The next day there were no surprises and both Zonna and Etiene received confirmation of their results. They were delivered to their residence by a messenger. From now on they were officially accepted to Raalo Academy. After receiving this information, they went to the immigration office to exchange their temporary IDs for permanent ones.
They then headed to the Academy. One more formality remained. Every Academy student, after being officially admitted to the school, has his magic potential checked. If he has enough mana to become a mage he can ask for a ritual to be performed for free at the nearest mage tower. Raalo Academy has its own way of checking mana, which is more accurate than the mages in the towers. In addition, it allows you to assess whether someone has a chance to become a mage at all.
After arriving at the school, the princesses headed to the administration building. On the spot, they finalized their registrations as students and went to the magic section to check their mana levels. On the spot they found a bearded, yellow-robed mage who was Grun. His appearance was characteristic of his race: green skin, black hair and red eyes. In addition, repulsive to many, his lower fangs protruded from his mouth. He was a professor working on mana theory. The guide who brought them in introduced them.
"This is Professor Berner, he will check your mana levels. This is Zonna Sochi and Etiene Zerom, the new students. I think you will hit the exit, goodbye." She left hastily, not wanting to be in the company of Grun, who was repulsive to her.
"Eh, twenty years I've been teaching and they still haven't gotten used to me." Said the professor, who is the only Grun in the Academy, under his breath. "Let's take care of you, which one first?"
Zonna looked after a slightly withdrawn Etiene and volunteered to check her pitiful mana level.
"Since you're students, do you want to know the difference between our way of evaluating mana and the magus in the towers?" Berner asked without expecting a positive answer. He has been in the business of checking mana levels for ten years and only two people have taken an interest. They now belong to the elite among young mages.
"If it's a possibility, it's a pleasure Professor." Zonna said enthusiastically, to which Etiene responded by rolling her eyes smiling. She didn't resent Zonna, because if the topic had been about Altea she would have done the same. Berner looked puzzled, then set about explaining with a smile.
"Magus in the towers personally check a person's mana. Usually this is done by the mages of the middle circle, but they are not accurate in their measurements, besides they only focus on whether someone can become a mage or not. Our method is different. We use a special magic item called the Eye of Mana. It examines the mana level on a point scale, if you have a hundred and above then you can perform the ritual. In addition, thanks to the Eye of Mana, we are able to assess whether someone has a chance through mana training to become a mage."
"Really, then let's get started, quickly." Said Zonna with an enthusiasm rare for her, but appropriate for a Maji of her age. Etiene only smiled.
Puzzled by the behavior of the younger princess, Berner led the young women to the room with the Eye.
"You have to put your hand on the device, that spherical part, yes, okay. Now we have to wait a minute, after that we will know the result, and I will be able to look into the magic zone inside you."
"The magic zone?" Etiene was surprised to hear the term for the first time.
"It is the place in every living being on the continent where the movements of mana cycles take place." The professor calmly replied.
"Thank you for the explanation." Etiene whispered timidly. Berner only smiled. He rarely gets students who treat him normally and not like a necessary evil. One is a magic enthusiast and the other is a curious, shy girl. Magis began to like them and hoped they would choose his classes.
Suddenly the Eye of Mana began to glow and a number showed on it. It was thirty-one. Zonna sighed, she had trained mana for years, consuming a huge amount of money. She thought she was closer to her dream. The reality turned out to be brutal. She didn't even have a third of the required mana!!! This hurt, it hurt a lot. However, this was not the end of the bad news.
"My child," he began slowly with compassion and a sad expression on his face, "I'm sorry to say this looking at you, but I looked with the help of the Eye into you and..." Professor Berner suspended his voice, it was hard for him to destroy the dreams of a person clearly interested in magic.
"Professor please tell me what you saw." Zonna said in a pleading tone.
"The magic zone within us forms a certain protective barrier around the mana cycles in Maji. The more damaged this barrier, having more cracks the better. Thanks to them, the mana from the cores has a chance to join the rotation of mana in our body, in addition gently magnifying the damage in the barrier. When we say, talent and skill in mana training, what we are really talking about is how damaged the barrier is and the skillful channelling of mana into the cracks of the barrier. Inside the barrier, mana itself already begins to circulate in a cycle without our interference. The Eye of Mana is able to show this barrier. Unfortunately, in your case, dear child, this barrier is almost intact. In order for it to be crushed, a huge amount of mana would be needed, more than the strongest magicians of the great circle possess. Unfortunately, this process would kill you. I'm sorry." Said the professor sadly, seeing Zonna's blanching face.
This was too much for her, her dream collapsed with these words. She will not become a magician, it is not meant for her. Although she had known this for a long time, when she didn't feel progress after training, it was a blow to her. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her knees bent under her and she landed on the ground. Sebastios and Ramza had sad faces, feeling sorry for her. Marzee, who was standing nearby, had red eyes; she had known Zonna the longest and knew best of those present what pain the young princess was experiencing. Etiene ran up to her and hugged her tightly. She began to speak warmly to her.
"Everything will be fine Zonna, don't hold it in, cry" After these words Zonna hugged Etiene and began to sob loudly. This was the end of the young princess' dreams.