[NOVA] Academy.
To truly embody power and skill, a person needs so level of education in their respective domain. It wasn't enough to simply have natural talent or raw ability, knowledge and learning were essential to refine those gifts.
As the institute that stands before in the heart of the [Frostvile] Kingdom, where I hail from, [NOVA] is the dream of many people who aims for the top,
And here I am, standing before the very gates of such a prestigious place.
The large gate leading to the Academy, with its gleaming, crystalline white surface, stood as a castle on its own. Behind it, the towering structure of [NOVA] reached skyward almost resembling Frostvile Mountain, as if daring to touch the clouds, its imposing presence made people around awe-inspiring even for soone like .
As the crowd of students ahead of buzzed with nervous excitent. I, on the other hand, had a simpler goal–Laying low.
When I crossed few passing students as I overheard murmurs among the them. "New batches have already started just two days ago," soone said. "They wanted to fill out the remaining seats at last minutes."
"Typical [NOVA] move." Soone added.
It wasn't long before I reached the registration desk, where a stern-looking proctor sat with a clipboard on a desk.
"Na?"
"Zane Skylark," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.
At the sound of my na, a few heads turned. I could hear whispers behind .
'–It's because of Elise's reputation.'
"Skylark? Is he related to Elise Skylark?"
"Wait... you an the Elise Skylark? That prodigy second year?"
I ignored them, though their stares still fixed on . The proctor stamped my registration form without looking up and handed a card bearing my application number: #128.
The admission test will be processed in three different phases. First the Elental Affinity Test following with practical test and lastly a written test. Candidates have to clear all the phases to get accepted in [NOVA].
"Proceed to the Elental Testing Hall!" one of the proctors shouted.
After making my ways to the Affinity Testing Hass, which was massive, a do-shaped room with walls made of shimring crystal. At its centre stood a pedestal holding a glowing diamond slab, radiating mixture of all five Elental Essence.
"Candidate number 1... Place you hand above the slab."
The slab analysed their [Essence], displaying their [Elental] affinity, compatibility, and potential as glowing screen above the pedestal.
A tall, silver-haired boy stepped forward. His silver-hair suggested he hailed from [Stormshade], a region known for producing Wind-affinity elites. He placed his hand on the slab, and the numbers appeared:
Affinity: Wind
Compatibility: 82%
Potential: High
The room almost instantly buzzed with admiration. "An 82% compatibility? Incredible!"
Next, a fiery red-haired boy from [Pyrestone] approached. He exerted a sense of confidence as he placed his hand on the slab, and his results didn't disappoint:
Affinity: Fire
Compatibility: 79%
Potential: High
When my na was called, the murmurs returned. From the corner of my eye as I noticed a group of seniors observing from the balcony. Their sharp gazes made my pulse quicken. No doubt they were comparing to Elise Skylark, the 'prodigious' "model student" of [NOVA].
I approached the slab, steadying my breath. As I placed my hand on its cool surface, I quickly manipulated the surrounding Elental Essence, masking my Essence as only [Ice] and potential to my desire.
As my hand touched the slab, a faint frost shimred across its surface, masking the chaotic energy beneath. Only Ice–nothing else. The number flashed:
Affinity: Ice
Compatibility: 57%
Potential: Average
The crowd and the seniors from the balcony made their face displeased, which was exactly what I wanted.
"That's... not bad."
"For Elise Skylark's brother, it's a bit underwhelming."
As I ignored the comnts and stares, making way towards the Practical Hall.
The practical test was held in an outdoor arena filled with stationary and moving targets attached toa drone. Candidates were required to demonstrate control over their Elental affinity and combat skill.
"Candidate number 32 co forward," said one of the proctors.
A girl with cyan-hair clearly from [Aquadore] made her way to the stage, as she stands in front of the stationary target extending her hand. "[Water Bullets]," The water particles gather on her palm as she shots it towards the target, destroying it completely.
'Hmm...? Did she just– cast her spell without absorbing the Water Essence?'
For casting a spell, let say–a [Fire Bullet] one has to make contact with its surrounding [Fire Essence], by completely absorbing it into one's body, then by concentrating at single point one can able to perfectly cast the spell.
But that girl just righteously skipped the absorbing process, she directly manipulated the [Water Essence] around as and gathered it to her palm, then just shot the target.
I don't think anyone noticed it, as [Elental Essence] are not visible to anyone unless you are one of the single-ranked Hero.
'That what quite interesting.'
"Candidate number 128."
When my turn ca, I focused solely on my [Ice Essence], ensuring my other abilities remained hidden.
"[Ice Arrow]," I conjured spears of ice, shooting them at the stationary targets with pinpoint accuracy.
"[Ice Field]," For the final challenge, I froze the entire moving drone mid-air, shattering it completely alongside the target.
'I hope they don't charge for the drone.'
The proctors and the candidates nodded in approval. while my performance wasn't flashy, it was calculated and effective. Just like I wanted it to be.
As the new batch already started two days ago there are only few seats remained, and to claim one of those seats I have to sohow get into top five scorer.
