"Do you have anything you forgot?" The middle-aged gentleman, clad in expensive tuxedo, said towards a young man sitting within the carriage.
"Nothing, I think I got all items I need." Alzer replied.
"That's good. Well then, you can go now and hurry up before the snowstorm arrives again." Count Volheim waved his hand.
Joanna—his mother—and Hannah—his sister—also waved their hands with brimming smiles on their face. The former with hidden motive, the other with hidden emotion. Of course it's not like he cared about all this. He just want to get out of this cold place and register for the examination.
Immediately after their farewell, the carriage finally move. Its tires travelling through the expanded of snow, leaving behind marks. It seems it would take a long day before they arrive.
***
As the afternoon light shine through the capital, people happily walks through the streets. Uncountable number of vendors could be seen beside the road.
The sunlight illuminated the insides of a certain carriage, where a young man leaning to the side sleeps in. The cries of vendors selling their wares; the murmuring of people; and the faint but relaxing whistle of wind entered his ears.
Alzer yawned as he stretch his arms. It seems they finally arrived the capital after going through a very troublesome journey which took three days. The result betrayed his predictions. However, though it spent the majority of his energy, he still benefited from it. He used that opportunity to practice lightning magic and it could be said that he was getting a better control of it. Sadly, he didn't learn any lightning spells in his past life so he would have to acquire one from the academy.
After stretching for a bit, he opened his hand and murmured something. Electric arcs spread over his arm. Immediately after, it moved towards his hand and turned into snake. This is the result of his practice within three days. Then there's still the three days stay within the manor so that would be six days.
Alzer opened the curtain and a bustling scene appeared in front of him. Countless people, from left and right, could be seen walking. They were either a group or individuals. Some of them were buying product from merchants. Some of them were just staring. Overall, it has a very lively atmosphere that the Snow County even pales in comparison.
"I guess I'm back to this place, huh?"
A few minutes later, the carriage arrived at their manor. It was much more smaller than the one in Snow County, but it was perfect for a person like him. There was a garden built here, making the place better than his home. There was no chilling cold either.
After he got off the carriage, he unhurriedly explored the whole manor. It really satisfied his needs right now. It was a very peaceful and serene place. Alzer had never entered this place in his previous life, for he has no qualifications to do so. The Volheim family will naturally not allow a Dark Mage like him live in this manor.
After walking for a bit, he entered his room and sat beside the window. Here, he could directly see the street full of people. Even though the sunlight slowly roasted their skin, they didn't bother about it and continued what they were doing.
Events like this were very common, especially in a city like this. There are many merchandise that needed to be sold. Alzer recalled in his past life that there was a wealthy faction called Golden Tower. Its name already explained how rich that faction is. Even one-third of its wealth could buy all the property of all Dukes within the kingdom. However, he didn't have any clue about who the owner is. He was extremely interested about this faction. As long as it use every single bit of its wealth, it could even pose large threat to the Royal Family. Interestingly, they have a strong partnership that couldn't be shake no matter what.
Even though he was a member of the Royal Court in the past, there are still many things he didn't have knowledge with. Such as what's with the weird inner workings of the Royal Court, the mysterious organization called Black Union, etc.
Alzer shook his head and threw out all that matter from his mind. It was better to think of a plan for the future. He felt that something was off with his previous life that he didn't know. Like an unfathomable hand that controlled the whole world. He needed to plan out everything and the most perfect foundation for this was the academy.
He already knew about the exam beforehand so he didn't have any worries about failing. In addition, he also lightning and dark element so who can prevent him to pass that exam.
He also had to think of a way to avoid that old man from the Church. He was certain that the old man was watching him somewhere. It's even possible that he hired a Mage within the academy.
Alzer sighed and stood up from his seat. He sat cross-legged on the ground and began stabilize his condition. He didn't train for today. His current strength was already enough to pass the exam. In addition, he really didn't need to become top of them. Even being the lowest is sufficient. What he just needed to do now is to replenish his mana and recover from exhaustion. After six days of endless practice, he could feel fatigue building up within his body. His senses became full because of this.
***
A night had passed and it was morning once again.
Many people were headed to the southern area of the capital. One will notice that the crowd were full of youngsters. That was because most of them were people who will participate the entrance examination of the academy. Alzer was part of this crowd.
