3rd person pov
After parting ways with Luke, Duke Argenti and his family followed Jacob to the upper seats where other nobles and VIP guests were seated.
They were guided to a VIP room, usually used for the auctions. When they arrived there were already some guests present.
-Hooo Welcome duke Argenti, we've been expecting you!
-Hello Count Reynes.
The man with an oval silver hair and red eyes like the duke but with a slightly younger face extended his greetings in a happy tone mixed with sarcasm.
The man was Count August Reynes the younger brother of Duke Argenti. Having lost the succession war against his brother, He left the Argenti household to marry the oldest daughter of the Reynes household inheriting their viscount tittle.
Through his achievements in subjugations and connections he managed to obtain the count title and gaining a large piece of land in the Argenti territory.
Unlike his brother, August is a bishop class knight. Given his ineptitude to use magic, he was treated as an outcast by the family despite showing skills superior to his brother to become a successor.
It's no secret that his ambition is to become the head of house Argenti, but he thanks to the existence of the powerhouse that his brother he can't pull any big moves, the only thing he can't do is hope for an advantage to appear.
- I see your demeanor is still the same duke. It wouldn't hurt to show some emotion, especially today that your youngest is about to awaken!
-He's right duke Argenti, it wouldn't hurt to lower the emotionless posture occasionally!
The woman, black with hair and eyes, wearing a finely decorated purple dress with expensive jewelry which complemented her Asian facial features, giving her a beauty that rivaled the duke's wife.
Her name was Yona Reynes the oldest daughter of the Reynes household and August's wife.
-She's right! Especially since your nephew, Breet is also awakening today, he's being praised by his outstanding skill recently, he is sure to become a great mage.
-That aside I haven't heard news from your youngest. I just hope he doesn't disappoint!
*Doommmmmmm
An enormous pressure descended upon the room paralyzing everyone except the duke's family and Yona and August which were kneeling on the ground due to being the target of the pressure.
-Count Reynes…
-Uhhhhgggg
James cold voice echoed across the room.
- I warned you last time to not act friendly with me, we are not related anymore. The same goes for you Lady Yona
Even though Count Reynes was a bishop classs knight, his power paled in comparison to his brother, a 7th rank archmage.
-Alright James that's enough. You are scaring the guests.
The pressure disappeared as soon as James heard the voice.
*Gasp
*Gasp
Feeling the weight subside, Yona and August let out heavy breaths of relief.
-Forgive us Duke, we will be mindful of your actions next time.
'Bastard just you wait I will pay will back all the humiliation I've suffered.'
After apologizing Count Reyes and his wife returned to their seats.
-I don't remember you caring about others well-being Clarissa.
- Well, you're making the mood horrible, so I had to intervene.
- You still worry about useless things.
- And you haven't changed.
The people who weren't aware of the relationship between those two were wandering how can that woman talk to the duke ignoring the difference of status.
With Red long hair reaching up to her waist and deep black eyes. Viscountess Clarissa Redfield was one of the few people who dared to stand up to James.
Despite not matching the duke in magic power, her unique thread magic allows her to manipulate and create threads imbued with various effects, only limited by her imagination. Making her a feared opponent.
Thanks to this magic, she launched her own clothing brand and quicky became a success, making her the number 1 designer in the kingdom and even earning her quite a lot of fame in the other kingdoms.
Also, she and James were classmates in Atlas academy the kingdom's number 1 magic institute.
- The ceremony is about to start, let's take our places.
- Oh, hello Amanda, Sorry I got lost in the moment
-No problem, Miss Redfield, I understand. You and my husband have a long history.
-Sorry about that. Come your seats are next to mine.
following Clarissa, the 4 of them took their places. with George and Helena at one end at Amanda and Clarissa on the other with James in the middle.
-So, it's the youngest turn?
-Yes, he was rather calm, but I know he was excited to finally use magic.
- Well seeing who his parents are, his talent is guaranteed.
- I hope so.
-Well, my daughter is also awakening today, and she was excited!
As they continued their conversation, the. children started taking their seats one by one.
Although Commoners and nobles shared the same room they didn't sat together as such there were tables with only nobles and tables with commoners.
Once all the children sat, a man appearing to be in his 50s went up the stage, he was wearing a white robe, with blue decorations that matched his long white hair and beard, it was the master of the mage tower and the leader of the Argenti mage squad, The 6th rank mage Harold Blake.
- Welcome future of this nation, today we gather here to discover the unpolished gems among all of you. Whether you become a knight or a mage after today we hope that you use those talents to ensure a bright future for our territory and the kingdom
-For those that don't meet the conditions, do not despair as there are many ways for you to contribute to society and live a healthy life! Now let us begin, once your name is called come up to the stage and place your hand on this orb and we will assess your abilities.
A small altar carrying a translucent ball was brought to the center, it was the affinity orb, it can determine the user's mana capacity, its quality and the affinities for elements.
