9 9. The first examination (3)

Like the other two exams, the beast identification exam was a nightmare. Robert didn't even recognize many of the savage beasts that were stated in exam.

Robert sighed.

"Whatever, I can probably still manage an 80. Just have to ace the next test."

He subconsiously glanced at his student id.

"Next exam: Basic magic examination.

Beginning in 5 minutes." It said.

Like many of the students in the room, Robert's heart pumped in an abnormal speed.

"Student name: Robert Hasterfiled

Class: 1-3

Grade: freshmen

Exam: Basic magic." The female voice said.

"The exam has started, please follow my instructions."

Robert felt confused as this was his first practical test.

"Materialize your mana into a perfect ball shape and hold it as long as you can." The female voice instructed.

"I can do this." Robert told himself.

He sat in a cross legged position and took a deep breath. He attempted to feel the mana in his body, there was tiny dots of blue littered everywhere, he gathered them all at one point and pushed them out.

A tiny blue jumble materialized.

"As expected, i still can't materialize a perfect sphere immediately." Robert thought.

He tempered the mana jumble and attempted to shape it into a ball. It was not perfect, but it was the best robert could do.

After holding it for about 10 seconds, the fatigue start washing over him.

"Expand your materialized mana, into a rectangle as big as your desk."

With sweat dripping on his forehead, he attempted to pull the feat.

Expand, expand.

The rectangle was a bit lopsided but nonetheless, it was a rectangle and he did not have the mental strength to temper it once more.

Instantly, he felt that his mana consumption increased 10 fold.

"Mana are like opposing poles of a magnet. They cannot be attracted to each other. That is why you find it difficult to draw mana in, because your body naturally contains mana.

It is also because of this, that materializing mana is difficult. When you materialize mana you are compressing all the mana together, to maintain the shape you are materializing, you have to constantly pour mana in. Because every second, mana escapes back to the surroundings.

As such, the more bigger the shape, the more mana you have to pour in it.

This is also why it is impossible to materialize all the mana in your body at the same time. It requires a lot of energy to be able to attract all the mana to a single point before materializing it when all the mana are trying to get away from each other."

Rober recalled Professor Mina's explanation.

"Damn it, i'm reaching my limit. How long as it been, 20 seconds? 30 seconds?" Robert thought frantically.

His back was already drenched with sweat.

"Change the shape into a hollow tube." The female voice instructed.

"What the hell! Is this test even made for humans?" Robert cursed the system.

Frustrated but having no other choice, robert tried to follow the instructions.

This was significantly harder then the other 2 instructions because it required extreme control to be able to shape a hollow tube.

Robert's strategy was to make a cyclinder first and then poke a hole in the middle but it was easier said than done.

"Now it's time to make the hole." Robert thought.

Seperate, seperate, shape, shape.

Robert could feel this was already his limits but the tube was not finished yet.

"No! I must push through!" Robert thought.

"AHHH!" He screamed and use all his remaining mental strength to shape it.

The hollow tube was formed.

"More! More!" Robert desperately poured his remaining mana to maintain his tube. At this point in time he was extremely focused and did not notice blue glow around his body. His mana reserve had already been almost empty a while ago, but now he sucked it dry.

Robert felt his footing getting unsteady and his head spinning. Soon, his eyes closed and his vision darkened.

"Remember, during the test, if you think that your mana has nearly run out, you must stop. Otherwise, if you run out, you will suffer from a backlash. Mana is like your blood, running out of it will be like running out of blood." The professor's voice was ringing in Robert's ear.