One late morning, Mariel was reviewing all 9 textbooks that she had re-read over and over to prepare for the entrance exam for a high school of magic that tens of thousands of students wanted to attend.
Knock! Knock! There was a knock on the door.
"Come in." Mariel responded.
"You read the book diligently. Is it ok to take a break?" Claudia opened the door with a plate of cookies from the oven which included a glass of jasmine tea for her daughter.
"I will rest after the exam is over, Mom. Just a few days left before taking the entrance exam for the High School of Magic." Mariel replied, while biting a cookie.
"It's been almost 2 years now that my daughter has been practicing swordsman class skills and reading textbooks, but you already grew into a young woman and made me remember when I was 15 years old." Claudia said, touching her daughter's face with care.
"Mom." Mariel was a little embarrassed at being caressed on the cheek by her mother.
"During our period time, I couldn't attend the Terios School of Magic because this school was very difficult to attend and only accepted 500 people, Mom and Dad had to go to the number 3 magic school called Sirius School of Magic instead." Claudia said.
"Your dream, I will make it successful of it. Trust me!" Mariel said with confidence.
*Kiss*
"Thank you, my dear." Claudia said after kissing her daughter's forehead affectionately.
In the evening, Segal arrived at the house before the entrance exam this time because he would follow them and encouraged his sister. The conversation at the dinner table was full of confidence and Mariel said that she would certainly pass the exam. Claudia cooks all Mariel's favorite foods to boost morale before exams.
"Go to bed early, Mariel and Segal. Take it easy, clear your mind and don't have to worry about anything. I believe you can do it." Deric said encouragingly.
"Of course, Dad." Mariel replied with a smile.
"Go for it, sis. Cheer up!" Segal said, patting Mariel on the shoulder gently.
"Thank you very much, brother." Mariel replied.
That night, Mariel went to bed early and slept all night. There was no expression of concern at all. In her dream was that she had passed the exam, and her parents and Segal came to congratulate her.
The next morning, after eating breakfast, the four of them prepared to leave for the capital city together. Deric, Claudia, and Segal woke up at dawn to finish their routine in the barn early.
They rode a car all the way to the capital city and then drove into the northeast, where they had to take a special school bus to go in because the distance is quite far.
"Normally, the places where we come to buy things for our homes are only a small part of this capital. This city is very large, it took almost all-day walking and still finished to discover this whole city." Derick said.
The large bus that they went up and sat down was full of parents, male and female students the same age as Mariel. Everyone came together to take the entrance exam for a high school of magic.
"I want to enter the 4th Magic School."
"I'm going to try and attend in 2nd School of Magic."
"I will take the exam to attend Terios High School of Magic."
The sound of talking could be heard throughout the bus. Each student has different goals for entering a high magic school.
"We're here." the bus driver said.
When everyone got off the bus, in front of them was a large, white-colored building with 10 floors that was prepared to accommodate students for the entrance exams each year. There were more than 7 of these buildings.
"It's really big." Mariel stood stunned by the enormous size of the exam building this time.
"I miss our old days, dear." Claudia said, reminiscing.
"That's right. In those days, I still had to sit with you who tutored me for exams." Deric said.
"Well, you kept playing with your friends. We almost didn't even get into the same place." Claudia complained.
"I was be situated on the borderline, Lol." Derick said, laughing.
Mariel registered for the exam and checked her personal identification number at the large entrance. There were more than 10 officers who checked the 10 rows of students.
"Mom and Dad will be waiting outside, dear. You can use this brooch to send a message to Mom and Dad after you was out from the exam room." Claudia said as she handed her daughter a colorful flower brooch.
Mariel received it and knew that it was a brooch that would send a signal to Claudia's magic staff. It indicated that she had completed the examination and would know the location where they could meet.
"It looks convenient." Mariel said, keeping her brooch and carrying the bag on the side of her body. Then she waved to everyone and walked into the exam building area.
Mariel walked inside and found that this area was very spacious. Thousands of students walked to each building according to their registered number. A small garden for relaxing or reading a book was available. Including various food and beverage restaurants for those who have not eaten breakfast as well.
