Once again, we were summoned at the brink of dawn by a pounding rain of hammers and bangs on the door of our communal area. After ripping the door open, I was surprised to see one of the imperial servants was standing idly by the door. Denoted by the black-on-red dress shirt and slacks that they all wore.
He promptly guarded us to the hub of the guest caldera for a hearty breakfast in silence before we were once again ushered out the door. Once we finished, we were guided to the caldera lying adjacent to our wing and the royal castle; specifically to a small, walled-off court, where the Emperor, my Grandfather, Father, and 15 individuals dressed in wizard robes or armor were spread out around the ring of a coliseum-like structure.
"Welcome, and congratulations on taking the first step in becoming initiates." Emperor Deapou boomed above the cheer of the stands as the dozen or so of us stepped onto the floor.
Taking my bearings as we made our way to the center reminded me of Corvus Tower's dungeon. It was a vast ring that sat below a set of U-shaped bleachers, topped with a few skyboxes for the big wigs. Only, this place was completely open to the air and gave unbridled views of the eastern ocean beyond.
"Good Morning! And congratulations on officially becoming Initiates!" Declared a rather tall woman stepping before us. She had olive skin and eyes with straight black hair that hung loosely down to her waist and held a stone-faced gaze at the lot of us that matched the tempered sternness of her voice. " I am Grandmaster Mage, Gysil Vilignin. And I will be the overseer of what is colloquially known as the Assessment.
"The Initiate Quality Assessment is an unforgettable moment for any budding youth in possession of an affinity core." She continued after a short and thunderous round of applause. "With the passing of this event, you all will be free to accept legal contracts from the denizens of Maru; or, you can try to join any guild or military that piques your interest. If neither of those piques your interest, you can live as you please anywhere in our world. As an Initiate, you are not legally bound to any nation or entity. You will be granted a level of individual sovereignty, you will gain the right to claim land and the rights to any hostile creatures you slay. The choice is yours." She amiably smiled for a second. Only for it to fade in the very next. "Though, there is much you have to accomplish before you gain those rights.
"The first item on our agenda is the reading of your wells." She gestured behind her to a small gazebo, sheltering a crystal ball placed atop a padded pillar from the sun. "After that, the true Assessment begins. You will be tested in eight subjects: Intelligence, Agility, Dexterity, Strength, Constitution, Elemental Mastery, Magical Prowess, and Combat Ability. Your performance in each subject will be represented as a number between one and fifty, making for a maximum of four hundred points.
"A score of one through nine is considered weaker than the average human." She explained. "Ten through nineteen is considered among the average. Twenty through twenty-nine is within the realm of a proper athlete. Thirty through thirty-nine is the peak of human potential, and forty through forty-nine is within the realm of the supernatural. Lastly, a score of fifty means that we were unable to gauge your proficiency in that task at this time. Or in other words, unmeasurable.
"After the Assessment, your scores will be tallied to determine your Quality as an Initiate. Copper, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Your Quality is something you will carry for life. At certain points in your career, you will gain the opportunity to change your Quality. As of now, however, you only need to know that it is the primary factor in determining your acceptance to any guild or military in Maru. And naturally, that includes the Arcane Academy as well." She paused to look in my direction before continuing. "Now then, let us begin."
I gave her a close inspection as she stepped to the side to allow what I assumed her subordinate to take center stage.
While she felt, looked, and walked the part of a warrior, her dress was something else entirely. A crude fur tunic covered her top and a lion-cloth covered the front and back of her waist, ending in short chevron-like points that left much of her trunk-like thighs exposed. Centered on the belt Inside was an insignia that I was sure represented her unit.
Looking at it, I knew there'd be a lot left to be desired if I were the one wearing it. On her, however, it seemed to look as natural as the hair draped around her head.
