-Asher Frostblade's point of view.
The cadets were formed in rows, in each row there were ten cadets, just in front of them were some teachers.
Asher looked at each professor holding a white sphere with nothing relevant, a total of three spheres that the professors were holding.
Each of the spheres had a single purpose.
The first sphere, known as the Sphere of Measurement, is crucial for assessing the total amount of mana each cadet possesses. By placing his hand on this sphere, the cadet allows his mana to flow freely into it. The sphere, equipped with advanced magical sensors, is able to detect and record the total amount of mana accumulated in the cadet's body. This step is critical, as the amount of mana a person possesses is a key indicator of his or her potential in wielding magic.
The second sphere, called the Capacity Sphere, has the function of determining each cadet's magical endurance by measuring how much energy they can release before they are completely depleted. In this process, cadets must channel their mana into the sphere until their reserves are depleted. The sphere not only measures the amount of mana released, but also how quickly it is consumed, giving an idea of the cadet's efficiency and control over their mana. This test is especially important, as a high performance in this aspect suggests that the cadet can remain active during long, drawn-out bouts.
The third and final sphere, called the Flow Sphere, is designed to assess the accuracy and stability with which the cadet can manipulate mana. Here, cadets must pour their mana into the sphere in a steady manner, and the sphere measures the smoothness and rate of mana flow. Any fluctuations in mana flow are immediately reflected, allowing evaluators to identify potential problems in the cadet's magical control. A steady, even flow of mana is vital for executing complex spells and for maintaining effectiveness in high-pressure situations.
Each cadet clearly understood what each sphere did; the teachers holding them were the evaluators.
The first stage consisted of the magical evaluation, where the most important aspects of each cadet's magical status were measured. This evaluation not only helped determine if the cadets were improving, but it was also the second most important stage of the process.
Asher looked closely at each sphere.
Although they were all the same color, once the evaluation began, they would change shades.
The first sphere, responsible for measuring the amount of mana, was divided into levels, starting from level 1 and up.
The other spheres followed a similar pattern.
After a few minutes of waiting, the evaluation finally began.
The first cadet stepped forward and stood in front of the professor holding the first sphere. The professor spoke:
"Place your hand on the sphere and let your mana flow naturally."
The cadet followed the instructions.
Asher stared, and at that moment, the sphere glowed.
The spheres had three distinctive colors: the first, white, indicated no mana; the second, red, signaled the presence of mana; and the last, a dark purple, meant that, although the cadet was first circle, his mana was considerably large for that stage, indicating that he was close to reaching the second circle.
The color emanating from the sphere was red, indicating that the cadet had a normal amount of mana. No one was surprised or commented on it.
In fact, most cadets knew that their mana would only reach red during the evaluation.
However, some cadets might have large amounts of mana, although that didn't necessarily mean they were close to the second circle; it wasn't always the case.
"You are at 78.86% of advancing to the second circle," the professor assessed.
He still had quite a ways to go, but the cadet was not discouraged; it was normal for them to be far from reaching the second circle at such a young age.
In fact, it is quite rare to see children as young as 11 or 12 become first-circle wizards, although high-ranking noble families usually help their children reach that level at 12 or even 15.
However, those with exceptional talent could become wizards at 11 or 12; of course, such cases were extremely rare, and at the academy, most cadets were around 12 or 13 and were first-circle wizards.
The cadet moved on to the next teacher.
As the second part of the evaluation indicated, the second sphere evaluated performance, that is, how much mana a cadet could use and for how long, until their reserves were depleted.
This part of the evaluation determined how long they could hold out in a mana depletion situation.
"Place your hand on the sphere and let the mana out until it runs out."
The cadet followed the instructions and began to release his mana.
He watched as the sphere filled with mana, but his face crumpled.
He looked tired and pale, but continued to pour more mana into the sphere.
A minute passed, and the cadet kept going.
Two minutes, three, four...
"Haa... Haa... Haa..."
The cadet stepped back, and the professor's voice echoed:
"Four minutes and 27 seconds."
That was his assessment.
"Rest for a moment, recover some mana, and then proceed to part three."
The cadet nodded and moved toward the last professor.
After a few minutes of recovery, the cadet approached the professor, who spoke:
"Place your hand on the sphere and let the mana flow as smoothly as possible."
"Understood."
The cadet placed his hand on the sphere, concentrated his mana and let it flow slowly into it.
"Enough."
The professor indicated, and the cadet withdrew his hand.
"Fluency: 38.77%, output speed: 26.96%."
The professor gave his assessment.
