Dawn arrived far too quickly for Lucian's liking. The inn's common room bustled with nervous families sharing hurried breakfasts. Everyone seemed eager to reach the testing grounds, though whether from excitement or desire to get it over with was unclear.
"Eat something," Mira urged, pushing a bowl of porridge toward her son. "You'll need your strength."
Lucian managed a few spoonfuls, though his stomach felt too twisted to accommodate much food. Around them, other young people displayed varying levels of confidence. Some chatted excitedly with friends. Others sat in nervous silence.
The testing grounds occupied a large field outside the main outpost walls. Wooden platforms and canvas tents had been erected for the occasion. Banners bearing the emblems of all four academies fluttered in the morning breeze.
"Look at all these people," Lucian whispered as they joined the growing crowd.
Hundreds of fifteen-year-olds milled about with their families. The diversity was striking. Rich and poor, from every corner of the empire, all united in their dreams of magical education.
"Attention, everyone!" A voice magically amplified itself across the field. "Please form orderly lines at the registration tents!"
A middle-aged mage in blue robes stood on a central platform. His voice carried clearly to every corner of the grounds without him seeming to shout.
"My name is Master Aldwin," he continued. "I oversee the entrance examinations for this region. Today's tests will determine your eligibility for both mage and warrior academies."
Lucian and Mira joined one of the registration lines. The process moved surprisingly quickly. When their turn came, a young assistant handed Lucian a wooden token carved with his name and a number.
"Please proceed to the age verification station," the assistant instructed politely.
The age verification proved both fascinating and slightly unsettling. Lucian stepped onto a circular platform covered in glowing runes. A gentle blue light washed over him from head to toe.
"Fifteen years, three months, twelve days," announced the examiner, a stern woman in gray robes. "Human, no obvious bloodline mutations. Proceed to magical capacity testing."
The magical capacity test drew the longest lines. Everyone wanted to see the legendary crystal ball that could measure a person's magical potential. Lucian found himself standing behind a tall boy who kept cracking his knuckles nervously.
"I've been training for this my whole life," the boy muttered to himself. "Father will disown me if I don't at least make second grade capacity."
When the boy's turn came, he strode confidently to the crystal ball. It was larger than Lucian had expected, nearly the size of a human head, suspended in an ornate silver frame. The boy placed both hands on its surface and closed his eyes in concentration.
The crystal remained clear for several long seconds. Then, gradually, a pale blue light began to swirl within its depths.
"Blue grade, middle first grade capacity," the examiner announced. "Suitable for mage training with proper dedication. Please proceed to tent three for continued testing."
The boy's shoulders sagged with disappointment, but he nodded and moved on. Clearly, he had hoped for something higher.
The next person in line was a girl with short red hair and calloused hands. She approached the crystal ball with obvious skepticism.
"Place your hands on the sphere and try to channel your mana into it," the examiner instructed.
The girl complied, though her posture suggested she expected nothing to happen. To everyone's surprise, the crystal began glowing with a warm white light.
"White grade, low first grade capacity," the examiner noted. "However, you show strong physical enhancement potential. Please report to the warrior academy testing area."
The girl grinned widely. "Really? I can try for the warrior academy?"
"Absolutely. Your magical capacity may be low, but your body naturally enhances itself with mana. You'd make an excellent warrior."
The girl practically skipped away, clearly delighted with this unexpected opportunity.
Finally, Lucian's turn arrived. His hands trembled slightly as he approached the crystal ball. It looked even more intimidating up close, its surface perfectly smooth and seemingly infinite in depth.
"Don't be nervous," the examiner said kindly, noticing his apprehension. "Just place your hands on the crystal and let your mana flow naturally. Don't force it."
Lucian pressed his palms against the cool surface. At first, nothing happened. The crystal remained as clear as mountain spring water. Panic began to rise in his throat. What if he had no magical capacity at all? What if everything he'd believed about himself was wrong?
Then, just as fear threatened to overwhelm him, the crystal began to vibrate. A warm sensation flowed from his hands into the sphere. Light started to swirl within, beginning as a pale yellow glow.
But the light continued to intensify, shifting from yellow to a rich, vibrant orange.
"Oh my," the examiner breathed, leaning forward for a closer look.
The orange light pulsed steadily, filling the entire crystal with warm radiance. Murmurs of amazement rippled through the crowd of waiting applicants.
"Student!" the examiner called out. "Please summon Master Aldwin immediately!"
A young assistant rushed away and returned moments later with the blue-robed mage who had addressed the crowd earlier. Master Aldwin's eyes widened as he saw the glowing crystal.
"How long has it been maintaining that intensity?" he asked.
"Nearly a full minute now," the examiner replied. "The color stabilized at what appears to be peak second grade."
Master Aldwin nodded thoughtfully, then smiled at Lucian with genuine warmth. "Young man, you have impressive potential. Let me explain what these colors mean."
He gestured to a chart posted nearby that Lucian had been too nervous to read earlier.
"White represents low first grade capacity," Master Aldwin began. "Blue is middle first grade, green is peak first grade. Yellow indicates low second grade capacity, while orange like yours represents peak second grade."
"Is that good?" Lucian asked, hardly daring to hope.
"Very good," Master Aldwin chuckled. "The highest possible starting grade is third grade, which shows as red. But peak second grade puts you in the top ten percent of all applicants."
Relief and excitement flooded through Lucian in equal measure. His mother, watching from the sidelines, beamed with pride.
"There's something else," Master Aldwin continued. "I'd like to offer you a position as my personal disciple once you're accepted to the academy. Your potential deserves individual attention and advanced training."
"Really?" Lucian could barely contain his excitement. "You'd want me as your student?"
"I would be honored to guide your development," Master Aldwin replied formally. "But first, you must complete the remaining tests. Magical capacity is only one measure of a future mage."
Lucian practically floated away from the crystal ball station. Peak second grade magical capacity! A legendary mage willing to take him as a personal disciple! This was beyond his wildest dreams.
"I'm so proud of you," Mira whispered, giving him a quick hug as he rejoined her.
"The personality test is next," Lucian said, consulting his token. "I wonder what that involves."
"Whatever it is, you'll handle it," Mira said confidently. "You have a good heart, Lucian. Any test of character will show that."
But as Lucian looked toward the ominous black tent marked "Personality Assessment," he felt a chill of apprehension. Something told him this next test would be far more challenging than simply channeling mana into a crystal ball.