The man who replaced her had similarly toned skin with a low-cut fade and wire-framed glasses that seemed to magnetize his eyes to what appeared to be a small silver tablet. Up until he stood before the crystal, at least. Where he promptly looked to us and bowed without further delay. "My name is Alan Law. A ranked Mage with the Deapou Division. I will be reading your wells today. Once your name is called, come forth, place your hand on the crystal, and return to your seat after I read the numbers."
During his gesture behind him, we all studied the apparatus we'd soon be interacting with. While the crystal ball wasn't interesting in itself, what caught our eyes was the thermometer-like meter rising behind it. Etched with a series of numbers and letters along the side.
"Abulot Uplos!"
The Prince seemed taken aback for a reason that I could only guess and consequently laugh at before he stood before the crystal and impatiently placed his hand on it. While I felt or saw no mana flowing into or out of the orb, the crystal mimicked the contents of his Well all the same. Before our eyes, the sphere filled with the faceted, crystalline energy, seemingly forcing the energy two-sixths of the way to the top of the gauge.
"D-8!" Law declared. Causing a sudden burst of applause to erupt from above. Craning my neck upwards, I saw the many silhouettes of nobles and military officials looking down at the event with the sun against their faces. Even without my newfound abilities, I would've been able to see the expectant gazes and hear their inquiries as they turned side-to-side to discuss the possibilities of recruiting the individuals scattered below them.
Though I had never been one to show off and I certainly had no interest in following anyone but myself, I was curious as to what the full of extent of my new powers were. Sure, the Lightning Dragon was a good gauge of my magical output. But I've had no way of knowing exactly how much my potential had grown since I forcefully expanded it. I've managed to learn a bit about the effects of arcana, but I was sure that I had hardly scratched the surface after the week or so since then. On top of that, I'd never tested the full extent of my unpowered natural abilities. Naturally, the prospects of changing that, caused a bit of giddy excitement to swell within me.
An excitement that I just couldn't hide.
"Amun of Odissi!" The Mage announced.
Dismissing my thoughts, I walked up to the crystal and placed my hand on the cold surface. I felt a slight disturbance of mana but there was nothing notable about the experience. Save the sphere acting like a mirror that displayed the volatile contents of my mana well before it cascaded up the tube like a model rocket taking flight. Rising up and up until it nearly rose to the top.
"A- Arcana!?!" He stammered under his breath. Then gathered his composure in the very next moment to turn to the crowd and shout. "A-18!"
As expected, the contents of my well drove the crowd mad. Mostly due to ignorance, I assumed, but even the mages from the association appeared to be just as rattled by what they just heard.
I even heard an all-too-familiar laugh boisterously bellowing in the background. However, I paid little mind to either of those things; instead, my mental gears were churning to study the elven tech in my Eternal Eye. The energy halted just a few ticks from the top. Which implied that while a Well of my size and potency was indeed a rarity for a human, if not a possibility; regardless, arcana wasn't exactly unseen or unheard of amongst humans, based on Law's reaction.
'Interesting.'
Compartmentalizing the data, I spun on my heels and took another glance at the crowd as I made my way back to my seat. For the most part, they were shocked silent. Making hushed conversation to each other while throwing curious glances to my grandfather and the Emperor.
"Edward Pascal!" Law shouted soon after.
As was his character, Ed somewhat timidly waddled to the stage. Although he didn't look the part, Ed's posture and gait had always reminded me of a pangolin. It was a visage that I noticed shortly after our introduction and had forever stuck with me. His overthinking nature only seemed to add to such thoughts.
"I-8!" Law declared.
Adding onto his a comical gait was a prideful smile that pried his face in two. Despite his forced expansion, Ed's reaction to his reading gave me the underlying impression that he was worried that he'd be deemed weak or something.
Preposterous.
"Giorno Nojo."
Despite him and Letta not awakening any cores the other day, they had been born with cores nonetheless, and thus were obligated to be assessed.
