The second stage of the exam began and several magical abilities filled the air. Fire was used to create birds, water used to create sea mammals. Man displayed several forms of creation with magical power, and of course the nobles and royal were doing the best.
This is bad. I don’t have any magical ability talkless of displaying one... Deerek glanced around the display of several creations. He was now feeling the weight of not having been blessed by a god and granted a magical ability.
Am I going to fail here?
Roselle who was standing beside Derek moved away from him, creating a distance between them. Derek noticed this as she went and stood in a more spacious area. The arena had reduced back to its original side since the number of people inside it had reduced significantly. Although, there was still enough space to move around.
What is she doing?... Derek wondered, his gaze on Roselle.
She went and stood in an open space where there were less examinees. Those around were commoners who were struggling, barely to create anything with their magic. This was where Roselle stood but those around her paid her no mind.
Roselle raised both hands, palms facing the heavens as a golden light began to form around it. "Light Magic..."
The moment the chant left her lops, the golden light flared, expanding inkt a dense, shimmering sphere. Brilliant rays brust outward, casting a blinding gakre across her immediate surroundings and drawing the startled gazes of eveyone nearby. A heartbeat lateez the radiance surged to an astonishing scale, swallowing nearly half the colossal arena in a tide of blinding gold.
"Wow, what is that?"
"Is that light magic?"
"Someone has light magic?"
The light had already caught the attention of everyone, the captains included. There was no one who couldn’t see it and stopped to look at it. The light was bright, warm and beautiful.
"It is getting bigger. Can she control it?"
Raymond’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze and every other captain’s gaze on Roselle’s magic. He had heard what some had claimed, asking if she could control it.
Is she the one?... He did not let his curiosity get the best of him as he leaned back on his chair composed and mere stared.
Everyone froze, their breath caught in anticipation as all eyes locked onto her. Feeling the dense mass of magic pulsing in her hand, Roselle knew she had gathered enough power.
She thrust her hands upward, her voice echoing over the silent arena:
"...Rain of Hanabi!"
A blinding beam of golden light shot into the sky like a rising star.
"What? She threw it?!"
Upon reaching its peak, the massive sphere of light detonatedz scattering into a breathtaking cascade of multi-coloree fireworks that rained down over the colosseum. A dazzling spectrum of vibrant hues washed across the sky, painting the heavens in a truly glorious magical spectacle.
"Wow..."
"She made fireworks!"
"With such control and ability, she would have no problem becoming a great mage."
The entire exam seemed to freeze, the examinee captivated by the striking, red-haired light magic user. She stood center stage, silent and radiant, as the wind caught her hair, sending it flowing around her like silk.
A light magic user, huh?... Raymond placed his hand on his chin... It is a wonderful ability. Just like his. I had thought she was going to lose control. But it looks like she wasn’t the person I thought she was. It seemed like that was what she wanted to create. She has a bright future... He shifted his gaze following Roselle as she walked toward a certain individual.
"You are good." Derek commented as Roselle reached him.
"Thanks. It was just something I had picked up along the way." She received his compliment kindly and tried not to take it as praise.
Derek smiled. "I must say... for someone who just got her magic, you sure have mastered it. And in just a short while too."
Roselle glanced at a different part of the arena before shifting it back toward Derek. "And you? You received yours last year. But I’m taking the exam this year. I’m sure you must have trained and mastered yours to the fullest. One year is a long time."
Upon hearing this, Derek’s eye twiched. Heh... I wish. It would have been easy for me if that was the case. But I don’t have any magical power. Your expectations have been ruined.
He glanced at a different side of the arena as fell into deep thought. Meanwhile, Roselle was waiting for a reply.
What am I actually going to do? Everyone is watching us now after that display she had made. Roselle coming to me and talking to me would give the others an impression that we know each other and her close. Meaning they would be expecting me to display something grand like her. Even the captains are watching.
A single drop of sweat flowed down Derek’s cheek as he glanced over to where the captains were seated. He swallowed hard.
Just then, a loud sound bursted that drew everyone’s attention.
On the far side of the courtyard stopd a young man who looked to be the exact same age as Roselle, clas in pristine white attire. He had short, blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Though positioned within the area where nobility stood, he kept his distance, standing apart from the main group of elites.
"Is that... Is that who I think he is?
The young man with short blonde hair maintained a stoic, unreadable expression as a surge of raw energy began spilling from his body. Within seconds, his mana erupted into a furious storm, swirling fiercely around him in immense, overwhelming waves.
"Yes. I recognize him." One of the examinees spoke out. "He’s Owen Aurevarch. The youngest child of the Aurevarch Royal Family and the younger brother of Captain Raymond."
Derek turned to who was speaking and saw that it was the same individual who had explained who captains were before the exam started. So this guy passed the first stage? Well, I’m not surprised given that he knows this much.
"Is that so?" Another candidate who was beside the guy that explained asked. This, however, wasn’t the same person who was previously across Roselle before the exam started, rather a different person.
It looks like the other guy didn’tmake it. Else, he would have been with this Mr explainer... A smiled placed across Derek’s face.
"Yes,"Mr. Explainer answered.
" Look at that immense magical power. His mana is just pouring."
"That is the power of a royal bloodline."
At this moment, everyone’s attention was on Owen. However, Derek knew better. He glanced at the captain and saw that Raymond’s eyes was at his direction
Why is is looking this way and not at his brother? Don’t tell me. His is looking at me?... Derek shook his head slightly... It can’t be me. It is definitely at Roselle.
The young man tried to convince himself. But, he couldn’t lie to himself as Raymond’s eyes were definitely on him. Derek knew better and had already figured out why this was happening.
I need to do something and fast. I can’t produce anything then I’m sure not getting that scholarship.
While he was in a state of emergency that needed to be dealt with as soon as possible, the familiar crimson window appeared in the corner of his eyes.
[Daily Quest: Train to become Powerful]
Goals:
[Incomplete] Push-ups — [0/100]
[Incomplete] Sit-ups — [0/100]
[Incomplete] Squats — [0/100]
[Incomplete] Running — [0/10km]
Warning: If the daily quest remains incomplete, a penalty will be given accordingly.
Tsk. Now isn’t the time to be showing me this.
As if reading his mind, the daily quest window changed and was replaced by his status window. The sudden change caught Derek’s attention as he skimmed through it before his eyes landed on his now upgraded attributes.
That’s right. I have increased my attributes during the last few days. Then I could use...
A faint smile crept across his face as a sudden idea flashed from the system
...
Hm. I had expected that one to also display something grand like the young lady beside him. But he has just been standing there since. It looks like he’s not getting through this stage... Raymond kept his gaze on Derek, disappointment clearly written on his face. He was just about to turn his eyes away when Derek vanished without a trace.
What? He disappeared?