"Number 1579, Building 2." Mariel looked down at the registration card in her hand and followed the signs that clearly marked each building.
"Be careful!" a female student shouted at a group of students who bumped into her, several books fell out of her hands and dropped to the floor.
"Sorry." The group of students apologized and walked away without helping her to take the books.
Mariel saw this in front of her and immediately went to help that female student.
"I'll help you." Mariel said.
"...thank you." The female student looked up for a moment and then thanked her.
After seeing her face clearly, Mariel immediately is stunned because this female student is very beautiful, so cute, and has a long brown ponytail but there is also sadness in her eyes.
(Oh my god! This girl is cute and beautiful. I feel like I've met an angel. I really want to get to know her.) (Chai thinking)
"My name is Mariel De Stella. Nice to meet you." Mariel introduced herself.
"Beatrix J. ReinHardth." the female student introduced herself.
"Which building did you take the exam?" Mariel asked further.
"I took the test in Building 1 and got number 452." Beatrix said.
"Oh, I took the exam at Building 2 nearby." Mariel said.
"Then good luck with the exam." Beatrix said, waving her hand before preparing to enter Building 1 that is in front of her.
"You too, see you soon." Mariel said goodbye, waving to Beatrix as well.
Mariel seemed more encouraged when she met Beatrix. Then it didn't take long to arrive in front of Building 2 for the entrance exam.
"Room number 15." Mariel said after walking to the second floor and stopping in front of room number 15. Then she put her bag on the shelf of the cabinet with the student's number in each compartment and picked up the stationary box which had pens, pencils, and eraser. After locking the key, she brought the key into the examination room too.
The male and female students each had very serious expressions on their faces because this entrance exam is like their future. The more you study in a high-level magic school, the better that they will be accepted by society for their reputation and knowledge more than others. Mariel sat with her eyes closed. Take it easy, don't stress and prepare herself both mentally and physically for the exam that will start in a few minutes.
Each exam room has approximately 100 students taking the test, with 5 examiners of the exam to see if there is any fraud.
*The sound of the doorbell rang throughout every building. *
"You can start taking the exam!" the examiners said loudly.
The papers were then sent to each student's desk, and they began to do it immediately.
"It's all right, Mariel." Mariel told herself in her mind, ready to take the exam with confidence.
Half a day had passed. Mariel took all 5 subjects and walked out of the building with an expression of confidence that she could do it. Then she used a brooch to signal Claudia, and everyone who stood in front of the main gate.
"It's not difficult at all, very easy." Mariel said, hungry, as she started eating the lunch which Claudia had made.
"In the afternoon, there are 4 subjects left and then the Qi and Magic Power testing. You can do it, sis." Segal looked at all the exam regulations and spoke.
"I'll show you the full score for the last one." Mariel said confidently.
"You can do it, my dear." Claudia encouraged her daughter.
"Oh, I met a friend too. She was also a girl named Beatrix J. ReinHardth." Mariel said.
"ReinHardth?" Deric said as if he remembered something.
"I heard about this too." Claudia said, turning to face Deric.
"What happen?" Mariel asked curiously.
"Several months ago, her father was Ethan J. ReinHardth, a nobleman who held a large position in a city further north. He was just sentenced to death for internal financial corruption." Deric explained.
"What???" Mariel was stunned by what she heard.
"I heard news that his wife, a daughter and a maid came out of that city. Then they kept quiet. No one has heard any news until today. I didn't think she'd take the entrance exam here too." Deric added.
"And is it true? Dad." Mariel asked.
"I'm not sure but the news on television told us about this." Deric.
Mariel couldn't believe this was true, but she still didn't want to judge from listening to this, so she stopped thinking about it and just focused on the afternoon exam instead.
Almost an hour had passed, and a warning bell sounded immediately.
"It's time for the exam. I'll go now, see you everyone." Mariel said, hugging Derik, Claudia, and Segal, then she walked through the main gate and went to the exam building.
As soon as she walked through Building 1, she saw Beatrix and her face looked sad, not concerned with anyone. Then immediately walked up to the building.
"It's okay. After the exams are over, I should find a chance to meet her again." Mariel said.
