Some say that space has power, and that massive objects can exert tangible pressure.
As the ship faced the sky harbor, as two cliffs nearly a kilometer high blocked all sight, and as the dazzling void storms at the top of the cliffs came into view, Charlie suddenly understood the meaning behind the name of this port city - "Sky Harbor." This sight could probably only be seen at the end of the world, and the apprentices on the ship were all stunned, staring dumbfounded.
In the steep, icy wind, the ship slowly sailed into the dock. The scene changed again - unlike the harbor of Hannison, this was a vertical city built against the cliffs, with shops built into the carved caves on the cliffs, wooden stairs connecting the carved paths on the rock, layer upon layer, up to where they were obscured by mist and light.
Below was a bustling harbor scene - cries of vendors, shouts, noise, and laughter - instantly pulling the people back from the natural sceneries at the edge of the world into the secular world, the stark contrast making them feel like they had stepped into a different world.
Ebb briefed the students: "This is Sky Harbor, the premier market for potions, equipment, scrolls, and jewelry on the Wargland continent. Over 90% of the top-end products on the continent flow out from here..."
"Wow, amazing!!" the students exclaimed in admiration.
Ebb continued, "In the future, you will definitely spend a lot of gold here, because the pinnacle potions on the continent that can improve talents, physiques, and even bloodlines, the magical accessories that can enhance personal combat power, and the powerful rare scrolls, can only be found here."
Hearing Ebb's explanation, the students were greatly excited, and the more thoughtful ones were already secretly planning to ask their families for more money to come to this city to find some treasures and make some investments.
"Alright, we should disembark now," Ebb signaled the departure as the ship docked at the academy's exclusive berth.
Ebb stood at the back of the group and pulled Charlie aside, "Charlie, this place should have been your final destination, you were supposed to start as a menial worker at Maedron Master's shop in Sky Harbor. But I just received feedback from the upper echelons of the academy, and they are allowing you to enter the academy first."
Charlie nodded silently.
Ebb patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "Once you're in the academy, I won't be able to help you anymore, everything will depend on you. Good luck!"
Charlie responded with a smile.
...
As the carriage approached the Arcane Circle, the storm outside grew stronger, with various energy elements mixed together in a chaotic mess, occasionally surging into incomprehensible chaotic storms, accompanied by mysterious hard particles striking the carriage walls, emitting buzzing sounds blocked by the magic shield.
Charlie finally understood the characteristics of the Void Maelstrom region - under such storms, even a master would not last long, and if no shelter could be found, one would be exhausted of magic power and eventually become a dried-up corpse devoured by the chaotic storm.
The Arcane Circle was right in the heart of the densest storm. As the carriage entered a massive light shield, the energy tide was immediately isolated. The students got off the carriage and marveled at the colorful ripples radiating from the shield behind them.
This was far beyond the water veil of the ship, which only covered an area of a few hundred square meters, while this light shield covered several square kilometers, enveloping the entire Arcane Circle.
A miracle indeed!
Standing under the shield, looking up at the Arcane Circle, the pointed arched roofs, flying buttresses, and tall columns created a sense of lightness and airiness. The domed spires, intricate and exquisite carvings, majestic arched gates, and red and blue stained glass - all in the typical Gothic style - appeared in this parallel dimension. Charlie could only exclaim, "Sometimes, art and beauty may be interconnected!"
Countless beautiful elements combined to form a massive magical fortress, standing amid the void storms. In such a harsh environment, to have birthed such a beautiful architecture, Charlie could only marvel again, "Truly a miraculous city!"
Then, his gaze fell on the tallest magic tower in the center of the Arcane Circle, in a deep blue hue, disappearing into the clouds, its height impossible to estimate. From the top of that tower, one should be able to witness the most grand storm scenery.
"All new students, please pay attention. Now, please follow the new student guides to the reception hall for registration, and be sure to complete the talent test and choose your mentor today," the magic broadcast echoed through every corner of the entrance.
Charlie then noticed that they were just one batch of new students - there were more than a dozen carriages around, and no less than 50 students of similar age.
Ebb reminded, "Alright, you'll be going in now. Make sure you don't forget anything."
Charlie hesitantly pointed at himself and asked, "Then... do I go in too?"
Although the academy had already revealed some information, Ebb was not aware of the specific arrangements.
Suddenly, Stephan interjected, "I received an order from the Council, you are now considered a new student of the Arcane Circle, so you go in with them."
Yes! Charlie secretly clenched his fist, unexpectedly gaining a spot as an official student of the Arcane Circle. If Magister Ron knew about this, he would probably be stunned speechless.
The Ghosts brothers excitedly patted him on the shoulder and laughed, "Brother, your dream has come true!"
