8 Talent
'What now?'
Arial has no idea of what is about to happen.
He heard from Henrik that there is indeed some kind of test to identify the Mystic Arts Affinity of a person. However, he has no idea how it is being done.
There's also no other person within the hall so he can't see or even make a comparison.
Ruslan Valeria, at the center of the three, nodded at him while he approaches them. It seems that the headmaster is trying to reassure him.
As soon as he reached a proper distance, the young man then greeted them.
"Good afternoon… I'm Arial Wolden. Is this where I'm supposed to take the test?" He introduced himself and also asked a question to see their reaction.
The man beside Ruslan quickly stopped throwing his hostile gaze at him as he answered.
"That's right… Go ahead and stand on the Testing Array at the center of the stage." His deep voice echoed in the hall.
The man didn't even bother giving pleasantries but Arial didn't mind it. He can say that he was already used to it.
Anyway, this gentleman has a thin frame and wears a gray robe unadorned by any jewels or expensive design. The other old man at the side remained quiet as he observed him with his indifferent gaze.
Only Ruslan, with a curious gaze, appears to be glad that he's currently here.
"I understand."
Arial then walked to the center of the stage and noticed some kind of markings or perhaps, unknown text on the floor.
Though he has no problem speaking their language, writing is something that he didn't naturally learn even in his previous world.
He has to complete the 5th Stage of experimentation where his brain was perhaps injected by some knowledge in which most of them were something that he's still unsure of how to use in this world.
At the very least, their language and writings were included within the knowledge he received in the experimentation.
However, the markings on the ground weren't included in his stored data. He will probably learn more about them once he studied here.
"Just stay there for a while… We'll do the rest."
"I understand, Sir…" Arial replied awkwardly. He doesn't know his name or even his status so he can't address him properly.
At the very least, the man didn't mind it and continued giving instructions.
"Do not resist. In case you already know how to wield your mana, do not try to manipulate them. Just relax."
Arial nodded at this. He wanted to reply but he already felt something on his feet. It is a warm sensation…
It feels like warm water was covering his body starting from his feet.
'Is this the mana?' He thought.
He learned from Henrik that the energy unique to this world called "mana" is the source of the Mystic Arts. He also heard that its existence wasn't originally present here and was only brought here several hundred years ago due to a strange phenomenon.
Aside from this information, he no longer has an idea about how this mana and the Mystic Arts works… He would most likely learn more about this once the classes start.
As soon as his whole body was completely submerged by the mysterious energy, he felt his internal energy activating.
'No. This is bad… I need to relax.'
Arial immediately took a deep breath and focused. His body's natural instinct to defend against foreign energy coming in contact with him was almost activated.
This is the effect of his successful First Stage to Third Stage Experimentation. The awakening of his internal energy.
During the past two years, he learned how to properly control them enough to not cause him any trouble. However, it seems that this array is actually testing the limit of his self-control…
'Calm down… I can do this. Breathe in… Breathe out…'
Luckily, the Core Testing didn't last for long.
After about a minute, he felt that the strange energy around his body started to subside.
'Haa~' The young man sighed as he really felt nervous about what just happened. He's unaware of how his internal energy can affect the Core Testing but he knows that he shouldn't test it at this moment.
He already suffered a lot of unwanted attention during his time in the laboratory so he didn't want to happen here as well. He would like to live here as normally as possible without taking too much attention, especially from these old people who look like doctors of the Primordial Gene Research Institute.
As he looked at the three gentlemen not too far from the array, he noticed that they were actually befuddled about something.
Of course, their discussion didn't escape his ears.
His enhanced senses easily caught their whisperings.
"This is crazy… Why would the previous chief of the Royal Guard send someone who doesn't have any talent?"
"That's true. Ruslan, you're Henrik's friend… I know that he's done you several favors before. However, this is Viridian Rose Academy. Can we really accept this kid?"
"Ugh… Honestly, I didn't expect his talent to be like this as well. Anyway, you know how much I was indebted to that man. I'll buy you the best potion made by Sir Cedric next month… So, how about let's just let him in?"
Ruslan did his best to negotiate with the two to allow Arial to enroll in the Academy…
They discussed the details of his enrollment for about 15 more minutes before they finally made an agreement.
Ruslan would have to purchase two of the best potion made by Sir Cedric next month and also treat them to an expensive restaurant every weekend for the next three months. In exchange, Ruslan can study in the Academy if an instructor would accept him.
That's right, Arial needs to gain the instructor's approval before they can study under them. It will be a huge challenge considering that he almost had zero talent in Mystic Arts. Anyway, this is better than rejecting him.
Finally, since the young man basically has no money, he must also work as a custodian of the Academy!
