Durin flinched after hearing what Arthur said and then he grit his teeth and raise his hand preparing to cast a spell but Arthur raised his hand and reddish colored mana was gathered in his wrist and he then clenched a fist and command [Nullify] and the magic energy around Durin was disturbed and he wasn't able to cast a spell. Arthur was now able to use the power that used to enforce and support his Domain Aegis as a magic source power to some extent and that was using it as mana and give small commands the mixture of mana and Arthur's divine energy was now used as a source of magic too like mana.
`I didn't know it'll work this well, the new feature is amazing' Arthur thought.
Durin was surprised by this how a brat like him can nullify his spell like nothing with such an ease and then Arthur spoke.
``Don't worry I'm not enemy I just want to have connection ties with your Guild that all cause I have something I want to do'' Arthur said and added ``I know that your Guild is specialized in information gathering and manage underworld market''
Durin face was now shifted he was dead serious and then he talked ''you, who are you? How much do you know?'' Durin asked and the reply from Arthur came.
``Is this how you supposed to treat your junior and customer senior Durin?'' Arthur asked. ``Well how much I know isn't important right now and I am Arthur carter the person you have been put your eyes on recruiting on your faction, Isn't that so?'' Arthur asked and Durin respond back.
``Well since the first time I got information about you and your sparing match against Lilia from Lindsey family and a genius 5th circle mage I knew right away that you weren't normal person but it seem I have underestimate you much''
`I knew it, he even knew about my sparing match against Lilia this guys information network is out of this league'
If you ask about how I knew, it was simple during the entrance of the people who will oversee our test I wanted to know who were they in deep so I used my skill eyes that sees all and Genevieve information wasn't that different from what I heard but I gaped after saw information about Durin,
##Name; Durin Thrain. ##
##Age; 23##
##Race; Half Dwarf and Half Human.##
##Affiliation; Tranquility circle##
##Status; Branch leader of Academy Branch. ##
##Veritas; 3,759
##A 7th circle mage and a branch leader of information Guild and a Black market regulator in the Magnus Empire. ##
I was surprised by this information about Durin who will expect that one among top respected students was a branch leader of the underworld faction that is Directed in the Academy, what If people were to heard this news what will be looks on everyone face.
``Well I expected you to know any way, so how do you guys collect information? Through magical device?'' Arthur asked and Durin was silence like Arthur was right in his guess.
``I will take it as a yes so I hope we will talk further when I finished the test so you better Go it seem like they are looking for you.'' Arthur said and then a transmitted message arrived at Durin via his TMT Bracelet.
``President we have confirmed the return of the disappeared student, he is currently hunting'' The person at the end of the line said. 'It seems he play a trick in the tracking devices' Arthur thought.
``Okay I will be back shortly'' Durin said and ended the conservation.
``Don't worry about the information from here to get leaked I got all covered'' Durin spoke while looking at Arthur. ``I will see you after the test end for further talk'' Durin spoke and left from thin air through teleportation by the help of the TMT Bracelet.
``Well I better wrap it up too and finished this'' Arthur spoke while approaching his pile of mana crystals.
[Inventory] Arthur spoke and the inventory was opened and all the magic crystal vanished and get stored in the inventory. And after that he started running again to continue his hunting and find more mana crystals and the mana crystal that has least mana and be used as a token to pass through next stage.
….
There were a lot of people who returned from the test site, others returned by surrender and run for their life and other were here because they passed the test.
After some time the one who surrendered the test leaved on the site and only few students remained this were the people who passed the test by the looks of the number there was no more than 9 people that means the test was tough and at the same time others were eliminated by test overseers after going through there test record.
Last group of people was returning one after another this people were the one who returned with stones that they believe have least mana on them.
People number gradually increase from 9 to 12 and then a girl appeared through teleportation it was Lilia as she returned she looked around the area and thought `was test too hard? There are few people than I anticipated' she thought. `Where is that fool? Did e fail? No that can't be' Lilia continued to thought as she was looking around like looking for someone and that when she meet eyes with a person she didn't expect to see.
It was Marcella as lilia looked at her marcella looked back at her and then she turned her eyes opposite like she didn't saw her, Lilia was surprised cause in past marcella was idly to use any opportunity that arise in front her to torment Lilia but this time she got opportunity but she blushed it off like she didn't see it.
Lilia turned away to like she didn't saw her at the same time Durin and Genevieve were seen approaching the small crowd coming from the hunt. And in no time they reached the place where the students were gathered.
She then headed where the mana crystals where collected and submit hers and waiting for Durin and Genevieve to come and appraise it to see how well did she did.
``Mhh only 14 people it seems two more aren't out yet'' Genevieve claimed as she was looking at the students here,
``Talking of the devil it seem one have come out''
A young man who has unique look different from any person around the whole continent was marching forward the crowd, his eyes were both different in colors the right one was red while the left one was blue and that was followed by his hair color two having different colors blue and red and his hair was messy the way he wore his uniform was different from others he wore his uniform like a thug and his sword hanging in his waist he was approaching the crowd while yawning as a sign showing that he come from sleeping.
``Is that the guy?'' other student at the site started murmuring.
``Yeah that him'' student kept talking ``that a thug from the first year that said to be second in the advanced class''
``Yeah that Him, Levi the one who cursed at Thaddeus''
The man who students were currently talking about was Levi a young prodigy swordman with commoner background he was testified as second among the freshman's in Advanced class after Lucien also Levi was popular for his behavior he was a person who didn't like nobles and every time he get to ridicule one he will tormenting him completely as to why he was doing that it was because he was once labeled as a slave and he was putted on auction and nobles were bidding him like he was a tool until he was saved by Headmaster of the Academy of Magnus and was raised by him and since he was well in using sword and reaching 5th star aura user within few years before starting attending Academy he was labeled as a genius and he then started to attend Magnus empire Academy.
