Most of the candidates had started chatting with each other either grieving about their loss or showing off.
"The event isn't over yet." Alaric stared at Marius who had gone back to drawing magic circles in a book he made out of mana.
"Oh? There were barely any people that showed potential this year.... Other then the imperial princess."
"Well there's one last guy left."
"And? He might as well be as useless as you."
"How about a bet? If he suprises you, then you'll have to do whatever I say once."
"Whatever you say Alaric." Marius said nothing bothering to even look at him.
'Mwahahaha good.' Alaric smirked.
"Can the final candidate Lysander Aelwin come on the platform."
The hall turned silent as they waited for the event to finally end.
Marius stood next to him arms folded and expression unreadable as he started looking around in the hall for Lysander.
*Thud* *Thud*
A hush fell. No fanfare accompanied as the boy stepped forwards. He wore nothing remarkable, No imperial robe, No connections to royalty, No lackeys to scream his name. Lysander stood alone, his pitch black hair flowed in the air from the morning breeze. He held himself straight not proud just calm, without a care in the world.
His eyes however said something else. In them lied Not fear. Not arrogance. But weight, A gravity that made even the students in the front row stand back as he stared back at them.
'There you are my Genie in a bottle, come and make your daddy happy.'
"Insert your mana into the Fate orb."
He approached the orb and without hesitation placed his palm on it's surface.
________________________________________
Magic rank - 3rd circle mage
Combat rank - vein awakening
As the results slowly came in Marius frowned but Alaric was as happy as ever.
"I don't see what's so amazing about this candidate, Alaric." Marius frowned.
"That's what your family said before throwing you here. You still turned out okay right?"
'seriously he pisses me off sometimes.'
"Turning out okay and be-" as Marius was giving a reply he turned back to the orb in suprise.
Mana quality- S-
Students gasped and Marius leaned forward
Even Seraphine who keeping up the facade of a perfect princess looked at him in shock.
Alaric gave out a low whistle. " Now we're talking."
He looked back at Marius who was in serious contemplation.
"Yeah what were you saying again?" Marius didn't even reply as he curiously waited for the mana affinities to show.
After that inside the orb various symbols began to form as the sub- affinities were shown, Earth, Water, Wind,Fire before the symbols began to change and form faster and faster Light, Dark, Curse, Holy, Thunder, Time... It seemed like the symbols would never stop forming.
Just then the symbols on the orb started spinning violently before they collapse into a single point of light as a hissing sound was heard.
"Wh-"
*BOOOM*
Before Marius could react Alaric had teleported both of them away from the orb.
The fate orb had exploded internally. The pressure had sent a large chunk of it flying towards the students. Two other chunks flew towards the ceiling at such a speed that the ceiling dissapeared with them.
Mid trajectory a bunch of translucent barriers formed infront of the chunk as it passed through each barrier it's speed was halfed, before it's speed was slow enough for it to fall down because of its weight infront of the applicants.
"Haah... Third grade spell [Turtle's rest] pretty convinient don't you think?" Alaric said to Marius who stared into the smoke trying to find Lysander.
'its pretty convinient to know the plot before it happens.'
"Great job but that's not what matters right now." Marius muttered under his breath.
'Our academy can't lose a talent like this... At least not right now.'
[Clear]
At the command of Marius's voice the smoke dispersed revealing an ethereal scene.
The ceiling had vanished. But in its place something else had taken over, the skyline was no longer made of stone or metal. But Stars an infinite illusion was covering the sky. Evergrowing galaxies were spinning, constellations shone brightly announcing their birth. Hundreds of stars sparkled in the distance. The scene seemed to be taken straight out of the birth of the universe.
'The plot didn't say anything about it being this.... Beautiful.'
The whole hall stood silent basking in the glory of the scene infront. In the middle of it all Lysander stood unaffected by the chaos around him. His beautiful black hair flowing as he looked upwards.
'Tch he's aura farming already. Not that I mind, he's gonna carry me to the end.'
"You're as beautiful as the day i met you." Lysander muttered. A silent tear falling down his eye as he saw his creation.
But the illusion met an end as Lysander took his palm off the destroyed sphere.
