Second test: Basic Spell Casting
The instructions were fairly simple.
[Demonstrate rudimentary control over mana by forming a simple light or heat source. Maintain it for ten seconds.]
"Well, this should be simple. With the shadow energy inside of me, I should be able to keep a small flame going for at least a while." Kenji thought confidently.
Several youths stepped up, managing weak Lumen glows or sputtering Ignis Minor sparks that barely lasted the required time. A few produced more stable, if small, flames or lights, earning nods of approval. Soon, Kenji heard his name called.
"Kenji!"
He stepped forward, taking a deep breath. 'Okay, no faking light or heat. Just show something. Control.' He focused, drawing on the cool shadow energy stored within him. It felt thin, barely enough, but he carefully channeled it towards his outstretched palm.
A small ball of flickering black flame appeared, hovering just above his skin. It was about the size of a walnut, emitting a faint chill instead of heat, and casting strange, dancing shadows. It looked nothing like the other spells.
The instructor administering the test recoiled slightly. "What in the...? Shadow energy?"
He had seen students demonstrate all kinds of energy, but no one used this particular form of energy. But the reason behind it was nothing spectacular.
It was a well known fact that Shadow mana was the weakest form of mana, with the biggest disadvantage of being countered by any form of light. This was the main reason why nobody practiced it, and everyone who practiced it faced a massive disadvantage.
Kenji tried his best to maintain the small flame, but it started flickering. Seeing that, the instructor frowned.
"Do you think that you are special by using a shadow spell? You can't even maintain such a weak flame for ten seconds. You don't deserve to go forward."
Before Kenji could answer, a quiet voice cut through the air from the main examiners' table. "Hold."
All eyes turned towards the gaunt instructor Kenji had noticed earlier – Master Kael. He had risen slightly from his seat, his piercing eyes fixed on the dark flame in Kenji's hand. There was an undeniable flicker of interest, perhaps even recognition, in his gaze.
"Maintain the flame, boy," Master Kael commanded, his voice soft but carrying authority.
Kenji focused, pouring every bit of his concentration and stored energy into the fragile flame. It wavered, threatening to extinguish, but he held it steady for the required five seconds before it finally dissipated with a silent puff.
Master Kael observed him intently for another moment, then leaned back, his expression unreadable. He exchanged a brief, quiet word with Senior Instructor Marius, who nodded curtly.
The testing instructor looked uncertain, glancing between Kenji and Master Kael. "Well... it was a manifestation of energy," he said grudgingly. "And you maintained it. Form is abysmal, energy type is... questionable, and power is negligible. Lowest possible pass." He marked the score, clearly unimpressed despite Master Kael's intervention.
Kenji bowed slightly and retreated, his mind racing. 'That instructor... Kael... he recognized it. He seemed interested, even if the other guy hated it. But why did he back off?'
Well, that did not matter. He had passed again, barely scraping by, but that was all that mattered.
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"Third test: Strength!" The next station involved lifting progressively heavier stone blocks marked with runes indicating their weight. "Lift the heaviest block you can manage clear off the ground."
Many of the farm youths did well here, hoisting blocks that made the town kids grunt and strain. Kenji watched, gauging the weights silently.
"Looks pretty doable. I think this round should be easy."
When his turn came, he bypassed the lightest blocks and went straight for one marked 'Intermediate'. He bent his knees, got a good grip, and lifted. It was heavy, straining his muscles, but the shadow energy subtly reinforcing his body allowed him to hoist it steadily off the ground. He held it for a couple of seconds before setting it down, breathing a little heavily.
"Hm. Surprising," the instructor noted, marking his sheet. "Better than most beginners manage. Pass." Kenji nodded, satisfied. That was better than just 'passable'.
Next came the station Kenji dreaded most: "Fourth test: Aptitude!" A smooth, black orb, about the size of a melon, sat on a pedestal. "Place both hands upon the Aptitude Orb. Channel your mana. The intensity and color of the light will indicate your innate magical potential and affinity."
Kenji approached, his palms sweating. 'This is it. Without the System, I'm finished.' He glanced around quickly; the instructors seemed preoccupied with recording scores. 'System,' he thought urgently, 'Can you boost my affinity now? Just for a few seconds?'
Ding!
[Affinity Enhancement (Micro-burst) available. Cost: 1,000 Gold Coins. Duration: 10 seconds upon contact with testing device. Activate?]
'A thousand gold for ten seconds? Highway robbery! But cheaper than failing...' Yes! Activate!'
He felt the familiar faint drain from the ring as he placed his hands on the cool orb. He focused, pushing not just the life mana he could sense, but also the shadow energy he'd cultivated.
The orb flickered. Then, instead of the dim glow he expected, it lit up with a steady, moderate light. It wasn't blindingly bright like some of the truly talented examinees produced, but it was far from the worst. Intriguingly, the light wasn't a pure color, but a swirling mix of standard white mana-light and distinct, smoky grey patterns.
"Well, now," the instructor murmured, leaning closer.
"A mixed affinity? And moderate potential... " He looked slightly confused by the grey swirls but seemed more focused on the overall brightness.
"Good job, lad. You passed." The instructor declared, marking the final score.
Master Vic, watching from the main table, scowled deeply. Master Kael raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, a flicker of thought crossing his face before settling back into indifference.
Kenji quickly removed his hands as the System's ten-second boost ended, the light in the orb fading.
'Phew. That worked.'
He now had two solid passes and two bare-minimum passes. Everything rested on the final test.
The crowd of examinees had thinned considerably now.Kenji counted quickly – maybe just over a hundred left. One-tenth of the original count.
Senior Instructor Marius stepped forward again, his stern gaze sweeping over the remaining participants.
"One hundred and seven remain," he announced, his voice echoing. "You have shown the minimum required potential in sensing, casting, strength, or aptitude. But potential is meaningless without the will to wield it. The final test determines your place... or your departure. This is the Test of Willpower!"