Chapter 29 — The First Test
---
Kael Grenfort:
"I — as I introduced myself earlier — am Hanna Scarlett. And this must be your first test, am I right, children? Everyone wait here. When your turn comes, go to that door. Parents are forbidden to enter. Only children taking the test. If you have more questions, you may ask at the registration office. The test has begun. Good luck to you all, and goodbye!"
She finished this speech in a loud voice and began walking inside.
The interior of the school was very beautiful. Small lamps on the ceiling — they emitted a dim but pleasant light. A long waiting hall, rows of chairs on both sides. Everyone was sitting down — some in the front, some in the back, others leaning against the walls.
I glanced around. Kael tilted his head slightly and observed his surroundings carefully.
Yes, I'd estimate about two hundred children.
He rubbed his chin with his fingers, deep in thought. Then he whispered:
"Well… there are little ones here."
Then:
"Father, what's my number? Did you even get a card?"
"Yes, here's your card. You're number 168. Take it."
The card had a beautiful border, thick and smooth paper. On the back was the Revius Academy crest — an open book with three stars inside a shield. Kael ran his finger over it, checked the number, then slipped it into his pocket.
"So, what kind of tests will there be? Do you know?" he asked Sedric in a quiet tone.
"Well, it wasn't too difficult. If I'm not mistaken, there are two tests here. The first — now — is to assess physical condition and potential. The second is tomorrow morning — a written exam, as well as an oral interview. About a hundred children pass the tests and enter the school each year," Sedric explained in detail.
"Yes, so it won't be easy," Kael whispered.
"Haa… maybe. You'll know when you get in. I'll be back soon, wait here."
"Okay, Father."
Sedric walked outside. Kael sat down on a chair and crossed his legs.
---
Thirty minutes later.
"Ahhhh…" Kael yawned, covering his mouth with his hand. "I'm bored."
He stood up. I'll walk around a bit and observe the people here.
At the end of the hallway stood a beautifully dressed girl with black hair and red eyes. She was talking with other children her age, gesturing as she spoke. Her clothes were elegant yet stylish. Kael looked at her for a moment.
In one corner sat a boy with a cold gaze, dressed in worn-out clothes. His hands rested on his knees, staring at no one. Kael looked at him for a while. For a second — their eyes met. The boy frowned. Kael quickly looked away, turned around, and walked off.
What do I need such useless matters for? Sedric should be back by now. I'll discuss tomorrow's exam with him instead… he thought to himself.
"Hee… heeee… heeyyyy!"
Hello. Are you awake?
The girl appeared before him. She stood with her hands on her hips, her head tilted slightly.
"Yes, yes. I heard you. What do you want? Well?"
The girl's face changed. Instantly, her eyebrows furrowed, and her cheeks flushed red.
"Hmmmmmmmpph! You're a bad boy, you know that!" she nearly shouted.
Kael quickly covered her mouth. "Hey, hey! Calm down! What are you doing?"
The girl bit his hand.
Axxxxx!
What should I do? If I let go, she'll scream. If I don't let go, she'll injure my hand, and I won't be able to use magic. Among the parents, there are many who understand and sense magic clearly. I'm not physically strong. I can't stop time, I can't increase my speed. In short — right now, I'm helpless.
He let go of her mouth.
"Don't scream, don't scream. You're clearly some rich man's daughter. My head is a mess."
The girl looked at him — tears in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying not to cry.
"Hey, calm down. What did I even do to you?"
"You're a bad boy! Boys shouldn't treat girls like that. My mother told me…" she said quietly.
"Mmmmmm… so?"
Kael didn't care about any of this. He just shrugged.
The girl suddenly returned to her cheerful state. She wiped her eyes and smiled.
"Nothing. I just wanted to get to know you. Isn't it better to have more acquaintances? What's your name?"
The other children standing nearby — a group of boys — were staring at Kael with glaring eyes. They're clearly jealous.
"Who is he anyway?" one smaller boy said, stomping his foot.
You want to know my name? Kael felt like being cheeky.
"Yes, my name is Lilith. What's yours?"
"Mine…"
"Hey, just say it!"
"Close your eyes, and I'll tell you."
"Fine," Lilith said, closing her eyes.
Taking advantage of the situation, Kael made the "fuck" gesture at the boys with his finger.
Ahahahaha… fools. Little kids.
"I can hear you."