Snow smiled, "This time, the academy has made a very wise decision."
Azure pursed her lips and smiled, "Let's go, together!"
So, the many new students followed the guide to the reception hall.
The reception hall was unusually spacious, making one feel a chill. The fifty-odd apprentices were scattered throughout the hall, grouped by their own circles.
Charlie began to observe the surrounding environment.
The walls and floor were made of an unknown material, seamless, in a bluish-gray color, slightly translucent, with a smooth surface and a faint waxy luster. Upon closer inspection, he could see tiny points of light moving inside the floor and walls, appearing and disappearing like a school of agile, quick-witted fish.
He couldn't tell if it was an illusion, but Charlie felt a vague energy seeping from the floor into his body, entering his subconscious without any resistance, spreading through his entire body, and finally converging in his mind. Suddenly, a crisp sound of shattering glass exploded in his consciousness, as if some kind of barrier had been broken.
Then, Charlie found himself unexpectedly in a vast desert, with howling winds and yellow sand whirling everywhere. Not far in front of him was a yellow sand vortex, kilometers in diameter, with millions of tons of sand constantly pouring into the central vortex, and Charlie was standing on the edge of the vortex - a single step forward would have him swallowed by it.
The chaotic perception made Charlie's face pale, his body slightly trembling. He could feel the suction force of the vortex, and the world before him felt so real, the sand hitting his face so delicate and vivid, leaving him disoriented. He didn't know what consequences would come from being engulfed by the yellow sand - perhaps nothing, or perhaps eternal submerge.
At this moment, a voice broke the silence around, pulling Charlie back from the illusion. He noticed that only Azure had a different expression, but before he could analyze the strange phenomenon, he was immediately drawn to the words of the person speaking.
"Very good, everyone is here. Well then, you will be embarking on a new chapter at the Arcane Circle. I am the new student guide teacher, Picx."
An instructor appeared before the new students, instantly silencing the commotion in the hall, with countless eyes focused on him.
"To be standing in this hall means you have surpassed 99% of your peers, truly one in ten thousand. You should feel proud and honored.
But the consequence of having so many talents gathered together is that - you are only an ordinary member among them. The Arcane Circle never lacks geniuses, and you will have a very deep understanding of this in the future.
Now, you stand at the same starting line, of course, with a little bit of difference in the details, which you will fully experience soon, and the implications of that difference.
I ask you to forget the achievements you have obtained in the past, forget your current level, there is no such thing as junior, intermediate, or senior mages - that is a fallacy in the secular world's measurement of mages, mages should be evaluated by the magic realm itself.
In the Arcane Circle, mages are divided into five levels: Apprentice, Starlight, Moonlight, Solar, and Magister.
And regardless of your strength or weakness, you will all start as Apprentices.
Next, we will enter the first necessary step of the academy - the talent test.
Here, I solemnly warn you all: I know that there are temporary potions on the market that can temporarily improve talent attributes, no matter whether you have brought them or not, I advise you to put them away. The academy has countless ways to verify your true talent, and if cheating is discovered, you and your family will be put on the academy's blacklist, permanently losing the qualification to study at the Arcane Circle, and this ban will be effective for 30 years, so remember, play with fire at your own risk!"
Charlie took a quick look and found a small crescent-shaped mark on Picx's chest, guessing that he might be at the third level "Moonlight," but the half-moon mark was a bit strange, and he didn't know if it was unchanging or would correspond to different subtle levels according to the waxing and waning of the moon.
Hearing what Picx said, Charlie immediately felt the importance of this talent test - it might be the first and most important level division for the apprentices.
Someone asked, "Teacher, I'd like to ask what the talent test means to us? It must be more than just a simple talent assessment, right?"
"This is indeed a question asked by every new student batch." Picx proudly smiled and said, "As I mentioned before, your starting line is basically the same, but there will be a little bit of difference.
This test will involve various aspects of your individual traits, including: physique, bloodline, magic power pool, mental power, memory ability, thinking ability, and so on - basically, it won't miss any of your potential. Each test item will have a corresponding score, and the total score represents your personal potential.
Apprentices with a total score over 80 points will have the right to choose a mentor; those between 60 to 80 points will be favored by ordinary mentors; those between 30 to 60 points, you're on your own; and those below 30 points will be demoted to menial apprentices and sent to Sky Harbor to study half-work half-study, of course, you can also choose to leave, with travel expenses on your own.
I give you this advice: mentors also vary in strength, and the higher-level mentors not only have stronger abilities, but also more resources. If you want to have the best educational resources, you must bring out your best."
Today's test determines the starting height, and also determines the heights you can reach in the future!