As he walked away from the sphere and approached the professors a display had lit up behind him.
[Mana affinities- Celestial (New!), sub affinities- unknown]
________________________________________
"So professor that's a pass right? I don't have the money to pay for that orb." Lysander asked. His empty eyes staring into the very soul of Alaric.
*Sigh*
As Alaric stared at the girls practically drooling over Lysander with heart shaped eyes. He felt a pang of jealousy.
'Oh the wonders of youth....'
"Lysander Aelwin was it?" Alaric adjusted his monocle.
"Yes."
"Well then welcome to the imperial academy." Alaric smiled and offered a handshake.
"Yes... Professor." He absent mindedly accepted the gesture.
Marius stared at the interaction between them in contemplation.
*Clap*
"Okay now as the examination is over. The applicants who passed can make their way to the main office where you can purchase the necessary items for this semester there as for the failures you can go home directly, the imperial academy isn't for everyone."
As the crowd finally dispersed only him, Marius and Lysander were left in the hall.
"Why have you called me seperately." Lysander asked on edge, one hand clutching his sword.
"You're not a normal individual student Lysander. When word goes around about your abilities the whole world will be after you.... Not to mention the academy's rivals.
That's why there will be two 6th circle mages with you on standby that directly report to me." Marius informed him.
'I can't tell if this is a good or bad omen for this academy Selene needs to take action asap.'
"Mhm." Lysander simply nodded.
"You both can leave now." Marius said before vanishing from the hall.
Only Lysander and Alaric were left in the hall both staring at each other creating an awkward atmosphere.
"Kid. Stop staring let's go get your books and academy robes you can go home after that."
"Fine."
.....
________________________________________
"So you're telling me..... You're broke?" Alaric said while staring at the pile of books, accesories and robes infront of him.
"Pretty much." Lysander nodded.
*Sigh
"How much is the total again." Alaric sighed before taking out his own wallet .
"5 gold coins, kind sir or you could take a student loan for your son." The lady at the office offered no remorse.
'how shameless'
'tch I was planning on eating out today guess that's off the table now.' as he stared at the cute Lysander sitting on a chair silently he releted.
'cant let anyone else fall into student debt... At least not infront of me.'
"Take the platinum coin, keep the change and Make a bank account under the name Lysander Aelwin." At his declaration both Aelwin and their attendant at the office were shocked.
After regaining composure the attendant nodded repeatedly. "Yes sir! Do you want to include a platinum card alongside that?"
"Yes."
'finally at least the new professor isn't the kind of person to bargain " the attendant cried internally while imagining her cut from the deal.
"Professor Alaric are you sure?" Lysander looked at Alaric strangely.
"Don't worry about it kid... It's chump change for a guy like me." Alaric's gaze softened as he looked at Lysander before patting his head repeatedly.
'mhm he reminds me of myself. What a cutie pie.'.
"Excuse me, i hope I'm not interrupting anything." The attendant showed up with a card in hand.
"It's nothing don't worry about it."
"Good! Then Mr Lysander Aelwin congratulations on becoming an honorary member of the Imperial premium bank holdings. We wish the best for you! If you fca want issues just dial the number on the card and we'll send a representative from the imperial empire! Oh and here's the receipt for today's purchase." You could practically see the bootlicking that the attendant was doing manifest into a spirit.
'tch and I'm ignored here, hmpf cocksuckers.' Although Alaric kept a straight face outside it was a complete different view inside.
"Alright alright we'll be going now. Thank you."
"Alright now you take all of this and go back to your home okay?" Alaric picked up the pile of books as well as clothes onto Lysander's hands. The shakey pile wobbled as Lysander tried to balance it, his eyes peering through as he practically begged the professor for help.
"Hmm that won't do, let me help." Alaric picked up half the pile before both of them made their way towards Lysander's house.
________________________________________
The trip to his house was a silent one as no one spoke a word, but when he saw Lysander's hotel which was practically a shack he was living in he couldn't help but sigh.
'Oh come on I know about the troupe of the homeless commoner but come on.'
"Hey kid is this really your house?"
"Mhm yes the grandma who let's meet live with her let's meet stay here as long as I help her with chores.... She's a very sweet grandma."
