Inside the Magic Tower's rank measurement room, the air was filled with a sense of boredom and routine. A crystal ball sat in one corner, its surface dull from disuse. Two workers, clad in the tower's uniform, were deep in conversation, their voices echoing in the otherwise silent chamber.
"Hey, hey," one worker said, trying to stave off the monotony.
"What?" the other replied, barely lifting his gaze.
"Why are we even stationed here?" the first worker grumbled. "You know the duchess's youngest child is undergoing mana awakening."
"So what? He just went in this morning. Even by the duchess's standards, it'll take at least a month for him to come out," the second worker responded, yawning.
Their conversation was abruptly cut short when a bright flash of light filled the room. Axis, looking slightly disoriented but resolute, appeared in the center of the chamber. The workers jumped to their feet, shock evident on their faces.
"Who are you, and how did you get in here?" one of them demanded, eyes wide.
Axis stepped forward, his voice calm and steady. "I am Axis, Axis Archborn. We… were transported here by a teleportation gate."
'System, where are Caldia and Alnaria?' Axis thought urgently.
{Ding}
{Contracted spirits Caldia and Alnaria have gone into incubation due to their souls being polluted. They require time to adapt to their new forms and replenish their energies.}
'Pollution? They aren't in danger, right?'
{They are not in any danger. The pollution in this case refers to the impurities the soul sustained while outside the body. The spirits have taken the amulet necklace as their bound material, which is currently in the inventory.}
'I see. When will they wake up?'
{It is expected that the incubation state will last for a year.}
"Wait a second, Archborn? Forgive me, it's rude, but might you be the young master Axis, child of the Grand Duchess?" one of the workers asked, his voice tinged with both surprise and respect.
Axis nodded. "Yes, that's me."
The workers exchanged astonished glances. "But how the f— Is this possible? The mana awakening process should take m…r," the second worker muttered.
"Please pardon my companion's behavior while he goes to inform the Tower Master of your arrival," the first worker said, cutting off the second worker while covering his mouth so he wouldn't blab more.
"I do?" the second worker mumbled, still muffled.
"Yes, you do," the first worker confirmed, pushing him towards the door. "Now, while the news reaches the Tower Master, why don't we measure the rank of your potential?"
"Sounds fun. Let's do it," Axis replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
The first worker led Axis to the large, ornate pedestal in the center of the room. The crystal orb on the pedestal pulsed with a vibrant blue light, reacting to Axis's presence. The air grew thick with anticipation.
"Please, place your hand on the orb," the worker instructed, his voice filled with both excitement and reverence.
Axis did as instructed, feeling a surge of energy course through him the moment his hand touched the cool surface of the orb. The orb's light intensified, illuminating the room with a radiant glow. The symbols on the walls seemed to come to life, pulsating with magical power.
"Unbelievable," the worker whispered. "This kind of reaction... it's beyond anything we've ever seen. It's so beautiful, like the lights in the far north."
Axis felt as if the mana in his body were being sucked at a tremendous rate, but strangely, it wasn't draining him dry. It felt like taking a bucket of water from the ocean. If anything, it just made it easier for Axis to feel and gave him more time to get accustomed to how mana felt and how to bring it out.
As Axis focused, the orb's light shifted through a spectrum of colors before settling on a brilliant white, casting a warm glow over the entire room. The symbols on the walls pulsated in sync with the orb, creating a mesmerizing display. And then, in an instant, they all stopped shining, as if they had become lifeless, in stark contrast to the vibrant display moments ago.
Elsewhere in the tower, the vice Tower Master, who had been left in charge during Axis's sister's absence, stirred from his meditation, accompanied by the worker who had come to inform him.
"What is it? Can't you see I am in deep meditation?" the vice Tower Master grumbled, sitting up. He had been napping but didn't want to admit it.
"More like sleeping," the worker muttered under his breath.
