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If he succeeded, he would become a student of White Griffon Academy, one of the Six Great Academies of the Kingdom.
A few hours later, Ash finally caught sight of the academy.
Even from a great distance, it looked majestic.
Massive white buildings rose above the surrounding forest, their towers reaching toward the sky. Wide stone walls surrounded the academy grounds, and magical formations could be seen faintly glowing along the outer defenses.
"No wonder it's one of the Six Great Academies," Ash muttered.
Myra smiled.
"It is even more impressive up close."
Soon, they reached the main entrance.
Unlike a normal gate, the entrance consisted of a giant enchanted platform that functioned like a lift. Students, teachers, and visitors stepped onto it before being carried upward toward the academy itself.
Ash and Myra joined the others on the platform.
As it slowly ascended, Ash looked around with curiosity.
Below them stretched an enormous forest filled with magical beasts.
Some flew between the trees.
Others roamed openly across the ground.
The entire academy was built in the middle of this vast forest, using it as a natural training ground for its students.
"It really is surrounded by magical beasts," Ash said.
"That's intentional," Myra replied. "White Griffon students spend a lot of time training in the forest."
After several minutes, the lift finally reached its destination.
Ash stepped off and found himself standing before the academy proper.
The buildings were even larger than they had appeared from afar.
Students in academy uniforms walked through the grounds while instructors moved between different buildings.
Before Ash could continue looking around, a woman in academy robes approached them.
"Welcome to White Griffon Academy," she said politely.
Myra presented the recommendation letter.
The woman quickly checked it before nodding.
"Please follow me."
Ash and Myra followed her through the academy grounds until they arrived before a large stone building.
The woman stopped in front of a pair of massive doors.
"This is where the entrance examination takes place," she explained.
She then looked at Ash.
"Only candidates may enter beyond this point."
Ash nodded.
The woman continued.
"The test will begin as soon as you enter. Follow the instructions given inside and do your best."
Myra placed a hand on Ash's shoulder.
"You'll do fine."
Ash smiled.
"I know."
Taking a deep breath, he stepped toward the massive doors.
With a loud creak, they slowly opened.
Ash walked inside.
The doors closed behind him.
The examination for White Griffon Academy had officially begun.
As he entered, Ash found a line of candidates waiting ahead of him, so he quietly joined them.
Most of them appeared to be commoners like himself—young talents who had shown exceptional aptitude for magic and had received recommendations from their regional lords or influential figures.
The atmosphere was tense.
Some candidates were nervously reviewing spells under their breath, while others tried to appear confident despite the anxiety visible on their faces.
Soon, Ash received a temporary identification badge.
After that, he was led through another door.
On the other side was a massive auditorium.
Rows of seats surrounded a large stage at the center, where several academy teachers sat behind a long table.
One by one, candidates stepped onto the stage and demonstrated their best magic.
Some displayed offensive spells.
Others showcased healing, support, or utility magic.
The teachers carefully observed each performance while taking notes.
'It's quite simple,' Ash thought.
This was literally the only test.
The candidates simply had to demonstrate their magical abilities while the teachers evaluated their talent, control, potential, and overall performance.
There were no written exams or complicated challenges.
Just a straightforward display of magical skill.
For a mage academy, it made perfect sense.
After all, no matter how much knowledge a person possessed, magical talent was still the most important factor.
Soon it was Ash turn as he stepped on the stage.
One of the teacher looked at his id and nodded.
"Show us your basics."
He was asking Ash to demonstrate his proficiency with chore magic, the foundation of all magic.
"Time to show what real talent is..." Ash smiled inwardly.
Ash took a deep breath, stimulating his mana core to required limit he needs for his trick.
He stood straight and extended his right hand upward above his head, generating a sphere of dazzling white light the size of a chestnut.
His sharp hearing could already pick up some whispered comments.
"Perfect silent light magic. Trivial but effective."
"Hope he can do something better. I still have so much paperwork waiting in my office..."
Ash openly smiled and moved his arm clockwise.
When it reached the two o'clock position, a fiery fireball appeared.
"Two kinds of perfect silent magic! Not bad for a commoner."
"Double casting. Finally, something interesting."
His arm continued moving in a smooth motion, giving them no time to continue chatting.
At the four o'clock position, a small thundercloud appeared.
The audience immediately became more interested.
"Triple casting at twelve years old?"
"What the hell? Triple perfect silent casting..."
The arm reached six o'clock.
A blot of pure darkness appeared, slowly consuming the light around it while pulsing with hunger.
Several teachers immediately straightened in their seats.
At eight o'clock, rock, dust, and dirt condensed together into a small stone sphere.
Finally, at ten o'clock, a small bubble of water appeared, constantly shifting between vapor, liquid, and ice.
"By the gods!"
"Five elements!"
"Fivefold casting with perfect silent magic!"
"The last student capable of something like this..."
One of the senior teachers quickly fell silent after receiving a sharp look from the Headmaster.
Ash noticed the reaction but paid it no attention.
His arm never stopped moving.
During the second rotation, the five elemental spheres began connecting through thin strands of mana.
Light linked to fire.
Fire linked to lightning.
Lightning linked to darkness.
Darkness linked to earth.
Earth linked to water.
Water finally linked back to light.
The strands formed a perfect star-shaped pattern enclosed within a circle.
The moment the formation was completed, mana began circulating through every connection.
The individual elemental spheres slowly dissolved into pure energy.
A few seconds later, only a brilliant golden hexagram remained floating in the air before Ash.
Silence filled the auditorium.
Every teacher stared at the glowing construct with wide eyes.
Not a single person spoke.