With his usual swagger, Giorno waltzed forward to elegantly place his hand on the crystal. After the transfer of energy, he adjusted his coat as he turned away to look at his nails with feinted disinterest until Law shouted, "S-9!" At which time, he waltzed back to his place in much the same manner. Throwing a strangely off-putting smile to the stands above.
It took almost all I had in me to not laugh once I realized what he was doing. Thankfully, my labored snickers were covered up by Law shouting, "Jaimess Corey!"
As he did with almost everything, Jaimess went through the motions with the least amount of effort as possible and strode under the gazebo in only a few strides, placed his hand on the sphere, and strode back before the Mage could even shout. "I-10!"
Triggering another obligatory round of applause before Law called, "Jonet Fischer!" to the stand.
She did much the same as Jaimess, albeit at a casually slower pace as if she were unhurried in the slightest. She didn't even seem to care as the Mage turned to her and yelled, "I-11!" in her face. Or at the crowd's eruption of cheer.
"Letta Sinclare!"
Naturally, Letta bounced up to the stands with her perpetually warm smile on full display. Much to my amusement, however, she did much the same as Giorno and turned to the crowd to adjust her bun. Flashing the spectators with the dazzling jewels wrapped around her wrist until Law called, "S-12!" giving her the cue to return to her seat.
"Lucia Pike!" Law called next.
Lucia's somewhat lanky arms dramatically swayed from side to side as she excitedly approached and placed her hand on the sphere.
"I-10!" The Mage subsequently announced, then continued without waiting for the habitual response. "Maurice Harris!"
The Prince's hair-wielding vassal hurriedly came forth next and seemed relieved when Law shouted. "I-3!"
Despite the low size of his well and the lower densities of a few others, the crowd had been unrelenting in their support the entire time. Never ceasing in their debates and conjectures until law yelled. "Roheisa Deapou!"
Triggering a second silence from the crowd.
She seemed nervous, taking the stand. And I couldn't exactly blame her. Doing anything with that many pairs of eyes on you; drilling their expectations into you for so long would be enough to drive anyone over the edge. Especially someone with only fifteen years of life experience. It took me decades of living and suffering to frankly stop giving a shit what people thought or expected of me.
And it took me even longer to learn that it was a lesson not everyone was capable of completing.
"D-12!" despite her worries, the crowd seemed to erupt in cheer and excitement from the announcement. Even her father had a grin that split his face in two. Though there was also a hint of vacancy in his gaze akin to the infamous thousand-yard stare. Or the look of someone lost in thoughts about something greater. Something unsaid that existed only as an abstract concept within their mind, or else worries of what has come; or what has yet to come. A gaze that was compounded by the subtle feeling looming around his massive frame.
It was something I could recognize at a single glance. And judging from my Grandfather's demeanor, I could tell that he recognized it as well. But…
'Are you aware of it?' I turned to the prideful Princess. 'Is your unyielding enthusiasm a cry for help, or is it your natural disposition?'
"Rosso DaVinci!"
Tossing my curiosity aside, I turned to see Rosso, the Princess's unfavored vassal, walking up to the stand in much the same way his assumed sister had. And hurriedly walked back after Law declared, "I-8!" followed soon after by him calling, "Toka Eyer!"
Like the others, the slime girl quickly made her way up to the stand and nearly jumped in excitement when Law yelled. "I-6!"
Then, the Mage subtly sighed relief after having made it through the majority of the list. He even went as far to grin excitedly as he called the last name up to the stand. "Toril O'Connell!"
Like the others, Toril calmly took to the stand and went through the procedure, only to return to his seat before Law could even call off his reading. It seemed he didn't care for the reading at all. Judging from the impatiently placid look on his face, he only wished to start the assessment test already. Much like the rest of us.
" D-8!" even as the Mage made the declaration and the crowd's cheers rose to an all-time high, a group of other soldiers moved in behind Law to push the stand away into a corridor. Leaving him centered before us, standing with open arms.