When she went up to the second building, she took another 4 exams in the afternoon, which was a piece of cake for her. Mariel passed the exam with complete confidence. Then the examiner told everyone to take out their bags and walk to a large building where was back of this school. Inside, there were thousands of students waiting in line to do a one-on-one physical and magical test.
Each student was called into an outpost testing area with multiple barriers; they all had both advantages and mistakes, depending on each person's skills.
"Mariel De Stella!" The Wizard Examiner called out her name.
"It's me!" Mariel answered as she carried her sword towards the test station in front of her.
"A woman with a sword? Not a ward?"
"Look! that's a swordswoman."
"Will she be, okay?"
Several voices spoke from behind, as if surprised to see a female swordsman, since almost all of them were Wizards class but Mariel isn't interested on them, instead she wants to prove everyone know that how strong she is.
The examiner also had a surprised expression on her face but immediately adjusted the testing system to the Swordsman type from the normal testing system for the Wizard type.
Suddenly in front of Mariel appeared the Giant Golem that was over 2 meters tall, compared to Mariel who was only 160 centimeters tall. She was not afraid, instead she smiled, and confident that he could handle it.
"I will finish this Giant Golem as quickly as possible, look at the record. It is 1 minute and 15 seconds of the fastest record now. I will make it less than this." Mariel said as she turned to look at the fastest and slowest statistics test results board before turning her head back, face to face with the Giant Golem again.
*Smash*
The giant golem slammed a huge fist into Mariel, but she easily jumped and dodged while accelerating her physical Qi and casted fire magic on her sword, ready to fight at full strength.
"Take it!" Mariel shouted as she slammed her fire magic sword into the middle of the giant golem, causing it to cry out.
*Smash! *
Mariel used her attack speed to hit the giant golem, causing it to be unable to respond at all. This shocked the other students who were standing in line to take the test. Including the examiner who stood watching with a shocked expression on her face too.
When the giant golem tried to slam its fist into her, it hit nothing. Mariel dodged its attack and fenced several fire swords until the giant golem's body had cracks all over.
"You've lost!" Mariel said as she cast her fire magic to create a flaming rope that tied the Giant Golem for a moment until it couldn't move. Then she jumped over the giant golem's head.
"Fire Dragon Demon Magic!" Mariel said as she raised her sword above her head and boosted her magic power to its maximum, revealing a large fire dragon emerging from behind her.
Crackle*
The sound of a fire dragon rushing towards the Giant Golem, with the ultimate fire magic sword power slamming into the Giant Golem's body, causing it to howl in pain before its body instantly shattered in front of everyone.
the sound of clapping with joy resounded from behind. Mariel turned and bowed in gratitude. The examiner also clapped her hands too.
The time record had shown that it only took Mariel 42 seconds to pass the final test, making this record to the #1 fastest timer in this test.
Mariel sheathed her sword and reported it to the front registration desk before heading outside the building. And then the surprising thing was that Beatrix was waiting outside the exit to see Mariel again.
"You did very well." Beatrix praised.
"Thank you very much." Mariel responded with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"The fastest record before you broke it that was mine. I didn't think anyone can finish the test less than me." Beatrix grumbled slightly.
"So, which the magic school are you going to attend?" Mariel asked.
"Terios for sure. And you?" Beatrix answered and asked back at the same time.
"Same as me." Mariel replied with a smile.
"Really! I hope we will study at the same school. Then I'll go first. See you on the first day of school in the next three months." Beatrix said before waving goodbye.
"See you later." Mariel replied.
Mariel told everyone about the final test, and she made the fastest record of the day on the way home.
"You finished the Giant Golem very quickly. During my father's era, I heard Kehal grumbling that he was very tough. He took nearly two minutes of the time to defeat that, Golem." Deric praised.
"Well done, my dear." Claudia said, patting her daughter on the head.
"Excellent! I wonder if You'll be number 1 of the highest score." Segal flattered his sister.
"Not that much, brother. I can attend Terios high school of magic, I'm very happy with that. As for which room I was in, I had no problem with it." Mariel said.
They all laughed together happily in conversation before returning home happily.