Carl waited in line, lost in thought. He couldn't help but notice a curious detail: there were no other commoners around him. His eyes scanned the adjacent lines, confirming his suspicion. Everyone present wore attire that spoke of wealth and status, reflecting the same quality of clothing that he had acquired by a twist of fate and a young master's misfortune.
"Hey, Damian," Carl called out, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "This exam is free and open to all, right? So why do I only see nobles here? Where are the commoners?" Damian cast a meaningful look toward the academy gate, explaining simply, "They're outside, waiting. Commoners tend to avoid confrontations with the nobility, preferring to wait for us to finish." Carl nodded slowly, a glimmer of understanding shining in his eyes. "I see," he murmured.
"I've never seen a commoner dressed like you. Are you a merchant, perhaps?" Damian inquired, curiosity clearly painted on his face. Carl merely returned the gaze with an enigmatic smile, letting the question hang in the air as he replied with a tone of mystery, "Not exactly. Let's just say luck has recently smiled upon me."
"Next!" the evaluator's voice echoed, interrupting their conversation; it was Carl's turn. He stepped confidently toward the evaluation center. The process, which had taken about forty minutes since his arrival, was meticulously organized, reflecting the precision and rigor of the Academy. Carl, lost in his own thoughts, barely noticed the time passing.
Upon reaching the designated spot, Carl faced an evaluator whose presence exuded wisdom and experience. The man, in his sixties, sported a pristine white beard and graying hair that gave him an air of distinction. He dressed with a dignity that reminded Carl of the wise magicians from legends, and Carl had to suppress a smile as he mentally associated the evaluator's figure with Gandalf, an iconic character from the tales of his previous life on Earth. The similarities were not only physical but also in the authoritative and knowledgeable demeanor of the old master.
"Place your hand on the measuring artifact, young man. Stand still, close your eyes, and concentrate," instructed the evaluator with a voice that carried decades of experience. Carl complied, placing his palms on the translucent crystal sphere, which emitted a soft glow, reminiscent of the divination spheres he knew from movies on Earth. As his skin touched the cool surface of the crystal, Carl felt a subtle energy flowing through him, connecting him to the magical artifact and initiating the evaluation process.
A cold energy, like the touch of winter, began to course through Carl's body, rising steadily and unwaveringly. "Let it flow, young man," advised the evaluator, his voice a nearly paternal whisper that resonated in Carl's consciousness. The sensation was new and unexplored, as if a frozen river were finding its way through his veins. Carl, confident in his adaptability, allowed the energy to follow its natural course, trusting his own instinct and the wise guidance of the evaluator.
As the icy energy reached Carl's shoulders, it began to ascend his neck, bringing with it a heightened sense of clarity and focus. When it reached his head, Carl's mind, already accustomed to the "cold," now felt bathed in eternal winter, a chill that sharpened his concentration and heightened his senses. It was as if every thought crystallized, revealing facets and depths he had never before perceived.
With his eyes still closed and completely immersed in the experience, Carl did not notice the change in the crystal. The sphere began to radiate a prismatic white light, capturing the attention of the evaluator, who watched closely while stroking his beard, pondering what he was witnessing. Damian, overcome by curiosity, stretched on tiptoes, trying to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon. Then, like a gentle breath of wind, the energy disappeared from Carl's body, leaving him with a feeling of emptiness but also filled with a new understanding of magic. It was a transcendental experience, something that Carl, in his previous life, could never have imagined.
Still immersed in the aura of the extraordinary, Carl could hardly believe the intensity of the experience he had just undergone. "Wow, that was really badass," he thought, his mind still echoing with the remnants of the magical energy that had flowed through him. The evaluator, with a solemn gesture, requested, "Your card, young mage." Without hesitation, Carl slid his hand into the pocket of his elegant clothing, retrieving his identification card with a touch of newly discovered pride.
The evaluator, with a skill that only experience could confer, brought the card closer to a glowing surface on the counter. A deep blue magical circle emerged, dancing with lights and shadows as it recorded essential information on the card. The old mage, looking directly into Carl's eyes, began to explain with a voice filled with veiled admiration, "Congratulations, young man. You possess an extremely rare mage core, a transparent core. This will allow you to manipulate all elements, though with limited capacity to specialize in high-level magic. For example, a mage with an elemental affinity to fire will have an innate ability to cast spells of that element. Do you understand the significance of this?"
Carl pondered for a moment, processing the information. "So, basically, I can use all elements, but I won't be exceptionally good at any, right?" he asked, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and mild disappointment. The evaluator nodded affirmatively, a wise smile framing his words: "Exactly. However, this versatility is a gift for an enchanter. The ability to manipulate various elements is invaluable in creating magical artifacts. Rarely have I seen a transparent core mage who did not become an exceptional enchanter. Besides, it's a quite lucrative profession." Handing the card back to Carl, the evaluator continued, "Here you go. Your room number is on the card, which will also serve as your key. Today, you have free time. You could inform your family about the exam result, or if you prefer, head straight to the dormitory. Classes begin tomorrow, prepare yourself for a fresh start, young mage."