Aziel didn't know what to do and began frantically looking around to see if he might have missed something.
After a couple of minutes of searching, he gave up on this idea. But since he couldn't think of any other options, he just ended up staring blankly at the wall before him.
There must be something. Something…
Just as he thought it was all over for him, he thought of a likely possibility. It was so obvious that he was angry that he hadn't realized earlier.
They must have used some sort of magic!
Aziel examined the paper closely — every corner, every fiber — but couldn't find anything out of the ordinary. And just like that, that minute sliver of hope fizzled into cold despair.
Yeah… I would probably need to be a mage if I wanted to get rid of the spell. I don't know what I was thinking.
Right as he was on the verge of giving up, something abnormal happened.
A strong voice echoed through Aziel's mind.
Let me help you.
Aziel was taken aback — so much so that he almost fell out of his chair. He quickly scanned the room, just to confirm his suspicions, and sure enough, he was the only one who heard the voice.
What the hell is happening right now!? I must have really gone nuts if I started hearing voices inside my head.
No, you idiot, I'm not some random voice in your head. I'm the greatest mage to have ever lived — Atlas Vireon.
Wait, what? So you are a real person? Then what the hell are you doing inside my head. And what's the bullshit with you being the greatest mage to ever live? Like I'd believe somebody I haven't even heard of.
What!? Have you seriously never heard of me? Have you been living under a rock your whole life? Never mind… Now is not the time for this, given your situation. As I have said before, I can help you.
Can you actually help me? After all, you're a mere voice inside my head.
What?! A mere voice in your head you say! Who do you think you are? Ah…Whatever. Look, all you have to do is calm yourself and clear your mind. After that you will feel a bit uncomfortable but try to not resist or else it will fail.
Aziel clenched his fists. He didn't want to trust a random voice, but did he even have a choice? If he wanted to have a shot at getting into the academy, he had to do well on this test, and as of right now, this was the only remaining choice.
After considering his choices, Aziel, although hesitant at first, came to the conclusion that it was worth a try. After all, he didn't have much to lose.
All right, I will follow your instructions. Aziel said to the voice inside his head.
Since time was running out, Aziel cleared his mind of any distractions as soon as he could.
I will start now. The voice resounded through Aziel's head.
Aziel suddenly gasped for air, feeling like he was submerged underwater.
It gradually progressed, and Aziel began to suffocate.
He clenched the table until his hands blanched while gasping for air, attracting many surrounding gazes. In a moment's time, Aziel was drenched in sweat.
The pain was crushing, and he was barely conscious, but Aziel tried not to resist.
His vision slowly got more and more blurry. When Aziel could barely see, it stopped, and Aziel breathed in deeply, his chest expanding.
Except something was weird, very weird. Aziel found himself in a peculiar state. He could clearly see his chest moving up and down rapidly, yet he didn't feel anything at all. It was like he was watching another person from a third point of view.
He could also see what was happening 'outside' — the room, the clock ticking… everything. Yet he felt as though the body was not his. He tried to move his arms, but they didn't even budge.
If Aziel could feel his body at this moment, he could feel his chest tightening.
What the hell is going on?
That's when he noticed his arms moving around, making weird gestures, and heard himself whispering in an ancient language he couldn't even speak.
Wait! I have heard this voice before.
The instructor used it before to distribute the papers!
Upon finishing the spell, the paper trembled lightly, and a weak yellow light radiated outwards. The light illuminated the whole desk, immediately attracting the looks of many other participants who began curiously looking in Aziel's direction.
When the light subsided, Aziel could feel his body again. He looked at the paper, and there they were — three questions written with black ink.
Aziel almost jumped out of his chair in excitement. His heart started beating faster, and his face lit up with a small smile. His gamble had paid off. Although he had let go control over his body for a short while, Aziel was joyous. He had successfully resolved his biggest problem.
However, his excitement was short-lived since a few other participants noticed what he had achieved.
One participant, dressed in a nice suit, even leaned over and whispered: "If you tell me how you did it, I will pay you a huge amount in gold!"
Aziel's eyes widened.
Not because of the tempting offer but because of the blue flames that engulfed the other contestant's paper, incinerating it, so that only a tiny pile of ash remained.
The contestant noticed Aziel's shocked face and turned his head back to his table. Just as the contestant realized what had happened a voice rang across the room.
"Contestant Frederick Sterling has been disqualified."
Upon hearing that, Frederick's eyes widened in shock, and all color drained from his face.
He fell to the ground and clutched his head.
"No, please, please give me one more chance, I swear I won't do it again." He pleaded, but to no avail.