Archmage Alendoria appeared beside Alden explaining the full terms of the challenge. ""Your challenge is to teleport yourself between these platforms in reverse order from fifty-one to one. However, you will skip two each time you jump. Thus, you will each start with platform fifty-one then forty-eight, forty-five, forty-two, and so on back to platform one. Once you have reached platform one, you will begin forward skipping one. one, three, five, and so forth until you reach fifty-one then you will begin again at number two until you reach platform fifty. Normally, I would have you leap by seventeen from fifty-one back to one, but seeing as one of you is a master of arithmancy, this would be unfair to the rest of you." she looked to Von whose face turned pink. "I'll tell you, each platform has something different about it, whether it be gravity, time, orientation, or associated element. Each is different." Once again for emphasis, the elven archmage stated, "remember, each platform is different."
With these words, the group found themselves teleported to the silver platform in the center, the starting point for the challenging teleportation sequence. As Archmage Alendoria raised her hand and signaled the start of the contest, all six challengers teleported simultaneously to the first platform, number fifty-one.
From platform fifty-one, the group swiftly teleported to the angled platform forty-eight, where the challenge intensified with peculiarly heavy gravity. The contenders, adapting to the altered conditions, showcased their magical prowess in the face of gravitational challenges.
The teleportation sequence continued, leading them to the upside-down platform forty-five. Here, the contenders navigated the disorienting shift in orientation, displaying agility and adaptability in the face of magical complexities.
Upon reaching platform forty-two, where gravity was completely inverted and time slowed, the challenge became more demanding. The contenders faced the obstacle with determination, but the combined conditions caused some to stumble. Two of the students briefly lost their footing, tumbling toward the ground before swiftly teleporting back to the previous platform to reorient themselves.
Although he was already in the lead having just jumped from platform three to fifty then forty-seven while his next closest challenger was at nine, Von seized the opportunity to gain an advantage, adding a touch of chronomancy to the mix. With a subtle manipulation of time, he increased his speed ever so slightly relative to the world around him. The effect was subtle enough to escape notice, but significant enough to propel him ahead in the teleportation sequence.
As the teleportation challenge continued, Von, leveraging his mastery over mathematics, effortlessly calculated and located the proper platforms. His arithmetic proficiency allowed him to anticipate several platforms ahead, eliminating the need for real-time calculations. The spectators below this grand contest were quite amazed as they had been lucky enough to be a witness to a display of both mathematical precision and magical finesse as Von swiftly navigated the platforms.
With each teleportation, Von's awareness extended several steps ahead, allowing him to plan his jumps with strategic precision. The ethereal spheres above, attuned to the unfolding events, pulsed with the energy of his calculated movements.
The other challengers, though skilled in their own right, found themselves trailing as Von's calculated and strategic approach propelled him forward. The teleportation challenge became a showcase of not only magical ability but also the clever use of arithmancy and chronomancy.
As Von approached the latter stages of the teleportation sequence, his lead became even more pronounced. By the time his closest competitor reached platform thirteen, Von was already halfway through the second sequence, skipping one platform at a time.
However, the dynamics of the challenge shifted as one of the other students, recognizing the growing lead, introduced a hint of aeromancy. The magical manipulation affected platform ten, making it difficult for Von to judge its precise location. This unexpected obstacle also disrupted his closest competitor, who found herself facing an additional challenge.
Thinking quickly, the challenger closest to Von, Yavanna, added a touch of chronomancy to her efforts, significantly increasing her speed. The additional burst of speed allowed her to catch up to Von just as they both aimed for the rotating platform ten.
Von, undeterred by the sudden change in dynamics, accelerated to an even faster speed. As they both approached platform ten, he executed a swift and precise leap, landing and taking off before his competitor could match his movements. The combination of chronomancy and mathematical precision ensured Von maintained his lead, securing his position as the frontrunner in the teleportation challenge.
In a display of masterful chronomancy, Von drew on the power of his hourglass, weaving an intricate blanket of amethyst time energy around platform ten. With precise manipulation, he brought time to a complete halt in the vicinity, creating a localized time freeze just before his closest competitor could make her landing.
Yavanna, scowling at the mysterious loss of time in the teleportation challenge, observed her fellow contenders with suspicion. As she looked around, she noted that everyone, except Von, was together on platform ten. The realization sparked a moment of speculation in her mind.
'Could he be the one who did this? No one can possibly have so many affinities,' Yavanna thought, contemplating the unusual turn of events. The localized time freeze had disrupted the natural flow of the challenge, casting doubt and confusion among the competitors. Determined to unravel the mystery and perhaps seek retribution for the disrupted challenge, she focused her attention on the ongoing teleportation feats.