Then Oriana approached the cadet and spoke to him:
"You scored 38/100. Good job, cadet. Keep it up and improve for the next evaluation."
The final score for the first stage of the evaluation was measured from 0 to 100 points. If a cadet scored less than 30 points, he would fail the evaluation, and if his score did not improve, he could fail the first year.
Asher watched everything that was going on carefully before it was his turn. Although he was thinking about each sphere, as he saw how they worked and what he was supposed to do, he quickly approached the first sphere.
"You know how it works, so place your hand on the sphere, cadet," the professor said.
Asher obeyed and placed his hand on the sphere.
The first sphere served to measure the amount of mana the cadet had, with an assessment represented by three coded colors.
Asher began to release his mana.
The sphere glowed and quickly changed color, reaching red. However, Asher continued. After a few seconds, the sphere began to darken and the red color slowly faded. Then, the sphere began to change to a light purple that gradually became darker.
Asher poured in even more mana, and the color of the sphere gradually darkened until it became completely black.
"What's wrong, wasn't the sphere only supposed to reach purple?"
"How could it possibly be black?"
Asher heard the murmurs of the cadets, and not only them, the professors were also looking at him in surprise.
Asher continued, and the sphere turned completely black, emanating large amounts of mana.
Finally, Asher removed his hand from the sphere and looked at the professor.
"100% for the third circle."
That meant that Asher could advance to the third circle at any time, though he knew he still had a bit more to go. It wasn't the right time yet.
After the first part, Asher quickly moved to the second teacher and placed his hands on the next sphere.
This time, Asher was to release all his mana until not a single drop was left.
With the experience of the first stage, Asher had better control of his mana, which meant he would not release it uncontrollably or at an absurd speed. This would allow him to maintain a steady flow of mana for an extended time.
"Place your hand on the sphere and let all your mana out," the professor instructed.
Asher obeyed immediately and began to release his mana.
He was used to the feeling of his mana flowing out of his body; it was quite relaxing. He let the mana flow out at great speed, maintaining a steady flow without releasing it all at once.
Asher continued.
One minute, three minutes, six minutes, twenty minutes, fifty minutes, ninety minutes....
He broke out in a cold sweat and his body felt incredibly tired, barely able to stand.
Finally, Asher reached one hundred minutes, almost two hours pouring his mana.
"One hour and forty minutes."
The professor's face paled at the sight of Asher's enormous amount of mana.
First of all, Asher was a very close second circle to becoming a third circle.
This simple fact left everyone more than amazed, without words to describe the incredible amount of mana and Asher's amazing growth.... It was already foreseen from the beginning of the evaluation.
Several cadets already knew about it.
"See, I told you, now you owe me ten credit points."
Even though the credit points had not yet been handed out, several cadets had already placed their bets.
This left Asher a bit incredulous, but he soon stopped thinking about it and turned to the next teacher.
After a minute of recovering as much mana as possible, Asher looked at the professor's sphere.
It was the last part of the first stage of the evaluation. In this part, he was simply to let out some mana to assess how perfect his mana flow was and how fast he could release it.
Of course, this could further exhaust several cadets, so they were given ten minutes to rest. However, Asher only needed one minute to recover and regain much of his mana.
This was the result of a sixth-circle mage's mana control and advancement into the first stage of dark magic.
Certainly, anyone would say it was unbelievable, but Asher didn't pay too much attention and quickly looked at the professor, who was more than surprised by Asher's quick mana recovery.
Then, the professor's voice reached Asher's ears once he was in front of him.
"Let the mana come out naturally and make it as accurate as possible so that it flows quickly without disturbing its flow."
"Understood."
Asher placed his hand on the sphere and quickly released his mana.
However, this was Asher's true potential.
The first stage of dark magic Asher had obtained allowed him absolute control over his mana, which meant he could release it as quickly as possible without altering its fluidity.
He did as the professor instructed and let his mana out at an incredible speed without altering its flow.
The professor's eyes widened in astonishment and, a few seconds later, Asher withdrew his hand and looked at the professor, who was simply in shock.
After all, this was the potential at which Asher excelled at that moment.
"Fluency: 100%, output speed: 100%."
Then, each cadet was speechless. Oriana approached Asher, as surprised as the others, and gave the final score.
"You scored 100/100, Cadet Asher, good job, keep it up."
Asher simply looked at Oriana with a wide smile and narrowed eyes.
However, Oriana interpreted that smile as Asher asking, "Is that enough for you to call me master, or not?"
Oriana could only smile bitterly, knowing what Asher was trying to tell her....