My name is Kyle. I've come from the Academy to oversee today's examination," the man announced, his voice clear and commanding.
"We are not here to find ordinary individuals.
We are here for those whose potential lies beyond what even they can see."
He paused. The silence was thick enough to hear the breaths of the children echo through the courtyard.
"Today's test is divided into three parts."
He raised a gloved hand as he continued:
"First: Mana Assessment.
We will measure the innate magical energy within each of you.
This tells us how much of your being resonates with magic itself."
"Second: Mana Control.
Having power is meaningless if you can't wield it.
Uncontrolled mana can burn you from the inside out."
"And finally—Sword Combat.
We have no use for fragile mages.
True warriors combine magic with physical strength."
Kyle's expression hardened slightly.
"I will personally take part in the final test.
So if you make it to the third stage... be prepared to face me."
His eyes swept over the children like a storm rolling across the horizon.
And then, in a low voice, he added:
"Each stage will be harder than the last."
"But if you manage to pass all three trials..."
Kyle's voice dropped to a near whisper, yet it echoed in every ear,
"...there may be a place for you at the Academy."
The children stood in line, stiff with anticipation.
A heavy silence hung in the air—broken only by the thunder of their own heartbeats pounding in their heads.
The instructor took a step forward, his tone sharp and commanding:
"Listen carefully.
What I'm about to tell you might define the path your life takes from this moment onward."
His eyes scanned the wide-eyed faces before him, and he continued:
"Mana is the life force of the world.
It flows through every living being... and even objects.
But its quantity varies greatly from person to person."
He paused for a breath. His voice lowered, gaining weight and gravity.
"An average human is born with somewhere between 50 and 100 units of mana.
With natural growth, they might reach around 1,000 units by adulthood.
That's considered a baseline—what we call Grade E."
Raising his hand, he began counting the levels aloud:
"Grade D: around 2,000 units.
Still fairly common, but a touch above the average.
Grade C: 5,000 units—enough to take on multiple opponents and come out on top
Grade B: 8,000 units.
A Silver Bear falls into this category—a beast strong enough to wipe out an entire village."
"Grade A: at least 10,000 mana units.
With that power, a single person could rival a small army.
Grade A+: over 100,000 units.
Such individuals are considered threats to an entire nation."
He stopped, the air tightening as he said the next words:
"And then... there's Grade S."
A silence fell over the courtyard like a cloak of dread.
Even the instructor seemed to feel the weight of it.
"Grade S begins at over one million mana units.
At that level, a being can erase entire continents.
That kind of power is the stuff of demon lords... or living legends."
The children's eyes widened—some with awe, others with fear.
The very scale of it made their own existence feel small.
The instructor took a single step back and declared:
"Now it's your turn to find out what lies within you.
Let's see who among you holds true potential…
and who's just chasing dreams."
At the center of the courtyard stood a tall, crystal pillar.
A faint glow pulsed within it—like a living heart, quietly thumping with energy.
The instructor walked to its side and gestured with one hand.
"Each of you will come forward and place your right hand on the crystal.
It will read the natural mana flowing through your body.
The color and brightness of the glow will reveal your score
The first child stepped forward, hands trembling.
The moment their fingers touched the pillar, it gave off a weak shimmer.
"567," the device spoke, its voice mechanical and devoid of emotion.
Next: "894."
Then: "1,213."
Low numbers.
Disappointment etched itself onto young faces.
Some walked back in silence, others with shame in their eyes.
Suddenly, the sound of confident footsteps echoed across the courtyard.
A boy with silver hair and deep, stormy eyes stepped forward.
His gaze was sharp, filled with pride and certainty
"Julius, ready."
He announced it himself, as if it were a royal proclamation.
Without hesitation, he placed his hand upon the crystal.
Instantly, the pillar flared to life—bathed in brilliant blue light.
Ripples of mana surged outward in visible waves.
"8,760."
A gasp rose from the gathered crowd.
"Whoa... that's almost a Grade B!"
Julius grinned, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Just as expected."
Before the murmurs could die down, a quiet girl stepped forward.
Her golden hair shimmered under the sunlight, and her calm face held a quiet confidence—without a trace of arrogance.
The instructor looked at her.
"Name?"
"Sophia."
She placed her hand gently on the crystal.
A silver-white light pulsed from the core.
The air grew still—charged with something strange and unseen.
"10,640."
A collective breath was drawn from the children—and even the instructor.
He stepped closer, eyes slightly widened.
"This… surpasses Grade A."
He paused, then continued in a more serious tone:
"With proper training, your future could outshine many. Such potential is rare."
Sophia lowered her gaze.
No pride, no excitement—just quiet acceptance.
A few more children stepped up.
Their scores ranged from 2,000 to 3,500.
Some smiled, proud to be above "average,"
others returned to their spots in silence.
Then… it was Arthur's turn.
He stepped forward, but hesitation marked each of his steps
His heart pounded; the voices in his head were loud—filled with doubt and painful memories.
He stared at the crystal.
Took a deep breath.