For the first time Alaric saw Lysander smile.
'Talk about red flags holy fuck.'
"Hey... I'm just saying but wouldn't it be better if you stay at the academy with one of the professors?"
'it'll help with his security too so that he won't need to have two 6th circle mages for surveillance...'
To this Lysander vigoursly shaked his head. "Grandma has been with me for a few years I can't abandon her." Alaric could even see a glint of hostility in his eyes.
'Talk about a plot point.'
"Fine how about this your grandma will stay in one of the best hotels that the vermillion empire has to offer. Not only that it'll be next to the academy okay?"
"Yes."
"We'll then let's g-
"As long as she has a 6th circle mage guarding her all the time."
' So you're not as naive as you look huh?'
"Fine... I'll try my best and put in a good word to the headmistress. You happy kid?"
To this Lysander nodded.
"Let's meet grandma first... I need to tell her about the good news."
"Fine."
As they entered the the shack Alaric couldn't help but grimace.
'This smells like my apartment last world. Howw does one live like this." In instinct Alaric covered his nose.
[Cleanse]
[Cleanse]
As soon as Lysander saw the spotless room his mouth made an o shape.
"How did you do that?"
"What do you mean how this is one of the first spells you learn.... Oh right I forgot academic situation." Alaric shook his head before suddenly freezing in place.
"How are you a third circle mage then?"
"The circles next to my heart?" Lysander tilted his head.
"What else you dum- Lysander"
"Ohhh those simply form slowly as I breathe.... The mana from the air gathers in my heart and slowly forms those circles." Lysander made a thinking pose before answering.
'Lucky bastard why couldn't it be me, sob'
"Whatever, try on the academy clothes."
"Okay." Slowly Lysander put on the garments one by one.
"How is it." Lysander said while standing upright.
"This isn't the military Aelwin soften that posture."
As Aelwin loosened up and his body was in full view while he adjusted his hair Alaric felt jealous.
'HOW he's practically shi img with that pale skin.'
"Yeah... You look great, try on the other robe."
As Lysander was changing clothes a knock was heard on the door.
*Knock-knock*
At the same time Lysander's grandma burst into the room.
"Lysander honeeyyyy I'm home!" As she walked forwards with eyes closed and her arms open ready for a hug she felt something was amiss.
Lysander was in his underwear changing clothes while a weird 20 year old cosplaying a grandpa with a monocle looked at him with his hands closed.
'sigh why does this have to happen to me.'
"YOU PERVERT GET OUT OF MY HOUSE" His grandma picked up the broom as she chased Alaric around the room.
"Wait ma'am I can explain."
"Stay away from my beautiful boy! I've seen perverts like you a dime a dozen."
In the middle of it all Lysander smiled.
10 minutes later,
Alaric in a sweat looked at Lysander's grandma who was furiously bowing down to him repeatedly.
"Ma'am please it's not that deep I accept the apology."
"R-really?" She looked down with guilt.
"Yes so please can both of you pack your belongings up? Me and the guards will come pick you up tomorrow please keep everything ready till then."
"Don't worry Aunt may professor Alaric is a good guy, I think."
"Yes, yes I am. I'll see you tomorrow student Lysander. Until then pack up your things. Night has fallen and I still have a guest waiting at my office." Alaric said while staring into his pocketwatch.
"Yeah" Lysander nodded.
"Goodbye for now." Alaric said before vanishing into thin air.
________________________________________
'one fucking platinum coin what was i thinking' Alaric felt that if he didn't have to keep up his professional display he would've gone on his knees and cried right there.
'thats half my monthly salary!' although he knew that he could survive for a year with even half a platinum coin but he still felt salty.
'well at least he has one family member good emotional support? Maybe'
'poor guy I can practically smell the the grandma kidnapping sub plot coming.' Alaric said as he layed in bed.
As he closed his eyes he finally remembered what he came home so urgently for.
'Right she should be outside? Fuck that's a bad first impression.'
As he opened the door to his tower he saw her standing in the night, the moon reflecting her beauty perfectly as she clutched her skirt nervously.
The cold night created a foggy breath everytime she exhaled.
'Ah, i fucked up didn't i?'
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