The scorching sun baked the earth, but everyone was in unusually high spirits today, completely unaffected by the high temperature.
Luo Shen Academy finally began its enrollment, and after three months of experience, Xing Luo finally reached this point.
A massive magic crystal was placed in the very center of Luoshen City; sunlight passed through the crystal and illuminated the marble plaza, displaying a myriad of colors. Behind the crystal was a 15-meter-high floating platform, seemingly without any supporting pillars, simply suspended there.
An elder dressed in a deep purple robe lightly descended onto the high platform. Stars twinkled on his robe, and those specks of starlight were so captivating even under the bright sun that staring at them for too long seemed to draw one in. It was clearly a priceless magical item. He wore a tall wizard's hat, also covered in stars.
What was most captivating were the elder's eyes, from which light occasionally flashed. “Ahem,” the elder scanned the entire scene. Those who were looked upon felt as if their entire souls were being dissected and scrutinized, as if all their hidden secrets had nowhere to hide. A majestic voice resonated in their ears.
“Today is the day Luo Shen Academy begins enrollment. The preliminary examination will last three days. All qualified candidates should register themselves. Those who intentionally disrupt the examination order will never be allowed to step foot into Luo Shen Academy!” As he spoke, a flash of lightning suddenly gleamed in his eyes, and waves of ripples spread out from the elder, with a spiritual pressure instantly enveloping the entire area.
All the candidates in the area trembled uncontrollably, and Xing Luo was among them. This was a suppression at the soul level. However, this action seemed to provoke dissatisfaction from the crystal within his body, which began to flicker, instantly reducing the spiritual pressure on Xing Luo significantly.
The elder said this also to expedite the enrollment process. After all, every year there were some people who, after learning the results, would still dawdle because they were overage or had no magic or combat skill talent. After the elder finished speaking and displayed some of his strength, it would certainly help.
“Very good, the examination begins now!” The elder seemed very satisfied with everyone’s reaction and turned to leave, but before he left, he subtly glanced in Xing Luo’s direction.
As soon as the elder left, the atmosphere immediately became lively again. Everyone rushed to register. This area was managed by dedicated teachers from Luo Shen Academy, so there was no fear of anyone cutting in line.
The examinations over the years have always consisted of three parts, and this year was no exception: age, magical talent, and practical combat. The first two items were tested on-site here, and those who met the requirements would be screened out within three days. This was the preliminary examination, which focused on innate aptitude.
Only those who passed the first two items were eligible to participate in the last item.
Xing Luo also ran to queue up. Looking up, he noticed a large empty space in the middle of the line and couldn't help but look over curiously, finding a cool boy in black standing there. Wasn't it that generous person who asked for directions?
He had wanted to go over and say hello, but seeing his cold demeanor, his raised foot retracted.
At this moment, a fiery red light lit up beside the crystal, then erupted like a volcano, causing the surrounding temperature to rise slightly.
“Mages are divided into nine major attributes: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Light, Darkness, Space, and Time. I heard there's also Necromancy, but it's rarely known.
Time Magic and Space Magic are even rarer than Light and Darkness. Ordinary humans can usually only possess one magical attribute. Everyone has different affinities for each magical element. Only those humans favored by the gods can have two or more magical attributes.
However, such individuals usually become legendary figures of an era. And the Battle Qi of Knights also has attributes, categorized in the same way as Mages. But Mages of the same rank generally suppress Knights, because Mages can resonate with the free magical elements in the air when casting spells, while Knights can only rely on their own accumulated power.” A young noble lord next to him was showing off his knowledge.
“Excellent, Fire Magic talent is special grade,” the examiner showed a benevolent smile. The people around them gasped in admiration. Such talent would likely allow one to grow into a Grand Magister in the future.
Xing Luo also turned his head to look and found it was none other than the arrogant and wealthy young Mage, Pandora. Amidst the many envious and amazed gazes, the young Mage lifted her head high, revealing her fair neck, looking like a proud phoenix.
Just like that, she left the plaza surrounded by everyone's gazes. Xing Luo couldn't help but exclaim, “Rich and highly talented! Are they even letting people live?”
People had not yet recovered from their surprise when a wave of dark fluctuations swept across the plaza, causing the temperature of the plaza to drop sharply.
“Darkness Battle Qi talent, excellent!” The examiner spoke out this time in surprise, as Darkness and Light were two extremely rare talents. Light was even exclusively controlled by the Light Church; if anyone awakened Light talent on their own, they would be deemed a heretic.
The entire plaza fell silent, seemingly intimidated by these two exceptional individuals, one of whom possessed a rare talent.
Xing Luo stared at the cool boy in black and sighed, “I know both of them. It seems I can walk sideways from now on.”
Little did he know that the other person didn't take this little Fat Man seriously at all; it was just that his self-infatuation and delusion had acted up again.
The cool youth, still like frost, silently left the plaza without saying any extra words.
“The crystal in the center of the plaza is called the Stone of Awakening. When you place your palm on the crystal and focus all your energy into your hand, it can not only measure your age and talent but also ignite the fire of magic or the fire of Battle Qi within you at the moment of contact.
And what type of magic a Mage can use in the future is determined by the type of magic fire ignited. For example, Pandora awakened the magic fire representing Fire Magic, which is red.
The reason the young Mage could cause a small-scale resonance of magical elements earlier was naturally due to her extraordinary talent.
Similarly, the fire of Battle Qi also has attributes. Whether a person can cultivate Battle Qi depends on whether they can ignite the fire of Battle Qi.
As for the strength of talent, it depends on the elemental affinity of the corresponding attribute. For example, with the same mental power, someone with higher affinity can mobilize more elements.
Therefore, magical talent, mental power, and understanding of magic determine the heights a Mage can reach. Mental power can be increased through meditation later in life, while magical talent is innate.
Of course, a person's combat skills also determine their strength. Mercenaries who frequently undergo life-and-death trials can certainly defeat Mages of the same rank who live pampered lives.
Battle Qi relies on guiding external energy to strengthen oneself. The Battle Qi system's levels also range from 1 to 21, with 1-3 being Apprentice Knight, 4-6 being Junior Knight, 7-9 being Intermediate Knight, 10-12 being High-level Knight, 13-15 being Bronze Knight, 16-18 being Silver Knight, and 19-21 being Gold Knight. And the attribute of Battle Qi also determines its different characteristics, similar to Mages.
This Stone of Awakening is made from ancient materials. Not to mention whether current manufacturing techniques can meet the standard, just the materials that can no longer be found determine its rarity. This is something that can only occasionally be found in the most dangerous ancient ruins.
Most of those who came to participate in this entrance examination had extraordinary talent, and the specially recruited student, Xing Luo, also had to follow the process step by step. However, even if his talent was substandard and his practical combat ranking was low, he would still be able to enter Luo Shen Academy; it's just that he would receive fewer cultivation resources in the end.
After all, a academy's resources are limited. Even if one can get in, most resources are concentrated for the elite. As for those mediocre students, they can only rely on their own fortune.
One after another, everyone underwent their talent awakening. However, no more excellent talents or rare attributes appeared. The examiner gradually showed impatience as time passed. Although the hot weather had no effect on a Mage of his level, a vexed mood was unavoidable.
Finally, it was Xing Luo's turn. He felt a slight nervousness in his heart, and sweat occasionally beaded in his palms. He slowly extended his right hand and pressed it down…