Mana Exam III

The twins watched the process with wonder. Although they thought spending their time farming was much better than taking this test, this whole process was a new and strange experience they would probably never encounter again. 

After watching for a while they stopped as it was tedious to watch. The test consisted of two minutes for each child with one minute for the test and another simply trying to get the crying child to leave. Despite feeling entranced for the first minute as the blue smoke condensed and fell in drops, they gave up as watching children cry isn't the most fun thing to do.

As they focused back on the test paper in front of them they realized that it was just a complicated explanation of what the qualifications of the next test was. In short, it said that anyone who had above ten drops had a low leveled talent. Above fifty was considered normal talent. Above 500 was high level talent. Condensing all the smoke was top level talent.

The color the liquid changed to was the dominant element that a person was most compatible with. If the liquid splits into different colors then the person is equally compatible with whatever elements the color represents.

Quickly filling out the paper they gave it to the aid responsible for Exam papers. He sat with a smile as he watched the crowd of children scratch their heads. Seeing both kids walk up at the same time he wondered if they were cheating, but he also didn't care.

Whether they were cheating or not meant nothing if they couldn't pass the actual test which was getting a normal level of talent. Even then, if they got normal talent it just means they hurt themselves by getting a book they couldn't read.

Although this first test has the least people passing, the second test can also make children fail if they can't understand the basics before going to the Academy. If they don't know the basics before the Academy they would be kicked out! This change of fate would only hurt them in the long run.

While he was thinking of this the twins didn't seem to care as they simply handed their papers to the man without care. 

"Please wait a moment while I grade how well you did." Despite thinking they might have cheated he didn't let anything show as he simply kept his best smile on, trying to make them feel comfortable.

The twins nodded as they turned their attention back to the large orb. Seeing them not care the aid questioned if they truly didn't care for this portion of the test. Still, he had a job to do and quickly read through what they wrote.

'Perfect translation. This clearly shows a good understanding of what was written. Perfect pass.' Stamping the first paper he handed it back to Lily who only nodded. Keeping his professional appearance he smiled as he explained, "Please join the line. When you reach the lead hand it to her to show your score."

Lily nodded but didn't leave standing next to her brother. The aid seeing their closeness didn't say anything and simply went to reading the next paper.

'Perfect translation. Again? Although a few words changed, it is basically the same paper. I wonder which one wrote it. Oh well, I suppose it doesn't matter. Perfect pass.' As he stamped the paper he reached he heard the twins talk for the first time which caught his attention.

"50. Normal talent."

"51, 52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61. Solidly in the passing area."

Looking back he saw true to form a decent amount of liquid at the bottom of the sphere. The aid recording spoke calmly, "61 drops. Normal Talent." Then the liquid seemed to shine as it changed to a vibrant blue. "Water talent. Congratulations Pass. Next!"

Seeing someone pass was no surprise so he quickly turned back to what he was doing and stamped the paper. Turning to Ambrose he saw he was still distracted with the boy who had passed.

At the front of the chapel, the boy looked so excited with his change of fate as he screamed excitedly, "YES!" Maria simply chuckled at the boy's antics, but all the other children in the room looked at him with piercing eyes. Jealousy, Disdian, Anger, Sadness, etc. Many emotions were projected onto the boy as everyone looked at him.

Blushing the boy quickly got down from the stepstool and was given various instructions by one of the aids. The boy nodded quickly as he happily received them.

Seeing Ambrose still looking at the boy he couldn't help but speak, "Jealous?"

Turning to the aid and seeing his paper stamped he reached out his hand to take it as he responded, "Why would I be jealous of someone who is being forced to do something instead of getting the opportunity to do what he wanted to?"

As the paper left his hand the aid couldn't help but become stunned at Ambrose's disdainful look. As if going to the prestigious Acadamy that could change fate was something to be looked down upon. Still, all he could do was watch as Ambrose walked away and joined the line.

Unsure of what to make of the situation the aid could only shake his head as he turned back to the crowd of kids who were concentrating on their papers.

Still, the boy was a rarity as he was one of two people in the group who didn't know how to read but got normal talent. The other who achieved normal talent was a girl who had condensed 52 drops with her Earth talent. The other 37 kids failed to achieve normal talent.

As the twins were the first to finish their test they were the first to hand Maria their tests to show what score they achieved.

"Oh? Are we already done with those who couldn't read?" Maria asked softly after seeing Lily with a paper in hand.

She quickly noticed that both Lily and Ambrose nodded their heads at the same time. "Do you two know each other?"

"Siblings." Lily spoke curtly just wanting this to end so she could leave.

Seeing that they were taking the test at the same time Maria asked, "Twins?" The twins simply nodded still at the same time. "Do either of you think you will get a better score?"

Taking the paper Maria started a pointless conversation in the hopes of making the twins feel comfortable. Yet the twins only felt some exasperation. They had finally reached the last test before they could leave and they are being blocked? 

How rude!