The school's front gate buzzed with nervous energy. William, though outwardly calm, felt a flutter of anticipation in his stomach. He observed the crowd, noting the varied ages and backgrounds of the applicants. So were barely older than Maya, while others appeared to be in their late twenties.
"Gorn," he whispered, "what's the age range at this academy?"
"There's a minimum age to enroll, but no maximum," Gorn explained. "It's common to see students of all ages in the sa class, though most are between sixteen and twenty-four. Older students are rarer."
William recalled that the minimum age was sixteen, but that didn't an aspiring mages only began their training then. Nobles, with their privileged access to resources and tutors, often started much younger, giving them a significant head start. William had only begun his magical journey recently, but his experiences in the past and his unique skillset gave him a distinct advantage.
"You might be slightly behind so of these nobles," Gorn said, his voice filled with confidence, "but with your talent, you'll surpass them in no ti."
William knew his talent was above average, but not extraordinary. It was his Chrono Shift ability that truly set him apart. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt, knowing he possessed an unfair advantage.
Thirty minutes crawled by, the tension in the hall thickening. A young noble, his impatience evident, voiced his frustration. "Our families practically fund this school!" he complained loudly. "Why are they treating us like this?"
Just then, an elderly man in flowing gray robes materialized at the top of the grand gate. His long white beard and hair frad a face remarkably devoid of wrinkles. He floated effortlessly to the ground, his eyes twinkling with an ageless wisdom.
"The school is free," the man bood, his voice amplified by magic, "and everyone receives the sa treatnt. Our esteed researchers and professors serve the kingdom, not your coin purses, young man."
William glanced at Gorn, whose face had drained of color. "What's wrong?" William whispered.
"Th-that's the headmaster!" Gorn stamred, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know why he's here!"
The young noble, his arrogance deflated, opened his mouth to retort, but an older man beside him intervened. "I apologize for my son's impudence, Headmaster," the man said, bowing respectfully.
The headmaster smiled. "It's understandable. Youngsters have much to learn." He surveyed the crowd, his gaze piercing. "For those who don't know , I am Tholfnir, Headmaster of this academy."
A hush fell over the hall. The earlier commotion evaporated, replaced by a respectful silence. No one dared to anger the man who held their future in his hands.
"The supervisor for today's entrance exam is usually a professor," Tholfnir continued, "but due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be overseeing the proceedings myself. Consider yourselves fortunate to have this opportunity to impress directly."
William felt a surge of anxiety. He looked at Gorn, his voice barely a whisper. "Is this good or bad?"
"Good if you have sothing impressive to show him," Gorn replied, his voice low, "and bad if you...don't. I think you'll be just fine."
"First," Tholfnir announced, his voice resonating with authority, "we shall enter the academy grounds. The initial tests will be conducted within."
With a groan of ancient hinges, the massive gates swung open, revealing a glimpse of the wonders within. The sight drew gasps from the assembled crowd.
William felt dwarfed by the sheer scale of the entrance, its grandeur a testant to the prestige of the institution. Headmaster Tholfnir led the way, pausing to address the applicants.
"Only those participating in the entrance exam may proceed," he declared. "All others are to return to the city."
Gorn, along with the other guardians, bid their farewells. "We'll speak later," Gorn said, squeezing William's shoulder. "You'll likely have two stages of testing today."
"Alright," William replied, his confidence unwavering. He knew exactly what to expect, thanks to the information Gorn gave him. "Thank you for accompanying this far."
Gorn ruffled William's hair with a grin. "It was my pleasure, lad. Good luck."
Similar scenes unfolded amongst the other applicants, a mix of encouragent and nervous anticipation hanging in the air. Once the farewells were complete, Tholfnir turned and led the way through the gates.
As the last student entered, the gates swung shut with a resounding boom, sealing them within the academy grounds.
A reverent silence fell over the group as they followed the headmaster. Perhaps if a regular professor had been leading them, their deanor would have been more relaxed, but Tholfnir commanded respect.
He was a legendary figure, a mage of imnse power, capable of devastating force. Rumors circulated about his abilities, so claiming he could single-handedly defeat thirty thousand mages, a staggering thought.
They arrived at a courtyard, a tranquil oasis of lush greenery interwoven with winding stone paths. Benches nestled beneath ancient trees offered a place for contemplation and study. Tholfnir stopped before a large crystal, its surface shimring with an inner light.
"This crystal will assess your magical aptitude," he explained. "While I believe everyone present possesses the potential to pass, this serves as a formality before the true test."
William recognized the crystal from his previous experience. While it was true that everyone seed to pass this stage, he suspected there was more to it than t the eye. As he observed the other applicants step forward, he noticed Tholfnir's keen interest in those who displayed exceptional talent.
The headmaster was clearly identifying promising candidates, those who might warrant greater attention and resources should they gain admission.
William's turn arrived. He placed his hand on the cool crystal surface. A vibrant light erupted, its intensity exceeding that of the previous applicants.
But this ti, there was a difference. A subtle darkness swirled within the brilliance, a shadow that caught Tholfnir's attention. The headmaster's eyes narrowed, a flicker of curiosity in their depths, but he remained silent.
Once all the applicants had been assessed, they proceeded to the next stage of the exam, held in the sprawling forest behind the academy.
"Your talent seems quite strong, William," Altair remarked as they followed Tholfnir along a wooded path. "Let's focus on passing the remaining tests."
"Yes, of course," William replied, a confident grin spreading across his face. "I believe we can do it."
They exited through a smaller gate at the rear of the academy, the throng of hopefuls numbering sowhere between one hundred and one hundred and twenty. Tholfnir's voice, amplified by magic, cut through the air.
"This test is eliminatory," he declared, his gaze sweeping across the anxious faces. "Our aim is to reduce your numbers by at least half. For those unaware, there are a maximum of thirty-five places available in this year's intake."
The news brought a wave of tension. Thirty-five places... the competition was fierce. The forest behind the academy, though seemingly devoid of major threats, pressed in on them, its silence broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional bird call.
"Each of you will be given a ring," Tholfnir explained, holding up a simple silver band. "For every beast you eliminate, a portion of its mana will be transferred to the ring, accumulating points."
A ripple of excitent passed through the crowd. The test sounded straightforward enough. But then Tholfnir added, "You may also absorb a portion of the mana from the rings of other students. This will grant you more points than slaying beasts and, of course, eliminate your competition."
The atmosphere instantly shifted. A palpable sense of unease settled over the group. The rules had just changed the ga, turning a test of skill into a ruthless battle for survival. Every smile vanished, replaced by wary glances and calculating stares. Alliances were out of the question; in this forest, there were no friends, only rivals.
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