After the incident with Adeline trying to mana control without proper training, the ceremony continues as usual.
"level 4"
"level 2"
"level 5"
After all the high-ranking noble houses have tested, the average test score plummets two whole user levels.
"As expected of the high noble bloodline… We just can't compete with them…"
Many visitors seem to agree on one thing.
The family line matters a lot, those on the top are there for a reason.
No one after Adeline has touched the level of master, and only 5 from 50 got to the level of expert. Most of the children ended up at apprentice level and a few dropped down to beginner level.
'Look like the average is higher! I'm glad that I saved this world!'
In Ark's era, most humans are either non-magic compatible or beginner level, only a select few nobles can use magic, and even then, the level average out at 3.
Only the exceptional ones are higher but they still need to fight tooth and nail to raise the cap.
Even if the sample size for this test is noble, the higher average and more low-class noble that can use magic make Ark feel good to see how far humans have evolved in the past 4000 years.
'I wonder what level does pointy-eared bastard average at now, I bet it is still the same.'
Ark can't even hold his laugh; he wonders if that bitch of a queen saw the score he is seeing now, what face she will show.
Oh, almost forget he already beheaded her, so all that was left was a princess.
While he remembers the past, the test continues for some time before it is his turn.
"The son of Anderson, Ark Anderson Please step up to the altar."
Because he was late to join the church and didn't have privilege like Adeline, He is the last child left to test.
"That's him! The only heir of Anderson!"
"He looks quite good, maybe the rumor is just rumor after all."
"Almost like a copy image from General August!"
Because of his sheer masculinity and grandiose posture, many got charmed by him.
He may look like a child and is a child, but the feeling of watching him feels like watching a full-grown warrior.
And no one can forget the screen he did earlier, almost all of the people here whose children have tested remain because they want to see Ark's result.
Many are praising him, and many are not.
"How is he even allowed to get a magic level test before a bloodline test?"
"He may be half Anderson but if the other half is incorrect, The Duke of Anderson will take her house's name back for sure!"
The gossip erupted and split into two sides, those who liked him and those who hated him.
The house of Anderson has a long history, that is why in the current time when the house is at its weakest many want to tear them apart and drag them down from the top!
'The orb will measure mana capacity and then divide by age and calculate how much stronger the test subject will be in the future…. Isn't this too unreliable?'
After a look at the orb, he knows exactly how its mechanism works and felt disappointed.
There are many factors for how strong someone will be, such as training, food, medicine, etc. only measuring the mana of a child and predicting their entire future seem impossible to get it correctly.
'So, this is why Adeline tries to copy my skill, such a bad system, forcing kids to get a high score for other people to praise.'
After seeing other people's reactions to his score then he realized how much pressure these young lads had to deal with.
'Adeline must notice it too so she decides to quickly absorb more mana so she can get a higher score, poor girl….'
Ark exhales and presses his hand on the orb.
His test result is 5 spheres, it is his maximum mana capacity, for now.
He decided to take a test like a normal person, as normal as a normal person with full control of their mana can be.
Level 5 means he at least has a chance to grow into an expert magic user, not bad, not great if he was a regular noble.
but for someone from top houses, it is pretty bad.
"…."
Velvet almost fainted after seeing Ark only get 5 spheres, luckily Julia noticed and gave her the water canteen in time.
'Everyone in our house never gets below 6, how did he?'
Watching his mother almost faint makes him realize that this system has to go.
No one should be judged by their magical prowess.
"Hey Pastor, I think the orb is broken."
"Hm? Impossible! It is a relic from the holy empire. How will it break?!"
The old pastor rushes in to check to orb after hearing Ark's bold claim
It has been here for hundreds of years and never broke once, why will it break now?
"Pastor! Look at the spheres!"
Some people on the seats scream and point at the testing sphere with horror.
The sphere has turned black and started exploding one by one.
"Devil! It must be a devil doing! You are a devil, aren't you! With Daugther of Goldriver and now too!"
The pastor's face quickly turns dark and his killing needs have sprung out.
"STOP!"
Ark shouted!
"No! You must be eradicated!! BEGON-"
Before the pastor could unleash his attacks, he felt something cold touch his neck.
*ting*
A drop of blood ran from Pastor's neck along the blade of a silver knife.
"Calm down, Julia."
But Ark didn't talk to the pastor
He talks to his maid.
Julia with an angry face stops her knife an inch deep into the pastor's neck.
She would have cut Pastor's head off clean if it wasn't because of Ark's warning.
"You two, stop!"
Velvet rushes in and grabs both of them.
"I'm very deeply sorry Pastor, my maid has not learned a proper protocol yet and for the orb, there must have been a misunderstanding."
"It's blasp—it-it ok…"
For some reason, the pastor forgives them.
"Really?"
Velvet and everyone else was shocked.
How does the pastor forgive them?! Julia almost slices his head off!!
"Y—Yes! I might judge a bit too quickly… Yeah, It's all my fault."
Velvet can see the pastor nervously and in volunteer accept her apology, but as a good noble she wouldn't ask any further.
She then quickly dragged both of them out of the church before any bad things happened.
While rushing out, Ark notices a big shadow figure disappear from the crowd.
'So, you did come.'