The academy courtyard was crowded with students, some already in position to begin the test, others watching from a distance, nervous or anxious. I stayed at the edge, carefully observing the weaker students facing their level C training mannequins. It was fascinating to see how some struggled to control their mana, trembling or releasing energy chaotically, making their efforts nearly useless.
'Interesting… the gap between natural talent and constant training is enormous,' I thought, watching every movement. 'Some can barely generate enough mana to even touch the dummy.'
As the students fought and failed, I remained calm, measuring the atmosphere around me. The test was simple for those with control, but for the weaker ones, it was almost a nightmare. Each failure sent out small sparks of erratic mana, illuminating the air unevenly.
Suddenly, a firm voice cut through the murmurs of the crowd:
"Lucien Temaki, heir of the prestigious Temaki family!"
The audience immediately turned toward him, and all eyes fell on the young man with impeccable posture.
I shifted my gaze toward the entrance and felt an intense presence approaching, radiating confidence and natural power. It was Lucien Temaki. His aura was pure, clear, emanating light-type mana that shimmered softly, as if the sun itself reflected from it.
His golden hair glinted in the sunlight, and his posture was flawless — upright, calm, yet full of authority. 'No wonder the whole world talks about him…' I thought.
Lucien stepped into the center of the field, and the air around him seemed to hum. With a fluid movement, he summoned his soul, which manifested as an imposing sword, silver with golden details, as tall as his own body. Sparks of energy circled the blade, flickering and shining as the sword hovered before him, glowing almost unnaturally.
'What a magnificent weapon… and so powerful,' I thought, admiring the perfect execution of the Temaki heir. 'It's not just strength, it's absolute precision and control.'
He advanced without hesitation, and the level C training dummy, which barely resisted a mid-level mana attack, became the target of his radiant sword. A single firm strike, accompanied by a wave of luminous energy, completely obliterated the dummy, sending sparks and pieces of metal flying into the air. The impact echoed across the courtyard, and a reverent silence fell over the students present.
Even from a distance, I could sense the effect of the destruction — the glow of light reflecting off the academy walls and the surprised faces of the students. Some whispered, impressed, while others simply stared in shock.
While all this happened, I noticed something else beside Lucien: a girl with light blue hair, watching his every movement intently. She seemed there out of personal interest, but her stance showed experience and mana control, not mere curiosity.
'Interesting… she also seems special,' I thought, discreetly observing her presence. But I returned my attention to Lucien, analyzing every detail.
He stepped back a few paces, still keeping the sword ready, as if always prepared for any contingency. He embodied discipline and absolute power, each gesture calculated, each breath measured. For anyone else, that simple dummy would have been an almost impossible challenge, but for him, it seemed merely a casual test.
I continued observing, hiding my own expression and keeping my feline eyes discreetly behind the blindfold. Every move Lucien made revealed the chasm between him and the other students, including Kael, who hadn't yet begun his test.
'So this is how a true Temaki heir behaves…' I thought, a mixture of respect and curiosity rising within me. 'And that girl… I need to keep an eye on her too. She might become relevant later.'
As the sword's glow slowly faded and the dummy's pieces fell to the ground, I noticed that the audience's attention wasn't only on power, but also on Lucien's natural charisma. I, however, remained neutral, keeping my own secrets intact, completely hiding my eyes, and allowing only my mind to absorb every detail.
The first impact of the test had passed. Deep down, I knew it was only the beginning. Every movement, every spell released, every interaction observed… all would be important for what was to come. And as I watched, my gaze returned once more to the girl with light blue hair.
'She isn't just anyone…' I thought, sensing that her presence could be significant in the future. But for now, everything centered on Lucien, his sword, and the display of power that clearly marked the gap between the strong and the rest of the students.
The courtyard was now charged with anticipation. The next challenge would begin soon, and even from a distance, I knew that the real game was only just starting.