*Adam POV*
I still couldn't believe it.
Something that most people deemed impossible. A perfect score.
The evaluation test was notorious for its difficulty and unreliability, some believed it to be far too difficult with the average score being around 45.
There were also many cases of people who got lower scores outperforming those with higher scores.
However, even though it had flaws, the test was good at measuring potential.
The process was conducted by several high-ranking veteran heroes and precise magical engineering.
A high score student would almost always become a big shot hero.
I held the previous record and now it's been broken by these two.
I was proud of my sister but who was this kid?
Was he a descendent of Merlin himself?
These questions occupied my mind.
However, I had one more question.
'How is he so calm during this?'
When the results were being announced I had looked over at Ajax to see his reaction.
I had gotten good at reading his expressions, so I was very confused when I saw him looking perfectly calm.
It was almost as if he already knew what was going to happen.
'There's no way that's true though.'
I thought as I looked over at him.
He seemed pretty interested in whatever was going on at the stage, so I decided to look as well.
'Oh, it's one of these.'
A demo performed by the third-year students.
Multiple archery targets floated in the air as small gusts of wind were balancing it above ground and in front of them were multiple Earthen and plant barriers.
On a rather unstable and moving platform stood a beastkin girl with a bow in her hand and a quiver tied to her back.
On a signal the platform began to sway as the girl attempted to keep up her footing.
She nocked and fired an arrow, flying towards one of the closest targets.
The target was blocked off by vines and most would think it was impossible to hit it.
However, the arrow flew directly through a small opening in the plant like structure destroying the target.
She let go several such arrows, many of them curving around barriers as they destroyed their intended target.
At one point parts of the platform began to crumble and fall, forcing the archer to perform acrobatic shots midair.
For the last target there was a large stone barrier that was impossible to maneuver the arrow around.
She jumped as the last of the platform fell apart, as fire began to envelop her hands, the bowstring and finally the arrow.
*FWSSS*
The sound of the arrow cutting through the air could be heard as the arrow directly impacted the stone wall, resulting in a loud crashing noise and a cloud of smoke.
The archer landed gracefully on the ground as the smoke cleared revealing that the arrow had burnt straight through the rock and incinerated the target.
I clapped lightly at the impressive display as she bowed at the crowd and exited the stage.
'She's definitely worth recruiting.'
A lethal marksman, it would be expensive to recruit her into our guild but not impossible.
Ajax didn't seem to realize this, but his face wasn't the problem when it came to hiding his emotions.
It was his eyes. They weren't very expressive but after spending some time looking for a way to read his emotions, I got pretty good at it.
So, I could tell that he was impressed by the display from his fellow marksman, he probably wanted to be as strong as if not stronger than her soon.
I was also excited to see his progress; with his insane growth speed I knew he could be a top tier hero.
Which is why I was so pissed at Merlin for not letting him into the academy for such ridiculous reasons.
'A fucking spy from another nation, are you kidding me?'
I scoffed whenever I thought of his reasoning.
If they were going to send a spy, why would they send someone as conspicuous as him?
Besides we aren't even at war or in heated tension with any other nation!
That old fool is going senile I swear.
*BANG*
A loud explosion from the display made me look down at the stage again.
Mages stood in a circle as their grimoires floated in front of them, glowing different colors.
A large orb comprised of every element of mana hovered above the stage giving off a brilliant light.
'Oh, that's pretty impressive.'
By instinct I looked over at Ajax to see what he thought about it.
He seemed to be fascinated by the display but also a bit disappointed.
"What's wrong?" I decided to just ask him.
"It's not a combat spell."
He replied quickly, I guess he got used to me reading him.
"Well, yeah, it's meant to wow the crowd not show off the combat ability of a mage. Why do you want to see combat spells?"
Ajax stopped to think before saying.
"I want to see how I would match up against them."
"Pfft!"
I laughed at his reply which surprised him for a bit.
He acted so mature all the time, I forgot he could have such thoughts.
It's childish but not a bad question.
'Warrior vs Mage.'
A debate for as long as awakened have existed.
Warriors are known for their heightened physical abilities.
Mages had them too but even if a mage had B rank agility, they would be out sped by a warrior with C rank agility.
Warriors had inherently higher stats with everything related to physicality like strength, constitution and agility.
Perception was a mixed bag.
Warriors could perceive more inherently with their heightened senses, but mages could process information faster.
Of course, mana capacity was dominated by mages.
So, warriors are better right? They have significantly higher stat floors and ceilings for most of the stats.
Not exactly.
Simply being able to interact with natural mana as mages did was a significant advantage.
Why use a bow and arrow when you can just launch a projectile with your mind?
Of course, there are limits but for the longest time people have considered the two to be equal and the victor in a fight to depend on experience and rank.
Of course, there were bastards who thought mages were better simply because they were rarer but I've beat sense into arrogant fuckers who thought like that many times.
"Duels will happen later on, don't worry."
I was surprised by the kids desire to know.
The question was common, what concerned me was the way he asked.
This was a celebration, an event to enjoy, not an information gathering mission.
Of course, he would have to fight corrupted once he grew stronger and many of them are mages.
However, thinking about such things at a festival was depressing.
I was concerned about him, I saw the look in his eyes when he was looking at Troy, it wasn't natural.
He always looked like he was preparing for a fight, and I haven't for one second forgotten his mana overload condition.
I sighed as I knew there was little, I could do.
I could give him guidance of some kind, friendship maybe but he needs to hang around with people his age.
He needs to loosen up, life isn't just one task after another.
Hopefully his mentality would change but I also was bleakly aware of one fact.
This mentality gives him the highest chance of survival.
I had firsthand seen how this world was changing.
The corrupted gained more ground every day and we just let them.
I felt sorry that the kid who probably had a bleak past.
Would most likely have a bleak future as well.
"Anyways folks that brings us to our first break, please leave the coliseum according to the faculty-"
Corin said as the demonstrations got over and the crowd moved out for lunch break.
Right, there's no point worrying about his future.
That's up to him.
What I can do is make his present more enjoyable.