Chapter: The Magic Test
As night fell, the streets of Snow City became deserted.
Cheng Yu found a hotel to stay in.
The next morning, Mina lay on the bed with her legs spread out, sleeping comfortably.
Ivennie put on her clothes, combed her hair, and went to the Magic Association with Cheng Yu to take the magic level test.
Just as the sky was getting light, many mages wearing magic cloaks and wide magic hats stood on the stone steps in front of the Magic Association, waiting for it to open.
"Goddess of Light, please bless me and let me pass the second-tier mage test in one go!"
"I failed the first-tier mage test eight times. I suspect the Magic Association deliberately won't let me pass and is scamming me out of registration fees."
"What's the big deal about failing eight times? I took the first-tier mage test seventeen times. I was just a little bit short every time. My mentality is about to collapse."
"Woo woo woo~ First time taking the professional level test~ So nervous~"
Some people here were taking the mage test for the first time. Some were taking it for the Nth time.
Hearing about these people's test experiences, Cheng Yu had a sense of déjà vu from taking a driver's license test.
The Magic Association was an official organization of the Black Sun Empire. It started work at nine in the morning and ended at five in the afternoon.
Cheng Yu and Ivennie sat on the stone steps at the door and waited for half an hour.
At nine in the morning, the Magic Association door opened on time. Several staff members wearing black magic cloaks came out.
One of the staff members shouted, "The registration fee for the first-tier mage test is 1 gold coin per person! The registration fee for the second-tier mage test is 10 gold coins per person! Please bring your own magic staff!"
Cheng Yu and Ivennie walked to the first-tier mage line to register.
There were about seventy or eighty people participating in the first-tier mage test today, and only a few participating in the second-tier test.
Magic was related to talent. Second-tier was the end of the magic journey for most mages. It was difficult to advance to third-tier in a lifetime.
Cheng Yu paid the staff a registration fee of two gold coins. The staff simply registered the information, gave each of them a number card, and let them in.
The interior of the Magic Association was extremely luxurious—a bright, clean hall. Above the hall was a high dome. A massive magic crystal chandelier illuminated the hall.
In the center of the hall was a crystal ball about a meter in diameter—translucent.
The staff member next to the crystal ball said to everyone, "The first-tier mage test is divided into two parts. The first part is the magic strength test. The second part is the magic proficiency test. Please line up in the order I read and take the magic strength test in turn."
Dozens of testers lined up according to the staff's list and went to the crystal ball in turn to test their magic strength.
The first tester walked to the crystal ball, placed one hand on it, closed their eyes, and concentrated their magic.
The core inside the crystal ball lit up with a water-blue light, showing the number "36."
After the staff member next to the crystal ball registered the score, "Next."
Cheng Yu was participating in the mage level test for the first time. He didn't quite understand the rules. He patted the shoulder of the long-haired young man in front of him. "Brother, can I ask—how do you pass the test?"
The long-haired young man shook his flowing long hair and turned to look at Cheng Yu. "The full score for both the magic strength test and the magic proficiency test is 100 points. Add the scores after the two tests and divide by two. If the average score reaches 80 points or above, it's considered a pass."
"I see."
Cheng Yu understood.
The first tester left disappointed. Their magic strength was only 36 points. Even if magic proficiency was perfect, the average score wouldn't reach 80 points.
The first round of the magic strength test was very simple—just place your hand on the crystal ball to condense magic.
Soon it was the turn of the long-haired young man in front of Cheng Yu.
The long-haired young man walked to the crystal ball slowly.
The staff member saw the long-haired young man and said respectfully, "It's Mr. Roy, the famous poet of Snow City."
The long-haired young man waved his hand and smiled faintly. "Just a false reputation. Not worth mentioning."
"Mr. Roy is too modest." The staff member seemed to have seen a sage.
Seeing the staff's respectful attitude, Cheng Yu was puzzled. Does Snow City have a tradition of respecting literati? Or is this young man named Roy famous for extraordinary talent?
Roy walked to the crystal ball and placed his palm on it. The inside of the crystal ball lit up red. The surface showed the magic strength test score was 60 points.
"Only 60 points."
Roy looked a bit crazed.
To pass the first-tier mage level test, he'd have to get 100 points in the second round to pass—a bit difficult.
Roy left. Cheng Yu walked up and asked the staff casually, "Is that poet famous?"
"Of course! Mr. Roy is a famous poet in Snow City. His poem 'My Father, the City Lord' won first prize in the Snow City Poetry Competition."
"Wow!"
Cheng Yu gave a mental score of 6.
Is this a competition of poetry? This is a competition of fathers.
He complained internally and placed his hand on the crystal ball's surface to gather magic power.
The inside of the crystal ball radiated golden light. The surface showed a magic strength test score of 72 points.
Though Cheng Yu had copied Ivennie's magic talent, he hadn't copied the powerful magic of the elves, so his magic strength wasn't high.
The staff recorded Cheng Yu's score in the notebook. "Next."
"Wait. Why does the crystal ball light up in different colors for each person's test?" Cheng Yu asked the staff.
"The color is related to each person's primary magic attribute."
The staff was a bit impatient.
Cheng Yu left without asking more questions.
Ivennie came forward and placed her fair little hands on the crystal ball's surface, gathering magic power.
The inside of the crystal ball lit up green. The surface showed Ivennie's magic strength test score was 100 points.
Everyone was amazed when they saw Ivennie's test score.
"Wow~ Amazing~"
"As expected of an elf! Naturally friendly to magic, and magic power is so strong!"
"Reincarnation is a technical skill. Being reborn as an elf can save you ten years of detours!"
The staff registered Ivennie's score. "Next."
Ivennie returned to Cheng Yu and asked with a smile, "Cheng Yu, what do you think of my magic power?"
"Amazing."
Cheng Yu placed one hand around Ivennie's waist and kissed her on the forehead.
Ivennie was a little shy in public and buried her head in Cheng Yu's arms.
The first round of tests was over. The second round—magic proficiency test—was next.
The rules of the second round: demonstrate to three Magic Association judges the magic you're best at. The judges would score.
The order of the second round was the same as the first round. Cheng Yu was still behind the long-haired young man named Roy.
Roy walked in front of the three judges.
"Isn't this Mr. Roy, the famous poet of Snow City? Nice to meet you!"
"I've read Mr. Roy's masterpiece 'My Father, the City Lord.' This poem fully reflects your love for your father. The emotion is sincere and the connotation is rich."
"Mr. Roy is a handsome man and can be regarded as the leader of the young generation in Snow City."
The three judges recognized Roy—famous poet from Snow City—and praised him highly.
Roy maintained the arrogance unique to poets and didn't seem to care about the three judges' praise.
He pulled out his magic staff and demonstrated first-tier magic: fireball.
Before the fireball magic was finished, the three judges raised their cards and gave a perfect score of 100.
Roy passed the first-tier mage level test with an average score of 80.
Cheng Yu behind him was stunned. How is this possible?