"I chose the specialized test." I declared my intent to the examiners.
Hearing this, an old man among the examiners walked forward.
"So what is it that you would want to have for this test child? "
"I would like to choose magic tool creation."
"Hmm, a hard subject for your age, but oh well, follow me."
As that happened, I followed as instructed. And so did the three examiners as well.
I had been told by Professor Phillip how the exams go in practical tests.
There are three judges for your performance. but he said getting at least one approval can grant you a pass in the exam.
But depending on the number of approvals, one can receive more points for the exam. I will not do so since one approval is all I need.
He also told me the criteria for what is generally acceptable to pass. Well, I kind of forced it on him and had to pay a huge price, but it was worth it.
Making a working magic item or unleashing a strength comparable to a rank one is the key. But since I chose the magic item creation test, making a workable one is good enough; still, I will put a twist on it.
"Well, then, here is the working table. These are the materials. There are also blueprints you may want to use, or you can use your own."
He said those as he pointed at a messy table with materials laying around it. Yeah, it is really messy; I'm not gonna lie.
"And remember, don't use your own materials; only use what's on the table. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Good, now start."
As he gave the signal, I took a few metal balls and irons. I reshaped the iron and put the metal balls inside, placing them in a circular form.
Afterwards, I made a stick out of metal iron and used some frames to put it in place. And a simple grade-one rune is carved on every part of the item. Then, to finish it all, I put the parts together and took it for a spin, like, literally.
Tok, tokotok
Swoosh, Whoosh
As they saw my creation, they were puzzled. They then talked for a while, and when they came to an agreement, they asked me.
"Such a simple creation would normally earn you a failure mark, but if you could explain why you thought of making this, we might reconsider."
Seeing their expression, I guess the old man tried to defend me. While the other two were indifferent.
Seeing this, they might really fail me if I make a wrong step, huh.
Taking a deep breath, I then explained.
"As you can see, what I made is a spinning top. And I made this in a way to show its amazing stability and performance when in motion."
"Well, we can see that, but-"
Bam!
"Stop wasting our time, kid. This is just a worthless creation that anyone with basic knowledge can make."
The muscular man who is the combat test examiner yelled at me as he slammed his arm on the table.
"Normally I wouldn't agree with him, but yes, this is a waste of our time."
"Please listen to what he has to say."
The specialized examiner tries to speak up after the lady, who seems to be the strength test examiner, starts to complain.
The argument would continue, so I stepped in, even if it was disrespectful to do so.
"Please look at the spinning top for a moment."
"I told you it is useless."
"Ohh."
"How?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
After I voiced my thoughts, the old man and the lady seemed to have noticed, but the muscular man didn't, he just looked at the others.
"Did you do something while we weren't looking?" The lady then questioned me.
"He hasn't had any trace of mana since a few minutes ago. Only during the start am I the right kid?"
"Yes."
"Ohohoho good! You got my approval."
After I answered him, the old man gave me his approval.
"Huh?" But the muscular man was still clueless.
"Mine too." Then the lady also gave me her approval after her observations.
"Eh? I don't know what's happening, but you won't get my approval."
After hearing their answers, I also answered back.
"Thank you."
"Well, you can leave now."
Afterwards, I left for the next examination.
~~~~~~~~~
"Call the next examinee."
"Yes ma'am."
The lady, who was one of Dustin's examiners, said to the teacher.
"Why did you guys approve of him?"
The muscular man then argued.
"It was just a dumb toy?"
"For you, that is."
"HUH! Do you want a fight?"
"Hmph."
"Please stop."
"So what's the reason for your approval?"
"Let's talk about that after the exams."
"You know I'm impatient; tell me now."
"Fine, but I'll only give you a hint."
"Fair enough."
"How long was the top spinning?"
"Obviously, after I slammed my hand to the table."
"Is that so?"
"Do you have a problem?"
"The examinee is here; let's go."
'What a b*tch!' Being annoyed, he turned his head away from the lady and saw the table where the previous examinee sat.
"What the-. How?"
There he saw the top was still spinning, with no signs of stopping.
~~~~~~~~
Good thing I passed. Even though it is quite simple, the top creates a lot of gyro force due to the iron balls balancing it, and when its foothold is tampered, it will generate a balance position for itself when spinning.
So even if it is directly hit by an impact, it can still balance itself back. Also, it only needs a few ounces of mana to run. And the best part of its consumption is that its generated speed is like perpetual motion, making its usage less than it needs.
Now then it will be the aptitude test. After this, I'm good to go.
As I got out of the room and followed the map, I saw a long line far from where I was. After looking at my card, it shows that my aptitude test is there.
Standing in line I waited till it was my turn to go in. And after a few minutes, it was almost my turn.
"So your overall result is C, which is quite average. Next,"
The next student then came forward, making my turn closer.
"Oh, not bad B+. Next."
The line became shorter until it was my turn for the aptitude test. In front of me is a flat surface, just like at the adventurer's guild.
"Put your hands here, and we're done."
Instead of putting my hands on the plate, I handed him my papers.
"Hmm, how unusual. Let me identify its credibility."
"Yes, of course."
"Hey, did see that."
"Yeah, someone is using their connection; how shameless."
"Is this even allowed?"
"Usually it's not, but if you are done after the two tests, you can use your connection for this aptitude test only."
"Wow, shameless indeed."
A misunderstanding that has never been resolved until now. Showing my results during my coming-of-age ceremony is normal.
Heck, this is how it should have been when the school first started. It was not known when, but not showing our aptitude rating on this test is somehow frowned upon.
I was also asked by Professor Philip about this. Still, I chose to do this for a good reason.
"Hmm, okay. This has been approved; you can go now."
"Thank you."
After he said that, I got out of the room, and there was another teacher who came to me.
"When done, please give back your card to the registration center, where they will give you an approval stamp."
"Thank you." Thanking the teacher, I headed to the place I registered early this morning.
~~~~~~~~
"Excuse me; I am done with the exam."
I headed to the registration center and handed over my card.
"Oh, thank you. Now, could you please sign this here."
"Okay." I agreed and signed the two papers given to me. Of course I read it before signing, and there was nothing wrong.
Tak!
After signing, they took the papers and stamped them. I was then given the other one of the papers, while they also have an identical copy.
"We will notify the city when the results are out. So please show this to the front gate to give you the results of your test. They will also hand out items to those who pass the test, so please wait for the results."
"I see, thank you."
After hearing the instructions, I left the place and directly headed to my shop to see how it was doing.
~~~~~~~
"Here are the results for the test, Mr. Principal."
"Okay, then, let's see. [Heaven's guiding light, show the truth with your ancient might. "Gods eye"]."
A spell was then activated, scamming throughout the test papers within the room. Every page of the test booklets was being scanned, and after a few minutes, it was done.
"How was it, sir?"