1st person Pov:
Mana readings: E
That's my result of the first test that tests mana control and the mana pool of a person. Though I had complete control over mana, I saw that the person in front of me was letting out his mana and not controlling it properly. He was wasting it, yet the instructor praised him for having good control of mana. It seems the definition of mana or energy control is quite different from mine in this world.
I somewhat did the same. I let my mana leak out but still absorbed it by guiding it back, but the instructor didn't notice it. The reading I got was E which was a genius thing for someone of my age. The term genius just for that shows this world's level.
We arrived in a hall that was big as ten houses. There were different sections, and many people were taking tests in their designated field sections. I headed to the magic section. I decided to take both tests for warriors and mages.
"State your name and your realm of magician?" The invigilator for this test asked me. "Roy Ashen. Realm Acolyte" I stated the first realm for mages. It was good this way. I didn't know my real realm anyway as I had not tested it yet.
"Very well. Perform a basic spell." What's with this person? Is he so bored of doing this? Whatever. I conjured the basic spell or the only spell I had that was not supportive and shot it at the target that was erected near the invigilator.
I didn't add any mana to increase its size or range, but still, it was good enough it seems. Level 3 fireball is stronger than level 1. But why is the instructor's mouth open? Why is everyone looking at me? I don't understand. Was it more pathetic than they had thought?
What can I do? It's the only spell I have. "Chant less incantation." Someone said from the crowd that was growing around me. What was that? Chant less incantation? I don't think I have heard of this term before. I was quite confused when I heard Cynthia's voice from behind me. "Little Roy. It seems you are not aware. Chant less incantation is only possible in the Archmage realm."
What? Was there such a rule? Then why wasn't it mentioned in the book about mages that I read? Now that I think about it, I never asked this question but always assumed that spells can be cast just by thinking as Carla does the same. Crap. How am I going to deal with this?
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"Here are your cards. Miss Coro is an S-class adventurer while Mr. Roy's Class has been graded as D. Congratulations." Everyone around us looked at us with revered eyes. Two reasons. One, Cynthia is an S-class awakened which means she is on the same level as a sect master. And these people are treated like supreme beings.
Two, because of my results. Apparently, mages can't cast spells without chanting. Who knew? No one told me. So, I was branded as a genius blessed by the goddess. If that was not enough, then the spell that was basic as the word basic can get, was purer as the word pure can get with damage output on par with the spells from Medicum level mages. I was again branded as a heavenly genius.
If that was not enough, the mana consumed for each casting was not even half of what is needed for the spell usually. Again, another title was added which I am not too keen to say. All in all, this actually helped in my plan. My plan of standing out. And not to mention that I have an S-class by my side. I don't have to worry about being targeted or forced to work for someone. And no one would be gutsy enough to rip me off.
"Thank you very much, Miss Celine." I thanked the receptionist who had tended to us while Cynthia handed her a pouch of coins while she said, "Thank you for guiding us." I asked her to do that. Now, this poor girl had to leave her post to guide her by wasting her precious time. She deserved thanks. Not to mention she is quite a beauty. Not on the level of other women that I know, but a beauty, nonetheless.
"Can you show us some quests that are related to monster hunting? I'd prefer if the monsters are at most of Rank-D." Cynthia told Celine our task requirements. I needed to raise my level. Those E-Rank low-level monsters were 12 to 15 levels at most. Not enough for a decent Exp at this stage. I figured mid-level E-Rank or even high-level wouldn't be of much help.
D-rank. My strength is determined to be of this rank. But since I am much better in hand-to-hand fights, my strength is much more than that. I can aim for higher-level monsters but then that would be a bit too much attention. At most in these two years, I am only hoping to get a gold card.
Adventurers' cards are divided by rank and color. F-E ranks get bronze. D-C rank gets silver. B rank gets gold. A rank gets platinum. And S class and higher get Diamond. The privileges that come with these cards are obviously higher with each level. Cynthia got a Diamond card. No matter where she goes, she will be welcomed and prioritized by all the guild branches. No taxation on her hunt. No need to pay for staying at a guild-affiliated inn with all the services and a few more but not as big as these ones. Not to mention the respect. A diamond adventurer is no less than a sect master. And to think that my Family has many such people as servants. They are truly monsters.
The gold card is my goal. This will keep me in a modest light. Not too bright, not too dark. People would approach me but won't be able to force me.
"There is a colony of monsters in the western part of the county, the reward is adequate, but we don't know what the rank of the lead monster is. Usually, we do not recommend it for D-Rank adventurers, but since there is also Miss Coro, so if you would like, I recommend this task as your first one." She explained the task. The reward is only five hundred gold coins and since I am the one taking the task, not Cynthia, the tax applied will be 30 percent, as it is for silver adventurers.
"We'll take it." Money isn't an issue anyway. The real gold that I want, is the gold given by the system.
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