"With this, the reading is complete and the first phase of the assessment will now begin." He bowed. "At this time, we will begin the intelligence assessment. You'll find that each of you has been paired with a proctor." He gestured to the many soldiers standing idly around the yard. "Starting now, you have ninety minutes to follow them and take your written and oral exams."
With nothing more than a raised brow on Law's part, we were dismissed to meet the approaching mages halfway in the middle. The one to approach me was a woman of short stature, with the same skin and hair as her superior, only the latter had been tied up into a messy ponytail. She had a cute face, I had to admit. With large eyes, a small pointed nose that even had a few freckles on it.
"I am Staff Sergeant Sicilia Velasco. If you'll follow me, we'll begin your written exam." She monotonously said in an androgynous voice before turning down a corridor, where she continued her explanation over her shoulder. "Answer each question to the best of your ability. Take your time, but remember you only have ninety minutes to complete both exams. I'll be asking you a few questions once you're done."
After leading me to an innocuous lounge, Velasco suddenly turned to hand me a stack of papers and a strange black ring. "This has anti-magic properties." She waved the ring in my face. "Removal of this without my say so will result in your immediate disqualification, postponing your assessment for another year. If you agree to those terms, put the ring on and begin."
Without saying much, I slipped the ring over my left middle finger and took the papers from her, then trotted off to find a test-worthy environment.
As one would assume, the written exam was mostly comprised of the usual subjects. Mathematics, literacy, history, and the other general fields of study that were common n this world. On top of that, however, was a slew of word problems that asked me to explain how I'd see to several situations that ranged from finding lost cats to negotiating hostage situations. Naturally, I went above and beyond in answering the lot of them. An effort that only took fifteen minutes of the total time. And another five to go over some oral questions with a similar focus.
"Let's go." Velasco stood once I finished. "You can rest or whatever in the court."
The court, in this case, was the vast arena we'd been in before. Or rather, the stone path leading to it. Where I found a quiet tree to lounge under and took a few minutes to observe the ring I was given. It was of a dull, featureless, and multi-faced material like matte obsidian. And as advertised, any type of mana I withdrew from my cores was immediately pulled into the ring and absorbed on the spot.
I was relieved to find out that I could still summon my grimoire though. Though my worries about a few things were still apparent. Particularly, the effect of a spell I'd developed a few years back. Usurped Strength. The progression of False Strength. With it, I painstakingly added the strength of a grown man to my own. Permanently.
If that strength would be robbed from this ore was my most pertinent question.
'I suppose we'll find out soon enough.' I sighed
The others and their proctors slowly trickled in over the course of the next hour or so. With everyone assembled, Grandmaster Vilignin guided us down a seemingly ambiguous path to the beginning of a long, winding path that'd been marked off on either side by suspended ropes.
"Now begins the Agility Assessment." She spat with a gesture behind her. "This course is exactly ten kilometers in length and has been sparingly lined with obstacles." She explained. "Each of you will run at your own pace through to the end while navigating any obstacles you come across. You will be given three attempts to navigate each obstacle before moving forward, and each failed attempt will subtract ten seconds from your total time. Skipping any obstacle, leaving the borders, or interfering with one another in any way will result in your immediate disqualification. Law will be standing by at the end. Shout your name to him as you pass the finish line for him to announce and record your time. Once complete, you'll reconvene before we proceed with the next task. If there are no questions, stand behind the line and await the signal."
In spite of us bounding forth at her words to gather behind a thick band of rope, we were released in alphabetical order, with Prince Abulot first.
Roughly five minutes later, Velasco spoke into some sort of comms device before calling for me to start and chase after me, studying me closely as I navigated the course.
Though I paid no attention to her in my peripherals. My only focus was on the route ahead, what path I'd take, and on my breathing.
While I hated running in my past life, one of the benefits of this half-elven body was the natural-born agility and dexterity I had. Not only was aiming bows, crossbows, and even spells second nature to me, but sprinting; vaulting; and essentially any mild form of parkour required only a few weeks for me to grow accustomed to.