As for why he cursed at Thaddeus it was simple it was because he believed that he is better himself and Thaddeus was being con man in order for getting him in his faction until Levi refused and that when Thaddeus became furious and he started mentioning status and honor that despite him not have any he was willing to take him in but he refused to take his hand and said that why he was enslaved and that when Levi cursed him and left the scene.
``Did I oversleep?'' Levi said as he was clearing his eyes by his hand.
``Take this before I forget'' He through a pouch to where Durin and Genevieve was standing and Durin caught it and take a look at the mana crystal that was inside the pouch and then he spoke after examine it.
``Well Good mana sense you got there despite being swordman it is impressive'' Durin appraised Levi.
``Well unfortunate for you someone has more strong sense in mana than you and she is currently the one toping the preliminary'' Durin claimed and students turned their heads as they were looking at someone.
They were looking at someone who her uniform crest showed that she was a 2nd year her radiant beauty and her long golden hair flowing behind her back her eyes were golden and were sparkling from light as she was standing alone from other students this person was mysterious person who everyone at the academy knew about, people were surely that she was from a noble bloodline but they didn't know which one cause she never used her real name or her family name during her stay at the academy she was among the top belles of the Academy and also a top student from 2nd years Advanced class she was prodigy known by many she was currently a 6th circle mage, she was going by the name Lyris.
She was currently the one topping the preliminary as the person who have better mana sense ability and at the same time good and precise battle reaction.
Levi looked at her without talking for quite some time and then he was opening his mouth ``Y…..''
Before Levi could talk to Lyris Durin claimed.
``It seems a last person is here''
Everyone turned around looking for who was coming from the back there was a strange rookie carrying a pouch with a face that could slap whole Academy and nobles around whole Magnus Empire or even a whole continent with his Golden hair and his tender red lips and with his handsome face a young man with a perfect figure one could dream of was coming from back, everyone was silence like something struck them.
And then a small murmur was heard across the area everyone was trying to figure who is this young man? Which family does he come from? Are his family descendants of angels?
``Who is he?'' girls started asking themselves after sawing Arthur they were charmed just by seeing him, Arthur was charming and handsome that every women will wish to be with him and after the body transformation he even got more handsome so many girls who were present there blushed.
``I don't know he must be from a strong noble family by his look'' Girls were gossiping and then a voice was heard from there back the voice was that of a girl but it was the voice of a person who has been irritated.
``He is a commoner'' Lilia said as she was frowning with anger toward the girl who were talking about Arthur.
``Eahh a commoner him? No way'' some girls claimed ``But he is still charming I will go out with him even if he were a beggar'' a girl beside lilia said as she was blushing and looking at Arthur with lustful yes.
``Do you want to die?'' Lilia shouted at her and the girl woke up from her daydream and then she shouted back at Lilia.
``Why is he your boyfriend?'' Lilia blushed as the girl mentioned that she was taken aback and then she said ``Nah how can I date someone like him he is just a friend'' Lilia claimed. Meanwhile Marcella was looking at Arthur for a long time and she then left a smile.
``Really? Your friend with him? Why don't you introduce me to him? Please.'' One of the girl around Lilia said and Lilia was annoyed so she moving from there and went different place.
Arthur handed the pouch to Durin and after Durin and Genevieve examine the mana crystal that Arthur brought back they said.
``Well it seem the table will have to change Arthur carter mana crystal is a crystal with least mana from all the crystal were brought back by you all.'' Many students gaped with surprise.
``Now the table will look the following'' and then a hologram image appeared from a marble that Durin was holding in his palm.
[First place Arthur carter]
[Second place Lyris]
[Third place Levi]
[Fourth place Lucien Silverthorn]
[Fifth place Lilia Lindsey]
[Sixth place Marcela Lindsey]
[.....
``Whoa that guy really tops the Preliminary.''
``Who he really is?''
``I didn't see him participating at the event of the first semester''
``Is he a transfer student?''
Many students were curious about Arthur so the attention toward Arthur increased a lot but he didn't care because for his cause he have to get attention.
The List mentioned that a total number of 14 Students out of 100 passed the Preliminary and the first years were the one dominating the preliminary.
The first stage to come was Group stage where they will be tested to fight as a team with another group while forming a group that is full of strangers so the test was simple fight as a team with people who you're not familiar with nor did you fight alongside them even once, this was a test to look at a teamwork and there fighting abilities as a team Durin announced that the test will be held tomorrow at Elysium Coliseum Academy and Magnus empire best coliseum.
The Elysium Coliseum is a grand, magical arena located within the grounds of the Academy of Magnus. It is a place where students instructors and warriors across the continent, come to test their skills, engage in duels, and participate in various challenges and tournaments. The Coliseum is renowned for its ever-changing environment and its ability to adapt to the needs of each battle, creating a dynamic and unpredictable setting for combat.
The Coliseum was made by Archmage Elyndor one of the most powerful and visionary mages in the history of the Academy of Magnus. Renowned for her mastery of elemental and spatial magic, Solara dedicated her life to the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of magical education. She envisioned a place where students could safely test their abilities and grow stronger through real-world combat experience, leading to the creation of the Elysium Coliseum.
After the announcement given by Durin everyone was dismissed and went their way. Others went and start preparing for tomorrow and others went to rest so that they can start the event full of energy, Tomorrow was the day which really event going to begin.