The carriage had unknowingly driven into the bustling commercial district, passing by various restaurants, cafés, bars, and specialty shops. The wide streets were increasingly filled with the bustle of ongoing life.
From ancient classics such as Ichrite Central Station and St. Buriang Cathedral, to modern magic glass curtain buildings, like Hutton's Pedestrian Squares and Erica Tower, the diverse and harmoniously coexisting architectural styles greatly enhanced the skyline of Ichrite.
It was nearing afternoon.
The sightseeing carriage arrived near the Academy.
The legendary Ichrite Magic Academy is located in the heart of the Royal Capital.
There were no walls around the Academy, only this area and all its buildings, which were collectively referred to as the Ichrite Magic Academy.
Lanci, with his luggage in hand, entered the campus alongside Talia.
After a few steps, Lanci seemed to be greeted by the melodious sound of a bell.
The bell chimes came from the iconic Red Brick Bell Tower, tolling only three times before abruptly stopping, signaling it was three o'clock in the afternoon.
The bell tower stood tall in the middle of a vast lawn, surrounded by green trees. The sunlight filtered through the dense leaves and spilled onto the lush green grass, forming a kaleidoscope of light and shadow.
Using the map on the sign, he and Talia walked through a multitude of different buildings.
There was the Gothic-style Sage Academy Tower Library, its exterior adorned with exquisite reliefs and the inside boasting an unknown amount of mysterious literature.
There was also the Victorian-style Knight College's Arena, its pointed arch windows exuding a classical charm.
There was no shortage of modern ones either, such as the Alchemy Biology Laboratory and the Magic Engineering Institute. Taken aback by the magic fluorescent screens forming the walls, displaying the azure sky and the shadows of the surrounding green trees.
After about fifteen minutes of walking.
Lanci arrived at his destination.
It was a large building designed with smooth lines and unique appearance, the shared "Learning and Education Building" of Knight College and Sage Academy.
Lanci and Talia headed to the second floor, the Student Service Center.
With the friendly help of the staff, Lanci quickly completed the modification of his exam information, changing his preferred college from the Alchemy College to Sage Academy.
Next, to complete the full registration for Sage Academy's entrance examination, he had to go to the third floor to undergo attribute testing.
Carrying his small suitcase in his left hand.
Holding the application form and personal information documents in his right hand.
Lanci found the Basic Attribute Testing Room located on the third floor after quite a few turns.
The spacious office was neatly filled with various measuring magic equipment, making it feel more like a radiology room than a magic academy.
Students applying to the Knight College and Sage Academy typically completed the required attribute tests when they applied. As Lanci transferred mid-way, he missed the timing and didn't encounter any other students queuing for the test two days before the examination.
The teacher sitting at the desk behind the office quickly turned her gaze to the two visitors.
"I didn't expect such an impressive new student this year... It seems like Sage Academy has found a gem."
The teacher in the office, responsible for attribute testing, felt very gentle. The moment she saw Talia, her face broke into a delighted and kind smile.
Just the steady, reserved, and unfathomable magic power emanating from Talia alone was enough to astonish her.
"It's not me taking the test, it's him."
Talia said calmly.
"Huh?"
So this young man with the suitcase is the applicant?
Behind the desk, the teacher whose name tag read "Teresa" quickly turned her gaze to Lanci.
"Yes."
Seeing the teacher finally shifting her surprised gazes to him, Lanci gave an awkward smile.
Talia had been roaming around so much that she didn't have any luggage.
Standing next to the human-looking girl Talia with his suitcase, application form, and coupled with Talia's icy aura, it did look like a scene from "The Young Lady and Me."
"Ahem."
Teacher Teresa gave a dry cough, also quite embarrassed.
What led to her misconception was not just visual differences. As magicians, they tended to trust their perception and judgment of magic power more than their eyes.
However, the pitiful magic fluctuation surrounding Lanci didn't give her much hope of him becoming an exceptional magic job-holder.
Even without using professional testing equipment, she, as a senior teacher, could sense that Lanci's magic attribute was weak, but he seemed to have strong spiritual power.
Perhaps... he would be better off becoming a priest?
After all, many of a priest's auxiliary spells are not linked to magic power strength, but to the strength of the spirit.
But if he wants to become part of the clergy, the famous Holy Education Society in the South Continent or the Holy Craftsmanship Institution would be more suitable for his talent than Ichrite Magic Academy.
However, since he's here already, she certainly can't discourage him.
And her job at this moment is to help Lanci complete the attribute test.
If the results of the test meet the overall standards, she would then process his application for the official exam.
Soon, they started and completed the test.
Lanci, apart from having an exceedingly high spiritual growth and decent physical growth, had no natural talent in magic power and strength.
Although spiritual attributes did not carry as much weight as magic attributes in Sage Academy's evaluation of mage professions, due to Lanci's high single spiritual attribute, the weighted calculation still exceeded the pass mark by quite a bit.
So, Teresa started the procedure for his subsequent evaluation.
Lanci was looking at his attribute test results to pass time, waiting for Teacher Teresa to finish her work.
In this world's simplest "four-dimensional test method" -
Magic attributes affect the damage of most spells, healing amount, and enhancement effects.
Strength attributes are directly linked to physical attack power.
While spirit affects mana limit and magic resistance.
Physical fitness is a comprehensive measure of vitality, stamina, and physical defense.
"Classmate, what's your occupation?"
As Teresa was inputting Lanci's specific test results into a tablet-like magic instrument, when it came to filling in the "Occupation" column, she looked up at Lanci and asked.
Lanci had excellent survival skills, but he had no offensive methods.
According to her guess, Lanci probably would not be a profession with strong offensive capabilities, rather, he would be inclined towards providing support and logistical assistance.
Although Talia didn't show it, she also paid a little extra attention to Lanci's answer to the question that was about to be asked.
Because she truly didn't know the answer.
Nor was she clued in about how Lanci would answer.
Crazy sorcerer? Cult priest? None seemed to fit.
Anyway, she could not think of a fitting word to describe the system of cards Lanci had on him at the moment.
"Obviously, I'm a white magician."
Lanci said with a warm smile.
Upon hearing this, Talia, who was standing beside him, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her eyes.
This guy really dared to say it out loud!
If it weren't for the fact that she had already traveled in the human kingdom for so many years, she would first suspect that it was her language understanding that was wrong, not that Lanci was the problem.
What was even more absurd was that Talia did not detect that Lanci was lying.
He genuinely believed that he was a white magician.
Upon hearing this, Teacher Teresa nodded her head with an "I see" expression.
"I see…Actually, I am a healing mage myself. If you get accepted into the Sage Academy, perhaps we will meet in class again."
A sunny and cheerful young lad like him was obviously fitting of a healer with a compassionate heart.
Teacher Teresa gave a smile and handed over the test wristband, which had the recorded information, to Lanci.
Although his healing and buffing abilities might be low, spirit attributes are linked to mana. With an unending stream of spells, his stamina should be sufficient.
Most importantly, compared to other professions, a healer needs to have a gentle and kind heart.
"You can participate in the real battle simulation in the seventh layer with this wristband in two days for the official exam. Although the exam is going to be pretty difficult, I wish you smooth sailing and may the Lady of Destiny bless you."
Teacher Teresa, who was sitting behind the long table, held up her chin with one hand, having a smile on her face, added another sentence.
She believes that all gentle people will receive gentleness in return.
Even if the chances for this young man to stand out and pass the evaluation are slim.
"Alright, thank you."
Lanci nodded in acknowledgment.
Then he and Talia, who couldn't hide the confusion in her eyes, left the building together.