Chapter 10: The Magic Test
Hilman brought Xinghui to the magic admissions test early, quietly waiting for it to begin.
Over the past two years, with the growing prosperity of Wu Shan Town and the continuous opening up of new revenue streams by the Baruch Family, both the Baruch Family and the residents of Wu Shan Town had seen a significant improvement in their living conditions.
Hilman, the captain of the Wu Shan Town guard, had also benefited from this prosperity. His treatment had improved several times over, and his financial situation had greatly improved.
Because of this, their attire was much better than when Hilman had brought Lin Lei to the city previously.
However, despite their better clothes, they were still overlooked by the nobles who strutted around like peacocks, competing for attention. They attracted scornful remarks like "country bumpkins," "disgusting," and "scroungers."
"Their eyes are on their clothes, not the person," Xinghui muttered to himself, not bothered by their disdain. He leaned quietly by the roadside with Hilman, closing his eyes to rest.
Hilman didn't feel the need to advise Xinghui to "not take their words to heart." This was because Xinghui had always been mentally mature, just like Lin Lei. Criticism from such trivial, irrelevant people wasn't worth responding to, especially compared to the verbal battles Xinghui had fought with difficult and stingy merchants.
Time slowly passed, and in less than half an hour, the tightly shut gates of the Church finally opened. A black-robed Priest walked unhurriedly out of the gates.
The bustling crowd gradually quieted down, and the Priest nodded in satisfaction before addressing the crowd.
"The magic test is starting, and the admissions teachers from the magic academies are ready. Anyone who wishes to undergo the magic test, please queue up and follow me into the hall. No pushing, shouting, or making noise!"
After speaking, the black-robed Priest walked directly into the Church, leaving a few accompanying priests behind to maintain order.
Seeing this, Hilman couldn't help but sigh. Not all priests were as approachable as the old Priest from a few years ago. But this was normal. The Priest who had spoken was only in his early thirties, with unlimited future prospects, so he naturally wasn't going to show enthusiasm for people he didn't care about.
Hilman had brought Lin Lei here before and was very familiar with the process of testing magic talent. He had already informed Xinghui about it several times in advance.
After entering the Church, Hilman handed Xinghui the ten gold coins for the test fee, patted his shoulder for encouragement, and then skillfully walked to the waiting area to wait.
For the priests of the Light Church, the magic test had become a smooth and familiar process. They went through the motions like it was second nature.
After organizing the order and introducing the testing magic array and precautions, this year's magic test began.
One by one, young boys and girls stepped onto the stage to test their magic talent.
Most of them were eliminated within two minutes, as if they were just going through the motions.
Occasionally, some candidates showed magic talent, but most had only average aptitudes. Their elemental affinity was either medium or low, and very few had even medium spiritual power.
Of course, since the base number of candidates was large, among several hundred people, some exceptionally talented individuals occasionally appeared.
For example, a young child named Baluns was tested and found to have a high elemental affinity for both fire and wind elements. His spiritual power was nineteen times that of his peers, indicating a high aptitude.
The moment the results appeared, the admissions teachers from the magic academies, who had been indifferent and even arrogant, instantly became excited. They began to fawn over the boy, offering tuition waivers, scholarships, and all sorts of other preferential terms to secure this talented young seedling for their academy.
However, this elegantly dressed young man, whose hair was meticulously styled as if glued in place, showed no sign of being moved by their attention. Instead, he stared intently at the only admissions teacher who remained calm and composed, seemingly waiting for his invitation.
Unfortunately, despite the other magic academy teachers arguing somewhat unconcernedly about their image and using foul language, the admissions teacher from Ernst Magic Academy continued to calmly look at the book in his hand, showing no intention of acknowledging Baluns.
Seeing this, Baluns' small hands clenched tightly behind his back, and his eyes became sharp and cold.
From childhood, he had always been the center of attention, like the moon surrounded by stars.
As the legitimate eldest son of an Earl's family, he was destined to be one of the most noble individuals in the world.
From a young age, everything had been handed to him. Except for his parents and grandfather, everyone else had been respectful and deferential towards him.
His prominent background, outstanding appearance, and well-mannered behavior earned him praise and admiration from many nobles. Combined with his current exceptional magical aptitude, he believed he was a born noble magic genius!
'I should naturally stand at the peak. They should actively request me to join Ernst Magic Academy! And only Ernst Magic Academy is worthy of me.'
Baluns silently roared in his heart, but it was no use.
Finally, in an attempt to secure a place at En Ster, the number one magic academy on the continent, Baluns suppressed the humiliation and resentment in his heart. He walked up to the admissions teacher from Ernst Magic Academy.
"I want to join Ernst Magic Academy!" he declared.
His speaking up was already a great honor for Ernst Magic Academy. When he shone brightly at the academy in the future, he was certain he would have this "commoner" expelled.
However, the admissions teacher was clearly taken aback by the impolite child's voice.
Looking at Baluns' arrogant and disdainful expression, the teacher frowned.
Who was this? Bohr Reynolds. Though not outstanding at En Ster Academy, he was a well-known genius in the Finlay Kingdom and the Holy Alliance!
A 32-year-old sixth-level magic user, a genius wind magic user with both wind element and spiritual power at the super level!
Even the princes of the Finlay Kingdom treated him with courtesy. So why was this low-aptitude child acting arrogant?
"Your aptitude is too poor. You are not qualified to join Ernst Magic Academy. We do not accept mediocrities."
After saying this, the teacher ignored Baluns, turning his attention back to the book in his hand.
If it weren't for earning some credits, he wouldn't have bothered wasting time here.
Baluns, ignored and humiliated, stood frozen in place, the word "mediocrity" echoing in his mind.
Finally, it was his father who walked out from the waiting crowd, approached Baluns, and led him away.
"Nonsense."