Chapter 48: The Tragic Test and a Glimmer of Hope

The young girl, much like a peerless master finishing a cultivation session, let out a long sigh.

She then turned, her resolute gaze fixed on the examiner, her eyes sharp.

Her bloodshot eyes, a testament to excessive sleeplessness, presented a truly terrifying sight.

The examiner, devoid of expression, swiftly jotted down notes in a ledger.

“Mana: one star. Mental strength: one star. Skill: one star. Overall rating: one star. Failed.”

“No!” The young girl’s face instantly crumpled, as if she had lost everything.

“That was just an accident! Please, I beg you, give me another chance!”

“The Magic Temple’s testing spire has never been wrong,” the examiner stated.

“You are still young. If not this year, you may return next year.”

“Next year?” Hearing the words ‘next year’, the girl’s already pale face grew even more ashen.

“No! No! I don’t have a next year! I have no future left! My life will end right here!”

“Please calm down,” the examiner said. “Your behavior is disrupting the normal order of our assessments.”

“Xiasha, let’s go. The marriage contract from Count Kaz’s family has already arrived.”

“You will move into the Count’s manor tomorrow.”

At that moment, a middle-aged man emerged from the side. Dressed in old-fashioned, rigid clothing, he resembled a fallen noble.

With one hand, he lifted the young girl.

“No! No! I don’t want to get married so early! I don’t want to be a child bride for a pedophilic, bald old man!”

The girl’s voice was so desolate it brought tears to one’s eyes.

“Then,” Xiasha’s impoverished father bowed to the onlookers, “we shall take our leave.”

“No! No! Put me down! I don’t want to get married… Someone, please save me!”

The girl’s cries were tragic and heartbreaking.

“Alright, next,” the examiner continued to call out names, his face devoid of emotion.

The assessment continued. Those who managed to illuminate the crystal pillar wore expressions of delight.

Conversely, those who failed to light it up were utterly despondent.

“Is this magic test like this every year?” Lu Yuan inquired.

“Yes, every year it’s a tragic drama that reveals the myriad facets of human life,” Dailu replied.

“You’ll get used to it.”

Lu Yuan remained silent.

Little Meilin looked at Ruolin and asked, “Are you going to take the test with them too?”

“Ah? Me?” Ruolin was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Little Meilin to suddenly ask such a question.

As an already established mage, Ruolin naturally didn’t need to test alongside the apprentices.

However, she couldn’t very well admit that she had only tagged along to see what results Lu Yuan and Meilin, the master and apprentice, would achieve.

‘Why would this girl suddenly ask her that?’

Just then, the examiner called out another name in a loud voice.

“Next, Meilin Ambrosius!”

“Eh? It’s my turn?” Little Meilin’s face registered surprise.

Even Lu Yuan glanced slightly sideways.

They had only just arrived, and despite the long queue stretching before them, it seemed their turn had come surprisingly quickly.

Beside them, Dailu offered a self-satisfied smile.

“That would be me. I’m an internal member of the temple, you see. A simple word was enough to secure you a spot for early testing.”

‘So it was you,’ Ruolin thought.

Though she disliked such underhanded maneuvers, she silently uttered to him, “Well done.”

Little Meilin felt a surge of nervousness, and she glanced hesitantly at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan gently ruffled her hair in encouragement.

“It’s alright,” he reassured her.

Little Meilin clenched her small fists and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, quietly stepped forward.

She had known of magic’s existence and a mage’s power since long ago.

The desire to become a mage had been a dream etched deep within her mind since her earliest memories.

This stage was the path leading to that dream.

Now that the path was laid open, there was no reason to retreat.

Although the tests had begun in the morning, and it was now afternoon, a considerable number of people still awaited their turn.

As Meilin slowly approached the crystal pillar, all eyes in the vicinity turned towards her.

Most who came for the test were children between seven and ten years old.

At twelve, Little Meilin was actually considered a bit old.

Though her attire was merely a plain apothecary apprentice’s robe, appearing unremarkable, her delicate beauty and dazzling, snow-white hair effortlessly drew the attention of others.

Without even trying, she became the center of attention the moment she reached the testing crystal pillar.

Dailu let out a sigh of admiration.

“This little girl reminds me so much of when my goddess, Ruolin, first came for her test.”

Ruolin: “…”

Meilin stood before the testing spire, her small hand raised, yet she seemed unsure of what to do.

This crystal pillar not only assessed one’s magical aptitude but also measured their affinity for and control over mana.

Other children, prior to their tests, had already practiced mana affinity through meditation, making the actual assessment a familiar process.

However, Little Meilin had never encountered such practices before; she was completely in the dark.

Noticing her hesitation, the examiner gently advised, “It’s alright if you haven’t learned the basics. Simply place your hand on the testing spire and concentrate in your own way.”

“The spire will naturally reveal your magical aptitude.”