"This is the Undrasil Mage Academy?!"
Lawrend looked at the expansive space in front of him. Not to mention the large building in the center of that massive land. They had just entered the large gate into the Undrasil Mage Academy.
"Yes. The space around the academy is used for Magic Training."
Olgar nodded and explained to Lawrend.
"So where will I take the test?"
Lawrend asked Olgar.
"Over there on the right. Do you see that small queue? Join there."
Olgar pointed his finger towards the right. There was an overhang over there. Under it was mages in different colored cloaks. In front of them was a man giving out numbered button pins.
"What's he giving out?"
Lawrend asked Olgar in confusion.
"He's giving out the identification numbers randomly. Those numbers will be used for your test."
Olgar explained to Lawrend.
"I see. Thank— nvm. Let's go, Aezel."
Lawrend nodded his head in understanding. Just as he was about to thank Olgar again, he quickly remembered the latter's words.
"Mm."
Olgar nodded his head in satisfaction, seeing Lawrend do what he said.
Aezel followed behind Lawrend like a mysterious maid, especially with her mask on.
Lawrend approached the queue and stood at the far back.
It wasn't that long. There were only about 15 other people in line.
Lawrend waited in line patiently. Some got given a pin while others did now. But just as it was his turn, an arrogant voice shouted from afar.
"Stop! I, Vernon Rubrignis, shall go first."
A spoiled young master-looking like man walked to stand in front of Lawrend. He had red hair and wore a fiery red mage cloak while there was a red staff on his right hand.
"Young Master Vernon, welcome. Here is your number."
The man who was giving out the pins smiled respectfully and passed a pin to him.
"H-Huh?"
Lawrend looked at them in shock. Didn't everyone have to queue?
"What? Do you have a problem? You don't want to fail the Entrance Exam, right?"
The man eyed Lawrend threateningly.
"..."
Lawrend looked at the man with a frown. He can't afford to lose his chance to enter the Mage Academy, so he could only endure for the time being.
"Master, are you sure you're enduring this?"
Aezel whispered into Lawrend's ear. There was obvious anger hidden in her voice.
"For the time being."
Lawrend replied to her with a shake of his head.
"Hmph. So you're an Elite Mage, huh. Here is yours."
The man snorted in victory seeing Lawrend mute. He gave him his identification number.
Lawrend took it with displeasure on his face. The number on the small button pin was 33.
He then did the same as the others and waited on the side.
…
Half an hour later, no one was in queue anymore.
"Alright! Everyone, gather here."
The man or rather, the Academy Instructor Kail Versa, shouted to get their attention.
All the participants scattered around the area followed his orders and gathered in front of him.
"There are a total of 48 of you, and only 6 will pass. You will all have a mock battle against each other. Number 1 and 2 will battle, 3 and 4, and so on."
Instructor Kail said to them. When they heard his words, everyone couldn't help but eye the person next to them warily.
"To speed things up, three battles will take place at the same time. Number 1-6 step out!"
Instructor Kail explained to them and called out.
Six mages wearing different colored cloaks walked out from the crowd, and all of them had Elite Mage pins.
"Good. 1 and 2 stand there, 3 and 4 there, and lastly, 5 and 6 stand there!"
Instructor Kail pointed to the marked spaces on their left. Each area was as big as a volleyball court.
Lawrend watched as the six of them stood inside their respective areas.
"The ground is made of a special magic-resistant brick. Feel free to attack however you like! Your goal is to incapacitate your enemy, but don't kill them, or you're disqualified!"
Instructor Kail said to them.
"Stand in position. Ready? Fight!"
Instructor Kail waited for them all to stand apart before he signaled the start of the mock battle.
Immediately in number 1 and 2's position, a fierce battle ensued.
Number 1 was a fire mage while number 2 was a water mage.
They each released their Beginner Magic Spells to each other. They didn't give each other the chance to chant their True Mage Spells.
Balls of fire flew towards number 2 to which he defended with his own balls of water. The area around them was covered with hot steaming water as their spells scattered around them.
"Interesting. They seem to be equal in strength."
Lawrend murmured as he watched the mock battle between the two.
"O' great Apollo, lend me your flames of a neverending ball of fire, the sun's nourishing flame, Flame Divide!"
Number 1 suddenly chanted speedily. It was like he was rapping when he chanted.
"What the—?"
Number 2 looked on in shock. A red line appeared around Number 1. Suddenly, a tall wall of flame burst from that red line.
"Ahhh!"
Number 2 shouted in pain. The near proximity to the fire made him feel like he was being cooked alive.
"Stop!"
Instructor Kail shouted. He waved his hand, and the ground underneath Number 2 was broken into pieces. Consequently, the flame wall also disappeared.
"Winner is Number 1!"
Instructor Kail announced. As for Number 2, he kneeled on the ground. His blue mage cloak was burnt, and scalds were all over his face and arms.
"Speed chant? Is that his talent?"
Lawrend murmured in thought. Number 1 just suddenly chanted a True Mage Spell so fast.
"And did I hear, 'Apollo'? Isn't he some sort of a god in my previous life?"
Lawrend was confused. How could it be possible that a god from his previous life was mentioned here? Was there some sort of a connection between them?
"Master, they are all talents, right?"
Aezel asked him. She looked at the mages around them with interest.
