Chapter 16: Whitewood's Arcane Miracle

Name: Sebastian Reign

Age: 6 years old

Gender: Male

Place of Birth: Whitewood Village, Kingdom of Salamanca

Arcane power: Auxiliary Arcane

Arcane title: Aegiswood Wand

'A pure auxiliary arcane wizard,' Debi thought when she saw Sebastian. Archie's image came to mind as she examined Sebastian's profile, though Archie is not a wizard. A pure auxiliary wizard...

... Level 1

... Level 2

... Level 3

... Level 4

... Level 5

... Level 6

In an unprecedented turn of events during the leveling test, a candidate fell short of the coveted level 7 threshold. As the examination commenced, the children exhibited an impressive command of arcane power, their potential seemingly boundless. Yet, amidst this promising start, Sebastian stood out as the first to reveal a disappointingly low level of arcane prowess. The villagers' faces fell with disappointment at this unexpected outcome. They had pinned their hopes on him to lead the younger generation, but how could he inspire them when his arcane power lagged behind all others?

Nonetheless, he managed to pass.

"Rally and reclaim your standing."

"Pour in twice the effort."

"Diligently enhance your studies."

A chorus of reactions swirled around Sebastian, echoing the sentiments of his fellow villagers. Alcala shared this collective mindset.

Amidst it all, Sebastian bore a serene smile, recognizing that he alone grasped the intricacies of his unique predicament.

The profound emotion that flickered across Debi's countenance went largely unnoticed as she beheld the outcome.

"An auxiliary arcane wizard, level 6, what could this signify?"

She turned her gaze toward the three men accompanying her; no matter how much distance separated them, the astonishment etched upon their faces was clear.

"I believe we must fortify the entirety of Whitewood, Mr. President," Debi conveyed to Ashton through the transmission stone. Extraordinary events had unfolded earlier, and these occurrences might well align with the prophecies contained within the ancient tome.

"As a final note, I would like to inform you, as a representative of the Salamanca School of Magic, that we invite the children present here to enroll in our school, to become full-fledged arcanists, and to be introduced to the world of the arcane.

This year, I am pleased to announce that Whitewood Village has successfully hosted the awakening ceremony. Out of the 180 children, all have passed the leveling test. This means that, for the first time in the awakening ceremony of the Kingdom of Salamanca, what happened today will become a part of history.

I declare, with the blessing of the Salamanca School of Magic and the authority of the beloved King, that Whitewood has fulfilled 100% of the kingdom's call."

Though Alcala was not accustomed to such announcements and was carried away by intense excitement, her delivery was flawless, making her sound like a seasoned speaker.

Her voice resonated throughout the entire Whitewood Village, and the continuous applause and cheers from the spectators filled the air for a successful awakening ceremony. But what delighted the villagers even more was the 100% success rate of those who awakened their arcane powers.

Parents rushed to their children, while members of the Nexus Arcane Academy tried to absorb the unfolding events.

On the other hand, the individuals who had earlier fumed and protested against the results of the Whitewood awakening ceremony under Chief Alarcon were left in stunned silence. Their bodies seemed drained of life, and their shoulders slumped. They took deep breaths, uncertain of how to report the results to Chief Alarcon.

This was a significant plus point for the village today. Coincidentally, a representative from a renowned school had witnessed it all, which prevented the two troublemakers from causing any disturbances.

***

"Senior brother...

The wizard..."

The three were still absorbing what was happening when Archie turned to Jared.

"Sshhh," he whispered, his finger pressed to his lips, indicating that they should not make noise.

"Let us move. I've requested backup from the student officers; I asked 20 of them for immediate construction assistance. I've also sought help from the Architecture and Engineering department. All that's left now is negotiating with the King of Salamanca," Ashton replied to Jared's inquisitive gaze.

"Good."

"I'll handle this matter, and you can count on the student council to guide these children."

Ashton made sure that all the students would be under their supervision.

"Senior brother, who will remain at the academy?"

"All the instructors will be there. The only one coming here is our Arcane Adviser."

Archie and Jared were excited about what they were hearing, especially when they learned that Master Angela would be accompanying them.

"Why didn't we notice that everything was already planned?"

Jared was curious, as it seemed like everything had been planned since the ceremony ended.

"When you reported earlier, the headmaster immediately gave orders to do what needed to be done, and we wanted to act accordingly. I know you wouldn't report anything lightly. The presence of the two arcane guardians alone is proof of the significance of this event. What more for all the children here?"

The two nodded in agreement with Ashton's response.

"Since Salamanca is close to the border of the North region of the Mystralia Continent, I've heard that a long winter season is coming. So, two days from now, we'll have a two-day enrollment, and we'll open the doors to the outer court branch. Spread this announcement throughout the entire eastern region," Ashton ordered using his transmission stone.

"Red, make sure that all elemental and auxiliary arcanists can construct the structures within a day," he instructed Jared before heading off to the conference. Given the importance of this matter, he decided to follow up on those he had instructed to attend the conference.

***

"Dad, are you disappointed with the result of my arcane power?" Sebastian asked, curious about his father's reaction, especially considering the high levels of arcane power among his peers while his own was only at level 6.

Gerald smiled at his son's question and gently ruffled his head.

"I'm happy that you passed, my child, and that you have the potential to enter an even better school. That's all I ever wished for."

Sebastian was touched by his father's words.

"I will do my best in my studies," he promised with a smile, and Gerald smiled back at his son.

"But, you know, Dad, Izy, and Darwin's arcane powers are incredibly cool. Miss Alcala mentioned they're like arcane beasts with a blend of elements."

"Son, what transpired today feels like a dream. I still can't believe everything that happened."

In the minds of many, it seems as if some mysterious force assisted their children in achieving this remarkable awakening.

***

"Divine Head!"

In unison, the twelve Arcanists knelt. Each of them was enveloped in an enigmatic aura, while the one known as the Divine Head exuded an awe-inspiring might.

The assembly was taken aback by the Divine Head's presence; it was a rare sight for them to unleash their might, knowing it could even harm the bodies of high-ranking Arcanists. However, this display was likely a testament to the intensity of the moment.

"The Holy Tree has revealed itself once more!"

Goosebumps rippled through the gathered crowd.

"Rise!"

As they stood, one of the Arcanists promptly inquired, "Are you certain that was the Holy Tree?"

"I have no doubt; the chosen one has successfully awakened their arcane power."

"What is the next course of action, Divine Head?"

A major conflict is looming, and the people within the palace are on edge.