—You need to fill out a form and take the aptitude test!
—Then you’ll have free ti and be able to choose the academy of your preference!
—Since you arrived a few days late, you only have one full day left, and within that ti, you must choose an academy where you will practice magic; otherwise, you’ll have to wait until next year!
Doger was still speaking loudly with his funny yellow beak.
—Now, all of you line up and co to one by one, then head inside for the test!
Doger turned around, pulled a chair closer to the tent where he was standing, and sat down.
In front of him was a white table.
He grabbed a stack of scrolls and placed them on the table.
Soon after, he began calling the acolytes.
The line moved quickly, and when it was my turn, I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
He handed a yellow form with basic details to fill out.
Na, age, place of birth... all very simple.
—Interesting, I thought, as I picked up the quill from the ink pot and began to write.
My hands, accustod to precision and calculation, quickly produced impeccable handwriting.
When I finished, Doger looked at my writing and made an unexpected comnt.
—Wow! Boy... You have almost perfect handwriting.
—It’s on the level of so mages.
I raised my head, surprised by the complint, but maintained my composure.
I slightly lowered my head in respect and replied humbly.
—Thank you for your praise, great mage.
—I was a devoted scholar in my holand; I always loved reading and writing.
—I even wrote a few books, though nothing that would interest soone of your wisdom.
The smile that appeared on the mage’s face was unexpected, almost warm.
He leaned forward and touched my forehead with a finger, as if trying to determine whether I was telling the truth or lying.
—That makes sense... And fortunately, you weren’t lying.
I swallowed hard, feeling a chill run down my spine.
—Of course not, I thought to myself.
My past life had prepared for this.
Who would have imagined that writing about robotics and artificial intelligence could spare from certain consequences and, perhaps, in this new world, I might create an automated laboratory to study magic?
The mage soon seed to lose interest, gesturing for to move along.
"Next!" he shouted, and then I entered the white tent with the form in my hand.
As soon as I stepped inside, I was greeted by a tired voice.
—Co in!
At the center, an elderly woman was seated in a black chair.
Her white hair flowed in long strands down to her shoulders, and she wore a black dress accompanied by a pointed hat that enhanced her aura of mystery.
On the table before her was a glowing crystal ball.
I approached, bowing like a noble.
—Greetings, noble mage!
She lifted her eyes to , her expression cold and impatient.
—Child, bring the form here.
—Do you know how many children I still have to handle today?
Not wanting to irritate her further, I calmly handed her the scroll and sat down in the chair before her.
She took the form without ceremony and began to read it.
—Fifteen years old... the witch murmured, looking at with an analytical and suspicious gaze.
Her eyes examined every part of , as if searching for answers the parchnt had not provided.
After a brief silence, she asked.
—You look like a warrior.
—You must have trained since birth, and that should be a limiting factor for your intellectual abilities, but... why is your handwriting so good?
I gave a slight smile, respectful yet still confident.
—Noble witch, besides training and cultivating the knights’ breathing technique, I also enjoy reading and writing.
—I have always believed in an old saying.
—A healthy mind, a healthy body.
—There is no use having an active mind in a weak body, just as there is no use having a strong body that shelters a weak mind.
She frowned and studied for a few more seconds.
Then, unexpectedly, she let out a hoarse and sincere laugh.
—Hahaha...
—You speak as if you were not only fifteen years old.
—Very well, boy, but enough wasting ti.
—Place your hands on the crystal ball and focus your mind.
I nodded without hesitation and did as she instructed.
I placed both hands on the crystal ball.
As soon as my fingers touched its surface, I was overco by a strange sensation: the sphere felt simultaneously vibrant and cold.
A wave of discomfort ran through my body.
It felt as though sothing was trying to penetrate my mind.
The tips of my fingers seed to transmit electrical impulses, while a throbbing pain ford in my head, growing in intensity.
—Holy shit... This hurts so much.
I groaned involuntarily.
—Don’t give up!
The witch ordered in her cold but firm voice.
The pain beca almost unbearable, and the crystal ball’s light began to pulse.
Then, without warning, I was thrown into infinite darkness.
Suddenly, the void around was filled with three stars that shone so brightly they almost blinded .
—What is this place? I thought, raising my arm to shield my eyes from the intense glow.
The stars seed to be drawing closer, but before I could understand what was happening, a sharp pain struck my head and I was pulled back.
I returned to the chair, breathing heavily.
My body was drenched in sweat, and a warm liquid dripped from my nose.
I touched it and realized it was blood.
Taking a deep breath, I asked in shock.
—Where was I?
The witch smiled and did not answer directly.
—So you’re at this level, she said in a satisfied tone, as if she had already expected it.
She picked up the quill and began scribbling sothing on the form.
—We categorize the acolytes’ aptitude into levels, with the first level being the worst and the fifth level the best. You are at the third level, a three-star classification.
With a deft motion, the witch twisted a ring on her finger and made a strange mark on the yellow parchnt.
The parchnt briefly glowed, as if acknowledging the ritual.
I took a deep breath, gathering the courage to question the mage.
—Noble mage, could you explain this star-ranking system in detail?
She sighed deeply, as if my question was expected, though not particularly welco.
—The acolytes’ aptitudes are classified according to their chances of being promoted to proper mages.
She began in a thodical tone.
—They are categorized into five stars.
—The highest level, the fifth star, represents geniuses.
—These rare individuals have a 100% chance of becoming mages.
—They are known as "Suns" for their ability to shine above all else, like the sun itself.
She paused briefly, adjusting her pointed hat before continuing.
—The fourth star is slightly lower, but still impressive. They have a 50% chance of becoming mages.
—They are called "Moons" because they reflect the light and potential of the "Suns," yet are still essential in the sky.
She cast a brief, evaluative glance before going on.
—The third star, where you stand, has a 25% chance of success.
—It is not brilliant, but it is not insignificant either.
—This level is like the common stars you see in the sky: there are many of them, but they are rarely noticed.
I felt a slight discomfort at the comparison, but remained attentive.
She continued, her tone now sowhat harsher.
—As for the second star, they have only a small 2–3% chance of becoming mages.
—And finally, the first star... well, they practically have no chance, only 1% or even less, of becoming mages.
—They are nothing more than shadows wandering aimlessly through the magical field.
—In any case, she concluded, —only those of the third star and above have a real opportunity.
—For those of the first and second stars, their lives will be confined to the role of re acolytes. Nothing more.
Her words echoed in my mind as I tried to process everything.
Now I understood where my consciousness had been thrown earlier—those three stars represented the potential of my physical body.
A small part of felt relieved that I was not at the lower levels.
Of course, unlike everyone else, I have a biochip, and I am certain that my absorption of knowledge, concentration, and precision far exceed even a five-star classification.
Perhaps...
With the biochip, my talent is closer to sothing like forty stars or more.
After all, with enough information, I can solve any problem and create anything, simply by emulating...
Haha, like a true cheater.
...
1503 Words
Please. I need power stones and a 5-star rating. I know it sounds cliché, but it helps because I work as a writer and without your support, I couldn’t continue. So please, help this poor writer.
Please!!! Reader-san.
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