The magic trials was an event held every year to which students can showcase their magical abilities and knowledge learned in school. Composed of various events that students have to pass, the magic trials was the most awaited event by the students.
But their excitement is not only because of the trials, what excites everyone the most is the Avaritian Magic Tournament. A time in which a simple commoner could prove himself to be stronger than the rest. Earning a spot in the top 5 at the Magic tournament could raise a commoner status to a lesser noble.
A lesser noble is someone above the commoners but below the average noble, despite the unequal treatment outside their home, a lesser noble could start a business at the Avaritian Kingdoms Profit Plaza. This large circular area is the best spot to earn hundreds of gold coins in only a week, since this place is visited by well-known importers from allied kingdoms and small towns beyond the kingdom.
Not only is the money circulation there non-stop, but if a trustworthy importer takes a liking to your product and turns you into his exporter. Then you could buy yourself a spot to become a Noble, ranging from a Marquis to a Duke who helps the King govern the Kingdom.
The perks of earning a spot in the top 5 doesn't only end in you changing status and becoming wealthy. If a commoner was to rank even 5th his chance of becoming a royal knight rises to about 50%. Since a commoner with no actual achievement could only earn a spot as a city guard, or much less an backup to an adventurer.
Adventurers are most of the time children of nobilities with high magic aptitude who were trained by lower ranking knights or knowledgable elders who have mastered a large portion of their magic. If you have such capability then the place you'd most-likely end up if your family has no small business, is a cleaner.
Disrespected, degraded and spitted in by those who are above you. Wealth has continued to divide the Kingdom ever since before the war against the Superbian Empire, slowly this cycle is still continuing and is growing at a haty phase.
Those who have high magic aptitude even if they were commoners could become a lesser noble but those who stand where their magic is weaker than the rest- then there is no better future for them.
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The roaring cheers of the crowd echoed throughout the Arena, while Lyon stood quietly amongst the participants. Staring straight at the concrete flooring of the arena, voices whispering from behind his ear.
One by one those beside him stood in front of the crowd and displayed their ability. From water fountains created only from mana reserves to vines dangling from wooden arcs. It was a variety of abilities to which the crowd had given their full attention.
It was after 5 students that Lyon was supposed to display his magic. The student in front of him took a look back and smirked while looking at Lyon, scanning his whole body with light brown eyes.
"Next up is one of the 5 nobles within our Academy, the son- wait? Am I reading this correctly?" the announcer stuttered as he flipped through the cards on his hand.
The person in front of Lyon clicked his tongue and bit the tip of his thumb. He proudly stopped his way to the center of the elevated platform of the arena. Threw the light gray coat he had on his shoulder and rolled up his sleeves.
"I… I am not a nobility!" she screamed, her voice filled with uncontrollable rage.
"Do not treat me like a noble! I was born over the uncontrollable desire of that man to impregnate women! I didn't want a title if it came from dirt! But even if that's what happened. I- I will prove myself that I am worthy of becoming a true noble!!"
Her declaration had the crowd standing and screaming along with her. It was an astonishing sight that the announcer was shocked, he watched as waves of students stood from the bleachers and cheered with their hands.
The man had a smile that looked like it had finished its mission, he glanced at Lyon. Yet, he received not a single word, Lyon stood in his place like a statue. His face was still looking at the ground, but the astounded crowd seemed to have forgotten the current trial.
Clenching his arm, the man punched in the air causing a large wind to violently attack Lyon. The man smiled and grinned like a psycho as dust from the ground filled the air surrounding Lyon.
As the dust cleared up he was shocked to find him unscathed. He once again clicked his tongue and started punching more wind strikes towards Lyon, causing more smoke to cover the area. But similar to the last time he still stood in his place unscathed.
"Fuck it…" the man spoke. He took in a long deep breath before exhaling it slowly, he repeated for two more times before stretching his left arm and pointing it at Lyon.
His right arm also grabbed the air near his inner elbow and started pulling back. A bow had started to appear from his hand, it was created by circular winds similar to a cyclone but was at an extremely minimal scale. He pointed it straight at Lyon as the arrow appeared as well.
"Wind Magic: Rain of Needles!" He suddenly pointed at Lyon and released. It flew towards him who was only a few steps away, before changing his course suddenly going up to the sky.
The audience had their eyes fixated on the arrow-like structure made out of wind. After flying as high as the eye could see, it suddenly exploded breaking the clouds above their heads. The sound of multiple speeding objects echoed as the ground began to be pierced. Yet, Lyon stood still in his place not flinching even in the slightest.
As the rain had stopped the elevated platform was filled with dust and debris. He waved his hand and cleared out the dust in a flash. The place was filled with holes ranging from various sizes along with cracks on the ground.
