"Except from the third star of the empire, Princess Marina, most of you have managed to animate at least one metal figurine so with that," Xerose Tal said with a clap.
"The second part of the test is over." Xerose Tal said in a dismissive tone.
"For all those who failed this test, you will still be be allowed to take the final test." Xerose Tal said and the ten children who didn't pass brightened with hope.
"The final results will be released a week before the academy session begins, may the Goddess be in you favor." Xeroxe Tal said but before he could say anything else, a boisterous laugh filled the room.
"May the Goddess be in your favour." said a beautiful man with red hair, purple eyes and a streak of white in his hair.
"Is that not what weaklings tell themselves to feel better?" the boisterous man said with a cruel smile and Xeroxe gritted his teeth.
"Red hair, purple eyes and an annoying attitude." Princess Marina thought.
"Well if it isn't the Earl's brother." Princess Marina thought with a scowl.
"Worse than the Earl can ever hope to be and shunned by the entire high class society for being blessed by the spirit of fire. Auralith Kane is a disgusting creature that further damages the reputation of those blessed by the spirit of fire!" Princess Marina thought with a huff.
"Your next test is on refining." Xeroxe said, as he tried his best to calm himself.
"And I, Auralith Kane will be taking you on that part of the test." Auralith Kane said, swiftly cutting off Xeroxe Tal.
Trying to hide her disdain at Auralith Kane's blatant disrespect of Xeroxe Tal and his display of rank, Princess Marina watched Auralith Kane with a neutral expression.
Talking as if the children were hard of hearing, Auralith Kane ordered the children to go back to the hall where they did their first test and when he believed that the children were not moving fast enough he ordered them to run.
Ignoring Auralith Kane's demand completely, Princess Marina walked to the first hall of the entrance test in her normal pace with her head held high and her shoulders back. As the doors opened on her arrival, Auralith Kane's attention immediately shifted towards her.
"I am so glad that the third star of the empire could grace us with her presence for the final test." Auralith Kane said with a sarcastic smile.
"But what to do?" Auralith Kane said with faux worry.
"While you were taking your time to get here, the ores for the refining test have already been shared." Auralith Kane said with a wry smile.
Smiling a pleasant smile of her own, Princess Marina said " The entrance exam for this center was set with thirty students in mind."
"Surely the Academy wouldn't make a ridiculous mistake such as bringing twenty nine ores instead of thirty?" Princess Marina said with a grin.
Trying to stop his right eye from twitching in annoyance, Auralith Kane said "Right, the Academy can never be so ridiculous." with a light chuckle.
"In fact there is an ore," Auralith Kane said with twinkling eyes as he ordered someone to bring an ore so tainted that if it were given to anybody else but a child with the blessing of fire that person would have been poisoned.
Seeing the ore, all the children in the room excluding Princess Marina gasped in horror.
"That must be a mistake"Halorin said at the same time Falorin said "That ore is one step from being poisonous."
"Silence!" Auralith snapped and all the children except Princess Marina stilled in fear.
"I agree with what you previously said." Auralith Kane said in a calm tone.
"It would be ridiculous for the Academy not to bring enough ores." Auralith Kane said with a smirk.
"Now that we have the proper amount of ores," Auralith Kane said as he straightened his robes.
"I hope the test will go on without any more inconveniences." Auralith Kane said with a triumphant grin.
"This test will take ten minutes." Auralith Kane said and all the children turned their bodies towards Princess Marina in worry.
"Impossible!" Halorin said in panic.
"To refine an ore that tainted could take hours!" Falorin said in Princess Marina's defense.
"Silence!" Auralith Kane said with a sharp glare.
"From henceforth," Auralith Kane said with a boom.
"Anyone who dares to advocate for the third star of the empire in this entrance test hall shall promptly be removed from the third phase of the entrance test!" Auralith Kane said in anger.