When he heard that, Michael had hold back a laugh. He could just picture them standing there as Master Robin hit them over and over again. It was funny to think about, especially the thought of the indignant cries of Max and Fergus shouting for him to stop.
Michael went back to his room and collapsed on his bed. He roused briefly to get Orthus some food, then fell asleep for the night. He was too tired to even change out of his uniform. Maybe tomorrow would be better.