Although one can buy in some specific shops only nobles can afford one that displays accurate information.
One by one Harold started calling the names of children present.
A variety of emotions were displayed on the children's faces: Excitement, happiness, indifference but the most common were sadness, disappointment and despair.
Most came from commoners who didn't have the ability to manipulate mana or lacked the in quality/quantity.
There were lucky ones who had either the minimum or the average required.
Nobles were a different situation, with most showing either above average or great potential. Of course, there were at least five of those who didn't manage to pass but since they were nobles, they had other guaranteed paths to follow.
However, in the upper seats most nobles wore a boring expression on their faces, seemly uninterested in the results below.
Naturally count Reynes didn't miss a chance to fire shots at his brother.
-What a disappointment, I thought we would see more talented people since you are so great brother!!
- I only give them the resources to grow whether they utilize it or not is their fault.
*Tch
Naturally he was ready for his foolish brother's remarks.
-Don't worry dear our son won't be like them.
-Well see about that. It's his turn now.
They all turned to the stage, a young man with black hair and red eyes, excluding a noble aura, is walking up to the ball. Brett Reynes, the only son of August and Yona, naturally he was influenced by his father to hate his uncle and his family and was taught very early to be perfect in every aspect, magic being one of them.
And today is the day he will see his efforts bear fruit.
Placing his hand on the ball, it started glowing in a white color indicating the ability to wield mana. Next the white color gradually stared changing to a shade of blue ending in a light cyan color indicating a high quality of mana.
AN: the closer the shade of blue is to white the higher the quality of mana is.
-Ohhhhh looks like our son already shows great promise, look at that mana quality!!
Naturally his father was happy, not for his son, but for the prestige it will bring his family and one step closer to his goal.
Back to the ball, the color inside started to turn into liquid and filled 2/3 of the area, symbolizing a high mana capacity.
A high capacity and mana quality means a high potential of becoming a high-ranking mage.
Finally, two colored dots of different sizes started appeared in the middle of the ball, one red and one green with red being the one.
He awakened a high affinity for fire and a medium affinity for wind.
- Amazing…
- 2 strong affinities along with high quantity and quality mana…
- Even though his father is different, the blood of the duke still flows in him…
- Reynes county got a bright future…
Both commoners and nobles whispered amongst each other, Harold even wore an expression of impressed on his face.
'As expected of the duke's blood, he has high chances to surpass me with proper guidance'.
Even James couldn't help but comment.
- Not bad.
-Why thank you Duke. It's the result of my son's efforts, I have no doubts he can become a mage as great as your grace.
- If he doesn't carry your incompetence in your blood then he has a chance.
The nobles present widened their eyes at James's statement, they never expected him to fire back at his brother whom he always ignored.
- Both of you please calm down, the ceremony is still ongoing.
Amanda decided to intervene before things escalated, since her husband touched his brother's sore spot.
*Crack.
The auditorium went silent at the sound of something breaking. Turning their attention to the stage was a brown-haired, black-eyed boy with a face you could consider average, in front of the broken affinity orb.
There are only 2 cases in which the orb breaks, either it had a previous defect, or the user has mana way beyond its analytical capabilities.
Since Harold himself checked the device beforehand the second case seems more likely.
-Bring a stronger orb!
The mage's order left everyone wandering who is the kid that broke the orb, since there's only been one case of this happening.
With the new device ready, the boy's hand touched its surface and a bright blue light emerged from it, revealing a clear blue color, indicating the purest mana quality possible for a human.
Without leaving room for reaction the color stated to become liquid and filled the orb to its full capacity.
A perfect mana capacity and quality, even without the results of the elemental affinities, this boy already had a guaranteed future.
But to everyone's surprise six big dots appeared on the orb covering the entire surface. The people present couldn't believe he had high affinities of all 6 elements.
- Hey that thing isn't broken right?
-It's not.
George and Helena, who were quiet the whole event couldn't help but comment on the occurrence. A mix a surprise and anger were shown on the boy's face, he didn't believe that a commoner had greater potential than him.
Sensing the look of everyone the boy lifted a middle finger to the children before leaving the stage.
That gesture made everybody angry, but no one complain since he was the center of the attention now.
Although his awakening was a big surprise, everybody soon calmed down and the event progressed as normal.
But as expected all other awakenings were lackluster due to the miracle showed earlier, even Redfield's daughter didn't make noise despite having affinity for thread magic like her mother.
Finally, it was Luke's turn, since he was the son of the duke its tradition that he went last.
There were some signs of expectations since he was the son of a great mage and a small hope for him to achieve the same results as the commoner boy.
Everybody was focused on the boy as he put his hand on the orb. As a light began to shine and quicky subside from it the results started to appear.
Navy blue color.
Half of the orb filled.
Six small dots.
It was unexpected.