Lilith arrived at the academy gates early that afternoon.
“This is a bit much, isn't it?”
She muttered under her breath, glancing around.
There were at least three or four hundred people in the plaza. Most were young boys and girls dressed in opulent clothing, accompanied by servants or guards—clearly children of the nobility.
Family crests were embroidered on their clothes, and they spoke to one another with a distinct air of superiority.
Lilith stood on her tiptoes, looking toward the stage.
Several people stood there, the most prominent being a white-bearded old man who looked like a person of great importance.
“That must be the principal,” Lilith thought. “He looks quite kind.”
Then, she spotted Arret standing beside the principal.
He was speaking in low tones with a female teacher next to him, occasionally glancing at the queue as if searching for someone.
When his gaze swept over Lilith, he paused for a moment, then gave her a subtle wink.
“Good afternoon, everyone!”
The principal's voice, amplified by magic, carried across the entire plaza. The crowd fell silent instantly.
“Welcome to the Holy City Magic Academy. I am the principal of this institution; you may call me Aurora.”
“I believe you have all familiarized yourselves with our registration rules before coming here. Therefore, I shall not waste words.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the young faces below.
“On the path of magic, talent is merely the foundation. How far you can go depends on your effort.”
The principal's tone grew more serious. “Today, we will conduct the first screening: the talent test.”
He stepped aside to reveal a transparent crystal ball positioned behind him.
“This is a talent testing crystal. It can sense and display your magical potential. In a moment, you will simply need to inject your magic into the crystal ball.”
“The test results will be displayed inside the crystal and recorded by our teachers. Those who meet the standards may stay for the next stage. As for those who do not,” the principal said gently, “please return home and continue to work hard. The path of magic is not the only path in life.”
As he finished speaking, several teachers began organizing the lines.
Ten testing stations were set up across the plaza, each with a teacher and a crystal ball.
Lilith was assigned to the third line. There were more than twenty people ahead of her.
The testing began.
The first to step forward was a red-haired boy. He placed his hand on the crystal with total confidence. A red light glowed inside, gradually condensing into three points of light.
“Fire affinity. Talent level: Rank 3 potential,” the recording teacher announced calmly. “Pass. Stand to the left.”
The red-haired boy walked toward the passing area with his head held high.
Next was a girl in a green dress. She bit her lip nervously and slowly placed her hand on the crystal. It glowed with a soft green light, forming four points.
“Nature affinity. Talent level: Rank 4 potential. Not bad. Pass.”
The girl breathed a sigh of relief and jogged over to the passing area.
The testing proceeded quickly. Most people's talent fell between Rank 3 and Rank 4 potential. Occasionally, someone with Rank 5 potential would appear, causing a small stir.
However, many were also rejected.
Those who failed burst into tears on the spot, while others left with gritted teeth.
“The magic world is just as cutthroat as my old one,” she grumbled to herself. “Good thing I’m the Demon King and don’t have to compete… Wait, I’m literally competing right now!”
The line moved forward slowly until it was finally the turn of the person in front of her.
It was a golden-haired boy. He walked up to the crystal ball and, without even glancing at the recording teacher, pressed his hand directly onto it.
The crystal ball erupted with a dazzling golden light. The points of light inside condensed rapidly—five of them!
“Light affinity. Talent level: Rank 5 potential!” The teacher’s tone held a rare hint of praise. “Excellent. Pass.”
The golden-haired boy raised his chin triumphantly. As he turned, he glanced at Lilith, his eyes full of provocation.
Lilith curled her lip, not bothering to pay him any mind.
Then, it was her turn.
The female teacher in charge of the testing looked at Lilith.
“Name.”
“Lilith.”
“Place your hand on the crystal and inject your magic.”
Lilith nodded and reached out, but her hand stopped mid-air.
There was a problem.
She had a tiny bit too much magic.
What if this crystal ball exploded?