As the other four challengers continued with the teleportation sequence, they remained completely unaware of the localized time freeze that had affected platform ten. From their perspective, they had seemingly caught up to Yavanna and the boy they had challenged. The sudden change in dynamics puzzled them, but without the knowledge of the time manipulation, they were left to wonder how they had seemingly closed the gap with their competitors.
The boy they had challenged, Von, continued his swift and calculated progress through the remaining platforms. His lead, established through a combination of arithmancy, chronomancy, and strategic thinking, remained significant. Meanwhile, the nexus buzzed with a mix of anticipation and admiration as the teleportation challenge approached its climax.
Von, having already completed the teleportation challenge and now working on the final stretch, moved with precision and speed. His mastery over arithmancy and chronomancy had propelled him into a significant lead. As Yavanna tried to make sense of the situation, she realized the distraction was only making her fall farther behind.
To the spectators, it appeared as though time had paused for her, giving the impression of a sudden stop as she landed on the platform. Others in the challenge continued to move, taking advantage of this apparent delay. Once all the challengers were together on platform ten, Von released his temporal weaving, allowing time to resume its normal flow.
During these crucial moments, Von had not wasted any time. He had already completed the teleportation challenge, leaping back to the silver platform, and was working his way backward from platform fifty-one to one, skipping platforms by seventeens.
As his closest challenger, again Yavanna, began the final count, reaching number two counting by twos, Von was already at eighteen, just one leap away from completing all three sequences, including the third unnecessary one. Making the final jump, those watching applauded as he landed again on the silver platform in the middle, applause filled with a mix of astonishment and admiration, bore witness to Von's exceptional command over time and arithmancy.
As he touched down on the silver platform, the applause continued, acknowledging his exceptional command over time, arithmancy, and spatial magic. The ethereal spheres above resonated with the lingering energies of the magical display.
Promptly, Von found himself teleported to stand beside Alendoria, who greeted him with a raised eyebrow and a playful comment, "Showoff." The two mages shared a moment of camaraderie, acknowledging Von's extraordinary performance in the teleportation challenge.
As the remaining contenders completed their circuits, each landing on the silver platform in the center, they too were teleported to stand between Archmage Alden and Archmage Alendoria. Alendoria, well aware of the spatial magic prowess of each adept in the challenge, observed the students with a knowing gaze. This half version of their adept test, sprinkled with twists, served as a formidable test of their magical abilities.
Upon the arrival of the final competitor in the challenge, the elder with the scroll stepped forward. "In the challenge of choromancy, Von has defeated all opponents. His skill has proven to be at least that of an adept tier choromancer. After you have lost or beaten all of your challengers, please return to the tower for an appropriate focus. Congratulations."
'Congratulations? She told me "congratulations" this time. Does this mean I exceeded her expectations?' He pondered if this had significant meaning, or if perhaps the woman was showing a little emotion finally.
Considering everying which had happened over the last few days, Von's victory didn't come as a shock to Alendoria. However, the swiftness with which he completed the challenge, even managing to undertake the final challenge before others could finish the initial legs, did catch her by surprise. The unique blend of skill, speed, and strategic thinking showcased by Von had set him apart in the magical contest.
As Von stood before Alendoria, she couldn't help but marvel at the young man's extraordinary abilities. The swiftness with which he completed the teleportation challenge and the diverse range of magical affinities he demonstrated continued to leave an impression on the elven archmage. Von's unique blend of skill, speed, and strategic thinking set him apart in the magical world, showcasing a mastery well beyond the ordinary.
She reflected on the myriad of magical disciplines Von displayed throughout the challenges. His proficiency in choromancy, spatial magic, had been evident in the just completed teleportation challenge. Before this, he had been elevated to a master in arithmancy during the second contest, demonstrating his command over mathematical magic. In the first test, he showcased an unusual level of capabilities in geomancy, aeromancy, hydromancy, and pyromancy. His proficiency in myalomancy, he demonstrated with the defeat of the cerebrenth demon lord, and his adept, if not higher use of aimamancy or blood magic, which raised concerns with even Hellyne, added to the list of his formidable talents. Furthermore, his manipulation of time through chronomancy, evidenced by their tutoring session granting him more than four days of classed during a mere two hours, revealed another layer of his magical prowess.
Archmage Alendoria couldn't help but wonder if there were any limits to Von's capabilities. The breadth and depth of his magical knowledge and skills surpassed expectations, raising both admiration and, perhaps, more than a hint of concern. As she contemplated the young mage's potential, she realized his capabilities might be more significant than she initially thought and truly hoped they made the right choice.