Master Jared was waiting ahead, his expression calm and composed as I approached.
Seeing , he gave a small nod, and I quickened my pace to join him.
We walked through the grand corridors of the palace, passing ornate decorations and the occasional guard, until we reached a more secluded section of the palace where other magical masters were known to convene.
As we approached a large, heavy door, a bald, elderly master, known for his keen expertise, greeted us with a curious glance. "Master Jared, what brings you here with a young mage?"
Master Jared nodded respectfully. "This is the mage in question. His recent claim of advancing to a two-star mage needs verification."
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The bald master's eyebrows rose in surprise, but he simply nodded and motioned for us to proceed.
We entered a large, spacious hall, its high ceilings and expansive floor creating an imposing yet serene atmosphere.
The floor was marked with a large circle, ticulously drawn with chalk.
Master Jared led to the circle and gestured for to step inside. "Just stand in the middle of the circle," he instructed. "The circle will expand into rings, which will correspond to the mana rings around your heart."
I glanced at the chalked circle with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. "How does it work?" I asked, looking back at Master Jared.
Before he could respond, the second master arrived to witness the test, his gaze sharp and evaluating.
Master Jared continued explaining as the second master settled in to observe. "The circle detects the mana rings around your heart. As you stand in the center, the circle will automatically expand to reveal the number of rings."
I stepped cautiously into the center of the circle.
For a mont, nothing happened. The silence in the room was palpable.
Then, slowly, a second ring began to appear outside the first one, shimring faintly before solidifying.
The second master's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wasn't this boy listed as a one-star mage just a few months ago?" he asked, his voice tinged with astonishnt.
Master Jared nodded solemnly. "Yes, that is correct."
The second master's face turned thoughtful and concerned. "How is it possible for him to have advanced so quickly? What does this an?"
Master Jared remained silent for a mont, his expression one of deep contemplation. Finally, he spoke. "I don't have a clear explanation for this rapid advancent. All we know is that it could signify a unique ability or anomaly. However, considering the current state of affairs, it's possible that this rapid growth might have implications beyond our imdiate understanding.
Things could get complicated after the war."
Confusion furrowed my brow. "What do you an by that?"
Master Jared sighed, his gaze distant. "An umbrella is useful only when it rains. When the rain stops, it becos a burden, sothing to be rid of. In other words, rapid advancent might be seen as advantageous now, but it could attract unwanted attention or challenges once the imdiate crisis is over."
I didn't fully understand the taphor, but I sensed that pressing further might yield no additional answers.
I chose not to push for more details, as it seed clear that Master Jared was reluctant to elaborate.
The second master turned to Master Jared. "What should we do now?"
Master Jared straightened, his expression resolute. "We must inform the Emperor of these findings. It is important that he is aware of the situation."
The second master nodded in agreent, and Master Jared turned to . "You are free to go for now. I will handle the report to the Emperor and ensure that all necessary protocols are followed."
I thanked him and left the hall, my mind racing with the implications of what had just transpired.
Returning to the palace, I made my way to Damon's room, the weight of the day's events pressing on .
When I entered, I found Damon seated comfortably, a book open before him.
He looked up as I approached, his expression curious and slightly amused.
"How did it go?" Damon asked, his eyes sparkling with interest.
I shrugged nonchalantly, trying to downplay the gravity of the situation. "It went alright."
Damon's gaze sharpened. "So, it's true then. You're really a two-star mage now?"
I nodded. "Yes, it's true."
Damon's smirk widened, a mix of amusent and anticipation evident in his expression. "Brace yourself. You're about to beco the most talked-about person in the kingdom."
His words echoed what both Damon and my friends had said, and I couldn't help but wonder just how true it would turn out to be.
The extent of the attention I was about to receive was still a mystery, but it was clear that my recent advancent had stirred considerable interest.
The next morning, as Damon and I walked into the academy, the atmosphere was markedly different.
The usual hum of activity was overshadowed by a chorus of whispers and pointed stares directed at .
It was clear that I was the focal point of attention, rather than the Prince beside .
I caught snippets of conversations as we moved through the corridors: "Two-star," "Fast advancent," "Surprising," and even "Next Emperor."
The words floated around , adding to the discomfort of being in the spotlight.
I felt a growing urge to escape the scrutiny, so I quickened my pace, eager to find my friends.
As I rounded a corner, I finally spotted them. Emily, Zoe, Liam, and Aaron, were waiting for , their faces lighting up with relief and enthusiasm.
Emily was the first to react, pulling into a warm hug.
Zoe followed suit, surprising everyone, including , with her embrace.
It was unusual for Zoe to be so demonstrative, but her hug was genuine and comforting.
"Everyone's staring at you," Emily said, her voice a mix of concern and amusent.
"I know," I replied with a wry smile. "I guess I'll have to get used to it."
Zoe nodded, her usual composure returning. "It's going to be intense for a while. Just rember, you've got us."
I appreciated their support, and together we walked to the area where the two-star air mages were based.
As we arrived, the group of two-star air mages turned to observe us, their stares both curious and critical.
The weight of their gaze was almost palpable, and I felt a growing discomfort under their scrutiny.
The master in charge of the two-star air mages approached, his deanor professional yet welcoming. "We have a new mage joining us today," he announced, his voice carrying authority. "Please make him feel welco."
The room fell silent as the other mages assessed , their expressions a mix of curiosity and skepticism.
I tried to et their gazes with confidence, though I could feel the pressure of their judgnt.
The master gave a nod of approval and began the day's lectures, guiding us through advanced techniques and strategic discussions.
The session proceeded with a focus on refining our skills and understanding the intricacies of air magic at the two-star level.
The discussions were insightful, and the training challenging, but the initial discomfort of being the center of attention gradually faded as I imrsed myself in the lessons.
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