Just then, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ears. He instinctively turned around and saw a magician from the Heimon classroom striding toward him, with the surrounding magic apprentices making way for him.
"Ah, hello, Lord Yog," Reinhardt greeted with a slightly respectful tone.
"I didn't expect you to arrive so early." Yog looked Reinhardt up and down, a slight smile playing on his lips beneath his sleek mask.
"I've done everything I needed to do, so I thought I'd change my mood and came to the venue early."
"Yes, your choice is wise. You're not doing that kind of last-minute cramming that's useless." Yuge nodded slightly, then, seeing his respectful expression, he smiled and waved his hand. "But there's no need to be so reserved. I believe that after today's test, you will become one of us."
"You flatter me. This is my first time taking an academic test, and I'm still far from being as good as the more experienced seniors..."
"hehe."
Yog's soft chuckle interrupted him. "Since this is your first time participating, I think you should be more confident."
"You must remember that your talent and ability are not comparable to those 'useless stones' who fail several exams. At the very least, you must live up to the expectations of your mentor, the 'witch' Seren."
"Or do you want to embarrass your mentor, Serian? To show that she misjudged him?"
After his encounter in the town in front of the gate that day, Yog did some research.
The results were shocking; it would have been better not to investigate.
This kid is actually the disciple that the witch Seren recently took in. He had originally considered whether to take Reinhardt as his disciple, but since the other party is that witch Seren, he decisively gave up the idea.
"...You're right, I'll remember that."
Reinhardt lowered his head slightly, showing an expression of respect for the teachings.
This attitude pleased Yug.
"Alright, I won't say any more nonsense. Just focus on your work and do your best, young man. I look forward to the day when the Queen will perform the gift ceremony for you."
With that, Yog patted him on the shoulder and then walked away through the crowd.
However, Yog's words also sparked discussion among the surrounding magic apprentices.
"Hey, what kind of background do you think this kid has? How come he can gain the favor of Lord Yog from the Highmore Classroom?"
Yog was quite a celebrity at the Realucalia Magic Academy, belonging to the academy's top-tier law enforcement team.
Basically, apart from the magic professor and the leaders above him, there's practically nothing he can't touch.
It is also known for its fair and impartial law enforcement methods.
"Shh, I suggest you don't know. As far as I know, that person is called Reinhardt, and he has been studying at the school for about three years."
Two and a half years ago, he had been teetering on the edge of oblivion, but suddenly it seemed like he had a breakthrough; his adaptability to Radiant Stone magic improved rapidly, and recently he even caught the eye of that Lord Seren.
Like an information broker, this person poured out Reinhardt's resume and life story all at once.
But none of the previous news mattered; what shocked his companions the most was the last piece of news.
"Are you talking about the most talented woman in the academy's history? The one who was once Master Azler's most prized disciple, and even Lord Luther praised highly?!"
Shh! Don't say the last two names!
The intelligence broker quickly covered his companion's mouth and looked around warily.
Fortunately, their discussion was quiet enough that no one heard them, and the venue was noisy enough that they breathed a sigh of relief.
Ever since Queen Renara of the Full Moon banished the two masters, their names have become taboo within the academy, and no one dares to mention them casually.
They were terrified that the next second they would be taken away by the enforcement team of the Highmore Classroom and put on trial in the name of the remnants of the Origin Faction.
Upon hearing this news, his companion couldn't help but swallow hard.
Originally, I had some thoughts of causing trouble, but now I can't even muster that idea.
Not only is he favored by Lord Yog, but he is also a disciple of the "witch" Serenity. Such a powerful background is not something a helpless guy like him can afford to offend.
Forget it, forget it, I can't afford to offend them...
"quiet!"
The loud female voice immediately silenced the noise and discussions in the room.
On a temporary platform erected at the very front of the venue, a magic professor stood holding a scroll bearing the dual seals of the Raya Lucaria Magic Academy and the Caria Royal Family, and read aloud:
"The apprenticeship exam is officially beginning. All magic apprentices, please enter!"
The ranks of magic apprentices began to move slowly, flowing into their respective examination halls.
This scale reminded him of the middle school and college entrance exams in his previous life, which were not much different in size.
However, the exams at the magic academy have more content.
In addition to the basic theoretical knowledge assessment, there is also a practical test, which mainly tests the understanding of the Radiant Stone magic, the scale of activation, speed, and success rate.
Honestly, it really does resemble a vocational skills exam.
However, the initial theoretical knowledge assessment was not too difficult; the questions on the test paper were basically all things that Selian had taught in class.
Moreover, most of the questions were the same as the test questions that Se-ryeon had given him before, they were practically identical.
If Serian hadn't been outside the academy at the moment, he would have seriously suspected that the exam questions were set by Serian himself.
However, just as he was about to finish answering, a figure suddenly walked past him.
"Holy crap, someone's faster than me?!"
Reinhardt was startled and suddenly looked up, only to see a dazzlingly large bald head. He handed the scroll to the magician in charge of proctoring the exam in the Heimos classroom.
He recognized him at first glance; this person must be Tops.
Although he looked younger and lacked the weathered look he had in the Elizabethan Church, he was absolutely certain that he recognized the man's aura of inferiority.
The comments from others further confirmed this.
