The moment they entered, their bodies began to sweat immediately. Even their clothes singed and armor melted. The flame mages were the only ones not under pressure.
Everyone quickly used their mana to create a membrane around their bodies to ward off the heat. They made their way towards the center of the world. The further they got, the higher the temperature and the faster their mana was burnt through.
It did not take long for people to panic. They either used too little mana, and the heat burned their skin, or they used too much and were running low after only a few hours. Others were fine on the surface, but were wondering how they were going to survive three days in this condition. Half the crowd had given up by the end of the first day and were escorted from the biome by the mages under Choir.
At the highest peak, in the center of the biome, was a lava pool on the mountain. To everyone else, it was the most horrible place, but to flame mages, it was a paradise. The remaining group sat atop the lake's surface. Everyone meditated while practicing their respective breathing techniques.
While the other mages could not absorb the mana in this place, enduring and overcoming the conditions of this place will make their bodies and mana stronger.
By the third day, only a handful of people were left inside the lake. Others couldn't hold on despite trying their best. Xeik glanced over at Blossom, who seemed to be engulfed in flames, but he understood she was just practicing her breathing technique. She kept going even after the assessment ended.
"Congratulations, you've all passed the first round. Now for the next phase, resist the heat for 30 days." with that, Choir came and went like a ghost, leaving everyone with unreserved fear in their hearts.
Some gave up right away, knowing they had absolutely no chance of passing. Other's grit their teeth and pushed on. No matter what, they refused to give up. Like that, a month passed in the flaming world. As time passed, the pressure kept piling up and the number of candidates dwindled from well over three thousand to a little over 100.
A group of men appeared in the sky, Choir stood at the front. "Congratulations, all of you meet me back on the viewing platform for an announcement."
Everyone had annoyed looks on their faces. "This man is always so light on the details," a youngster complained.
While they were annoyed, the fact that they made it through their assessment was not lost on any of them. They broke into cheers and applause as they made their way back to the platform. This platform was a plaza outside of the training grounds where groups of mages would gather to receive briefings.
The group returned to the platform and saw everyone from their year group at the Stardust Academy. Even the ones who were disqualified. Everyone had the same confused looks on their faces.
They took glances at Choir sitting with the other directors of the Training and Assessment Department on the pedestal. Once everyone arrived, Choir stood to his feet, ran his hand through his brown hair, and looked out at the crowd with a disinterested gaze.
"All of you who lasted one day or more inside the lava world passed the first assessment. Those who haven't failed. Try again next year." After saying that, he turned around, intending to return to his seat.
But how could it end like this? Everyone was even more confused than before. "What is the meaning of this? If all it took to pass was lasting a day, why were we in there for an entire month?" It was Lili who blurted out her questions in a fit of rage.
Everyone turned to look at her, but no one was surprised, they had gotten used to her fiery temper and disregard for authority.
Choir turned around to look at her. He was annoyed, but seeing who was shouting at him, he understood immediately. He addressed her directly, "miss Von Creig, are you saying that you would have been fine achieving the bare minimum to pass? Is that the attitude to be had by the daughter of our City Lord and patriarch?"
Hearing those words, Lili turned her head, refusing to meet Choir's eyes.
He went on, "those who lasted a day barely passed, those who lasted three days are elites. Those who lasted up into the month are the most extraordinary among their class and are aces. These are the people who will be paid attention to by every department, especially as time goes on. They will recruit the most outstanding amongst you to join elite raid teams, army platoons, and strike teams. Their future will be brighter than all of their peers. Miss Von Crieg, if all of you did the bare minimum, how do you suppose we find those elites I spoke of?"
The confused faces of the crowd turned to one of understanding. This was also the most they had ever heard Choir speak in all the years they had known him. Lili didn't even bother to look up from her shoes. She could feel everyone's eyes on her and couldn't help but feel embarrassed.
A second later, a golden light flashed and a young lady with long golden hair appeared beside the downcast Lili. Seeing the golden glow, she became so excited that her prior embarrassed state was erased.
She leaped into the embrace of the young lady. "Ari!," she screamed in elation. "you're back. I'm so glad. How did it go? How's everything? Are father and mother back too?" the smile on her face was so bright, it outshone even the dazzling Ari.
"Calm down, child, yes I'm back, and yes, they're back too. I came here to see how you were doing and to congratulate you on passing the first assessment and, as an ace, no less. We're all proud of you, and this trouble maker here," while Ari spoke, the ear of a blue-haired youngster appeared between her finger.
"Ow ow ouch, stop stop, why are my nieces so mean to me?" Xeik cried in indignation.
"What do you have to complain about why did you not stand up for your niece earlier?" Ari asked mischievously.
"She's fine. She doesn't need my help with that sort of thing. It's just Lili being Lili," Xeik spoke to defend himself.
"Lili being Lili, huh?" Ari said with a thoughtful expression.
"Ow, Ari, could you let me off now?" Xeik begged. While this was happening, the crowd had all turned their attention to them, including those on the pedestal.
Ari noticed everyone's gaze and addressed the crowd. "It's so nice to see all of your young and curious faces. I remember being like that not long ago. This is but your first assessment of 100. If you can make it through all of them, you will reach the peak of the west coast. Not even I or your City Lord have made it through them all, so don't feel too intimidated. Do your best and I hope to see you all at the end of the line."
Her words brought smiles and looks of determination to the faces of those in the crowd. Every one of them looked up to Ari as their hero. She was not much older than them, but she had already passed the 60th assessment. Only the most powerful mages on the continent have passed through assessments 60 and above.
Ari then turned to Choir. "I'll be taking these three with me. Their parents want to see them." She brought Blossom over a while ago.
A golden light flashed, and the group disappeared, "Congratulations again, I'm proud of all of you."