The morning sun shone brightly over the sprawling grounds of Adencia Van Academy, its towering buildings casting long shadows on the students gathered for the entrance exam. Suddenly, a powerful surge of mana swept over the grounds, silencing the murmurs. The sky shimmered as a figure descended, seemingly stepping down from thin air. Sullivan, the headmaster and a peak Archmage, landed gracefully on the podium with a subtle flicker of space magic, a Blink spell, his presence demanding immediate respect. All the faculty staff and instructors stood up, His eyes scanned the crowd, pausing on Ray for a bit longer, as if sensing something deeper.
Behind him, three instructors stood tall, Gerald, a stoic Saint-level swordsman with a scar running across his jaw, Myra, an Archmage known for her fiery temper and strict discipline; and Klaus, a combat specialist whose hulking frame made him look more like a warrior than a teacher. Other faculty members stood nearby, but these three commanded the most attention and they were also the friends and headmaster's battle companions, all from the commoner background, achieved and become powerful together.
Sullivan's voice echoed across the grounds, deep and authoritative.
"Welcome, young aspirants, to Adencia Van Academy....the place where your journeys as heroes and protectors truly begin. While peace reigns now, it is not eternal. It falls upon the strong and capable to ensure its survival. Talent alone will not take you far, only through effort and determination will you rise."
His words stirred the crowd, and a few students exchanged nervous glances. Ray, however, stood still, his hood casting a shadow over his face. He was used to pressure, and these words barely scratched the surface of his resolve.
"There is no class-based treatment and priority will be given, the one with the most potential will be nurtured and those that are normal persons like us will be taught accordingly...ha ha ha", announced Sullivan as he pointed out to himself and his friends as normal. Then he continued,
"Your exam will consist of four stages," Sullivan continued.
"In the first test, we will measure the quantity and quality of your mana or primal energy. The second stage will test your force. Mages may enhance themselves with mana coating, while swordsmen can channel their primal energy. Strike the doll with all your strength, it will record your impact in numbers."
"The third stage is a written exam, testing your intellect and knowledge of theory. And finally, the fourth stage, a combat tournament where you'll showcase your skill and battle instinct. Many of the esteemed members of Alliance Council will be joining with us on that day, if some of you catch their attention, you can be scouted under them. Rankings will be based on your performance, and the top students will receive rewards, who will lead that year of students, a tradition of this academy."
He paused, scanning the faces before him.
"Remember, each step forward narrows the path. Only the best will make it through." With a booming laugh, Sullivan disappeared with another Blink, leaving the students in stunned silence.
Myra stepped forward, her piercing gaze sweeping across the candidates.
"Form a line. When your name is called, step forward and channel your energy into the orb. Results will be announced immediately. We begin now."
One by one, the students approached the orb. Some performed adequately, while others faltered under pressure, their energy flickering or barely registering. Whispers broke out among the crowd as particularly powerful candidates made their marks.
Ray stood near the back, quietly observing.
"Next, Katherine Livia," Myra announced.
The crowd broke down, everyone gazing at a single person who was called, even the instructors who were uninterested in everything happening made their presence known. A person in the crowd suddenly shouted,
"That's the Elven Princess, who is said to be a contractee of a spirit king." another girl spoke lowly,
"She is also revered as the most beautiful of our generation. Wow, will I get the opportunity to see her face?"
Ray's eyes shifted, his curiosity piqued for the first time. Katherine stepped forward, her movements graceful yet commanding. She was hooded completely just like him, Her green eyes glimmered faintly as she approached the orb, placing her hand on its smooth surface. A ripple of energy spread, and the orb lit up with a vibrant emerald hue with slight yellow and blue mixed in, gasps were heard through the crowd.
"Mana quality: Pure. Mana quantity: Tier 3, Triple Element" Myra declared, her expression unreadable. The quality of mana is divided into, Dormant, Common, Enhanced, Excellent, Pristine, Pure, and Mythic. Quantity is decided based on one's attributes and it's potency with the level of mage you are currently.
After hearing the results, everyone was in awe, not only was she beautiful, but she was a really strong person with great potential. Murmur broke out between Instructors.
Katherine turned to rejoin her group, but her gaze met Ray's briefly. There was no hostility, only curiosity, but Ray remained still, his hood concealing his face.
When she passed by, Luna's voice chimed in his mind.
[She's interesting, isn't she? Perhaps fate is nudging you.]
Ray ignored her and looked away, focusing on the next name being called.
"Next, Lewis Krios", Myra announced.
Lewis Krios, Son of Sen Krios, Spear Saint, and a prodigy himself and a spear Master at a young age.
He went and placed his hands, filling it with primal energy, it was filled with red energy,
"Primal Energy Quality: Pristine, Quantity: Tier 3, Fire Deviant attunement", announced Myra.
Again the reaction of everyone was of awe as being a master at 12 and already awakening to his attunement with deviant element.
But in all respect Ray was actually not at all impressed, as for his standards he had ever met only a monster, he himself being one, so this all seemed quite alright to him. He was curious about Princess though.
After two bombastic displays another round of average seeds were tested.