"Haha, Tops is still the same as always, handing in his paper so quickly every time."
"Yeah, but what's the use? You can get full marks in theory, but if you can't pass the practical test, you're still useless."
"Is this Tops' third time taking the test?"
"That's right. If we don't pass this year, it's a sure thing that we'll end up as waste rock."
"All I can say is that it deserves to be reduced to waste rock."
Here's a picture of the dragon girl.jpg
13. An inescapable fate as waste rock
"quiet!"
Suddenly, the magician in charge of proctoring the exam picked up his gavel and struck it hard. The guy who had just been mocking Topps immediately stopped talking and lowered his head to continue answering the questions.
But the almost incessant laughter, insults, and mockery made Topps, who was already somewhat insecure, bury his head even lower, almost shrinking into his large magician's robe.
Seeing the examination room fall silent again, the proctor turned to Tops and asked, "Is it the same this year? This is your last chance."
The proctor from Highmore Classroom was an old acquaintance of Tops, as he was always the one proctoring Tops' exams.
Tops' efforts were naturally noticed by him, but unfortunately Tops had no talent whatsoever in casting magic.
Tops himself was aware of his own shortcomings and knew that he had no talent for magic, but he still nodded slightly.
"...I see..."
With that, he placed the scroll on the podium, turned around, and left the classroom.
Reinhardt witnessed the entire process.
Especially the last figure, somewhat forlorn and self-conscious, made his heart ache.
In the game, he can be said to have only two teachers: one is the witch Seren, who was exiled by the academy, and the other is Topps, who is hiding in the dilapidated Church of Elis and hoping to return to the academy.
Although Topus lacked the talent to cast brilliance magic, was insecure, and had mediocre abilities, his achievements and life's work revolutionized the entire system of brilliance magic and even prayer.
That ridiculed theory was actually a discovery sufficient to establish a new classroom—
The strongest barrier that can even bend the will of a god—
Tops force field.
In this strange and magical place called the Borderlands, under the supreme will that has never revealed its true face, the gods can be said to be the strongest beings in the Borderlands.
Anything that can have an effect on the gods is extremely rare.
In Reinhardt's memory, there were only four.
First, there is the Ancient Dragon Rock forging stone, which is essential for crafting god-slaying weapons.
Those were scales from Platons, the ancient dragon king who was the former king of Elden, who once hunted down gods, and who now lives in seclusion in the rift of time and space due to the departure of the gods.
Those scales are so magical that even if they are not forged into weapons, they can slightly distort spacetime.
Secondly, there is the destined death of Maricus, the shadow beast now sealed within the black sword by the Eternal Queen Marika, who was once controlled by the Night Queen.
In the past, the Night Queen and her retinue of gods used the power of destined death to hunt down the gods of the borderlands.
Thirdly, there is the golden needle forged by Michaela, one of the twins who received divine blessings, to curb the crimson corruption residing in her sister Malenia. It is a delicate and beautiful golden needle that can repel any interference from external deities.
Legend has it that even the power of mad fire can be suppressed.
Finally, there is the secret method that Tops created with his life's work, using all his wisdom and energy.
Even the ultimate secret technique that can be used by anyone without any magical talent—
Tops force field.
Although Tops was considered a waste rock, the most mediocre existence, his achievements surpassed those of any genius in the borderlands.
However, at this point, Tops once again stopped at the first step of the practical test.
As instructed, Tops placed his hand on the pyroxene used for testing, and the light emitted by the pyroxene flickered, like a candle flame that was about to go out.
The magician in charge of recording glanced at it and announced indifferently, "Apprentice Topps, unqualified."
Upon hearing the news, Tops didn't react much. He merely gave a bitter smile, withdrew his hand from the test gem, and slowly turned to leave, leaving behind only his dejected figure.
He already knew this would be the outcome, but he was still unwilling to accept it and wanted to fight one more time.
Looking back now, perhaps I really don't have any talent.
Reinhardt, who had been following behind, saw all of this.
As they passed each other, he reached out and patted Tops on the shoulder, saying comfortingly, "Don't be discouraged, buddy."
"...Thank you."
Tops raised his head blankly and forced a smile in response.
However, this smile was uglier than a cry, and tears were almost falling.
Tops knew all too well what it would be like to be a discarded piece of the academy; he would face a future without any apprenticeship classrooms or any lecturer who would take him in.
Even the place where the magic of radiance is studied is located outside the academy building, in a dark corner facing a cliff.
Moreover, the college will take back the dormitory on the grounds that it does not support idlers.
The Rhea Lucaria Magic Academy is such a cold and ruthless temple of knowledge.
Here, talent determines everything. Those without talent are not qualified to stay in the academy. Even if they stubbornly refuse to leave, they will eventually be reduced to the lowest level of servants.
Reinhardt was well aware of this, so he couldn't find the right words to comfort Tops.
All I could do was say something dry like "Don't give up," and then watch him leave.
"Never mind, I'll comfort her after the test is over."
He shook his head, putting the matter aside for the time being, and focused on dealing with the test.
"Next, Reinhardt."
When he heard his name called, Reinhardt turned his gaze away from Tops's back and slowly walked onto the stage.
As expected, I passed the test smoothly.
However, something went wrong during the test of the Radiant Stone magic.
"Radiant Stone Demon Shard!"