In short, this overtly nimble body of mine was almost all that I could ask for. And its shortcomings could easily be made up for with magic.
The ease of the action I was tasked with meant that I quickly fell into a sort of trance while running, vaulting and leaping through the caldera designated as a training area until I arrived at the last leg of the course, a slim walkway that lined the outer edge of the caldera.
With the ocean crashing against the rocks hundreds of meters below, the rush of the wind against my face, and my hair dancing around my head and shoulders, the feeling began to transcend into something indescribable.
Only for it to die down once I noticed Law waving me down from the looming finish line.
"Amun!" I quickly called.
"Twenty-four minutes, forty-six seconds!" He called back.
'Wait, what?' I reeled to a halt to glance down the track.
Recalling the course in my Eye, it was indeed sparingly lined with obstacles, but they weren't akin to the trivial tasks I imposed on the students of Corvus Academy. The first leg held the standard obstacles, low and high walls to be vaulted over, ropes and vines to be climbed, and weaved sticks to crawl under. It was there that I passed an already winded Abulot and went on to leap over pitfalls, climb trees and even jump between a few branches in the next leg. And entering the last leg required me to scale a dozen-meter high rockfall and drop safely down a four-meter ledge on the other side.
Considering that, I found it hard to believe that I ran a record time for an un-augmented human on the outside running a course without obstacles. All without focusing.
So too did most of the mages, soldiers, nobles, and the countless others who took a double take after seeing me emerge from the eastern edge of the arena.
Ignoring their ensuing exchange, I turned my attention to Velasco, pointing to a carriage that was sitting where the crystal had been earlier. A carriage that'd been filled to the brim with potions galore.
I took my time to study from afar until the others streamed or limped in in-sequence. At which time, Grandmaster Vilignin stole our attention again.
"These potions will vastly increase the recovery rate of your stamina." She explained while her subordinates distributed flasks of a deep green liquid with an almost fluorescent glow. "However." She warningly noted. "You will need to eat a substantial meal in exchange for the buff."
'Make sense, I suppose.' I commented to myself, then took a swig.
It had an acidic taste, strangely enough. Akin to a watered-down soda syrup for an energy drink. One that sent a scorching fire through my muscle fibers that seemed to burn away my fatigue.
From there, we were given a short break so that the injured could drink healing potions and recover. Then, we continued our agility assessment with a dodging exercise. Where we were tasked with dodging a rain of projectiles at an increasing pace until we were struck three times.
Like I experienced during my run earlier, I quickly became enthralled with the quasi-game of dodgeball we'd been tasked with. In the same order as with Abulot, the mages joined in on adding to projectiles after every few seconds or so. I, on the other hand, laughed at the ease of reading the changes in mana around me and adjusting my body accordingly. As the event passed into the realm of minutes, Grandmaster Vilignin herself was forced to enter the fray alongside her subordinates and hurl the rubber spheres my way until she was eventually forced to end the session.
The dexterity assessment came next. A rather uneventful sequence of events where we were tasked with playing a game of whack-a-mole, acting as a goalie defending against projectiles, and placing round pegs into a punched-out sheet in a certain amount of time.
My worries about this ring had been snuffed out once we began our strength assessment. Notably in the first event, where we were told to lift progressively heavier atlas stones onto a podium. I managed to lift several of them with relative ease until I could lift no more, even with the potion keeping my muscles in pristine condition. At that time, Velasco instructed me to swing progressively heavier weapons until I again couldn't lift them at all. Then, she had me punch a spring-loaded target before telling me to carry her as a 'casualty' across the arena.
"The final assessment before our lunch period is for constitution." Law proclaimed once everyone had finished and squared up with their proctors in different areas of the arena. "In essence, your constitution is a measure of your pain tolerance, physical defense, and mental resilience, all in one. In other words, it is a measure of how much you can be beaten and continue to fight.
"As such." She deviously grinned. "There is but a single way to go about this assessment."