“Hey, you in front! Hurry up!”
An impatient shout came from behind. Lilith looked back and saw it was the golden-haired boy from before.
Even though he had finished his test, he was still standing nearby.
“If you don't have the confidence, then get lost. Don't waste everyone's time,” the golden-haired boy sneered. “Looking at your shabby appearance, you’re probably just a Rank 2 potential. Finish up and get out of here.”
Several students who hadn't been tested yet snickered under their breaths.
The female teacher frowned. “Master Karl, please remain quiet.”
So his name was Karl. Lilith made a mental note of it.
She turned back and glared fiercely at Karl. For some reason, this guy had been targeting her from the moment they met.
But since she didn't feel like going full Homelander right now—otherwise Karl would be sharing a table in the afterlife with those three men in black from the forest—she held back.
Seeing her look over, Karl’s smirk only grew more smug.
Lilith took a deep breath.
Whatever. If it exploded, it exploded. Arret was watching from the stage anyway; he should be able to help her explain.
She placed her hand gently on the crystal ball.
Then, she began to inject her magic.
The entire process took less than 0.1 seconds because she cut off the magic the instant she injected it. Now, her hand was just resting there for show.
The crystal ball lit up first, then began to spin.
One by one, the points of light inside began to glow.
Six points!
But it wasn't over yet.
A seventh point immediately emerged around them, though it was faint.
The entire plaza fell into a dead silence.
Everyone stared at the crystal ball, dumbfounded.
The recording teacher’s mouth hung open, and the quill in her hand dropped to the ground.
She slowly turned her head to look toward the stage.
Principal Aurora had already stood up, his body trembling slightly.
Beside him, Arret wore an 'I told you so' smile and secretly gave Lilith a thumbs-up.
The female teacher finally reacted, crying out in shock, “All-element magic affinity, and Rank 6.5 potential!”
The news spread like wildfire.
The entire plaza erupted into a frenzy.
At that moment, Karl’s expression was as twisted as if he had just swallowed something foul.
Principal Aurora had already descended from the high stage and was walking toward Lilith.
The teachers moved aside to clear a path, and the students craned their necks to see.
“Child,” the principal stopped in front of Lilith, his voice full of pleasant surprise. “What is your name?”
“Lilith,” she answered softly, already wondering if it was too late to make a run for it.
“Lilith…” the principal repeated, his smile growing even warmer.
“Very good, child. You are the most talented student I have seen in thirty years.”
Lilith could only give a couple of awkward laughs. “Thank you, Principal…”
“Who is your recommender?” the principal asked.
Lilith quickly pulled the recommendation letter from her bodice. “Mr. Arret recommended me.”
The principal took the letter, glanced at it, and his smile deepened. “I see. Arret, you’ve discovered quite the genius.”
Arret walked over at that moment and bowed to the principal. “Principal, I only happened upon her by chance. You flatter me.”
“Well said! Hahaha!” The principal returned the recommendation letter to Lilith.
“Lilith, you have passed, and with high honors at that.”
“Thank you, Principal.” Lilith breathed a sigh of relief.
The principal gave her one last look before turning back to the high stage.
The testing continued, but the atmosphere had completely changed.
In the tests that followed, not a single student appeared with more than Rank 5 potential.
Karl was supposed to be the focus of the day, but now he was completely overshadowed by Lilith.
He stood in the regular passing area, occasionally shooting glances at Lilith.
Lilith simply pretended not to see him.
Finally, all the testing was complete.
Out of more than five hundred applicants, only one hundred and twenty-three had passed.
The principal stepped onto the stage once more.
“Congratulations to all of you who passed. You have taken the first step on the path of magic.”
His voice resonated across the plaza. “Next, the academy will assign you to classes based on your talent. The class lists will be posted on the academy notice board tomorrow.”
“For now, the passing students may proceed to the dormitory area to settle in. The academy has prepared accommodations for you.”
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