As the faint silver glow of the testing stone lit up, the crowd stood frozen, like statues, staring in disbelief at the boy still desperately trying to summon magic elements to activate the magic testing stone. Even the three tutors were stunned into silence, unable to speak.
Inside, Asura was growing increasingly anxious. There were only a few magic elements left in his body, so why hadn't the tutor announced the result of the test yet? Didn't we just agree on this? I can't hold on much longer.
Having never really practiced magic aside from occasional meditation after awakening his abilities, Asura was drenched in cold sweat. The soft silver light from the stone seemed like it could fade at any moment. But beneath the shining silver glow, there was a faint gray light flickering intermittently, although no one noticed it.
Then, a voice filled with disbelief rang out: "Lightning magic... level... Magic Apprentice... first stage!"
The young female tutor's stumbling words saved Asura. He quickly let go of the magic testing stone! Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he stared intently at the young female tutor.
A loud rumble echoed in everyone's minds!
No one could understand how a martial artist could possess magical talent, let alone the rare lightning magic talent! Why would a lightning mage, with such a rare gift, not focus on magic and instead pursue a mediocre path as a martial artist? Wouldn't being a noble mage be more appealing?
Clara, the silver-haired girl, was equally astonished and slightly agape. She couldn't fathom why this boy, who had awakened lightning magic just like her, would choose this path. She clearly remembered when she awakened her lightning magic—her family had celebrated wildly, even more so when her grandfather declared her the top young talent to cultivate in their clan.
Could it be that this boy had only just awakened his magic?
Asura noticed the stunned crowd still staring at him in silence. Unable to hold back, he asked the young tutor, "Dear tutor, shouldn't you give me my academy badge now?"
Hearing his question, the female tutor snapped out of her daze and furrowed her brow as she looked at the boy. She finally spoke hesitantly, "Well... although you're a lightning mage, your magic level..."
Before she could finish, Asura interrupted her, "But, tutor, that's not what you said earlier!"
"Everyone heard you, you said that lightning mages can be admitted to the academy. You can't just bully me because I'm young! You can't go back on your word, can you?"
The young tutor, flustered by the murmurs of the crowd, turned to the other two tutors for support. The older male tutor shot Asura a disapproving glance. This black-haired boy was trying to trap his female colleague and stir up the crowd to apply pressure. Despite his young age, he seemed full of tricks, but now they needed him to step in and end this farce.
The middle-aged male tutor called the other two tutors over. After a brief whisper, they came to an agreement. Smiling at Asura, the middle-aged tutor said, "Since you're a lightning mage and so eager to enter the academy, we will admit you, without violating the academy's admission principles. Congratulations on passing the test!"
"Asura, welcome to Saint Goban Academy!"
Asura jumped up in excitement. He had finally achieved his long-cherished dream! But as he looked at the middle-aged tutor's meaningful smile, he couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.
He eagerly accepted the academy badge handed to him by the tutor, grinning ear to ear, clearly delighted with his success.
Meanwhile, Clara, the silver-haired girl, had been watching the whole situation unfold. If she put herself in Asura's shoes, she figured she might not have handled things better. She wouldn't have resorted to such tactics. She couldn't help but feel a slight admiration and curiosity toward the boy, especially since she had clearly heard his name—Asura!
As the two of them exchanged smiles—one foolish, the other intrigued—the middle-aged tutor's voice echoed once more, "Take good care of your academy badge. It has various functions, like scoring, trading, and messaging. It also proves your membership in the academy, so don't lose it!"
"You may now enter the academy. Once inside, the badge will guide you on what to do next!"
Both Asura and Clara quickly bowed, replying in unison, "Yes, tutor!"
Clara, without looking back, walked towards the grand entrance of the academy. Asura, on the other hand, turned and made his way to where he had tethered his black steed, Black Charcoal, preparing to follow her into the academy.
The new chapter of their lives at the academy was about to begin!
As they passed through the towering gates, the view inside was breathtaking. Tall trees and ancient-style classrooms stood in harmony, while students clad in warrior attire and magic robes walked along the academy's paths. Aside from Asura, who was still wearing his own clothes, everyone else was dressed in the academy's uniform.
Not far ahead, there was a loud chatter, and Asura noticed a group of older male students gathered around the silver-haired beauty, Clara, showering her with attention and requesting her academy contact details. The frequent frown on Clara's face indicated she was clearly irritated.
Asura, sneering without saying a word, turned in the opposite direction. However, as he walked away, Clara caught sight of him, her irritation growing further.
Asura strolled through the academy, awestruck by its rich history. Everywhere he looked, there were statues of mighty warriors who had graduated from the academy. Their heroic deeds inspired generations of students to strive for greatness.
The more he looked, the more excited he became. He couldn't wait to grow stronger. He didn't expect to have his own statue built in the future; he just wanted to be strong enough to return and resolve his family's crises.
He remembered the conversation he had with his father before leaving, recalling his father's words: "Before you truly grow strong, you must remain patient and low-key!"
Asura decided he would quietly become stronger and return as soon as possible to avenge his older brother!
At this moment, a message arrived on his academy badge. He focused his thoughts and silently read it.
The message said: "New student Asura, please proceed to your dormitory, number 138. You will have an independent room there. Place your belongings accordingly. If you have a mount, please board it at the academy's stable, where it will be taken care of by specialized staff.
All new students must gather at the God of War Plaza at dusk. Those who arrive late will be immediately expelled. Please be aware!"
After reading the message, Asura first took Black Charcoal to the academy's stable.
Black Charcoal, upon seeing a few mares in the stable, happily pranced around, kicking its hooves in excitement!
Asura sighed, feeling a bit exasperated, thinking about how he had spent ten gold coins on the horse. His impulse to scold it slowly faded away.
Following the academy badge's map, Asura wandered around the campus for a while and arrived at the dormitory area.
He had to admit that the academy was enormous. Asura had been walking for most of the day, and he still hadn't seen even half of the campus. It was already close to dusk.
The dormitories were independent two-story buildings. The male and female dorms were on opposite sides of the road.
Asura found Dormitory 138, inserted his academy badge into the slot on the door, and it opened.
The interior space wasn't large. The first floor consisted of a living room and a dining table.
The staircase led up to the second floor, which contained four bedrooms. Three of them were already marked as occupied.
Asura called out twice, "Is anyone here?"
When no one answered, he assumed the others had gone to the God of War Plaza. He quickly went to the last vacant room and took a look.
The room was quite simple. It had a wardrobe, a desk, a chair, a single bed, and bedding.
There were no other items. Asura had nothing to place in the room.
He closed the door behind him and left the dormitory, heading straight for the new student assembly point—the God of War Plaza!