Then, with a trembling hand, he reached out and touched it.
A soft blue glow rose from the crystal—gentle, but pulsing, as if something within it had stirred.
"6,230."
Silence.
Not high. Not low.
No one spoke, but a few eyes turned toward him.
Arthur withdrew his hand.
He didn't feel proud.
He didn't feel ashamed.
Just… something strange curled inside him.
"I'm… somewhere in the middle. But maybe… this isn't the end of the story."
The second trial began.
Arthur moved forward quietly. The sound of his steps on the silent field felt heavier than ever.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
He thought to himself:
"Mana is like the flow of air… if you guide it properly, not only will you grow stronger, but it will also consume far less."
He focused all his attention. It felt as though he could hear the invisible pulses of energy around him.
He gathered the mana from the core of his body and slowly, carefully, directed it toward his hands.
Moments later, a warmth flared at his fingertips.
He opened his eyes.
In his hands, a calm blue flame danced.
Not yellow, not red. Not like the flames the other children conjured.
This one... was special.
Arthur stared at it, a calm smile curling on his lips, somewhere between surprise and joy.
The instructor stepped forward. His eyes widened, but his smile was genuine.
"A blue flame… heh, this year the academy is going to be full. Talent after talent."
After Arthur, Sophia approached calmly. She looked like someone who was confident in the result.
She raised her hands. A soft swirl of mana surrounded her body.
Without strain, without force, she gently summoned the mana. A silver sphere of energy formed between her palms
The mana danced around her like butterflies of light.
The instructor only watched her, murmuring under his breath:
"So effortless... like a trained sorcerer."
After her, Julius approached with firm steps.
With a swift, powerful motion, he summoned his mana. Instantly, a searing red flame burst from his hands.
His movements were rough but impactful.
He spoke with a proud tone:
"Control? Not just control, I have mastery."
The instructor gave a faint smile.
"Strength is good, but instability… that could one day be your downfall."
The remaining children approached one by one.
Some managed to summon bright flames, others only small sparks.
For most of them, mana still felt like something vague—a thing to learn, not something they truly "possessed."
That day, only a few truly shone.
The final phase of the test: the swordsmanship trial.
The training ground was wide and open. Sunlight shimmered off the wooden swords as it broke through the drifting clouds above.
The instructor stood in the center of the field and said:
"Magic isn't everything... Some are made for battle, not for meditation or control. Let's see who truly has the strength to wield a sword."
The test began. One by one, the children stepped into the field to face the instructor. For some, the sword was too heavy, and their movements were sluggish.
But for others... the spark of battle lit up their eyes
One of the kids who was weak in mana control fought like a dancer. His strikes were swift and precise. The instructor gave a satisfied smile.
Sophia stepped forward. She picked up the sword carefully.
Her combat was clean and controlled, but lacked strength and advanced technique. After a few defensive moves, she was out of breath.
The instructor said quietly:
"Perhaps the path of the sword isn't yours... but that's not a flaw."
Then it was Julius's turn.
As always, he raised the sword with pride. His strikes were fast, powerful, and... predictable.
The instructor skillfully defended and disarmed him several times with simple techniques.
But under his breath, he said:
"If he learns the basics, he could be dangerous."
Several others came and went. Some tired, some bruised, some satisfied.
And then... it was Arthur's turn.
He walked onto the field slowly.
His eyes met the instructor's...
A heavy, oppressive aura surrounded the instructor like a wave of battle energy. Even breathing became difficult.
Arthur's heart trembled… but he didn't step back.
He picked up the wooden sword and whispered to himself:
"Fear? It's always been there. But this time, I won't let it hold me back."
The battle began.
The instructor attacked without warning.
Arthur defended. Every strike hit him like a crashing wave from a mountain.
He fell to the ground several times, but each time, he stood back up.
And then...
The instructor mocked him:
"Is that all your strength?"
Something stirred within Arthur. Not blind rage… but determination.
He took a breath.
"If a sword alone isn't enough... then why rely only on the sword?"
He guided mana into the blade.
A blue flame coiled around the wooden sword.
The sound of the flame whispered through the wind.
His next step was faster, his next strike heavier—more precise.
Mana strengthened his muscles.
For the first time, the instructor lost his balance.
Arthur attacked, defended, moved—
And suddenly, the tip of his wooden sword scratched the instructor's arm.
Silence.
A heavy hush spread over the training ground.
The instructor took a step back, then smiled. In his mind, he thought:
"This kid… is a prodigy."
In the end, the instructor knocked Arthur down with a clean, professional move.
But this time, he reached out his hand with respect.
Arthur, panting, took his hand and stood up.
The instructor smiled and said:
"Some fight with a sword. Some fight with mana.
But you?
You fight with your mind and heart.
And that... is the most dangerous combination of all."
With the test concluded, the children gathered again.
The instructor raised his voice:
"The exam is over. In three days, the results will be announced.
Only those who are truly worthy will enter the Academy.
Until then… rest well.
This might be the last days of your ordinary lives."