"Yes, my name is Kael Grenfort. What about you — your full name? You can open your eyes now."
Lilith opened her eyes. A small smile appeared on her face.
"Well, nice to meet you, Kael. My name is Lilith Grim…"
Kael's eyes widened. Time seemed to slow down.
"…jaw."
Grimjaw.
"Hey, are you okay?"
"Yes, yes. I'm fine."
"Why did you come up to me in the first place?"
Kael suddenly became alert. That name — Grimjaw. He had heard it several times before. His mother's name — Joanna Grimjaw. One of the great families. The dark clan.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Just asking. Answer me."
"Well… I sensed a very familiar scent from you. Your energy flow — very, very similar. To my mother's."
"Ah, is that so?" Kael said quietly.
"Well… I wanted to check," Lilith said, a little shyly.
"Yes, don't…"
Just as Kael was about to speak — bells rang.
Ding-ding, dong-dong! — very loud.
Then a man came to the door.
"Hello, honored ladies and gentlemen! The test has begun! Number 1 — Elven Smith! Your turn! Is he here?"
A noble's son walked past Kael. He was tall, broad-shouldered — much larger than an ordinary child. His muscles, his body — everything was big. His gaze was cold, indifferent, as if saying, "I will crush you all."
What an arrogant little brat, Kael thought to himself.
"Hello, sir. Here is my card."
He took his card from his pocket — there was a strange quality to his movements, a blend of charm and determination.
"Yes, so you are Elven Smith — from a 2nd-tier family. I've heard a lot about you. You may enter."
About ten minutes later, he came back out. Arrogance on his face — the corner of his lips slightly raised.
"Sir, here is my token. Take it."
"Yes, young sir. Don't leave. The second test will be tomorrow. You may stay in our dormitory until the tests are complete."
"Yes, thank you, sir. But I'm staying at an inn."
And he left the waiting hall.
---
The sequence continued.
"2… 3… 4…"
"Number 55 — Lilith Grimjaw! Your turn!"
---
Lilith Grimjaw:
Ufff… my turn.
What a troublesome, tense atmosphere. Scary.
Kael… Kael, where is he?
Yes, there he is.
She waved her hand. Kael glanced at her — then turned his face away.
How rude!
Lilith stood up, walked down the hallway, and approached the door. Her breathing quickened, her heart was pounding.
"Hello, I am Lilith."
"Yes, I know. From a 1st-tier family — Lilith Grimjaw. Enter."
He opened the door without even checking.
Lilith walked forward. Her hands were trembling from nervousness. It was hard to breathe.
Behind her, a woman appeared. Her face was hidden — she wore a wide-brimmed hat, casting a shadow over her features. She was tall, her movements graceful. Her voice — soft, yet steady.
"You can do it. Go on, my little sister."
Confidence suddenly returned to Lilith's eyes. Her shoulders relaxed slightly, her hands moved more clearly.
"Yes. I can do it. Thank you, sister."
And she stepped inside.
---
A small room.
In the center stood a table, and on the table — a transparent sphere. Beside it stood an elderly man. His beard was white, his clothes simple but clean. His gaze was calm, somewhat sleepy.
"Hello. This is the first test station."
"Please, calm down. What is being measured here is your spiritual power and potential."
"Well, what do I need to do?"
"Hmm… quite resolute. Good. First — peace. Direct your spiritual energy into this sphere."
Lilith's eyes widened.
"But I haven't formed my mana core yet. How can I do that?"
"Just do it. Try to direct your energy — enter a cultivation state. Have you cultivated before?"
His tone never changed from the beginning — the same calm, the same indifferent.
"Yes, I have. I understand. I think I know what to do."
Lilith took a deep breath. She closed her eyes.
Cultivation — gathering spiritual energy, focusing it inward, feeling the internal flow. Even without a mana core, every person has spiritual energy. It just needs to be awakened.
She extended her hands forward, holding her fingers a few centimeters above the sphere's surface. Breath — deep, long. Another. Another.
"Have you entered the cultivation state?"
"Yes, sir."
"Begin."
At first, the sphere did not move. Then — slowly, gently, it began to glow pink. The color grew richer, and the sphere shone like a small moon. Warm, alive.
The old man's mouth fell open. He could see spiritual energy without any magic, without any tools. And what he saw was not ordinary.
"Wh-who… are you? A genius?"
Lilith did not open her eyes. She just smiled.
The sphere continued to glow.
---