Lucas took the card back without saying a word. He looked at it for a moment put it away. He started walking in the direction of the Entrance examination area. His mind was still trying to make sense of everything that had happened in the few hours.
The open grounds of the academy were buzzing with people talking. A lot of cadets were walking around introducing themselves to each other.
They were sharing rumors. Pointing out the students from the "higher house". Every face looked determined, ambitious or curious. They all seemed to be working towards the goal: the entrance test.
A group of cadets pointed to a girl. They were barely containing their excitement.
"Look! over there! it's Celia Windmere," one of them said.
Another cadet said, "I heard Celia Windmere does really at the academy."
Celia had hair that shone like the sun and green eyes that sparkled with confidence. "I'll try to live up to that name," She looked full of energy and enthusiasm.
Lucas thought to himself 'I guess I have to see for myself if she's as good as everyone says.' He focused his senses a bit. "Mana Perception " he said to himself.
____________________
[Analyzing – Celia Windmere]
[Strength – 36]
[Mana – 70]
[Magic – Wind]
[Age – 14]
____________________
"Not bad she's actually strong." He nodded a little.
Some cadets nearby pointed to another guy.
"There's Nova, Nova Frostvale " they said.
A female cadet whispered, "Oh he's a Frostvale like the rumors. He looks really handsome. I wish I could be friends with him."
Nova had a blue hair and golden eyes a confident smile and a strong body. He waved at cadets as they walked by.
Lucas thought, 'Let me see what he is like.' He focused his senses again. "Perception" he said to himself.
___________________
[Analyzing – Nova Frostvale]
[Strength – 44]
[Mana – 82]
[Magic – Water]
[Age – 14]
___________________
Lucas thought, "Not bad Nova Frostvale is solid." He smiled a little.
Then everyone got quiet as they looked at a girl. People were whispering, looking amazed and surprised.
"Wow she's stunning " someone said. "Is that Sylvia Silvercrest?" another person asked. Someone else said, "Silvercrest? That family? She must be really strong." A cadet said, "I really want to be in her class."
Sylvia Silvercrests presence was hard to ignore. Her bright red hair shone in the light her aqua eyes were sharp and her gaze was cold and distant. She looked perfect her aura commanding and powerful.
Lucas thought, "Let's see what she has got then." He focused his senses again.
'Perception!' Lucas activated instantly, eyes widening as the stats revealed themselves.
___________________
[Analyzing – Sylvia Silvercrest]
[Strength – 71]
[Mana – 110]
[Magic – Lightning]
[Age – 14]
___________________
'What!? Strength seventy-one? Mana over a hundred? She's… insane,' Lucas thought as whispered to himself 'She's Most likely top tier. No wonder everyone's reacting like that.'
Lucas was so focused on Sylvia Silvercrests stats that he didn't notice when someone pushed him. He fell hard to the ground. "Ugh! Hey what's wrong with you?" he shouted, looking up at the two cadets infront of him.
The guy smirked meanly looking happy to see Lucas fall. "Well well well Mr. Lucas Ironhart " he said mockingly. "We knew you were weak, but I didn't realize you were this pathetic. Honestly… now it all makes sense why your own family tossed you out."
Lucas's eyes narrowed, feeling angry. "What do you mean? Why suddenly talk about 'family disowned' and pushing someone down? Just what do you want?" he asked.
The girl cadet leaned forward smiling meanly. "It's simple " she said coldly. "Why waste your time and ours? You'll never make it here. Can you even cast a spell? You're already a joke before you even start. Do yourself a favor. Give up now before you embarrass yourself completely."
Lucas's jaw clenched as people around them started to stare. People were whispering,
"Hey isn't that the Ironhart? I heard he was born without any skills like Ironharts."
"Yeah, the one who got thrown out for being useless he's making a joke of himself by entering the magic academy."
Lucas pushed himself up his fists tight. "You just wait " he said.
Before things could get worse a loud voice cut through the noise making everyone quiet. "Welcome to Sylvas Magic Academy, cadets" the voice said.
Everyone looked at the stage. A woman stood tall wearing a hat and black robes that showed she was the headmaster. Her golden eyes looked at the crowd, sharp and in charge. Her white hair shone in the sunlight.
"I see everyone is here " she said, her voice clear and loud. "Let me introduce myself. I am Beatrice Gray, headmaster of Sylvas Academy and instructor for the entrance test. This exam will take place in the academy forest, where you will encounter mana creatures and must survive for at least five days from a whole week. Your performance and survival will determine the points you earn and your ranking among cadets."
A cadet raised his hand looking unsure. "How will the points be counted? How do we know how we're doing?" he asked.
Beatrice set her hat firmly looking at the cadets. "You have to figure that out for yourselves " she said. She pointed to the forest entrance. "The gates will open soon. When you go in the test begins. Figure out the rest on your own."
The guy cadet who pushed Lucas smirked. "Well it's about to start. Why should I waste my time talking to a failure like you? I'm going in."
The girl cadet smiled meanly. "Good luck not dying, Ironhart."
Lucas's hand clenched into a fist feeling angry and determined. 'No matter what I'm going to survive this' he thought.
Beatrices voice rang out again clear and loud. "Cadets, line up at the forest gates. The exam starts in three, two, one..."
Lucas looked at the dark forest ahead his mind getting ready. "If I fail it won't just be embarrassing. I'll prove to myself that I'm worth more, than what everyone thinks. No matter what I'll win this."
"Entrance Exam starts now " Beatrice declared.