Chapter 23 (the evaluation)

The old man burst from his hideout and leaped towards the stage. Professor Leo was about to announce Drake's results when a voice boomed from Drake's back. "Leo, relax. Don't rush to the conclusion." Drake spined back, startled; his eyes fell on the old man's broad chest and muscular body. Despite his sixties, the man excluded an intimidating aura, his movements surprising agile for his age.

Everyone else swiveled to face him, surprised. No one noticed his presence until he spoke. Professor Leo bows to the man. "Greeting principal Logan. May I ask why you grace us with your presence?" Waves of loud roars echo from the students. "What, that's principal Logan."

"There are rumours of him being contemporaneous childhood friends with all the patriarchs of each clan and family."

"That's not all.There are also rumours about his strength not being inferior to theirs."

Principal Logan steps forward. "The mana types displayed are called draconic mana." Another roar erupted from the crowds. What those mean?" "This is the first time everyone has heard about this." "Draconic mana. Why does it sound like it's related to dragons?"

Principal Logan claps his hands. "Please be quiet." He turned to Drake, pointing at him. "As most of you knew, going back to the history of magic. It all started with dragons and how humans imitated them to create our own. The mana displayed by this boy."He locked gaze with Drake. "Drake sir." Principal Logan turned back to the crowds. "By Drake. Is the purest form of water mana, which is also like the water dragon's mana. With this mana, there are no limits; he can be both a water and ice mage simultaneously."

He turned to professor Leo. "Is everything clear now?" Professor Leo bows once. "Yes, Principal Logan." Principal stepped close to Drake and placed his right hand on his shoulder. "Drake right." Drake nodded. "Yes," he replied. Principal Logan smiles at him. "Meet me at my office after your qualification exam." He said, stepping away from the exam. "Draconic mana, tier 3. Qualified." Professor Leo declared.

As Drake descended the stage, he felt Roman's bloodlust, but it wasn't his biggest concern, though. Everytime he looks at Ronan, his draconic instincts, picked up an irritating vibes. Drake ignored him just as Mark suggested. "Next. Rafe Liam, please come on the stage." The crystal tablet illuminated with faint white with glowing cyan. Three stars shimmered beside it. "Frost water mana, tier 3. Qualified."

Professor Leo stepped close to the crystal tablet and placed his hand on the runes etched on the ground before it. He injected his mana into the runes. "Mana circle activate. subducted." A large mana, 6.5 radii, appeared below the crystal tablet and completely absorbed it.He turned to the students.

"There are 122 applicants in total, but only 65 have passed. Those who passed the first test should not become complacent; for the second evaluation, we determine your admission." He descended from the platform. "Now all those who passed the first test should climb up the platform for the second evaluation, which is the mental strength test." He instructed.

Every qualified student ascended, all waiting for the next evaluation to begin. Professor Leo turned to the students on the platform. "Prepare yourselves; the test will begin now; you must stay conscious under the force for five minutes to get qualified."

He claps his hand, activating the mechanism inside the platform. A large blue mana circle that spanned the entire surface of the platform appeared. All the students looked on with anxiety. Suddenly, a powerful force pulls them down like a magnified gravitational force. Seven students collapsed immediately, unable to resist. Drake, however, feels only two thirds of the force as the crystal in his mana pool absorbs the remaining third, tempering the large rings around his heart and strengthening the three minor rings within it.

After 3 minutes, 20 students have been eliminated. This time Drake's draconic instincts alert him; he sits down with his leg crossed, and the crystal automatically absorbs two-thirds of the force while the remaining third strengthens his mental fortitude. Only 39 students qualified, with several experienced nose and ear bleedings. Drake also suffered a slight nosebleed. Those who were injured during the mental evaluation process, both qualified and failed students, were taken to the academy clinic for treatment.

Drake walked to the principal's office. "Knock, knock, knock." He knocked on the door. "Please come in." Principal Logan instructed. Drake opened the door and entered. Principal Logan is sitting in a chair with two armrests. The office table in front of him was piled high with books, documents, and files. Opposite him and across from the door stood a large shelf, 7.1 feet tall and 4.5 feet wide. 

"I came as you instructed." Drake said. Principal Logan rested his elbows on the table, pressing his fingers together in a triangle shape. "I'm curious about your relationship with the water dragon race." Drake, who has already prepared for this kind of question, responds. "I don't know why you asked, but I don't think my family has any relationship with the dragon race. As you know, I came here under the recognition of the Kaldris kingdom." Drake remains unfazed.

Principal Logan locked eyes with him for a moment and signed. "Okay, I won't pry into your secret anymore. What about being my personal disciple?" Drake felt a wave of excitement but then thought occupied him. "Sorry, but I will have to decline your offer." He replied. A few moments of silence passed before Principal Logan broke it. "Okay, that's all I wanted to discuss with you for now. I look forward to your progress. You may leave." Drake bow. "Okay, sir," he said. He opened the office door and took his leave.

Drake, walking out of the building where the principal office is located. "It's better if I don't become his disciple, not to attract unnecessary attention that could expose everything. Right now I need to lay low." He muttered, and just then professor Leo walks towards him. "Hey Drake, right."

"Yes,."

"I don't know how you managed it, but you ended the test with only slight bleeding. I also received a message from the principal not to include your fiance in the test but to give her a direct scholarship. I won't ask you anything and trust in principle's judgement. Is he in his office?" Drake nods. "Yes, he is." Professor Leo walked past him and stopped, then turned to Drake. "Before I forget, your room number is 27-J at the junior dormitory."