A portal flashed in a pillared hall, open on all sides. Outside, it resembled a desert, but no heat emanated from it. It was clearly an illusionary space, artificially constructed to ensure the fairness of the competition—or at least, that's what the tower authorities claimed. When Beroid brought the barn chief and his family, several others were already waiting for the test.
A girl with light curly bob-style hair, a bulky kid stuffing himself with candies, and a lean boy taller than Renault by two inches eyed him with palpable hostility. Beroid gestured for Dale and the chief to join the other guardians standing on the outer boundary of the hall.
Renault was asked to wait with the other kids in the middle, where a large pentagon with blue crystal balls suspended above stands at each edge flowed with mana. Beroid stood by the corner, patiently waiting with the others.
