1 The Will of the World

On a clear sunny day, a young man with deep blue hair could be seen walking on a street. Carriages passing through the street. Joshua was deep in thoughts about school when a female's voice called out his name

"Hey! Joshua over here!"

"Oohh...Celine! Hey, didn't expect to see you here"

"Are you excited?"

"Yes of course I'm excited! We've waited for years till we turn 13 just to qualify to learn magic! All those years of waiting and finally this day is coming!"

Not all people can learn magic. To have higher mind force than normal humans of their age and their body capable of storing small amounts of mana is the requirement for becoming a mage.

"So how was your summer?" asked Celine.

"Nothing really, just went to the Mana Lake to see if I'm gifted" replied Joshua.

If one wants to enroll to a Magic Academy they first need to go to these Mana Lakes and see if they are talented on magic.

Once they jump in the Lake, if gifted, their bodies will slowly absorb a bit of mana. This process could be somewhat called a 'JumpStart'

There are about 100 Mana Lakes in the planet. This Lakes are helpful for young kids that plans to learn magic. These Lakes are helpful to those who plans to become a mage contrary to those who became a mage.

"Really? You didn't go to any vacation with your parents or something" Celine asked although not that surprised.

"You already know my parents, they're always busy with work!" replied Joshua indifferently. Celine looked at his wrist.

"No! We're almost late, hurry up!" Celine suddenly exclaimed when she saw the time. They were immersed in their conversation that they didn't notice the time.

A minute or two they finally arrived at the entrance.

"Hoof, right on time" both panting. They were running fast since the rules stated that future apprentices should exercise more.

From the day they knew they were going to learn magic they weren't allowed to go somewhere riding carriages except if the destination is very far away.

"Welcome acolytes! Please proceed to the Administration Hall""Just go straight and then left to the statue you'll encounter." a middle-aged man was standing at the gate welcoming acolytes as they go in. He was not alone, there were a few others in different locations welcoming the other acolytes coming in.

This place is the City's Palace. It contains the living quarters of the Mayor and other important facilities. One of them is the Administration Hall where future acolytes go to learn their elemental affinity and choose which organizations they would attend to.

As they walked they arrived at a statue made of white stone then went left according to the directions.

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A few dozen steps and they finally arrived at the Administration Hall, opened the door and stepped in. The hall was made out of white marble. It was plainly decorated, chairs placed equally, a sign welcoming the acolytes.

"There's only about 113..." stated Celine as she tried counting but ended with just an estimation.

"...Come on lets find a place to sit down" Joshua said, obviously tired.

Their gazes swept around and finally found two vacant seats. They walked to it and sat down.

The hall was noisy. Some people sat in groups while some were alone or just a pair.

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*A minute later*

A young lady walked through the hall and went up the stage. The lady was so beautiful that almost every male students were staring at her. She was at her twenties.

"Ahemm!" the lady coughed; even her cough was mesmerizing. "Everyone I am Rose. A Great Mage. I would be your guide for today."

"There are doors on each side of this hall; there are a total of 220 acolytes in here. Only 22 students per line on each door! Now go and line up properly!" stated Rose firmly with a demeanor that doesn't belong to a young lady.

All apprentices started lining up. All in a hurry.

"Joshua, let's go to Door 7" Celine suggested to Joshua. "Sure!". Joshua took Celine's arm and ran fast towards Door 7.

Thankfully there was 4 more spaces left. They waited anxiously for their turns. Waiting for a few minutes and finally it was their turn.

"Joshua you go first!" shouted Celine. "Why? Your a lady you go first!" countered Joshua. "Please!" Celine begged to Joshua; obviously nervous. "Fine" Joshua accepted unwillingly.

*Joshua opened the door and went inside*

As he went in he heard a voice."Kid your mind is strong, stronger than the others I have examined." stated an old man sitting at a wooden chair. While the old man talked Joshua felt some sort of force inside his head, seemingly searching for something.

"Sit kid", The old man has this kind and patient demeanour. "Now, look at this mirror and tell me what you see" instructed the old man.

Joshua looked at the mirror. As his gaze stared at the mirror he suddenly felt he was transported inside. He looked around and his surroundings was black. It suddenly change to a forest then in space with a sun rotating around him and suddenly saw a city full of flying carriages, carpets and even citizens are using magic items. He then realized he was staring at the table.

"Young man what did you see?" the old man gazed at him.

"I was in a forest, all I saw was plantations then I was suddenly at space with a sun circling around me. I then saw this city, there were plenty of flying carpets and carriages, even citizens were using magic items." Joshua exclaimed full of excitement and shock.

The old man's mouth dropped as he heard Joshua explain everything he saw.

'This kid is a monstrous genius. An average wizard would have only one affinity, even the talented has only 2 and rare ones has three yet this kid has 5?' the old man was shocked to the core.

"Ahh...uhmmm...kid your elemental affinities are...uhm... Nature....Space...Light, Fire an...and.....Time" stated the old man, jittering while talking. "Kid you have five affinities, this is very rare"

"Wahhh....What? Are you sure? Are you somehow mistaken?" Joshua asked full of shock. He himself knew what a 5 affinities means. He knew that only a few should know about it otherwise the consequences could be dire.

"Kid I'm sure you know what this means; don't worry I won't be telling anyone." "I James son of John, a High Mage, hereby promise under the witness of our World's Will" while the James recited a mysterious force descended, it was only then that the mysterious force vanished when James finished his statement.

"Thank You Mage James" Joshua thanked happily. He guessed that the mysterious force was a force that would help James keep his mouth shut.

He went out the door trying to act cool.

"Hey, Joshua, Hey!" shouted Celine. "Ohhh..Uhmm its your turn" he replied indifferently. "Are you fine?" she asked full of curiosity. "Yesss..yes of course...." he replied.