Despite being ignored slightly, Otheman quickly included himself in the conversation letting him agree to part of what they were talking about. He also lowered the profits the twins would earn to five percent. Of course that was mostly because he didn't believe he would even sell much. At most, the twins would earn a few silver coins. At least that was in his opinion.
He also made sure that this wouldn't be permanent as they would only take his profits until the tax exemption from the kingdom was finished. Of course, this also meant he wouldn't use them to help him manage any farms past that point in time.
With everything set the celebration continued without any sign that anything major had happened. And soon everything settled down as night came with some staying while others left as soon as the moon could be seen.
***
"Welcome Aroura! This is your first time in town, so what do you think?"
"It stinks!"
"HAHA!" Despite her reaction being almost the same as the twins, he didn't mind as he simply brought her to experience what the world was like. Although she was only two and a half, she showed her experience with money at the celebration. So with that in mind, he decided to find out if she had the same talent her older siblings had with selling.
"Where is the exam at?" The twins looked at their father with curiosity hoping to get this exam over with. They were way too excited at the idea of going to the Rashit Territory and exploring the place. Being stuck in a town instead of a forest was truly the greatest torture in the twin's minds.
"Yeah, we need to get this over with so we can go and build that farm!" Neither of them truly believed they would attain anything in the test. They both were absolutely certain that they would simply waste today and get to go to Rashit Territory tomorrow.
Seeing how uninterested his children were, Edmund could only give them encouragement. Granted that encouragement was in the only way he could envision it, "Why aren't you both excited? It is a time when your future is defined! Just imagine being a great and powerful sorcerer who can defeat an army!"
Glancing at each other the twins had the same tired eyes. They had been told over and over again that this was an important test that everyone has to take. That the test would define their future, but what is so great about that?!
In an almost robotic tone, Lily spoke while blankly looking at Edmund, "Just get moving and show us the way to the exam."
"But- *sigh* Why can't you kids be normal..." Looking up into the distance he wondered what he could have done to make his children like this.
Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to stay and stare as he was getting pushed to make sure he got the twins to the testing hall.
The testing hall was really just the Church of Mana's chapel that was redesigned for a two day testing experience. The family soon joined in one of the long lines of children who were waiting to be registered.
The process was really fast as they were quickly taken inside the chapel and told to wait. Edmund on the other hand couldn't stay with them and simply waved goodbye while going to set up shop.
**
"So what do you think we will get, talent wise?" Seeing that they were simply stuck waiting Ambrose started talking casually to Lily.
"Probably some trash talent like what our parents have." Lily also bored continued the casual conversation.
"Yeah, I think we might get some very low level talent related to Earth."
"Haha! Is that because you are always getting yourself dirty digging through the dirt?"
"Haha! Yeah, you can think of it that way!"
As they talked and joked others noticed them. Most kids were standing around nervously wondering if their life would improve. After all every parent instills in them that the Mana Exam is the most important test in their lives!
Yet now hearing two people talking so casually about getting trash and low level talents, it really left them speechless. They knew their parents had trash talents and their parents before them, but that didn't stop each generation from wondering if they would be the lucky few!
Every child has a chance of getting a higher talent value than their parents. They could also get lower level talent, but the main effect of talents is the richness of Mana where they were born. If someone is destined to be born with trash talent, but is born in a Mana rich area they would likely have a far higher level of talent.
Of course, the whole reason for the Mana Exam is to find those who were destined to be born with high talents. Before nobles didn't care about those born in low Mana areas, but after a revolution, they were forced to create this program to get the talents out of poverty.
Now all they have to do is make these talents more susceptible to nobility so they no longer consider themselves to be part of the commoners. Next, they can use those talents to work for them and strengthen their rule as well!
All that said, for a commoner the Mana Exam is simply the best path to reach new heights!
"Hey!" After ten minutes of waiting and joking around with each other, someone finally spoke to the twins. "Why are you saying such negative things now?"
"Huh?" The twins looked at the one who spoke in confusion. After all 99% of all people are born with a trash talent. With the low Mana density that is found here it should be obvious that they would probably be born with a trash talent. For them, it was simply common sense.
Seeing their confusion the girl gathered her courage again and asked, "Why are you joking about getting trash talent and even comparing an Earth talent to dirt? I know it is about Earth, but that shouldn't make it so lowly, right?"