–The results will be published in 10 minutes! Do not move around the premises without authorization. I do not think I need to remind you of the consequences.
...
In complete silence the results arrived imdiately. This is possible because we are in the NOVA Academy, the largest institution for training heroes in the world. All of its teachers are experienced warriors: so were commanders, others knights and even generals. And if we add to that the key ingredient, "mana", the efficiency is multiplied by ten.
That reminds of one of the questions on the exam: "What is mana?" The question itself was very confusing, I guess they wanted to test our reasoning, because according to my mories of this world "there is no correct definition" and the closest thing to it would be: the concept of "circuit", a theory by Frederick Williams, the archmage who established the foundations of magic; As a force of nature that can be reshaped through the heart, he also defined this force as "mana"
Mana: one of the three fundantal forms of energy in the universe. It functions as an intangible and immaterial force that exists everywhere and in all living beings.
One of the thoughts that ca to while reading the novel was about this theory; I found it really interesting, as it proposed a very innovative system that set it apart from many other existing works. However, unfortunately, the author did not manage to finish it.
So my emotions were contradictory when answering the question. A part of wanted to finish it with my own analysis, but sothing in my conscience held back. I knew that doing so would attract unnecessary attention, and in this world, too much attention could beco harmful. But still, human greed can sotis be very irrational.
"Low... How is that possible...? , one hundred, did..."
...
Low, rapid murmurs filled the air, and almost imperceptible exclamations brought out of my thoughts.
"Is it really one hundred points? I can't believe it..."
The nas and results of the written test were lined up on the board in front of .
-----------//-----------//---------------
*Number 110, Erwing Guthrie – [100 points]
*Number 103, Aziel Walton – [99 points]
*Number 118, Cynthia Snowfield – [87 points]
*Number 180, Cyan Vesper – [75 points]
.
.
.
*Number 220, Alia Hart – [70 points]
.
.
.
-----------//-----------//-----------
The murmurs gradually died down, and gradually, the number of people leaving dejectedly continued to grow, until only those who passed the exam remained. Just like in the novel, all the protagonists got decent scores and now that the first part is resolved, all that remains is...
"Attention! Applicants. You are all here because you have surpassed the minimum requirent to enter, but do not be fooled, that is not enough to wear the uniform and call yourselves NOVA cadets. That is only the first step. What cos next will be hell. The test will not stop, no matter how much you cry or suffer, it will continue. Every second it will be harder. If you do not feel prepared, it is better that you give up now, because believe , your safety is not guaranteed...
The instructor's voice beca increasingly serious, a palpable pressure that seed to force my knees to give in and kneel. His presence that filled the place beca increasingly heavy, so of the people around could not bear it any longer and ended up lying on the ground, fainted. The pressure on was not a joke either, it fluctuated at tis The pressure was getting lighter but it was getting stronger again, I wanted to give in but my body forced to stay standing.
"This isn't a ga, it's reality and this is what it ans to be a NOVA."
When his words finally ended the pressure quickly decreased and only three people remained firm.
...
"Erwing Guthrie, Aziel Walton and Cyan Vesper. I'll rember your nas" said the instructor, looking at him carefully he seems familiar.
Red eyes, tanned skin and brown hair, all complented by a thin, diagonal scar that runs across his face, starting from his right eye to his cheek.
‐Ah, wait...
"Only soone in the novel has those characteristics."
"Hellhound, demon hunter, bearer of the crimson eyes..."
The students began to react and understand what was happening.
‐Who is that? At least, an A rank. That's for sure.
– Wait, you really don't know?
– No. Why? Is he famous?
– Idiot! You really don't know, that's Sir Galahad, the forr commander of the Imperial mages.
– The sa one? I've heard stories about him, I'm a fan, I never thought I'd see him in person.
– Yes, but stay calm. You don't want to make a fool of yourself in front of a legendary mage.
– You're right. Just a little respect... and maybe a photo!
Shut up!
...
One word was enough, no one present said anything. Maybe they had so skill, reputation or family but in the eyes of the instructor, that was worthless, he treated everyone equally. That's why he was one of my favorite characters, so much so that I cried when he died in the arms of the protagonist.
Every ti I rember that Chapter, emotions invade and even more now that I have him in front of . But strangely I didn't shed a single tear this ti
The teacher simply nodded and continued.
– "No need for an introduction, I suppose everyone already knows who I am. So, follow , your second test is about to begin."
We walked under the watchful eye of the instructor until we reached a huge, oval tower, which seed to asure more than a hundred ters, as if it were about to swallow the sky.
– "commander"
n dressed in military uniform greeted us and bowed.
– "Okay, I suppose everyone already knows. So, co in."
Without words or explanation he asked us to enter this monstrosity, so were nervous, others indifferent, no one took the initiative and how could we bla them.
Damascus Do: a hundred-story tower born from mixing engineering and magic, completely covered in utril and visanteno materials with high conductivity to mana. This structure tests the will of the magician by making him see his worst nightmares, plunging him into a mass of darkness and endless fear.
Of course, as it is only a basic test it requires that we overco at least the first five floors.
...
Seeing that no one stepped forward, the protagonist gathered his courage and crossed the door.
Quickly, they followed him one after the other until it was my turn. I stood in front of the huge door and placed my hand on the lock-shaped handle. Suddenly, everything around went black, an indescribable dizziness took over and nausea began to invade , but I managed to quickly compose myself and was able to see the ssage that appeared before .
◇[Welco to the tutorial, are you sure you want to continue? Yes/No]
The tower reacted in a similar way to the system, but its function was completely different. It materialized consciousness in a virtual world. The first floor, called "Tutorial", scanned the soul and asured the will of the magician, revealing his worst fear. If he failed to overco it, he was imdiately expelled; otherwise, he could continue ascending.
▪︎"[Yes]
The world, previously plunged into darkness, began to transform. Everything around him took on strange shapes, as if reality itself was giving way to a new dinsion. The atmosphere beca increasingly dense, crushing, almost impossible to breathe. I felt trapped, as if I had been rcilessly thrown into a cage in the worst abyss in the world.
Aaaaah!...
Suddenly, a scream tore through the air, breaking the absolute silence that had enveloped everything. Panic spread rapidly, invading every being with the sa force as a whirlwind. Aaaaah! Aaaaah! Aaaaah! The sound multiplied, dragging with it any hope of calm. Everyone scread. The chaos was already irreversible.
The weakest prostrated themselves as if announcing their arrival, they shed tears of blood, so could not bear it any longer and fainted.
Shocked, fearful and restless, the emotions I thought I had forgotten took hold of , one after another, with an incredible intensity that consud . My breathing accelerated, and fear began to sink deep. With my mind clouded, I slowly moved my head, as if under the weight of an invisible force, and looked up.
"Crag!"
The sky was shattered. A dark miasma was sliding through the cracks, as if the atmosphere itself was fractured, resembling a piece of broken glass. Light filtered strangely through these fissures, creating a feeling of chaos and desolation. The air, charged with an indescribable thickness, seed to vibrate.
"CRASH!" With a loud crash the world lost its color, the previously black hole turned red as red as blood spilled on a moonless night.
"Ah, then I realized..."
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