Chapter 66 – The First Day of Tests – Part 3
**Third Test: Magical**
The sun was already lower when the third test began, painting the central circular arena of the academy in shades of orange and gold. The air vibrated with pure mana, carrying the scent of ozone and magical flowers floating in the gardens around them. Hundreds of young candidates waited in organized lines, some breaking into cold sweats, others taking deep breaths to focus. In the stands at the back, companions and professors watched — Lysithea sitting in the front row, hands clasped tightly in her lap, violet eyes fixed on the children. Elara, Mirella, and Graciela sat beside her, Elara wearing her new professor uniform, Mirella with her bow on her back, Graciela with her apron full of pockets. Tomas, the merchant, stayed further back, still impressed by the days of travel.
Aria, the main elven evaluator, stepped into the center of the arena, her voice echoing with magical amplification:
"Final test: Magical. No harming anyone. Show your power, control it, and impress us. You each have 3 minutes. Those who demonstrate mastery and creativity pass. Those who fail… try again next year."
Ordinary candidates went first. A human named Kael summoned a small fireball, but lost control — the barrier extinguished before even a minute passed, eliminating him. An elf named Elowen created dancing vines, but they withered quickly — she passed by a narrow margin. A young orc named Borak attempted raw magical strength, lifting stones, but collapsed from exhaustion — failed. A wolf beastkin named Jax formed claws of light, but couldn't sustain them — he passed. A green-scaled dragonewt named Lira released vapor in the shape of a cloud, but without control — eliminated. Some passed with difficulty, others left with their heads down, muttering "I'll try again next year."
Then it was the turn of the eight children.
Joker went first. He walked to the center of the arena, took a deep breath, and let the madness out. Shadows rose from the ground like smoke, forming **giant clowns** that danced in a circle, laughing quietly while spinning harmless shadow knives in the air. Then he dissolved the clowns into **shadow mirrors**, reflecting the audience multiplied, creating a hypnotic effect that made Aria blink in surprise. "Total mastery," she murmured, writing it down.
Harley went next. She spun her pink hammer without striking anything — the hammer glowed, creating **illusions of colorful explosions** that filled the arena with pink confetti, lights, and harmless firework sounds. Then she struck the ground with the hammer, creating a **pink shockwave** that made the air vibrate like music, causing the magical flowers in the garden to dance along with it. "Creativity and control," Aria said, eyes wide.
Sylvara made carnivorous flowers grow from the ground — but not to attack: they danced in a circle, petals glowing, forming a floating garden that filled the arena with a sweet fragrance. Lirien sang a soft prophecy — the air shimmered with silver light, like stars slowly falling, inspiring everyone around them. Rina formed a **crown of pink flames** that floated without burning, spinning like a halo. Kuroe used chaos runes — small objects (stones, leaves) danced in the air, forming shapes that constantly changed. Astrid lifted a giant stone with orcish magical strength, holding it in the air for minutes. Marina created vapor that formed a **mist dragon** which flew around the arena, harmless and beautiful.
Lysithea, from the stands, clapped loudly, tears of pride in her eyes: "That's it, my loves! Show them who you are!"
Aria was speechless for a moment, her voice trembling: "This… I've never seen anything like it. Powers so unique, and synchronized as if they were one. You all pass. With distinction."
The group gathered in the corner of the arena, holding hands, wide smiles on their faces. Lysithea ran up to them, giving them a quick group hug. Elara joined in, whispering: "You were incredible." Mirella: "Perfect discipline." Graciela: "Now let's celebrate with real food!"
The day ended with the sun setting, painting the academy in shades of pink and gold. The family returned to the dormitory, exhausted but laughing. Lysithea looked at each of them: "First day done. The circus is warming up." Joker whispered to Harley: "There's more tomorrow." Harley smiled: "And we're going to steal the show."
What would come next? No one knew exactly.
But everyone could feel it: the stage was being prepared.
(continues…)