Translator: CinderTL “Self-taught?” The word piqued Bev’s interest.
In her mind, magic was synonymous with luxury, forever associated with expensive tutors, privileged backgrounds, and costly tomes.
A commoner learning magic on their own?
That sounded utterly extraordinary.
Just as Bev was about to ask more questions, a wooden door on the right side of the hall swung open.
A mage wearing a monocle beckoned Bev and Zellier over.
“It’s your turn.” The assessment was conducted in a room called the Chamber of Tranquility.
The walls were constructed of white stone, and a crystal pillar stood at the center, radiating an aura of sacredness.
The mage in charge of the assessment adjusted his monocle and announced in a clear voice, “My name is Marvin Koffler, a high-tier mage and your assessment instructor for today.” Though he seemed to be addressing both of them, Marvin’s words were actually directed solely at Zellier.
Bev’s expression revealed that she already knew Teacher Marvin well.
“I am Zellier,” Zellier said, pressing a hand to his chest and bowing slightly.
Marvin’s expression flickered with surprise when he heard Zellier had no surname, but the reaction quickly vanished from his face.
“Alright, Uncle Marvin, let’s get started,” Bev urged.
Marvin glanced at Bev, his expression tinged with resignation.
“Bev, this is your third Mage’s Assessment this month.
If you fail again, I’ll have to impose a ninety-day cooling-off period.” Bev pouted, her voice noticeably softer.
“I’ll definitely pass this time…” “The assessment process for magic apprentices is straightforward,” Marvin explained.
“First, we’ll test your mana capacity, followed by your magic casting proficiency.
I’ll evaluate your performance throughout the process to determine your eligibility.” Marvin raised his palm toward the crystal pillar.
“Bev, you’re up first.” “Good luck!” Zellier smiled, encouraging Bev.
Bev clenched her fist and nodded firmly.
“Right!” She removed her pale purple magic robe and set it aside along with her magic wand.
Such mana-amplifying items were prohibited during the evaluation process.
Bev took a deep breath, stepped up to the crystal pillar, pressed her slender palm against it, and channeled her mana.
The pillar’s material was similar to the crystal orbs used by the guards at the entrance, but purer, allowing for a clear assessment of mana intensity.
A blue light ignited from the base and gradually surged upward, reaching Bev’s waist.
She strained, desperately pouring more mana into the pillar.
The blue light rose slightly further before halting.
Zellier estimated the height.
About…
a little over a meter?
Around 1.2 to 1.3 meters.
Marvin glanced at the result.
“Not bad.
Barely passing.” Bev’s lips curved into a joyful smile, her pretty face radiant with delight.
“Woo-hoo!” Last time, she hadn’t even passed the mana detection stage.
Next up was Zellier’s turn.
He placed his palm against the pillar, and a blue light erupted from the base, surging upward in a swift, unbroken stream.
Zellier’s speed far surpassed Bev’s, and his mana level quickly exceeded her previous mark.
Bev blinked, seemingly unable to believe what she was witnessing.
Marvin, equally surprised, cast a more discerning glance at Zellier.
Ultimately, the blue light stopped just below Zellier’s chest, about thirty centimeters higher than Bev’s mark.
“Impressive,” Marvin nodded approvingly.
“Your mana strength not only meets the standards for a magic apprentice but exceeds them.” “Thank you for your praise,” Zellier replied, withdrawing his hand.
With a spirit attribute of 71, Zellier clearly met the requirements for a magic apprentice.
If he had chosen the “spell surge” talent skill, the crystal pillar’s reading might have been even higher.
“This guy…
did he really learn all this on his own?” Bev muttered under her breath, clearly envious of his superior skills.
Next, Marvin tested their spellcasting proficiency, with Bev going first again.
The process was simple: they merely had to cast a spell they were proficient in, and Marvin would evaluate their performance.
Bev extended her palm forward, focusing her mana as she mentally visualized the formula structure of her chosen spell.
Marvin narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully observing Bev’s spellcasting process.
Whoosh!
The space suddenly distorted slightly, and a pale cyan blade of air slashed forward!
Wind Blade Spell.
Although there was no wooden stake or similar object to quantify the destructive power, Zellier sensed that the strike was formidable, at least on par with a slash from an ordinary sword.
Next, Bev began to outline the formula structure for her second spell.
After about six or seven seconds, a bright light emanated from her palm.
As Bev moved, this light coalesced into a floating sphere high above, illuminating a wider area.
Illumination Spell.
After a brief rest, Bev began outlining the formula for her third spell.
This time, a water sphere about the size of a human head gradually materialized before her.
With a pop, the water sphere shot forward at high speed, striking the wall.
Water Ball Spell.
“Huff…
huff…” Having cast three spells in quick succession, Bev was visibly strained.
She panted lightly as she turned to Marvin.
“How was that, Teacher Marvin?” “Looks like you’ve been practicing diligently,” Marvin nodded slightly.
“You’ve passed, Bev.
From this moment on, you are a magic apprentice.” “Yes!” Bev exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.
Bev wasn’t the only one pleased.
Zellier was also quite happy, as he clearly saw three new progress bars appear beneath the formulaic evolution interface.
Wind Blade Spell, analysis progress: 2%.
Illumination Spell, analysis progress: 2%.
Water Ball Spell, analysis progress: 2%.
This talent skill is truly useful, saving me the trouble and expense of acquiring magic scrolls.
Moreover, compared to more complex spells like Mist Veil Embrace, the analysis speed for the three spells Bev cast is noticeably faster.
Just joining the queue yielded 2% progress.
I estimate they’ll be fully analyzed within a few days.
“Your turn, Zellier,” Marvin signaled.
Zellier stepped forward, exhaled softly, and the formula structure of the fireball spell materialized in his mind.
Mana began flowing along its predetermined pathways, preparing to circulate.
But at that moment, Zellier suddenly paused, making an unexpected discovery.
Within the originally complete fireball spell formula structure, he noticed what appeared to be unnecessary, redundant segments.
These convoluted, redundant segments could be modified into straight-line structures, allowing mana to flow much faster.
What’s going on here…?
Zellier couldn’t help but wonder.
He’d never noticed this before when casting fireball spells.
Without dwelling on it further, Zellier followed his intuition, modified the redundant segments, and successfully completed the formula structure.
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