"Why can't you just die already!!" He suddenly screamed, his hand raised in the air as a spear appeared on her palm.
He grabbed it tightly and threw it towards Lyon with utmost precision, the spear headed straight to Lyon had created a cyclone destroying the flooring that it passed through.
Lyon lifted his face and stared at the speeding spear that was about to hit him. His eyes were clouded, his face looked timid. He lifted his right arm and snapped his fingers causing the spear to be enveloped in flames before disappearing in his face.
The man stood in shock along with the crowd, the path the spear took created such destruction on the flooring only to disappear in the blink of an eye. Tired and gasping for air, the man fell on his knees, tears starting to run from his eyes.
The crowd's silence was broken when Metoki decided to suddenly cheer his voice on full volume. Everyone else followed him and cheered in joy over the spectacular display of magic.
The man stood up and ran towards the opening to which participants would enter and exit. Lyon on the other hand had vanished from the platform leaving the announcer who was stunned alone.
Coughing to get all the students' attention the announcer spoke in a very calm voice.
"Well, well, well, along with me it seems everyone is astounded over such displays of magic power. But as there are no other contestants left we will end our trials here"
The announcer walked down towards a panel of people lined up in front of the platform and had a conversation with them before running back to the center.
"It seems our judges have already made their decision, there will be 10 students from our academy that will be participating at the next Avaritian Magic Tournament. The names would listed and displayed tomorrow, for now everyone is to go home and rest for the trial awaits us"
The crowd cheered in joy as they dispersed one by one. The arena bleacher had people slowly reducing in only a few minutes until there were none left. With the exception of Jiniya, Metoki, and Lily who had just returned a few moments after the final display.
The three of them sat in silence as the sun slowly lowered itself changing the color of the orange sky. Jiniya had her eyes fixated on a burn mark on the flooring of the platform, her fingers placed on her chin. Metoki glared at the almost destroyed landscape of the floor, while Lily had sparkling eyes after seeing something amazing magic.
"Metoki, did you see his eyes?" Jiniya asked, before suddenly standing up.
"No, but his action seemed different from the normal" Metoki replied.
The two had serious faces, the air arounded was heavy. They were suspecting something, but had no conclusion or answer to the issue on hand. But one of them couldn't read the mood properly, a strong gust of cold wind suddenly blew from their side.
"Guys! The finale was amazing right?... I had no idea that a noble could use such destructive magic, but who knew Lyon was that strong" Lily screamed, her voice filled with joy.
Metoki's concentration was thrown into shambles after hearing her joyous claim. While Jiniya was focused enough not to be distracted she gave up on it and faced Lily. The two stared at each other, Lily having starry eyes as she smiled from cheek to cheek.
"Yes, it was spectacular" Jiniya replied.
Lily giggled before standing up and walking towards the exit. Jiniya and Metoki watched as she got further away from them. Lily looked back and tilted her head.
"Aren't we supposed to go home now?" she asked.
The two looked at each other and laughed. Metoki walked ahead of Jiniya and walked behind lily. Jiniya took a glance at the platform before following the two. As they reached the exit tunnel for students she saw a figure at the far end of the tunnel.
Lily and Metoki lowered their heads as they passed by the man. Jiniya on the other hand stopped and checked to see who it was.
"Captain Alistair?!" She spoke in shock.
"Good evening, dear princess. The a ruckus has occurred in the palace, the King had asked me to assist you to your chamber this evening"
The man wore a silver plated armor with a long black cape behind it which bore the Royal Knights Insignia. The man was tall as well standing at 195 centimeters, with a matured face the man smiled at Jiniya before bowing his head letting a few strands of his long pushed back hair fall in front.
"Where is Lyon?"
"I have the faintest idea, dear princess. Commander Arthur had only told me to assist you safely to your chambers"
"Is that so- seems that we will be parting now Lily, Metoki. Our next meeting will be on the day of the tournament. Keep safe" Jiniya called out to the two before waving her hand and entering a carriage.
Alister bowed his head at the two before walking in front of the carriage to be the coachman. Lily and Metoki waved their hands as the carriage moved further away from them, leaving the two all alone. Lily smiled and looked at Metoki before blushing. Metoki looked at her but she managed to avoid his gaze in an instant.
"Should I accompany you?" Metoki asked.
"EH? Ugh?! Eh?! Uhmm… if that's alright with you I guess"
The two walked opposite to the carriage as the sky had turned dim and the lanterns on the streets turned on. Jiniya stared at the changing sky as the carriage made its way to the busy street towards the royal palace where things were not going well.
Chapter End.