Mages Exam
After a few days had passed, and we waited in the club room for Miss Claire to arrive and tell us about this Mages Exam she was talking about a few days ago. I asked Mom about this to give me a heads up on what might happen.
This was back a few days ago…
"Mom, while you're here. Can I ask you something?" I asked.
"Yeah sweetie what's on your mind?" Mom replied.
"What's the Mages Exam?" I replied.
"Oh, officially that's called the Mark of Mastery. It's an exam we mages have to take part in to officially be identified as a mage by the government. If you manage to successfully secure a license, using magic out in public wouldn't be a problem now than before.
I was about to prepare an exam for you from a friend. Where did you hear about taking the exam?" Mom replied and asked at the same time.
"Well from our club advisor when she was introducing herself and was giving a demonstration." I responded.
"I see who is your club advisor anyways?" Mom asked.
"Miss Claire, who used to be our school nurse. She was an alumni of our club." I replied
Mom looked relieved from the looks of it.
"Mom? You okay?" I asked.
"I'm fine Bea. Just relieved that it was someone I know." Mom replied.
"You know Miss Claire?" I questioned.
"Yes, an old associate of mine and classmate as well. I know you'll be in good hands when she teaches you girls magic." Mom is now happy after hearing that.
Back to the current time…
That was the gist of what I needed to learn. It's some kind of license to become an official mage of Nero City. While we waited in the Proving Grounds, Mia gave out some tea and cakes for us to enjoy passing time.
"I wonder what the Mages Exam will be about?" Mia wondered while drinking tea.
"Must have something to do with our skill of using magic." Elizabeth responds while she eats a piece of cake.
"I heard that the tests will determine what kind of Mage we'll end up becoming. Since there are multiple ways for us to become a Mage out in the field one day." Sylve responded.
"Exactly, but I only know the basics. The first three types are Beginner, Apprentice, then Mage itself. I guess the final one is after us passing the Mage Exam.
As of right now we can basically identify ourselves either as a Beginner like Elizabeth being first introduced into magic. While Me, Sylve, Mia, and Beatrix as Apprentice since we already have a grasp of our magic and how we use it. That's the only thing as far as I know at the moment." Hailey gave her idea and opinion on the subject.
"Not really but an interesting opinion on the topic we're gonna be tackling today." Miss Claire enters the room.
"Oh Miss Claire you're here." Elizabeth turns around and stands up to greet.
"Alright let's get to a detailed explanation of what's gonna be going down on this Mages Exam. First and foremost Elizabeth here is the only beginner in terms of magic here correct? The Exam will be tackled by everyone, beginner or not.
Don't worry it'll be simple if you all pass you'll get your own Mage License. Now what that license means is that you are eligible to use magic publicly for self-defense and for non-lethal reasons.
Now you can take this to a level higher. Since all of you are members of the Mage Research Club we get a tier higher than most normal mages that take the exam. And that is taking part in the Specialization Exam.
This exam will tackle more advanced and specific tests. Excel in one and you'll be placed in that specific specialization. There are no failures in this exam, just something to reconsider if you were concerned about failing. You'll just be reevaluated for another license.
All of you will pass in one way or the other so don't feel anxious for today. I'll be evaluating your performance out there and another person will come here to confirm your success in a few hours. You'll be exempted from school for today until the end of the week so we'll be very much busy with the exams." Miss Claire prepares the exam material on the field.
"What should we do while we wait, Miss Claire." Asked Elizabeth.
"Oh, just go wear the uniforms I prepared in the locker rooms over there." Miss Claire pointed at the locker room.
Everyone went to change the uniform handed to us. Seems like this is familiar to what Mom wears at work. A bit different since this feels lighter than hers. I guess everyone has a different spec for their outfit.
I do feel differently with the outfit on. I guess this is specialized for mages and it improves our capabilities in some way or form.
"Finally! Some official Mage robes!" Hailey was excited after trying out the uniform.
"What's with Hailey being happy about these robes?" I asked.
"Well, Beatrix, I'll tell you something. These are official outfits for mages, these come with special attributes that enhance a Mage's capability. From physical attributes to magical power. This is standard issue to licensed mages." Hailey points out the details of the uniform.
"It's rare for a normal mage like us to even get our hands on an official one." Sylve added some more details.
"I see that is interesting." Elizabeth is intrigued.
Mia was surprised by how light the robes are despite the size. They're more on the level of coats than robes realistically. I guess they made this to fit in the modern world since it would stick out if they stick to a more traditional look.
"Alright girls, the Emissary is here to judge your performance. I'll be leading the test so you girls would do well. Your task for today is to do your best out there, again there's nothing to be afraid of. None of you kids will fail.
Just show the Emissary what you're capable of. And she'll make sure you'll pass." Miss Claire gave us some motivational words to bring us up from the anxious atmosphere that is covering us at the locker rooms.
Though as we prepare ourselves to meet such a professional observing us and judging our performances… Our expectations were cut short… Literally.
A short woman wearing the same uniform as ours but more akin to winter clothing looked at our direction with a cold gaze. With a clipboard on her left hand and a pen on her right writing down with a serious face, it seems like we're gonna go through hell from the looks of it.
We stepped up front to her direction as she observed us physically to evaluate which specific magic we might fit in. I heard that Emissaries are very much a high class Mage that has decades of experience under their belt to evaluate, judge, enforce laws that Mages have to follow.
"Alright, enough with the thoughts of me being a short woman that gets old anyways. You ladies will become mages under my supervision. Specifically you, Miss Beatrix. Your record shows high potential to be an Elite member.
Before I forget to introduce myself, the name is Emissary Ivy. Pleasure to be working with all of you.
There will be no special treatment for you. Your mother might be a special mage but that doesn't mean her daughter will have it easy in this exam. I expect a lot from you. Miss Mia, your family is famed for bringing out the best White Mages that served the country. I also have high faith in you.
As for Miss Elizabeth here, don't worry about it. I'll play fair with everyone here. No special treatment will be given to Miss Beatrix and Miss Mia here I assure you that. Despite being a beginner I know you'll do best from what I know you can mirror someone's magic.
So I'd recommend you use Light magic to use for this test. After that I'll give everyone three spells for three tests. With the exception of Miss Beatrix she will be doing a different test from the rest of you." Miss Ivy gave us the rundown of her initial thoughts of us.
"What tests will Bea be doing?" Mia asked.
"Since her specialization is Body magic. She'll be sparring with me personally. The rest of you will be doing the normal procedure." Miss Ivy replied.
"So good luck girls!" Miss Claire cheered on from the side.
"Think of this as training for you girls to further master how you handle your magic. Getting to know it further now that you're wearing those clothes will unlock more of your potential. Now aim for gold everyone. I'll be seeing what you're really capable of once you're free from limitations." Miss Ivy gave a few notes for us to remember.
This is another step for me to improve upon magic and also learning how the world works.