The capital of Uyzher was divided into five parts. The northern area is the Trading District, the place where the Volheim manor was located. It was also where the trading of items were very common. The eastern district was called the Noble District. Just like its name implies, it was where the nobilities lived. However, not all nobles were allowed to live in such a high-class area. Only Marquieses and Dukes were qualified to live there. The southern area is where the Royal Academy was located. Obviously, staffs and students there were only allowed. It was only when the examination day arrives that it was open to everyone. Of course, there are places there outsiders were not allowed to step in. The western is popularly known as the Commoner's Area. It was the place where peasants and commoners live. Last but not the least, the Central District is where the Royal palace was erected.
Alzer traveled tens of minutes just to reach that place since the northern and southern area were direction opposite to each other. Also, carriages were not allowed this time since there were many people on the road. As for the descendants of nobility, they have already entered the examination grounds in advance. As for why Alzer, who happened to be a young noble, didn't enter the academy beforehand was because aristocrats were pain in the ass to deal. Talking to some them literally killed his brain cells.
Alzer saw a very long line that led to the Registration Table. It seems he was quite late this time. It took him an hour to register his name and he directly headed to the place where many examiners flocked.
Here, he could see a middle-aged man surrounded by nobles. He was clad in red robe, and emitted an intelligent aura. Those nobles beside him flattered him without holding back.
Alzer narrowed his eyes for he recognized the middle-aged man was. He was Ferrell Izkard, the Vice Headmaster of the Royal Academy. He didn't expect that he'll attend a mere entrance examination.
'That's strange, I don't remember Ferrell appearing in the exam in my previous life.'
Alzer frowned after he realized this. It seems the future changed for some reason. When he thought about his actions previously, its not enough to influence Ferrell. Awakening lightning element wouldn't make him appear here. He remembered that among the five thousand examinees, there were at least two hundred Mages with Supreme Elements. Just having another one will not change anything.
'Did that man suddenly changed his mind?'
That is the only explanation that he could possibly think. However, even that explanation was flawed. How could a mere Ferrell change the future?
Alzer shook his head and sighed. He didn't think about it anymore. It was possible that a person's small actions could be changed in every timeline. Maybe his time travel change many things. If that's the case then that explains it. Still, he took note of any changes in his surroundings in case that something strange happened.
After the examination grounds was filled of people, Ferrell waved gestured towards the nobles. They seemed understood what he meant and left the stage. Then, Ferrell stared at the huge crowd full of young men and said, "Today will be the day where your fates will be decided. However, there is a big change about the examination."
Ferrell paused for a moment as he once again focused his gaze at the crowd. He could see that they were confused and didn't what was happening.
"I know that the entrance examination was always changed every years so as to prevent cheat but this time…it was really different." Ferrell said. "His Majesty and the Headmaster agreed last month to make the exam more difficult and strict.
"This time, when a person failed, their life will be doomed. As for how, I'll explain it to you so you can understand it clearly.
"Once you fail, your journey as a Mage had ended. I'm sure you understood what I mean right? You will be stripped the title of a Mage and will become an ordinary human forever. In other words, people who failed will have their Mana Core crippled!"
When he said the last sentence, the crowd were covered in shock. They didn't expect the penalty to be ruthless. It could be said the most ruthless law since the founding of the academy.
Suddenly, a young man with golden hair in front raised his hand.
"I-isn't this too merciless? What will happen to the expectations of those poor people?"
Ferrell had already expected this question so he said, "That's why I'm giving you a chance. As long as you surrender now we will not cripple you. However, you can't participate the exam next year. Am I clear? Now raise the hand of those who wanted to surrender."
The entire area became silent. No one raised their hand in this period of time. In fact, no one even uttered a single words. It was when a youngster raised his hand indicating his surrender that it triggered a chain reaction. People slowly raised their in fear of being crippled.
In the end, half of the crowd were eliminated before even the exam started. There was now a thousand people or so remaining, the majority of this people were confident of their abilities.
"Good! It seems not all of you are coward after all." Ferrell nodded in satisfaction. "In addition to the punishment earlier, we will only accept a 50 people now."
"What!?"
The crowd exclaimed in unison. If the announcement earlier only caused a slight wave in their hearts and this is definitely more intense. The originally confident people were now filled with hesitation. Originally, the academy accepts 200 people per year. But now it was actually only 50 people! What kind of change is this!? It was simply too ridiculous!
Even Alzer, a time traveler, couldn't suppress his shock. Not because of the new exam but because the exam was changed a month ago! It was not even half a month since his time travel! In other words, even the past was changed without doing anything. This caused a huge wave wrecking havoc in his heart.
He felt it was only the beginning. His gut was telling him that the future will continue to change even if he just sit and wait. At the same time, his hunger for power became even more intense. He didn't want to wait until everything is damned. It seems he needed to change his plan and take a huge risk just to raise his power.
Who knows what will happen in the future.