Ignoring the comment, the vice Tower Master turned to the worker who had just burst in. "What is so urgent?"
"Master, young master Axis has completed his mana awakening," the worker said, struggling to keep his excitement in check.
The vice Tower Master raised an eyebrow. "Axis? Are you talking about the baby brother of Tower Master Ashborn?"
"Yes, him."
The Tower Master raised an eyebrow.
" Axis, are you talking about the baby brother of tower master Ashborn ?"
" yes him "
" didn't he go to take awakening just this morning ?"
" yes he went in the garden of seals and demons just this morning "
" what time is it now ? "
" there is still some time before the sun sets "
" You have got to be kidding me Take me to him quickly." The Tower Master along with The vice Tower Master quickly followed the worker back to the rank measurement room, where Axis stood, still in front of the now-dull crystal orb. The vice Tower Master's eyes widened as he took in the scene.
"Incredible," he blurted, stepping forward. "Kid, your potential is… average."
"Average?!" muttered all the workers, their surprise mirrored by the vice Tower Master's own expression.
"Yes, average. I've seen better. Now come, and I will explain the results of your rank measurement test," the vice Tower Master said, his tone a mix of irritation and curiosity. "You, guide the kid to my office."
"And who are you?" Axis asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I am the Tower Master, alongside your sister," the vice Tower Master replied. "Of course, I am not as famous as your sister because I choose to stay under the radar."
One of the workers nodded and gestured for Axis to follow. As they made their way through the grand hallways of the Magic Tower, Axis couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and anticipation. What did "average" mean in this context? And what would the vice Tower Master reveal in his office?
Once inside the vice Tower Master's office, an imposing room filled with ancient tomes, magical artifacts, and a large window overlooking the tower's garden, the vice Tower Master took a seat behind his desk and motioned for Axis to sit as well.
"First, let me congratulate you on your successful mana awakening," the vice Tower Master began. "It's an achievement to complete it so quickly. However, your potential, as impressive as it was, falls within a range we consider average for someone with your background."
Axis furrowed his brow. "Average? But the reaction seemed so intense."
"Indeed," the vice Tower Master acknowledged. "But intensity alone does not determine rank. Mana affinity, control, and potential all play a role. Your affinity and control are solid, but your potential, while high, is not extraordinary. This isn't a bad thing. Many great mages started as 'average.'"
Axis nodded slowly, trying to absorb the information. "So what does this mean for me?"
"It means you have a stable foundation to build upon," the vice Tower Master explained. "You won't have the extreme highs or lows that come with more volatile potential. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills steadily and effectively."
"Thank you, Master," Axis said, a distinct displeasure rooted in his voice.
"it's just my opinion the final results for the mana measurement will come out tomorrow
You must be tired. Let Avelie guide you to one of our guest rooms for resting," the vice Tower Master offered.
"Sounds good. Thank you," Axis replied.
Avelie, a worker who had been silently observing, stepped forward and led Axis through the tower's winding corridors to a cozy guest room. The room was furnished with a comfortable bed, a small desk, and a window that offered a view of the garden. As Axis settled in, he couldn't help but reflect on the day's events and what the future held for him in the Magic Tower.
After Axis left the office, the vice Tower Master turned to his superior with a questioning look.
"Why did you lie to young master Axis?" he asked, his tone curious and slightly reproachful.
The Tower Master sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Do you want the truth?"
"Yes," the vice Tower Master replied firmly.
"The kid's potential is monstrous, better than any genius I've ever laid eyes on. He is in a league of his own."
"Then why?" the vice Tower Master pressed, bewildered.
"Because I've seen many future heroes, sages, and warriors meet their demise because they were blinded by their talent," the Tower Master explained, his voice heavy with experience. "I want Axis to grow without the burden of unrealistic expectations. By thinking he's 'average,' he will push himself harder, learn more diligently, and understand the value of perseverance over raw talent."
The vice Tower Master nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. "You want him to stay grounded."