Cate reeled from the Mage Born's tale. The revelation that he had killed the heiress of the Silva clan was both terrifying and awe-inspiring. The Silva Clan was one of the Three Mage Clans, renowned for possessing the most powerful mages—a truth that had remained unchallenged for millennia. Their inherited bloodline from the Old Ones inherently suited them for Magecraft, a fact universally acknowledged.
The Silva Clan was one of these three, alongside the Staranse Clan, to which the true Catherine Staranse belonged, and the Phobos Clan. Collectively, these three clans wielded enough power and influence to make even the High King flinch.
Currently, Cate was impersonating Catherine Staranse, and she finally understood the Mage Born's suspicion, which had predated any action on her part.
Killing an heir from one of these three clans was considered nearly impossible. The clans safeguarded their heirs as their most precious possessions, employing formidable spells and always assigning a powerful protector to their side. "How did he manage to breach all those defenses?" Cate mused.
With the first test concluded, the woman in charge returned. Over half the competitors were dead, a fact that seemed to leave her unfazed.
"For those of you who have made it this far, I congratulate you, but understand that this was only the first test."
The competitors glared at her, their anger palpable. While most had no issue with the test's lethality, her condescending tone—treating them as though they were nothing—ignited their fury. These were powerful master mages, sorcerers, witches, and more, accustomed to respect and even veneration. To be treated like children was unacceptable.
The woman observed their anger but remained unperturbed.
"The next test is quite simple, in fact, easier than the first. All you need to do is present a simple, original spell—one that does not already exist anywhere in the world," she stated leisurely.
For most, this test was clearly impossible. Spells were incredibly difficult to create. It was widely believed that almost all current spells were not original creations but refinements from the past, often taking generations and multiple individuals to perfect.
Spells were more than mere words; they were a means of communication with the world's magic, connecting people to gods and other powerful beings, allowing them to harness their might. Some spells linked magicians to devils, others to nameless, foreign entities. The most common spells directly tapped into the world's pervasive magic, yet these were even harder to create due to magic's unpredictable nature.
The examiner surveyed the assembled group, a smile playing on her lips. She anticipated their next question.
"Those of you who are not magicians may step to the side. I have a different test for you."
These words brought immense relief to countless individuals. The world was home not only to magicians but also to spirits, vampires, werewolves, demigods, and various other mythical creatures. While magic flowed through these beings, they generally couldn't use it to cast spells. The few who could tap into their magic could only achieve simple feats, like transforming into bats or mist. It would clearly be unfair to demand that these creatures create spells.
The remaining people were further divided. Magicians were significantly outnumbered by other supernatural creatures. The examiner said nothing as the two groups separated, her cold gaze fixed on the supernatural creatures.
"Are you sure you are in the correct group?" she asked, in the most polite voice she could muster. Cate smiled. A few magicians even laughed knowingly.
This was because some magicians, certain they would fail the spell-creation test, had decided to join the supernatural creatures, hoping to pass with them.
"How stupid," Cate murmured. Mary, with her extensive information on the competitors and her ability to perceive others' powers, had already noted this deception. The Mage Born, however, remained indifferent, his eyes closed and hands crossed over his chest.
"Since you are sure of the sides you have chosen, let us begin. Magicians have one day to come up with a working spell. You may begin now."
At her words, all the magicians set to work. Some sat and meditated; others began rituals to commune with ancestors. Some simply gave up and tried to leave the test grounds, only to be killed before everyone's eyes.
The Mage Born remained standing, gazing at his two swords as if they were all the spells he would ever need.
Mary looked at Cate and smiled. They had a deal that Cate would help Mary pass the tests, meaning Cate had to create two spells for this challenge. The test required an original spell to be presented; it didn't specify that the presenter had to be its creator.
Cate watched the creatures, as though expecting a show.
"Don't worry, I have more than enough time for the spells," she said.
At that moment, the examiner turned her attention to the creatures and the magicians who had sneaked into their group.
"Your test is very simple. Each of you must fight at least one person and behead them. You are not allowed to use magic of any kind in this test. Your opponent's head is your ticket to the next test."
Her words reeked of blood, causing all who heard her to shiver. The magicians who had tried to deceive their way into the other group felt the cold grip of death already on their shoulders.
A magician without their magic could never go up against a magical creature and even with their magic ,most supernatural creatures were simply far too powerful .Weak magic could not even leave a simple cut on them .This was a fact of this world .The magicians who had snuck into the group of supernatural creatures now had to fight bare handed against things with fangs and claws .Some supernatural creatures were so physically strong that they could rip the head clean off a person with a single hand .
This was what these magicians had to face .
"I am a magician .I accidently moved to the wrong side ."someone cried out at this moment .The examiner smiled with a sinister intent sitting in her eyes .
"Begin. "this was all she said and the young woman who had cried out earlier was instantly lifted into the air and ripped into pieces.
The creature that did it smiled widely with the young woman's blood and intestines falling down on him .
"This test is indeed very simple as you said .All we have to do is kill the foolish magicians. "he said .
Just like that ,a bloodbath began .