The next morning, before the sun rose, I got out of bed to get ready for breakfast. The entrance test into the academy will start at noon, I have plenty of time to prepare my demonstration later. I don't know what the test will be like, what is clear is that now I have to immediately prepare everything I have learned.
This morning in the dining room, I didn't see a single member of the squad that came with me, except for Nurlandawa who was sitting alone at his table. With a cup of coffee and a plate of bread, he read a news paper that seemed to have been around since yesterday. Because as far as I know, usually the newspapers will deliver it after sunrise.
I walked over to him after ordering a cup of coffee and bread for breakfast from an old woman who was the wife of the owner of this inn. His eyes remained focused on reading the newspaper, but he greeted me as if he knew I was sitting across from him. Maybe he sensed it by using mana detection magic, although with a small range I can do it too.
"Morning kid!" he greeted. "Does the bed in this inn feel uncomfortable for you?"
He asked like that probably because of the previous incident when we were camping in the forest.
"Not really, it's very comfortable. I always wake up before the sun rises." A woman delivered my coffee order, and I immediately thanked her. "Apart from that, I have to immediately practice my skills for the entrance test later."
"That's good kid! You work really hard and don't waste the opportunities that come your way." This time Nurlandawa lowered his newspaper to look me in the eye. "Is there something difficult for you? If you ask me, maybe I can help you. Even though I don't really understand magic."
"So far I haven't encountered any difficulties. The basic magic guide books that I read always help me overcome the difficulties I have. Except for..." I stopped for a moment with my words to drink a cup of coffee which was still warm, as soon as my throat started to feel warm again continue. ".... I still feel confused about what to show during the entrance test. And I'm afraid that my abilities won't be very convincing to them."
"It's okay, feeling afraid is good, kid! Fear will make you grow," said Nurlandawa. "And also regarding your confusion, I think it's enough just to show everything you have. Whether it's just the basics of magic or advanced magic that you have. You're still a child, you live in a time that can be said to be quite peaceful, "It's different from before, they won't be so strict when it comes to abilities. Just show them all the abilities you have now. I think if what Donovan said is true, then you don't need to feel confused or afraid. Because not all humans can feel mana like you."
In surprise I asked him. "How can they call themselves a magician but not be able to sense mana?"
"Yes, the world is wide, kid. There are some surprising things that you think are normal, but for them it is something great, it can also happen the other way around."
His words made me feel excited, even though the fear and confusion still lingered. But somehow my confidence began to increase little by little.
In the afternoon a few moments before the entrance test started. I went to the academy together with Elena and her entourage. In front of the Academy we separated because I had to register to take the entrance test while Elena and her maid went to a different place, because she had gotten her seat to enter the academy. The academy gate is where I parted ways with Nurlandawa and the others, they would only help me get here, the rest I had to fight alone to be accepted into the academy.
Walking along the symbols posted along the road, I saw that there were already lots of people queuing to take the entrance test to this academy. And among those who were queuing, I didn't see any children from the nobility, they only consisted of children from the common people. It can be seen from the clothes and tools they wear.
"What's your name?" asked a man. From the pin symbol worn on his chest, I knew that he was a member of the student council of this academy. I know because of the explanation in the book about this academy, which I borrowed earlier at the inn.
"Isaac Zizara."
"Age?"
"Twelve years."
"You're still very young." He wrote the answer on the paper. "Are you sure? The children who have just entered the academy are three years older than you."
"Yeah, I'm... sure," I answered feeling a little nervous. When I was afraid he would refuse my registration because of my age.
"If you feel sure it's okay, as long as you don't mind it I will accept your registration..." Someone wearing the same clothes as the man in front of me, approached and whispered something to the man. "...Oh, you are a child who was recommended by the Lord Mayor of Pattimura village. Even though you get the recommendation, you still have to take the entrance test, because you are not part of a noble lineage. Is that okay?"
"I don't mind it."
After that he reached into the drawer under his desk, took out a pin with the number 14 written on it, "Take this!" as soon as I took the pin from his hand, he directed me by pointing to a woman to the left of him. "Meet the woman over there, then show her this pin, understand?"
"Ok, I understand."
"Then next!"
I immediately met the woman as he ordered. The woman was very beautiful, her eyes were wide with charming blue pupils, her hairstyle looked like someone of noble birth, "Hello!" I greeted her while showing her the pin I had just gotten.
"Oh hello!" said the woman back in a very enthusiastic tone. "Number 14...after entering, sit wherever you want, then wait for someone to call your number!"
The woman smiled like an angel. For a moment I was stunned by her, I just nodded and walked away, sitting in an empty place as she ordered. There were already several children waiting, their faces looked as pale as mine, although there were several children who looked very sure and confident. I sat in the back seat, which was far from the other children who were waiting.
One by one we were called based on the number you received, until finally it was my turn to be called and I entered a room, where there were five people who seemed to be someone who would judge whether I was accepted into the academy or not.
Full of nervousness, I glanced at the irregularities around them. If I try to look at it more carefully, it seems that maybe it's because the mana coming out of the bodies of the five of them is making the mana waves around them become disharmonious.
"What are you looking at kid?" scolded one of them