Entrance Examination

At this time, Rick stood among the crowd of examinees facing Paul Runner in front of them. Behind Paul are 5 assistants to record the results of the tests.

"The Entrance Examination of Hakono Academy consists of three tests. The first one would be Mana Capacity and Elemental Affinity tests. Second would be a comprehension test. As for the last test, you'll know when the time comes'' Paul said as he faced the examinees

"Alright. Let's begin the first test. Alina Black from Freed Town, Gwen from Hakono City, and Belo from Wind Town, step forward" Paul said as he looked at the crowd, waiting for the three to show themselves.

The first test was similar to the test Rick, Carla, and Leon took back in the village which simply lets them hold an orb which would glow according to their mana capacity and elemental affinity.

Those with mana capacity below level 3 automatically failed the test, making them walk away in dejection. There were quite a few talented examinees with level 6 mana capacity, which was enough to shock Paul and the assistants.

Finally, when it was Rick's turn, Paul and the assistants were stunned as they looked at him before their shock turned to excitement. Rick's mana capacity turned out to be level 8, which was quite shocking.

Back in the village, Rick's mana capacity was just level 6 while Carla's and Leon's were level 4. After three years, their mana capacity has increased significantly.

However, it wasn't only Rick who was able to shock Paul and the assistants with his mana capacity, there was also one man with a similar level 8 mana capacity.

Even Rick was surprised that there was a mage with mana capacity on par with him in this academy.

'Well, it's the outside world. There should be even more monstrous geniuses out there that I don't know of.' Rick thought to himself as he looked at the man with amazement in his eyes.

As for the Elemental Affinity test, most of the examinees have basic elements while there are only 4 of them with advanced elemental affinity.

Dual elemental affinity isn't particularly common but it isn't rare either. Advanced elemental affinity, however, was rare.

One of them was the man earlier with level 8 mana capacity who had affinity for lightning while the other two were female twins who had affinity for light and darkness. As for the last one, it was naturally Rick with Ice affinity.

Rick's affinity for spatial magic wasn't discovered. Before Rick came to the academy, taught Rick how to use [Elemental Concealment Seal], which allows him to hide his affinity for Spatial Magic. With Rick's talent for Sealing magic, he quickly had the gist of it but he still hadn't learned it.

However, it was Lisa herself who cast the [Elemental Concealment Seal] on Rick before they set on their journey. Otherwise, the entire academy would be turned upside down if they learned of his affinity for a supreme element

After all, the gravity of him having affinity for Spatial magic was enough for the empire and various factions to keep an eye on him. This included the Shadows Organization, which he wanted no part of at the moment.

Shortly afterwards, the first test was concluded. Among the 120 examinees, only 89 were left while the rest failed and left dejectedly.

"Now, for the Comprehension test" Paul said as he took out a small white envelope and showed it to the examinees.

"The second test will consist of two parts. Memorization test and Application test. For now, each of you will be given this envelope and you will have to memorize the contents inside it within 3 minutes. Afterwards, you will have to write contents from the paper. Just write as many as you can. Do not open it before the time starts" Paul said as he handed over each of the examinees a sheet of paper.

After each of them had an envelope, a voice rang out, '"After three minutes are up, you will have to fold the paper and put it back on the envelope. Failure to do so within 5 seconds will result in immediate disqualification. Cheating will also result in disqualification. You may now begin" Paul said as he announced the start of the second test.

The examinees hurriedly opened the envelope and memorized the contents inside it. The contents inside were just different kinds of magical formulas. After three minutes are up, the examinees hurriedly put the sheets of paper inside the envelope.

Afterwards, each of them were given a sheet of paper as they wrote the contents from the envelope before they passed them to the assistants.

There were some examinees who were stupid enough to get caught cheating and left in humiliation. With Paul Runner overseeing the test alongside 5 assistants frequently roaming around to observe the examinees, cheating is almost an impossible task.

However, the examinees didn't know one detail. If they were able to cheat without being discovered, or at least were able to trick the assistants, Paul would have let them pass without calling them out.

Someone with good sneaking skills is a good quality for a mage and even better for a warrior.

"Alright. For the application test, you will have to visualize the contents of the magical formulas you memorized earlier while holding this orb. Begin!" Paul said as he held another orb in his hand.

The examinees then held the orb while visualizing the magical formulas they memorized earlier.

After an hour, the Comprehension test was finally concluded. Among the 89 examinees, only 69 of them were left.

Naturally, Rick aced this test with his comprehension talent. As someone who lived two lives, he naturally had to have excellent comprehension skills.

He held back during the Comprehension test but he didn't have a good grasp of the average comprehension skills of his fellow examinees. His only basis of comparison were Carla and Leon, who were naturally talented, which gave him the false impression on what's average.

This false impression naturally resulted in him acing the Comprehension test. Fortunately, he held back a lot. Otherwise, the gap between him and the rest of the examinees in the comprehension test would have left them in the dust.

He anticipated that the Academy had already taken note of him but what he didn't anticipate was the degree of fame he earned from the results of his test.

He didn't seek fame but he didn't bother to keep a low profile either.