Oscar, whose head was lowered, looked up to see the person that had been practically declared the first high grade fire mage since the test began. He fell into a state of denial. Thinking of this as a dream, a bad dream that he would soon wake up from.
Now that the awakening process for all candidates was over. It was time to move on to the next part which was the celebration of the newly awakened mages of the kingdom.
The successful candidates all came together and walked to the stage in an orderly manner.
Charles Lane went to meet his son. Patting him on the shoulder he said, "Son, let's go home." He said nothing more but his eyes held a look of sombreness to it, not for himself but for the current condition of his child.
The youth didn't speak, only giving a brief nod before standing up and following his father. His mother and brother were already outside waiting for him. They were leaving the venue earlier than normal. There was no need to keep staying here anyways, it was all for naught.
As Oscar marched out, he was faced with different expressions. Pity, mockery, disdain and derision was evident in their eyes, in their expressions. They just didn't blurt it out because his father was here, but he knew that after today, his life and status as the prodigy of the kingdom was bound to change.
**********
Paul Bloom's POV:
I can't believe this. Oscar, known as the most talented, flunked the awakening test. A person I've always looked up to, someone I never thought I'd reach, has now fallen behind.
The first time I met him was at the school orientation. Well, before we met I already knew who he was. Everyone in the school knew him. He was always talked about even at home. I was told by my parents to curry favour from him. I'm surely not the only noble child that was told to do so, but I was successful in doing it or should I say I was lucky, because he could see through people's advances and discern their motives from their demeanour.
I was expecting my talent to be mid-grade at least, but high grade? Things worked out better than I expected. The hierarchy between us as friends has to change. Josh should be stronger than Oscar, maybe not for the moment because I know he practices some magic and has some skills. But with time Josh could beat him.
As for me, I'm stronger than Oscar, no doubt about it. What would his meagre skills do against me now that I'm a fully awakened mage with a high-grade talent? The next time we meet, I'll make sure he knows the difference between us. An ant has no right to deem himself as worthy of being my friend.
Dad always said "having powerful friends and good connections is an added advantage on your road to achieving power and influence." That was why I chose to befriend Oscar. I cannot have a friend if there are no profits.
After the ceremony I lost sight of him, I guess he left. There was no way that failure would remain till the end. I couldn't stop myself from grinning. Well, things are about to change.
**********
Most of Oscar's peers had similar thoughts as Paul. There was no need to keep up appearances with a failure. If they knew he would only amount to this much there wouldn't be a need to hold him in such high regard.
A banquet was held at the imperial palace to celebrate the newly awakened mages. The number of high grade potentials this time is the highest turnout ever, especially with the startling discovery of a talent from the lowborn ranks of the kingdom.
All noble families attended the banquet, even the Lanes, but Oscar did not show up. It wasn't mandatory. The citizens were also allowed to take part in the celebration as well, making the place livelier.
After the awakening ceremony, the children would pick the paths they would take for their future. Mages with middle grade and high grade potentials would be admitted to the royal academy to gain combat experience and academic knowledge with relevance to magic. With the former having to go through combat and a theoretical examination before being admitted while the latter being admitted with immediate effect.
Low-grade talents could go to educational institutes offering applied and vocational courses instead of the academic and extensive knowledge on magic offered by the academy.
The non-mages which were quite rare but still present, could only take up menial skills that did not require magic, they were at the lowest position in the country.
One common path for these youths was the condition of a one-year mandatory public service before the age of thirty. The public service differs, while non-mages could work as porters and played minor roles, mages with low-grade aptitudes could serve as foot soldiers in the army during that period, and may also be retained in the army if their skills were deemed useful.
Mages with better aptitudes were required to serve in the army for a year and gain actual battle experience. After serving for a year, if they wanted to stay in the army, they would undergo a series of tests before being commissioned to the rank of lieutenant, which was the lowest rank for an officer.
"He is not here, is he?" Sarah asked Anya while looking around the place for any signs of Oscar.
"Don't bother looking, he is not coming. Trash like that has no place here." Anya replied in a calm tone.
"Ouch, for someone who acts friendly you have a really poisonous tongue. It's true anyways, no denying the fact that he doesn't belong here. Oh hi Paul!"
"Hello guys!" Paul waved as made his way towards their midst.
Sarah noticed his expression before speaking.
"Aren't you a little too happy?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your best friend failed to awaken."
"So? Why shouldn't I be? I'm not the one failed."
"Ooh, how cold."
"Come on! Like you're not happy he failed. If he didn't, we would all be under his shadow even when we enrol into the academy."
"Yeah, yeah, enough of that. Have you guys noticed the new…?"
"You mean Zahad?"
"Yeah"
"According to what I heard, the guy's an orphan. He was also the only surviving child of a fallen Baron house, hence the last name. Their barony was situated at the south-eastern border."
"Oh, that was where the knolls staged an attack last time, at the province of Duke Lane?"
"Yeah, the Baron ran away with his concubine and their children, leaving Zahad and his mother to fend for themselves. Fortunately for Zahad, the Baron and company encountered the Knolls first, giving him and his mother time to escape into the heart of the Iyun province and seek refuge there."
"Well, my father has plans for that boy." Anya chimed in.
"Oh, I thought your Dad disliked fire mages?" Sarah asked.
"He doesn't dislike them, just the ones that don't know their place." Anya said while smiling, responding in a low voice that held a tone of annoyance within.
Sarah noticing this, decided to not press further and talked about something else.
"We're getting our certificates in six months' time from the school before we go to the academy. Why does it take that long?"
"That's a dumb question." Paul answered this time.
Before Sarah could retort, he spoke once again.
"There are many reasons why we aren't heading for the academy immediately. Some of which are: the fact that we just awakened, and we need to get used to the feel of the mana in our body before using it.
Another reason is that there are almost no breaks or long holidays for us to spend time with our family. Staying too long would serve as a distraction and hinder our growth.
Third, the academy is not a playground, it's not all fun and games. It's a place where we all have to compete and train like our lives depend on it, because it does."
"Well said Paul. I didn't know you were this smart." Anya said looking at Paul expression of amusement and intrigue.
"I don't know whether to consider that a compliment or an insult."
"Consider it a compliment because it's the only sensible thing you've said since I've known you." Sarah remarked.
Paul felt speechless for a second. "Uh...you are angry about what I said. I didn't insult you I just said the question was dumb."
Sarah clenched her fist. "If this not a banquet you would be in a whole lot of pain by now.
"Are you serious?"
"Try me!"
"Alright, calm down guys." Anya tried to deescalate the situation.
"Paul, apologize for your insensitive remarks."
"Ah... I'm sorry for what I said Sarah."
"Now...Sarah"
"I accept your apology."
"What? Isn't she supposed to apologize too?"
"About what?"
"Ugh, forget it."
Paul walked away from the girls before they could hamper his mood any further.