After the fight that occurred at the training grounds of the imperial high school, they all left, intentionally or unintentionally forgetting about Paul who was unconscious. He was seen by the school security forty minutes later and taken to an infirmary. From there his parents were also contacted.
Hearing the news, Paul's father Elijah had an expression of extreme surprise.
"What happened?" Vanessa inquired.
"They found Paul unconscious at the training grounds in the school."
"How is that possible?"
"We'll have to find out, they say he is at the school infirmary." Elijah answered, preparing to leave.
They went to the school and met their son, in bed unconscious, Paul was still breathing and he looked fine. The duke began to question the doctor.
"What is the situation with my son?"
"There was no significant injury in any parts of his body. So I could say he was just fooling around and fainted while sparring with his friends."
"Alright, where is the person that found him."
"It was the school's security patrolling the premises that found him in the place. The person you are looking for should be at the gate of the school. He left after dropping your son off."
Elijah also felt the need to question the guard, but it was at that moment that Paul regained consciousness.
"Ugh...my head." He spoke out.
"Paul? Are you okay?" His mother called out in worry.
"Mom? Dad? Where am I?" Paul was still trying to get his bearings.
"You are at the school infirmary." His mom replied.
"Paul, what exactly happened?"
Filtering through his memories, he recalled the actions that put him in such a state. Nonetheless, he didn't want his parents to know that he was beaten by Oscar, a non-mage. So he made the optimal choice for the situation.
"I was testing some spells and I might have overdone it. The last spell I conjured affected my mana levels considerably. I was too weak to stand or walk properly so I just laid on the floor and closed my eyes."
"..."
His parents and even the doctor displayed emotions of bewilderment.
But his parents came to a realization, thinking about how Paul underwent a significant change throughout the past few months.
Ever since Paul's potential was proclaimed to be high grade, his father assigned some tutors to Paul, sometimes he trained Paul himself. The strange thing was, no matter how hard the training became Paul never complained. At times he welcomed it. Paul was training as if he was going to war instead of the academy.
Elijah had to reduce his training regimen a bit when he saw the toll it started to take on his son's body.
"Paul what is wrong with you? Do you want to kill yourself?" His mother screamed at him.
Paul's father facepalmed as he thought.
'This was supposed to be a day for collection of results and recommendations from the school. Instead of coming back home he decided it was better to train. What precisely is he planning to achieve?'
Elijah knew there was something more than what Paul was letting on.
Seeing that he was okay, and just fainted from mana exhaustion. He was discharged and taken home immediately after.
Upon arrival, Paul got an earful from his parents.
"We know you are going to the academy. Just don't kill yourself before you reach there." That was the last piece of advice he got from his father before they left him in his room.
Once he realized that he was alone, he took his pillow and screamed into it.
"Ahffh!!" The scream was muffled.
"After all the training, and acquisition of new skills. I still couldn't touch him. Did I ever have a chance at defeating him?" Paul whose ego was inflated became depressed at that moment.
Another thought came to his mind. "Why was I left at the sparring grounds though?"
*****
On the day of the enrollment, Paul, Marcus and the others all came to the academy with their family seeing them off.
They all had high grade talents with the exception of Joshua, so there was no need for them to attempt any test, going to the admissions office with the recommendation letter would suffice. Any mage below high grade would have to undergo a thorough examination which involved a combat and theoretical aspect, before being fully admitted into the academy.
With all of them seeing each other, there was a little awkwardness among them. The cause of the awkwardness had his face scrunched up in displeasure. A week ago, they left him unconscious at the training grounds, Joshua was taken to a healer but what about him? He was left on the grounds, his face collecting dust.
"Hi Paul, it's nice to see you again." Trying to break the ice, Anya hollered at Paul.
"Shut up and stop with the pretence, I know you don't really care." Paul retorted.
"Who told you to pick a fight you couldn't win? Now you are acting irritated like we were the ones responsible for your stupid act." Sarah shot back in Anya's stead.
"Says the coward who couldn't even face him." Paul retorted, causing Sarah to frown in indignation.
"Stop it you two." Marcus decided to stop the argument from going further and proceeded to apologise to Paul for their negligence.
The incident where Oscar beat Paul and Josh in one hit brought out emotions of amazement and unease, it made the training they went through for the past six months feel like a joke. It was when they left the place and arrived home that they noticed the last person to get knocked out by Oscar was still in the school premises, being one with the ground.
"After what you guys did, you expect me to let it go?" His eyes were on Anya and Sarah as he spoke. Paul continued.
"It's already happened. I may have dropped the issue, but I'm not going to forget it anytime soon."
At the admissions office, a boy with black hair, blue eyes, and a slim frame stood next to another boy with grayish hair, and an athletic frame. He also had a sheathed knife by his side. The two boys were none other than Benjamin Ferell and Zahad Dimworth.
They both stood in front of the admission officer who was seated.
Benjamin was a carefree and laid-back individual, he never took things seriously, and related with his peers well. He sometimes liked to annoy Oscar though, but not to the extent of inciting a fight. Which was why he didn't even spar against Oscar, even though he had a high grade talent as well.
Marcus and the rest arrived at the office and were welcomed as they greeted the official.
He was the individual in charge of their admission process, so he had to be shown some respect.
"Good day, I see you are all complete now."
The man replied, counting them with his eyes.
The number of high grade mages were rare in Soraxia. The last time they had such a number was never. The second years have no high grade mages, the third years have none too. But the fourth years have three people with high grade potential. They were a water mage, an earth mage and a wind mage. So this means that the last time high-grade talents were announced in the kingdom was almost four years ago.
"Now that you are all gathered here, there are some things you have to take note of, the first one is: even though your talent was declared the best if you do not work for it you will drop. Currently, you are all going to be ranked amongst the top of the first years..."
While saying this he looked at them, observing their expressions. Then he continued.
"However, the ranking will only be valid for a semester. It will change after the exams for the first semester is concluded."
They all nodded in agreement, seeing it as fair.
"Secondly, you are not allowed to bully anyone in the academy. If you dare violate this rule no matter how bright your future is you will be suspended and depending on the degree you may be expelled."
This time no one reacted, they didn't care. Why resort to bullying when they were considered superior.
He stood up from his seat and opened the door.
"Follow me" he commanded.
Whilst walking he spoke.
"Now, the ranks of the other first years are still being decided, the privilege you have is that you don't have to go through a rigorous examination. Nonetheless, to determine your ranking, you all have to spar against each other. Right..."
He stopped in front of a hall that was deserted.
"...here"
"..."
They were all visibly surprised, thinking they just had to show up and immediately gain the admission not knowing such a condition existed.
"Umm...can I not participate? I'm fine taking the last position amongst us, I don't mind."
"..."