The Magus Test (1/2)

{Year 9990 December 13}

Three months have passed in a blink of an eye, Lionel and Morgiana can be seen at their backyard training together. Lionel was teaching Morgiana some spells at the second rank.

Although Morgiana can now cast them, she still has a little knowledge about the theories behind it and it was all because she wants to fly. She was inspired by a bird one day and was pestering Lionel about teaching her how to fly every day.

She might have no idea how strong Lionel is but she was sure that he knows how to fly. Morgiana can be perceptive sometimes is she just put her heart into it. This really gave Lionel a scare since it is the same as a lie detector. Luckily, she doesn't how to utilize it that much or he would be in deep trouble.

During these past months, there were a lot of things that happened, one thing to remember is that the number of blind men in the city is increasing which has alarmed even the King. Although they didn't know what was its cause, they were sure that it had something to do with the black-masked boy.

Lionel was already dubbed as the White Demon in the city, not like he cares since it will be better since he will gain some reputation.

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Morgiana "Hurry up Nel."

Lionel "Alright. I'm coming!"

The two of them left the house, upon coming out they were greeted by Glenn, the commander of the royal guards of the Fanalis Empire.

Glenn "Are you all ready, Princess Morgiana and Sir Lionel."

Morgiana "Yes Uncle Glenn."

Lionel just nodded, no one can tell what his expression was because of the mask he was wearing. But this time, he was wearing a different outfit and the reason is that Morgiana had enough of his usual black outfit.

Although the design was still the same, it was white and red color instead of black and grey. There was also an emblem of the Fanalis Empire on his right chest. His sword was, as usual, sheathed to his back.

The boarded the carriage as they went towards the cathedral where the Magus test will be held. Although they already knew their elemental affinities, it was still a standard procedure that they have to go through before entering an academy.

When they arrived at the cathedral, there were already a lot of people watching the events unfold and as expected, it had already started. Arriving with a carriage attracted the attention of everyone as the test was stopped.

They all looked at the carriage that had stopped, noticing the Fergan Horses, they were all awed by it and was al thinking who could afford to ride such a carriage. That is until when they saw the emblem at the carriage's door which made them all shocked.

A lion's head which was tilted slightly and have its mouth open as if it was roaring. They can even faintly hear its roar even if it doesn't exist.

Noble 1 "It's from the Fanalis Empire! But who could it be?"

Noble 2 "It must be one of the Princes, I heard they all looked handsome and muscular."

Noble 1 "Are you gay?"

Noble 2 "What are you talking about?! I am just admiring them."

Noble 1 "Totally a gay."

The nobles talked to each other in low voices as they waited for the coachman to open the door. But they just saw the coachman remained seated on his chair without any intention of opening it.

Suddenly, the door was pushed opened and they can all see that it was kicked, kicked by a white-haired boy who was wearing a mask.

Noble 3 "It's the White Demon!"

His shout made the others all looked at him as if they were looking at an idiot. As they all knew who Lionel was and these guys just had to shout it like he was the only one that knew it.

Lionel "Tsk!"

The Noble who shouted was scared witless by just a tsk from Lionel that he almost wet his pants. Luckily, there were a lot of people present which help him calmed down a bit or else a pool would have appeared below him.

Lionel then gets off of the carriage as he offered his hand to assist Morgiana from coming out of the carriage. Everyone drew their breaths as they all saw who came out.

She was wearing a red and white top, a brown skirt, dark leggings with a white band and light red borders, a white headband, glasses, pale arm cover with light red borders, white gloves, and a white belt with pouches.

They were all attracted by Morgiana as she steps on the ground, silence issued the whole cathedral as they all looked at her with admiring gazes even though there are some with lustful thoughts which didn't escape Lionel's eyes and was only marked and to be punished after the test.

The coachman then yelled while he remained sitting on his chair.

Coachman "Please Welcome. Your Royal Highness Princess Morgiana Fanalis."

*gasping sfx

A lot of nobles all gasped at the sight of Morgiana, they have all heard about the rumor that the princess of the Fanalis Empire was going to study at the Ernst Institute but they never thought that it would be for real.

They all then gave their respect to Morgiana as they looked at Lionel with curious gazes as they try to figure out what was his relationship with the princess and why was he together with her in the carriage. They all didn't see noticed the middle-aged man that was following the two of them silently while not being noticed by them.

The test was just about to finish as there were only three children left to be tested but because of the arrival of the princess, the crowd that was about to leave chose to stay and watch the result themselves.

What shocked them is that Morgiana lined up with the other three children and waited, although they want her to go first they all understood that she respects those that came first and is not a spoiled brat like any other princesses.

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And now, it was the last boy's turn to test. He had brown hair and light brown eyes that shined with intelligence and courage. The moment that he stepped on the center, he placed his right hand on the crystal ball and then.

The crystal ball suddenly burst forth with light, as though it were the sun! Earthen rays of light intersected with green rays of light, and there were even some thin lines of red spaced in between. That eye-piercing brightness forced even the people nearby to squint their eyes.

Seeing the sun-like brightness emanating forth from the crystal globe, everyone in the great hall was stunned.

The bald elder quivered as he stared at the piece of paper in his hands. It was written clearly on top that the boy named Linley was eight years old.

Bald Elder "Age, eight. Elemental essence affinities – Earth and Wind, affinity level of exceptional for both! Fire affinity, average."

Most magi had average elemental essence affinity. Even high elemental essence affinities were quite rare, and as for exceptional affinity…exceptional affinity was ridiculously rare!

By way of explaining, an ordinary magus might take ten hours to produce a certain amount of mageforce, but Linley would only require a single hour to get the same result.

"Oooooh."

The entire hall was shocked. Not only was the kid's elemental essence affinity of the exceptional level, but it was also for two different elements! This was simply too terrifying.

Bald Elder "Please enter the magical formation."

The Bald Elder had become noticeably polite towards Linley as he used the word 'please'.

Even the nearby nobles began to look at Linley with a new light in their eyes. For a person to have exceptional elemental affinity meant that they could generate mageforce in an extremely short period of time. The rest of the time could be spent on cultivating spiritual energy. His future prospects would, therefore, be unlimited.

Linley stepped into the magical formation.

The magical formation immediately glowed with a white aura, and then a sense of pressure immediately flooded into Linley's spirit.

Light-style elemental magic – Overawe!

Linley just looked like he was not affected that much by the pressure as he stood firmly without breaking much sweat. The pressure then started to increase until reached a certain height, Linley finally could no longer resist. He dropped to one knee, his hands clenching into fists on the floor.

Everyone's gaze turned to the bald elder.

Bald Elder "Spiritual essence, eighteen times that of his peers, high-level. High spiritual essence, exceptional elemental affinity."

And after his sentence, magus recruiters surrounded Linley as they all introduced the different academies that they represent. They were all politely declined by Linley as he chose Ernst Institute.

Now, it was Morgiana's turn to take the test and everyone's gaze was all on her as they all looked at her every movement.

Linley chose to stay as he was also interested in seeing what would be a princess' result in the test, he was also looking at Lionel with a curious gaze as he remembered the rumor that he heard yesterday about a white-haired boy wearing a black mask.

When Morgiana stepped on the center, she then placed her right hand on top of the crystal ball and in front of everyone eyes, the crystal ball shined with.....