Chapter 44: Examination (2)

This only made him more nervous, shattering his previous hope that he might be able to redeem himself with his mana control. If the first orb showed his terrible potential, he would be failed on the spot.

What happens if I can’t get into Arcadia?

He had not considered the possibility of failing the entrance exam, not because he wasn’t confident—but because he didn’t want to think of the ramifications.

But now, with potential failure staring him right in the face, it seemed almost like a foregone conclusion that he would not pass. His thoughts turned complicated as he watched Lloyd’s dejected figure walk through the right door.

I have a peer contract in place with Melody… Will I be forced to attend the academy but not be able to learn as a student? He thought.

But he shook his head a moment later. There was no way that Arcadia would let students bring in servants, especially after seeing what the headmaster had done to those who he’d called “Weeds.”

There’s a good chance that I’ll be discarded by the Winterborne’s if my potential is deemed trash. I can’t see them wanting to keep me around, especially as a son-in-law if this is the case…

While Michael was having an internal crisis, the examiner had gone through the next few students already. None had been dismissed as quickly as Lloyd and had all been able to move onto the next orb.

“You may leave now,” The examiner said, waving his arm.

The right door opened, causing everyone in the room to break into whispers.

Huh? What happened?

Michael looked around, seeing the shock written on everyone’s face. He turned to the figure who had just taken the test, a boy with long black hair that drooped past his shoulders.

The kid looked crestfallen, as if someone had just sentenced him to death.

“What’s happening?” Michael asked Melody beside him.

Usually, she would have replied with something snarky before answering his question, but this time she looked too shocked to do so.

“He had the same results as Braydon,” she muttered, wearing a confused expression, “and his mana control was even better… but the examiner opened the right door this time.”

Michael frowned, his attention turning to the pitiful figure. The youth looked about ready to burst into tears, but he still walked over to the now open door, stepping through it before it closed on its own.

This doesn’t make sense. Are they testing for other qualities other than soul density and mana control?

“Next, Melody Winterborne.”

“Ah…”

Michael’s head turned and he saw Melody stiffen at the sound of her name being called. For a moment, it seemed like the usual confident and snarky woman was nowhere to be seen, replaced with a self-conscious teen girl.

“Y-You can do it Melody.” He said, patting her on the shoulder gently.

“Yeah…” she nodded absentmindedly.

He watched in quiet wonder as she slowly walked to the front of the group and stood in front of the tall examiner. The man placed his hand atop her head for a few moments before nodding.

“Thirteen and three months, continue to the first orb.”

Perhaps if this was prior to the last examinee, Melody might have been different. However, seeing that someone with similar results to Braydon had been failed, it had clearly messed with her confidence.

In fact, uncertainty and unease was hanging over the entire room.

Melody placed her hand on the orb and closed her eyes. Almost immediately, a deep green mist bubbled from within, sparks of violet flashing in its depths like a maelstrom.

The orb crackled before two orange rings appeared and began to dance upon its surface. But just when everyone thought it was over, the green mist began to darken, its shade turning purple.

“That’s enough,” the examiner stated, waving his hand. Like this, Melody was forced back from the orb, disoriented. She looked slightly confused, but managed to compose herself.

Without waiting for the examiner’s prompt, she walked towards the final pedestal and calmed her breathing.

Michael watched on with bated breath. Like him, mana manipulation was Melody’s strongest ability, he was looking forward to her result.

The young teen flicked her hair over her shoulder before stepping forward and placing her left hand upon the orb. In a few swift moments, four of the lanterns lit up with blinding speed.

White, yellow, orange and red. Already, she’d equaled the previous examinees with seemingly no effort at all. But it was only when the blue lantern lit up that the other youths in the room started to whisper amongst themselves in shock.

Michael’s gaze turned to the examiner who was watching on impassively, giving nothing away. However, the three students behind the long desk didn’t have such poise.

Besides Charles who already knew of her exceptional mana control, the other two looked quite impressed. For some reason, Michael felt a hint of pride swelling from within, despite the gazes not being directed at him.

The tall examiner took a small step forward, about to call an end to her examination—but then he froze.

Atop the orb, the green lantern flickered ever so slightly, catching everyone’s eye.

“She lit the green lantern!?”

“How is that possible? She’s even younger than most of us.”

The youths were sent into a frenzy after seeing this.

“That’s enough, you may leave now.” The tall man said, waving his hand.

The left door flashed open and Melody removed her hand from atop the orb, a dazzling smile painted on her face. She turned her head towards Michael, her sapphire-like blue eyes lingering on him for a moment.

“You better pass,” she mouthed silently.

With that, Melody turned on her heel and walked out of the hall, the door shutting behind her.

Michael’s gaze lingered on the door for a few moments before he felt many glares directed at him. It seemed that Melody’s final display when everyone’s eyes were on her had brought even more unwanted hate towards him.

He sighed in his heart.

If he were to somehow pass the examination and enter the academy, he had no doubts his life would be difficult. However, the alternative seemed even worse.

I can’t fail here… he resolved.

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