As Morthis and Lethis made their way to the dining area of the carriage, the bouncing and swaying lessened, indicating they were nearing a smoother path. The carriage was filled with the chatter of other youths, all with the same goal of becoming magus. The scent of roasted meat and freshly cooked rice filled the air, causing Mortis's stomach to rumble in anticipation.
As they entered the dining area, Mortis scanned the room, taking in the mix of nervous and excited faces. These were his future competitors, allies, colleagues, and even scapegoats. He had to be cautious and observant. Despite his newfound memories, he felt a sense of disconnection from his current identity. The old Mortis's emotions and reactions were still foreign to him, but he was determined to blend in.
They found an empty spot and sat down. Lethis eagerly began to dig into food, but Mortis took his time, letting his thoughts wander as he ate. The meal was simple but hearty, and it gave him a moment of peace to think about his next steps.
"Mortis, you're quieter than usual." Lethis observed between his bites. "What's on your mind?"
Mortis looked up, giving Lethis a small fake smile. "Just thinking about the upcoming test. It's the biggest breaking point in our entire lives for all of us."
Lethis nodded. "Yeah, it's a bit daunting, but we should be alright. After all, both of us were tested to be at least quite talented at spellcasting. I'm sure we'll do fine."
Mortis nodded absently, his mind already drifting back to the metal card in his pocket. The weight of the upcoming magus test, and especially the truth that even if he inherited the memories of the previous owner of this body, he still felt like an alien because he didn't know at all what situations and challenges awaited him in this unfamiliar world. But despite all of this, he was actually feeling really excited deep down in his heart because he thought that this magus world probably held nearly infinite possibilities for him and his future. Especially this test, because this opportunity is his ticket to power and, ultimately, immortality.
As they finished their meal, a loud horn sounded, signaling their arrival at the North Capital. The youths in the carriage grew silent, a collective sense of anticipation and anxiety filling the air. Mortis felt a shiver run down his spine.
This was it - the new beginning.
The carriage slowly came to a halt, and the doors swung open. The North Capital was a bustling hub of activity, with towering buildings and a diverse crowd of people from all races and hierarchical levels. Wherever he looked he could see humans, elves, dwarves, and other strange creatures he didn't recognize walking together, but after a careful look, he found out that some of them looked like masters and others looked like slaves with collars on their necks.
So he thought these masters must be some magi, and these slaves must be some unlucky mortals who got on the bad side of powerful people or committed crimes and were thus sold into slavery. After all, it wasn't legal to take any mortal you saw into slavery just because you wanted to, but if you carefully pinned some crimes on them, you could make any mortal into a slave without too much risk. Or, if you didn't want to waste so much of your time on something like this, you could just let them silently disappear, and if there wasn't any direct evidence, you would be alright if you were a magus and the one you killed wasn't someone too outstanding or influential including some low-ranked magi but with them, it's more complicating because they can have many backings after all.
"Alright, everyone out!" a gruff voice called from outside.
Mortis and Lethis joined the others as they got off the carriage. The crowd of kids moved as one towards the towering gates of some structure that looked like the Colosseum from his previous world, where the aptitude test would take place. At the front of the crowd were two people who led them and they were actually 2 magi who were assigned to them for navigational and security purposes.
The structure that looked like the Colosseum was an imposing structure, its height reaching towards the sky, so much that he didn't know if the Colosseum was the right comparison. It really looked like the Colosseum, but it was so high that it seemed nearly three times taller than the original in his previous world.
As they came closer they heard a voice." Welcome candidates. I hope you wouldn't be so shitty as those fuckers from last year." a voice boomed from the entrance. A tall, stern-looking man in ornate robes stood before them. "I'm rank 3 Magus Haze, and I was requested to oversee this test and the selection afterward to prevent any unwanted actions. Follow me."
The group followed Magus Haze through the grand halls of the Colosseum. The walls were lined with ancient tapestries and glowing runes, the air buzzing with unfamiliar energy. Mortis could feel unknown energy which was probably mana or something like this, and it only fueled his determination.
