Aziel looked at the candidate who was walking towards the magic potential evaluation machine.
He was unusually tall, with striking ocean-blue hair and a face that even guys couldn't help but look at.
Many girls shifted on their feet to get a better view of this charming young man. Gabriel seemed to be aware of this. He walked proudly and with dignity befitting of a high noble.
When he was just before the machine, he turned around and smiled at the crowd. The smile was beautiful, making many girls blush.
Gabriel leisurely got into the machine, his eyes reflecting extreme confidence in himself.
The blue light shone, and for a minute all was silent. Everyone, Aziel included, watched anxiously. They wanted to see where they stood in correlation to the cream of the crop.
The minute passed, and the first-placed candidate with a score of eighty-nine slid down to second place. Sure enough, Gabriel took first place.
That's when the number showing magic potential was displayed.
The atmosphere of the crowd changed immediately. Some shouted in shock while many stood with their mouths agape, dazed expressions on their faces. Whispers spread through like a wildfire.
"What?!"
"How could this be?"
"No way!"
Aziel couldn't believe it either. He expected it, but not to such an extent. The number Gabriel got was ninety-five. At first glance, the change might not seem like much, but everybody gathered here knew that it was anything but small. The higher the number, the harder it was to increase. That's why at first the number changed rapidly, but it gradually began to slow down. The changes before were at most by one number.
To see such a change at such a high number was truly extraordinary.
Aziel just barely calmed his mind when the next candidate was called on. It was the second-ranked candidate, Lucien Harrowmont.
When Aziel saw him, his eyes almost fell out of his sockets.
Lucien was a kid. He looked to be many years younger than Aziel, with a round face and plump cheeks. Strangely, his hair stood out even more than Gabriel's with their spring leaf color.
He looked the polar opposite of Gabriel; even the way he walked was totally different. He strode to the machine with a sense of aloofness, paying no attention to the crowd.
How could this be?!
Aziel had to turn fifteen so he could attend the entrance exam, but a random kid can attend when he's clearly younger?
As I said, there's a lot you don't know, kid. You can't imagine the power the top ten noble houses hold. Bypassing the entrance exam regulations isn't even a stretch for them.
Aziel was in turmoil. He had begun to see the power of nobles. From having the capabilities to test potential, having all kinds of resources, to even bypassing entrance exam regulations. It seemed that benefits had no end.
Right… In any case, it might be better for me if the second-ranked is only a kid.
A loud laugh rang through his skull.
You couldn't be more wrong. I advise you to never underestimate nobles, especially the most influential ones. They aren't foolish. If the kid wasn't ready for the academy, they would simply wait longer.
I thought that you had barely any strength left, Aziel retaliated one last time before focusing on Lucien once again.
During their conversation, Lucien had already stepped into the machine and was currently undergoing evaluation.
Like earlier with Gabriel, for a minute, silence ruled the world. The candidates watched intently as the blue light slowly subsided.
When the light faded completely, hundreds of pairs of eyes turned to the leaderboard, which now had a new first-ranked candidate.
1. Lucien Harrowmont — 97
2. Gabriel von Drachenfels — 95
The crowd was in an uproar again while Aziel stood dejectedly.
He decided to ask the mysterious voice a question that had been pestering him ever since potential was introduced.
Hey you. Can you tell me what potential really represents?
As the instructor said before, it indicates the size of one's mana core.
Yes, I heard that, but what even is a mana core?
I know what you are aiming for. You want to know how big an impact potential has on being a mage, right?
Aziel's eyes widened. He hadn't expected the voice to see right through him.
How did you know?
I know a lot of things, and you needn't worry. Although the size of one's mana core plays a huge role since it directly indicates how many spells can be unleashed, you'll be fine.
What? Do you even know what you're saying? You said that it plays a huge role, but then you say that I'll be fine even though my potential is a lot lower. How does that make sense?!
Just trust me.
How can I trust you when I don't even know your name?
There was no response.
Aziel snorted coldly and focused on the evaluation.
"Amy Dravenor," Alaric shouted.
The crowd stirred restlessly, watching the girl that walked out.
The girl wore a long velvet robe. The robe was fiery-red, adorned with the Dravenor family crest that resembled a fire. It matched the girl's bright red hair that shone in the sunlight.
Amy walked like a princess, dignified yet elegant, capturing many hearts along the way.
She entered the machine with a calm expression on her face.
Soon, the leaderboard changed again.
Amy took first place with a score of 98.
At this point, even Alaric, who remained expressionless throughout, showed a surprised expression. This kind of talent was generational. Only one mage in the whole history of the academy, which spanned for centuries, ever managed to get a higher score with ninety-nine points, but he was long gone. With such a princess, the influence of the Royal Family was bound to increase.
"All right," Aziel raised his voice. "With this, the first part of the magic exam is completed."