The person in front of Seth was a man most students only dreamt of seeing during their graduation, the principal of this great school and a terrifying mage but the first thing Seth was asking him was why he was called upon.
The man looked at Seth with complicated expressions but soon gave an answer that Seth could only agree with. "First of all, you produced a core at age ten. That's even earlier than your sister who's believed to be a genius of a century. And secondly, even though you've shown a lower growth compared to other talented individuals of your level or lower, your potential is still nothing to scoff at."
'In the end, I think I might've been a bit forward when I showed my mana core at age ten.' Seth sighed inside. His level of growth—seen by others was average for someone who had immense talent.
The only way to fix that would be to bring him to the institute early enough and have him taught by the best teachers available. That way, his growth will rise rapidly while maintaining a solid foundation, just like his older sister, Rachel.
As if Rintoff had read Seth's mind, he continued. "When we find talent of your caliber, we bring them in early enough to correct any mistakes that might've occurred while you were just growing. We offer the best teachers and assure you that you'll grow explosively while maintaining a stable foundation."
'Yeah, that much is deducible.' Seth nodded.
But he had to act surprised. "Really?" Seth asked, feigning happiness with his eyes wide open.
"Of course… that's certain." Principal Rintoff said as he stroked his white beard.
"Now, if that's all your questions, I'll explain a few things to you. First, you'll be going through the normal registration process even though we've brought you here specially. Your registration will even be a bit harder. I'm sure you know why." He glanced at Seth who nodded to show his understanding.
After Seth nodded, the principal continued. "Second, although you'll be having classes along with other students, you'll also be having private lessons so expect your schedule to be different and filled to the brim. I'm sure you also know why."
"Thirdly…"
The pressure in the room started to rise and Seth quickly noticed that but acted like he was terrified.
Well, he was terrified but not at the current pressure. Even though Seth had been training from childhood, he was nowhere near this man's level.
The pressure wasn't so severe since he could withstand it but he didn't do that unless he wanted more attention coming his way.
"...don't think for a second that you're free to break a rule because you're being treated specially. I'll personally see to it that you're punished if such a thing were to occur. Is that understood?" Rintoff asked at the end of his warning, retracting his pressure on the surrounding.
"Yes, principal." Seth said with his head down, still acting as if the pressure had shaken him.
"Good. You may leave. The escort will take you through the registration process." The principal was now smiling as he looked at the current 'calm' and 'reserved' Seth.
"Thank you." Seth rose to his feet before bowing to the principal. He raised his head and walked away behind the escort as the door swung open.
"By the way, if you need anything, feel free to come meet me at any time." The principal gave out one last sentence. One that brought an endless smile to Seth.
'I'll be meeting you plenty of times in the future.'
"Thank you, Principal Rintoff." Seth said one more time before walking out of the open door.
The room returned to silence after the door closed and slightly darkened.
Principal Rintoff remained in his seat with a grin on his face. "Three great talents from the Samiels. It seems like they're experiencing a golden generation."
"They aren't the only family producing such talents recently but this one is special. Hohoho… the institute would be getting noisy for a while." Rintoff chuckled and went back to his usual work. Going through documents in his office and approving what needs to be approved and disapproving what needs to be.
*****
Seth was taken to an entirely different building that was quite a distance away from the Principal's building.
Along the way, he met hundreds of students and even a few teachers, most of which were attracted to his arrival.
The two of them arrived in front of a round building two stories tall but over a hundred meters wide.
[Registration Center] was written above the door which Seth entered after a moment's notice.
The building was almost empty of humans except for a handful of people that worked there.
Seth and his tall, light-skinned escort made their way to the counter.
Thud.
The escort's entire left arm landed on the counter as the man stared at the lady who didn't seem to have noticed them.
"Welcome to the registration Center, how may I…
"Shit!" The lady yelped when she saw the man in front of her.
"Sorry about that. How may I help you sir?" She asked. It was obvious that she knew this person and he was a senior in terms of work since he was directly under the principal.
"The principal says he needs a level two registration. Make it quick dinner I have to take him to another place soon." The man's voice was surprisingly deep. This was also Seth's first time hearing him speak.
*Yes, yes. Uhm… a level two?" Only after answering did she seem to understand the request.
"Is there a problem with that?" The man asked.
"No. There's none." She turned to Seth. "Please, come with me."
'Since he was sent here by the principal himself, he should be able to pass the level two tests.'
She brought him closer to a round device as she measured and checked his mana core.
Pure. Very pure and… Clas Two?
It wasn't just class Two. He was barely a Class Two core holder. She was shocked.
The level two registration test required a person to be a genius at the peak of Class Two or early Class Three but the boy in front of her was none of those. She was even beginning to doubt he was recommended by the principal but checking the purity of his core again, she gulped down any words that wanted to leave her mouth.
In all her years here, she had never seen a mana core with such pure mana.
"Excuse me, but can we proceed to the next step?" Seth's question pulled her out of her dreamy state.
"Ah, sorry, the next step should be magic potency." She said, bringing him along to a different part of the stupidly large room.
"Try casting a Class Two spell on that mannequin. It can detect and gauge the potency of the spell you use." She told him and he did just that.
He condensed a ball of fire and two seconds later, it was on its way to the mannequin.
His casting speed terrified her but what shocked her, even more, was the potency of the spell.
Boom.
The ball of fire landed on the mannequin, enveloping it in flames.
Was she supposed to believe such firepower came from a fourteen-year-old boy that was barely Class Two?
'I guess there are all types of oddities.' She surmised as she brought him to yet another test.
*****
"My god." She kept scribbling as Seth stood alongside the escort, waiting for her to finish her report.
"Well, how was it?" The escort asked seeming to be in a hurry.
"He passed with flying colors. It was absolutely fantastic." She said grinning from ear to ear.
"We'll be leaving then." The man turned and walked away, heading for the door.
"Check in regularly Seth!" She shouted before Seth walked out of the door.
'No, thank you.' he answered in his head.