"Yes, an Advance Mage! How cool is that!? …Eh? Ah! Elder Ace! Though he has become an Advance mage, he is someone who is more than 90 years old. He is nowhere near as cool as you who has become an Elder at such tender age!"
Misunderstanding the frown on Ace's face, Maya replied but seeing that the frown didn't lessen even a bit, she continued,
"Also, what does it have to do with us if he is an Advance Mage or not, rather, we should be happy about it since we can now enter the Imperial Academy of Magic if we win the Competition! Also, I heard that the empire has ordered to postpone the Annual Sect Meet or any other competition held to choose a student for 2 months so that the student can train well"
"What!? Papa! Doesn't that mean that I will also be able to enter the Magic competition and enter the Imperial Academy of Magic!?" Gracie, who was silent for a while questioned with eyes filled with hope. She had spent some time with Elizabeth, who was from the Royal Academy, so she too knew about the Imperial Academy and wanted to join it.
"Eh…? Umm… little Gracie… I think it is still too early for you to think about entering the competition… You aren't even 10 yet…" Maya replied, of course, she didn't want to hurt Gracie so she was as polite as possible.
Let alone her, even Ace thought that it was far too early for Gracie to enter the Annual Sect Meet since it has only been around 2 months since she formed the core.
Even he was only able to use magic in such a short time was because of the abundance of Qi in Herferd and the Level 6 Air Core he had with him, but since it was the time to lay the foundation, he would never allow Gracie to use a core and weaken her foundation.
He still remembered how he had to suffer for 15 years to consolidate his weak foundation when he grew up later. If not for that, he would have become a Divinity a lot sooner than he actually did.
"My little Gracie… your big sister Maya is right; I think it is still too early for you to participate in the tournament. I will promise you that next year, no matter what, I will allow you to participate in it, how about that?" Maeve, thinking the same as Ace, responded. Though Maya frowned by Maeve's statement of letting Gracie take part in the tournament next year, she concluded that she was just sweet-talking and ignored it.
"Muuu~ But I want to join the Imperial Academy…" Gracie replied, her eyes downcast and her voice, a lot weaker than before.
Ace felt an ache in his heart when he heard her voice and quickly picked her from his shoulder and embraced her little body.
"Little Gracie, don't be sad. Please understand, you won't be able to participate this year…"
"But papa… I will work hard…" Gracie replied with teary eyes. Ace almost wanted to go to all the top leaders and force them to postpone the tournament for 8-9 months ahead so that his little nightingale can take part in it, hmm? Now that he thinks about it, it doesnt seem like a bad idea, he would just have to visit the emperor, and 'persuade' him a little forcefully... and it's done! He was considering this option but then,
"I was even able to remake that bird you made…"
"What? Umm, little Gracie, what bird are you talking about?"
To answer that, Gracie closed her eyes and within the next 3 seconds, Ice Qi around her moved and organized itself in an orderly manner. Soon, a more distinct-shaped Icebird was formed. It matched the elemental birds that appeared in front of Gracie on the day her physique was revealed.
Though the Icebird was still not as definite as the real thing and was somewhat frailer than the hard Icebird should be, it was still a small cute little bird nonetheless.
10 more seconds later, the Ice Qi diffused and the bird disappeared. Gracie then opened her eyes, her eyes, still as teary as before but she then noticed the sudden change in the environment.
Ace and Maeve were frozen stiff as they glanced at Gracie with wide eyes. The two of them thought as they glanced at Gracie with utter disbelief.
'She… she was actually able to cast her first spell without any help…'
"S-Si-Silent Incantation…"
The one who was shocked the most was noy Ace or Maeve, It was Maya, who had misinterpreted Gracie's basic use of Qi as Silent Incantation.
Only god knows how much of a shock she must have received when she realized that an 8 years old girl, who shouldn't even have started practicing magic, not only does she has a Magic Core, she can also use the legendary Silent Incantation which not even she can use.
'Does… does that means she is stronger than me…?'
With that thought in her mind, she glanced at Gracie as if she was a monster.
Ace too realized that Gracie forming a magic core wasn't a secret anymore,
"Should I silence her? Or maybe just remove her memory?'
But soon, he shook his head,
'Hah, leave it, it's not like we have to keep it a secret.'
"D-did I make a mistake?" Gracie questioned with her index finger in her mouth while her face looked tensed. The girl looked adorably sweet at the moment.
"No, Little Gracie, you were amazing~ You were so amazing that we were all just surprised. Don't worry, since you want to participate in the tournament, I will allow you!" Ace, quickly kissed Gracie's forehead and announced.
Now that he saw how good Gracie was when it comes to controlling Qi and adding to the extended time he was left with, he was sure that Gracie would be able to participate in the tournament.
Hah, let alone participate, he was sure she would be able to win it! Umm… that may have been a little far-fetched.
"Papa! You are the best!
I wuv you!"