They were led into the vast arena which was in the center of the Colosseum and around the vast arena were many seats with many people who were here to overlook this year's test. They were probably Magi from various Magus academies and organizations training to catch and recruit talented individuals.
As Mortis looked around he found out that there were various magical instruments. Mortis's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the sight. This was the breaking point he was waiting for.
"Form a line" Magus Haze commanded."You will each step forward and place your hand on the crystal. It will measure your magical potential and determine your suitability for further training."
One by one, the youths stepped forward, placing their hands on the crystal. Some crystals glowed brightly with various mixed colors, indicating strong potential and various affinities with some elements, while others barely flickered indicating barely sufficient potential.
The air was thick with tension as each candidate awaited their turn.
Finally, it was Mortis's turn. He took a deep breath and stepped forward, placing his hand on the crystal. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the crystal began to glow, growing brighter and brighter with a mixture of red, black, and blue until it was almost blinding. Gasps of astonishment filled the arena.
Magus Haze's eyes widened in surprise. "Not bad," he muttered. "Step back, Mortis Nacht."
Mortis obeyed, his mind racing. What had just happened? He felt a surge of hope and excitement. This was his chance after all. High affinity with three elements wasn't too common, especially elements of darkness, fire, and water together. Combined they would make him well-rounded in many battles. So he thought that path to becoming a magus, a ticket to power was within his grasp, and with this came even a slight possibility of fulfilling his dream.
After Mortis, it was Lethis's turn.
Lethis slowly walked to the crystal looking completely confused. When he finally reached the crystal, he took a deep breath and placed his hand on the crystal. Once again, for a moment, nothing happened, which was completely normal, so no one felt like there was something wrong. However, after a while, the crystal crystal still hadn't shown anything.
Everyone became flustered. Until Magus Haze finally said, "Ehm, looks your aptitude is so small that the crystal won't even show anything."
Lethis collapsed on the floor because he was completely crushed by the result, so much so that he sat there for nearly a minute until Magus Haze said "Take this trash with nearly zero aptitude and throw him to the other trashes who didn't fulfill minimal requirements."
As they were taking Lethis to the others who failed, Mortis thought. 'That's good. At least I will have less stress, and I will finally be able to start behaving the way I want, without pretending that I'm someone different.'
After all the only person who spoke to him on their way here was Lethis, and now that he is finally gone, Mortis can do whatever he wants and not what the original Mortis would do. So Mortis was actually happy with this situation. After all, why should he care about others? The only thing he needs to care about is himself and his goal.
The other people? They are just toys and resources in his eyes, and their only use is to assist him in reaching his goal or to entertain him.
If there ever comes a time when he has to kill thousands of people just to get one necessary item or anything else that he deems necessary, he wouldn't hesitate. The only reason that would make him hesitate would be if he couldn't survive the consequences this decision would bring.
But if he thought he could survive... then who cares? They are just people. He would kill them all without any guild. After all, they are the ones who blocked his path.
"Congratulations to those who have shown potential," Magus Haze announced. "You will now proceed to the next phase of the test. The rest of you who had such shitty aptitude, your journey ends here."
Mortis watched as some of the youths left the arena, disappointment etched on their faces. But when he looked at them he felt nothing. After all, why should he care? He had to focus on his own path.
The remaining candidates were led out of the arena into one of the halls, where they were told to wait a while until the arena was remodeled for the next test. No one knew what the next test would be about, but he was ready. This was his second chance at life, he wasn't going to waste it.
As Magus Haze returned, Mortis took a deep breath and looked at him nervously in expectation.
Until Magus Haze finally said to all of the remaining candidates. "Follow me. The arena has been remodeled for the next test."
The group of remaining candidates silently followed Magus Haze back to the arena. When they came to the doors leading outside to the arena, Mortis became confused and startled because the arena didn't look like the same arena from before at all. It was completely different.