Magic Academy Exam (1)

The school's front gate buzzed with nervous energy. William, though outwardly calm, felt a flutter of anticipation in his stomach. He observed the crowd, noting the varied ages and backgrounds of the applicants. Some were barely older than Maya, while others appeared to be in their late twenties.

"Gorn," he whispered, "what's the age range at this academy?"

"There's a minimum age to enroll, but no maximum," Gorn explained. "It's common to see students of all ages in the same class, though most are between sixteen and twenty-four. Older students are rarer."

William recalled that the minimum age was sixteen, but that didn't mean aspiring mages only began their training then. Nobles, with their privileged access to resources and tutors, often started much younger, giving them a significant head start. William had only begun his magical journey recently, but his experiences in the past and his unique skillset gave him a distinct advantage.