Clifford woke up early the next day, he freshened up and left the hotel for the Mage academy to register for the tournament. He boarded a taxi but he realized the academy isn't far from the hotel at all. He alighted from the taxi and faced the academy's broad black gate. He saw many people mostly teenagers like him going in and out of the gate, he entered as well but was confused of where to go exactly, he didn't know where register to for the tournament. He just stood there looking around carefully.
"Are you new here?" Clifford heard a voice from behind him, he turned towards the voice, a young man the same height and about the same age as him stood before him. The young man had short dyed blue hair, finely shaped features. His appearance was almost as handsome as Clifford's before he suppressed it. Clifford could tell the young man was at the first stage of the basic mage rank due to the mana fluctuations the latter was emitting.
Clifford carefully observed him before he gave an answer. "Yeah, I'm new here." He replied.
"Hmm!" The young man nodded. "Let me guess, you're here to register for the tournament too."
"Yes!" Clifford said while he walked pass by the young man, he wasn't interested in holding a conversation or befriending the young man.
The young man followed behind Clifford while he said. "I can help you get the registration quickly done." Clifford didn't reply, he just kept walking, he doesn't need the young man's help.
"Well you're walking in the wrong direction of the registration office."
"Maybe I'll need his help after all." Clifford signed secretly. "Can you please take me to the place?" He asked the young man.
Yeah....yeah of course, the young man replied with a smile. Clifford just signed and followed the young man quietly.
"My name's Benson Byers, what's your name? He asked Clifford. Clifford didn't reply, he just kept walking. Benson noticed the indifferent attitude of Clifford but he ignored it, he was just confused of why Clifford wasn't emitting any Mana fluctuations and why no aura is coming off from him. "He must surely be a mage, only mages are allowed to participate in the tournament." Benson thought while he looked at Clifford who was humming a song quietly.
"What rank are you? Benson asked Clifford. Clifford still didn't reply, he just kept humming while he looked around the buildings of the academy. Benson didn't had a choice, he just signed secretly while he led the indifferent Clifford to the registration office.
After about 5 minutes of walking, they got to a building, a seven storey one. The front side of the building completely made of glass while there was wordings on the top of the building that read "Administrative Building", written in bold golden colour.
"Here's the heart of the academy." Benson said while he faced Clifford and stretched his hands towards the building. "The academy's day to day activities are being controlled from this building and the most important staffs of the academy have their office here." He lectured Clifford.
"I know what an administrative building is." Clifford said with an indifferent gaze while he entered into the building.
"Hmmph! Arrogant brat." Benson spat with a displeased expression while he quickly walked up to Clifford.
Clifford entered into the building confidently with his hands clasped behind his back. Benson walked past him while he led him to an elevator which took them to the fourth floor. He then led Clifford to one of the offices on the fourth floor, there were about ten people standing by the office door. There's a tag on the door that read "Registration Office" and it seemed like the people by the door are there to register too.
Benson just walked by the people and entered straight into the office while Clifford followed behind closely. A middle aged man of the second stage of the intermediate rank was sitting on a chair, he had old fashioned pair of glasses on his large broad face, had a long and thick moustache with a full beard. A large office desk in front of him, there was also a lady sitting across the table in front of the middle aged man.
"Have you forgotten your manners you little imp." The middle aged man said to Benson.
"Hehehe! Forgive my manners Mr Wylde." Benson chuckled. "I've brought a long time friend of mine, he wants to register for the upcoming tournament." He said while he winked at Clifford.
"Long time friend?" Clifford muttered secretly me with furrowed brows.
"You do realise there are people aside that are here before him right?" Mr Wylde said with a Stern face while stroking his moustache.
"I know.....! Just help me to register him quickly, my father wants him to register as soon as possible, he wants to meet him tonight. Benson lied blankly. His father had quite a reputable and respected name in Sun City, he's the only son of his father which made him the heir.
Clifford's mouth twitched because of Benson's lies, he remained mute and continued to stare at Benson.
"I'll help you since it has to do with your father." Mr Wylde said while he grabbed his laptop to start the registration process. He looked at Clifford but he didn't feel any aura or mana from him which he found quite strange. He furrowed his brows and asked. "What's your name dude?"
"Clifford Harrison."
"Your mage rank?
"First stage basic rank." Clifford lied, he had to keep his rank a secret, the strongest young mage he had seen since he entered the academy was a second stage basic ranked mage.
"Hmmm, Mr Wylde nodded while he typed on his laptop, probably imputing Clifford's information
Into the academy's participants data system.
"What are your magical element abilities?" He asked Clifford.
"Fire and shadow elements." Clifford replied coolly.
"Shadow element? Can you show it to me? Mr Wylde was doubtful of Clifford's shadow element because mages rarely awaken the shadow element at the basic rank. Mages who had the lucky opportunity to awaken it are often treated with the best magical equipments and tools that would help them to refine their shadow skills to top notch levels. But the odds of awakening the shadow element at the basic rank are extremely low, even awakening it at higher ranks are rare.
Clifford nodded, he knew he had to prove it. He released his aura and mana to that of a first rank Basic ranked mage, he then sank in to the shadows and appeared behind the dazed Benson and grabbed his shoulder.
"Aah! Shadow mage at the basic rank." That's incredible man! Benson said excitedly. Even the young lady in the room was surprised.
"Hmmm! Incredible! You're already considered a top talent in the academy kid, make sure you pass the tournament." Mr Wylde commented in a composed manner. He was surprised at Clifford's shadow ability but he had to appear professional.
"Alright, here's your pass for the tournament, bring it along on the day of the tournament." Mr Wylde handed over a small golden rectangular metal badge to Clifford.
Clifford took the badge from him and bowed slightly as a sign of respect. Mr Wylde nodded softly while he watched Clifford and Benson leave his office. After they were gone, he grabbed his phone and dialed a number. The person at the other end of the call picked and Mr Wylde said.
"I've finally found a basic ranked shadow mage.. i shall keep close eyes on the boy." He said and hung up the call.
"Keep close eyes on the boy." Mr Wylde said to the young lady in front of him.
"I shall do so." She replied while she bowed her head and left the office as well.