The murmurs died down instantly as we made our ways for the final written test.
The written exam was held in a grand hall with long rows of wooden desks. The question ranged from monsters' anatomy to various theories in Essence.
I have to get all the questions correct to get a top five rank in written test or else I won't get selected in [NOVA], as the proctors handed the question paper to , I couldn't help but to smirked slightly as I read though the paper.
'They are all easy.'
There are a total of three questions, and the ti constrain is only two hours. As I read the first question 'What are the origin of creature called [Howls]? What is their Elental Essence?', The first question seems pretty easy, it only took 5 minutes to answer it, I wrote a detailed description of three pages defining [Howls], it's Elental Essence, its origin, it's relation with other Elentals. I wrote everything I knew of them–of course I didn't include so information which only the Hero Association and the top Heroes know.
Moving on to the second question: 'What are Elental Essence? How would one Interact with it?', I answered it, a total of two pages defining what actually Elental Essence is to the different Elental Essence, and how would one interact with it.
Till now all the questions they have asked, I have answered it without any problem. I looked around from my desk, analysing others as so made nervous face, so scribbling like crazy, and so writing with calm and composed face.
Third question: 'Why does five kingdoms, have different flow of Elental Essence in its Atmosphere? Justify your answer.'
'What a strange thing to ask.'
The last question was a bit too much to ask in an admission test, this should be more towards research oriented. Any ways the good point is, this question is only asking candidates their thoughts and possible answers.
As such I have my own theory regarding it–and there's actually not one but 'six' different theories I have co up with. There are multiple factors which affects a kingdom's [Elental Essence]. But the short and simple answer to the question would be 'Quantum entanglent.'
And–you know what's the fun part in all this is? – 'You can even alter your kingdoms Elental Essence.', if my theory is to be proven correct.
Let us proceed with an example, suppose there exist a world, and that world contains only two [Elental Essence] the 'The light Essence and 'The shadow Essence', now the two kingdoms possessing each differ in functionality due to 'quantum entanglent'-like connection that binds their world but also creating a contrasting state of balance and influence. This entanglent causes the [Essence] in each kingdom to mirror, oppose, or influence each other, resulting in their unique natures and roles.
Now, the question arises. Why do the [Essence] exist in such a manner?
The two kingdoms are entangled on a 'quantum' level, aning that the sate of one kingdom influences the other. This interconnection creates a 'dualistic nature' for the Elental Essences, creating an opposite reflection of one already existing [Essence].
It took a whole twenty minutes to complete my written test.
After finished writing, I make a quick scan before calling out to the proctor. "I'm done."
The whole classroom looked at , as I made my way toward one of the proctors to submit my answer-sheet.
"Are you sure? You still have more than half ti left."
"Yes."
After the test, I headed to the cafeteria where my sister Elise told co after getting over with the tests.
The sll of the food was tempting, the students sitting and chatting joyfully within groups as they enjoed their food. I spotted Elise almost imdiately. She was sitting with her group of friends.
After noticing walking towards her, "Zane!" Elise waved over, her face beaming with joy.
I approached, trying not to feel self-conscious. Her friends were all older.
"How'd the tests go?" Elise asked, her tone casual but curious.
"Decent." I spoke. "Nothing too crazy."
"Huh! What does that an?"
"Pfttt– Hello. I am Aria thronewood, " One of her friends, a blond-haired clearly from [Terranova] chuckled.
"So, you're Elise's little brother? I'm Albert Ashborne." Lifting his hand Albert with crimson-red hair greeted .
'Ashborne?'
"I'm Lyra Llyrwyn, ~Nice to et you." Lyra with cyan-hair greeted .
"Celestria Hearth. Nice... to et... you," Celestria said making a surprised face as she scanning from head to toe.
'Did I et her sowhere?'
"I'm Zane Skylark, thanks for taking care of my sister." I replied.
"Elise never shuts up talking about you, you know. she says you're her cute baby brother." Lyra said, laughing, pointing at my sister.
"I'm only Eleven months younge–"
"Here it is!" soone shouted.
The results were in.
The ranks appeared one by one, and my heart pounded as I searched for my na.
When I finally founded it, I froze.
Elental Essence Test: Rank 300 [57 points]
Practical Exam: Rank 102 [81 points]
Written Test: Rank 1 [100 points]
'Fuck. Just my rotten luck'
"You got a perfect score!?" Elise said, looking stunned, her voice loud enough to draw attention. "Then that ans... you got the last answer correct?"
I shrugged, trying to look modest. "It wasn't that hard."
"Not that hard?" Albert leaned forward, his expression bewildered. "Do you even know what that last question was? It repeated every year, and most of us–No none ever got it correct."
Not only Alber but even Aria, Lyra and Celestria seed surprised. I looked at my sister for her help.
"Um..."
The questions kept coming, and I did my best to deflect them. Elise, to her credit looked half proud and half curious herself.
Finally, she held her helping hands. "Alright everyone, give him a break. Zane, we're talking about this later."
As the excitent died down, I let myself relax. Today had been a success.
My admission in NOVA was official.
End of Chapter 6.
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