Chapter 8 – 1st Assessment
Tap.
Mathew gripped Azek's shoulder.
"I think I need to go to the restroom."
He bent over and didn't wait for Azek's response before scurrying away. This was the third time since morning.
Today was the first practical evaluation test, and Mathew had been a nervous wreck for the past two days.
When Azek entered the hall, students were already gathered, and nervous whispers floated through the room. The atmosphere was tense; this was the first evaluation, and it would determine their future growth path.
Beside Professor Albert and Professor Methilia, another professor was observing their progress: Professor Seville Ashford.
He would be taking their class after the first evaluation. The academy seniors had described him with just one word: brutal.
He was known to push students to their limits and was also in charge of the Student Ethical Committee. Rumor had it that he didn't tolerate first-year students well, especially after someone had reported a professor on the very first day. When the rumor spread, the entire first-year atmosphere became even tenser.
When Mathew reached the hall, the professors had already finished arranging the materials.
"Sebastian," Professor Albert called.
He took a nervous step toward the podium. Being first, everyone observed him closely, as the testing method had not been announced.
"You have the materials in front of you," Albert continued. "You must display mana command. Choose the material based on your affinity."
The student looked at the items on the table. He was a fire-affinity mage, and there was a small, half-cut crystal orb with fire mana burning inside.
He took a deep breath and stretched out his hands. Mana threads gathered and connected with the fire mana in the orb.
Complete silence fell over the class. Mana slowly spread and made contact with the fire. After a flicker, a large spark erupted.
Boom!
The fire went out, and smoke began to rise. The student instinctively closed his eyes. When he opened them, a shield covered the mana orb, containing the explosion and keeping him safe.
professor sevile slowly dissolved the shield and looked towards student with piercing gaze.
"Sebastian, mana control—F grade. Failed."
Methilia smiled mischievously as she announced the result. The other two professors did not comment.
Next, Albert called another student. Pin-drop silence enveloped the class.
The student nearly stumbled while climbing the stage but managed to produce a small flame for two seconds.
"Alberian, mana control—D grade. Pass."
Gasps echoed.
Next… next… next…
Crown Prince Daniel stepped up. Anticipation shone in the eyes of the onlookers. He had air-type mana.
He stretched out his mana threads and manipulated the air within the orb. A wind blade formed, then a second. When a third began to take shape, the mana crumbled.
"Daniel Rotherham, mana control—B grade. Pass."
Exclamations filled the hall.
Next was Callisto Reinheart. He maintained a medium-sized flame for six full seconds and passed with a B grade as well.
Next—
Ashian de Voltiar stepped forward. His movements were stiff, clearly showing his nervousness, though he walked with long strides, trying to appear calm.
Professor Seville finally looked up from his evaluation sheet.
A sharp, piercing gaze landed on Ashian.
Mistakenly believing he had gained the professor's favorable attention, Ashian grew slightly confident.
Mana began fluctuating around his fingers and flowed into the crystal orb—but crumbled apart as soon as it touched the water element.
again
Professor Seville's cold voice resounded.
Ashian grew even more nervous.
I need to perform well. The professor is watching.
He tried again.
mana vanished
Again.
The same emotionless voice announced.
Mana visibly fluctuated across Ashian's fingers. It finally touched the water inside the orb, but before it could form even a small sphere, it dissolved.
Again.
Color drained from Ashian's face.
9th attempt
cold sweat trickled down.
11th
13th
Even after fifteen attempts, he was unable to make the mana obey his command.
Professor Seville's voice now sounded as though it came from the depths of hell.
Please… just let me go…
He held back his tears.
On his eighteenth attempt, Methilia finally showed mercy and announced his failure.
He hurried off the stage as if escaping from a nightmare.
"Next," Albert announced mechanically.
Dread descended upon the entire class.
Now they had truly drawn the attention of the rumored professor. No one knew what would happen next.
Marian Ironhood stepped onto the stage—the only daughter of the Ironhood family and the sole student with affinity for all elements.
When she manipulated mana, a sprout bloomed, a small flame flickered, a water sphere—though unstable in size—floated, and a rock lifted.
All four elements lasted for two seconds.
"Marian Ironhood, mana control—B grade. Pass."
Next—
Azek stepped onto the stage.
Whispers followed.
"Do you think he'll pass?"
"I doubt it. Even students with good aptitude have failed."
"He's Grade 5. Poor guy…"
"And if he fails on the first attempt? Professor Seville is watching…"
Pity mixed with curiosity surrounded him.
Azek took a deep breath and focused. Several rocks of different sizes lay before him.
He stretched out his hand.
A single, thin thread of mana seeped into a fist-sized rock. After a split second, it lifted and hovered in the air.
Slowly, it began rotating.
One second… two seconds… six seconds…
The rotation gradually stopped, and he carefully lowered the rock back to its original position.
"Azek Willowheart, mana control—B+ grade. Pass."
Silence descended.
Everyone stared at him.
Azek gave a slight nod and turned. A faint smile appeared on Albert's face.
"What?"
"B+ grade? Isn't that the highest evaluation so far?"
"Even Marian didn't achieve that—and she controlled four elements…"
Mathew smirked.
"Well, you could expect nothing less. The guy's been pouring blood, sweat, and tears into it."
Some heads turned at his remark.
Although slightly disappointed with his own C grade, Mathew now understood what he needed to do. He looked at Azek with anticipation burning in his eyes.
After the assessment ended, Albert announced, "The next evaluation will be held at the end of next month. It will not be as easy as this one. Those who failed will follow Professor Seville. Until he grants you a pass, you will not be allowed to attend the next class."
A heavy silence descended over the hall.