As I stand in line with Sophia and her mom, I marvel at the sight of the academy. It has a noble air around it and the elements in the air seem to dance joyfully in its presence. As I walk closer to the entrance exams I see the line of people going into a private booth with some exiting with smiles while the majority leave disappointed. Suddenly I hear a commotion coming from the private booth as a bright light comes out of it. There was a shout of surprise as a man's voice could be heard exclaiming, "Superior in both talent and perception!" People started muttering and pushing each other trying to get a better look while I just stood there not caring.
After the initial surprise died down people started to return back to their spots in line and a young woman who is probably one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. I can see the magical elements surround her giving her an ethereal feeling and a bit of a feeling of fear to others but to me it just makes me calmer and more intrigued in this person. I look around to see others staring at her but only now notice that people seem to subconsciously be avoiding me. Wondering why I decide to look at the elements surround my body and almost immediately had a bead of sweat dripping down my forehead. I saw a literal tide of magical elements surrounding my body like a second layer of skin and giving off a slight oppressive feeling as my aura starts to leak out.
Cursing myself for my blunder I look around to see if anyone else has noticed the elements around my body and see the young woman from earlier staring at me with a bit of confusion, surprise, and intrigue. I immediately try to focus on my aura to be hidden to others as I don't want any more attention than I already have, so I use some of the void magic I got from the fragmented soul to conceal my aura just enough to let me be seen as normal. As I do this I notice the intrigue on the young woman's face grows stronger and I just give her an awkward smile as my name gets called to be tested.
I walk into the private testing area as another young man comes out with a look of arrogance on his face. He looks at me with a bit of disdain while saying somewhat to himself but loud enough to be heard, "I still don't understand why they allow filthy commoners in the school, I swear they make me sick." I decide just to ignore the man much to his chagrin as I start to walk into the tent. He gets visibly red from anger as I just ignored him without a second thought and the people around snicker lightly at his plight.
Inside the booth there is a middle aged man with an aura exuding into the surroundings that lets me know he is at least tier 60, so I bow lightly to him and say nice to meet you elder, my name is knull. He looks at me with a bit of intrigue as most people probably think that he is weak due to running entrance exams, but I just brush it off as I approach to take the test. He explains to me that I should put my hand on the ball to the left which tests my spiritual power, which I do and I get tier 20 scholars path. He looks at me with surprise on his face as he mutters something about young people's luck these days. He then explains the ball in the middle will test my magical aptitudes, whether I have null magic unlocked, and my magical perception.
As I place my hand on the ball it starts emitting a blinding light as the surrounding elements start to surge around it seemingly basking in it. The man stands up surprised as he mutters something about legendary talent, and never seen before. He then looks at me dead in the eyes and says, "never say a word of what happened just now if you want to have any semblance of peace, for now we will only tell people you have high talent and perception."
I nod in understanding still not quite getting what he means, then he looks at me with a gentle smile and says welcome to the magical academy I am dean marcus and if you so wish I would like to be your personal magical instructor outside of regular classes. I am quite happy to get the opportunity as I would be able to learn much more magic much faster under his guidance so I respond with a curt bow, "Student greets teacher a pleasure to be in you care". He gives me a satisfied nod while saying, "Good that you are not arrogant like those young masters in the capital, make sure to keep that quality it will get you far in life. However remember not to bow down for no reason and keep your dignity with you." I thank him for the advice and slowly leave the booth with people muttering and staring at me due to the light the ball emitted before reaching outside.
I smile softly to Sophia as I start walking away not wanting all the attention and out of the corner of my eye I see the young woman from earlier staring at me without blinking. With a slight smile I nod to her in the distance. I see a look of surprise flash through her eyes as she turns around walking away seemingly lost in thought. Smiling softly I go back to my room in the inn and start packing my stuff getting ready to move to the academy dorms, really hoping I get a single room or at least not a co-ed one.