Chapter 31 (the web of shame)

"Now, I will start calling names. When you hear yours, come out side and place your hand on this alter." Professor Leo affirmed. "Victoria, luthor, come out." He said.

Victoria walked out, approaching the stone circle, and placed her hand. The sigils on the alter illuminated, displaying the unit figure above it. "3,050 units, Mage Apprentice. You may return back to your position." She stepped back and returned.

"Next, Hunter Leif." He stepped out, his unfriendly face still set as he placed his hand on top of the alter and lit up. "3,150 units, Mage Apprentice." He also returned to his position.

"Harper Sebastian, step out." She leaped out of the crowds, walking arrogantly, placing her hand on the stone circle. "3,000 units. Mage Apprentice," she slightly sneered, returning to her position at a slow pace. 

"Nest,Griffin Dominic." He walked, his shoulders and head held high towards the stone circle; he placed his hand on it as instructed. The sigils on the alter lit up. "3,200 units. Mage Apprentice." He turned back to his position; his eye overlooked both Drake and Mark.

"Ronan Smith, step out." He strided towards the stone circle and did the same, placing his hands on it. "3,500. Mage Apprentice." Everywhere became buzzy like a beehive seeing someone with a bit of a strength gap. Ronan turned towards Drake's position, putting his right hands into his pocket, and sneered at him. He turned away, returning to his position.

Next is Mark Fist." Both him and Drake turned to each other as Drake nodded to him slowly. He walked with a charismatic aura blowing around him. He placed his hand on the alter, which illuminated. "3, 200. Mage Apprentice." He turned to his position near Drake as he smiled at him.

"Liam Rafe." Professor Leo called out. Liam walked to the stone circle, following the usual procedure. The stone circle glowed. "3,000 units. Mage Apprentice." Professor Leo announced, and Liam returned to his position. Several students were also examined, with the average results ranging from 2,700 to 3,000 units.

After three hours. "Alexandra Drake." Professor Leo called. Drake signed heavily and walked forward, following the routine. The stone circle illuminated, and given professor Leo a hiccup, his eyes widened. A meteor crashed into the room, leaving a crater of stunned silence in its wake.

Everyone stared at Professor Leo's shocking reaction. Drake turned to him; he wondered why the sudden outburst. "Drake, can you be honest with me? How were the three mana rings around your heart skillfully developed, successfully?" Drake was left speechless, as the question caught him off guard. He was pondering how to scape through the situation when Ronan interrupted.

"Professor Leo, don't you think it's wrong to evaluate his mana capacity with revealing the results?" He scoffed, already having a rough idea about what's going on. The room instantly erupts in noise. "Yes, why did you pause instead of calling out his results?" One of the students yelled.

"I'm sure there's something wrong with his mana pool." Another voice added. "This happens when people treat the academy as their pleasure dome." Another student muttered. Whispering of disapproval filled the air. Professor Leo signed heavily. "Quiet." The room fell silent. "1, 500 units. Mage Apprentice," he announced.

The stone circle mechanism assesses a mage's mana core capacity by analysing the total amount of mana it can hold. To fully comprehend the capacity of a mage's mana core, the mana pool must be completely filled. Drake's mana pool is completely empty, as he hasn't yet developed an assimilation technique. The 1,500 units displayed as his mana pool capacity result stem from the spherical barrier surrounding the crystal in his heart, which serves as his mana pool. This barrier itself is composed of pure mana.

Drake returned to his position as if nothing had happened while other students mocked him, pointing fingers and laughing disgracefully. Xena reaching her limit was about to unleash her rage at them when Drake interlocked his fingers with hers, calming her down.

"Hum," professor Leo cleared his throat. "Listen to me attentively." All the students tried, holding back their laughter as they attempted to focus on what Professor Leo had to say. "This massage is for all of you. None of you should try to develop the fourth ring for the time being. Since you are all below 4000 units. Just focus on developing your skills while practicing with your current tier, as all physical training will commence from tomorrow henceforth. That's all I have for you." Professor Leo locked eyes with Drake for a moment and left.

Everyone started to leave the room. Drake and Mark also emerged, only to find Ronan and Griffin standing at the doorway, looking menacing with their arms crossed.

********

Flash back to the day of the admission evaluation.

After the evaluation, students started moving towards their respective dormitories. Ronan approached Griffin. "Hey, I am Ronan." He said and smiled at him sinisterly. "How may I help you?" Griffin responded with a heavy voice. "Cool down, man. I'm here to offer you a profitable deal." Ronan crossed his arms. "I noticed that you have some grudges with that guy called Mark." He raised his head up, fixing his gaze with Griffin.

Everywhere turned mute for a moment. "What does that have to do with you?" Griffin broke the silence. "You see, I also have scores to settle with his friend, Drake. Why don't we work together? I think this deal is beneficial for both of us; what did you think?" Ronan stretched out his hand for a handshake. Griffin hesitated for a few seconds, then took his hand.

Fast forward to the day of the dining hall incident.

Before lunch, somewhere outside the lecture hall. Ronan called Griffin to a corner. "Hey, why did you call me over here suddenly?" Griffin complained. Ronan pulled him to a corner. "Be patient; I need you to create an opportunity where you give Drake an unaware attack." Ronan suggested. "Why that? Don't you think we're putting ourselves at a disadvantage by getting on the other students bad side?" Griffin annoyingly restored.

"Hey, keep it quiet. People are watching." Ronan cautioned. "There's a saying, 'Know your enemies well before you go to war with them.' You have a rough idea about Mark's strength, but Drake's strength is still unknown." Ronan elucidated and leaned against the building wall. "Then why don't you do that?" Griffin creased and frowned at his face. "I can only count on you; if I carried it out, my actions would be obvious, and he might avoid taking action." Ronan explained. "Okay, fine," Griffin reluctantly agreed.

*************

Back to percent.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as both sides locked eyes. Drake and Mark,who believed that Griffin attacked Drake out of animosity towards Mark, immediately understood the motive and perpetrator behind those actions at the dining hall.