Chapter 67

Thank you David for your contribution. Hope you keep on reading TSM.

"Aaron Rosil. No records found" came out the sound from the metal tablet in Park's hand.

Aaron wasn't shocked at no records being found. He was shocked by the what he had seen. It was almost like a computerized system. Did this world manage to create a computer like system using magic? This was unbelievable to Aaron. It wasn't that Aaron didn't want to make a computer in this world. But the technical challenges and his lack of knowledge of subject had stopped him from doing it. Also there was a lack of motivation. He always thought he would do something and create something of earth here, but always found an excuse to do it later. He had a pretty easy life as a mage with everything provided to him.

But what lay in front of him was amazing. People have found a way to use magic in an unique way to create this system. He was interrupted in his thoughts by Park.

"So, you don't have any known records. It means you have never been associated with a mage family or mage association for the last 50 years at least. All the known mages have been registered in the system for the last 50 years. And looking at you, you sure don't look like anything over 50. "

"This leaves with us a conundrum Mr. Rosil. "

"Your identity is suspicious enough and your back ground isn't clear. What do we do with you?"

That question left Aaron speechless. The excuse of a memory loss could only take one so far. He needed to come up with something.

"Can I join the mage association as a beginner? " that was the best solution that he could come up with.

"As I said. Your background is not clear. You may even be a spy for the anti mage society. They have some mages who are sympathetic to their cause after all. "

Mr. Park refused to budge from his stand. This had crashed the hope of Aaron. He never thought that the mage association would have such a comprehensive system to check the records.

If he couldn't join the mage association, he might as well join one of the families. They sounded powerful enough.

"It's okay Mr. Park. I will try my luck with one of the mage families then." Aaron started to get up. Seeing him about to leave broke the facade of Mr. Park.

"I said, your background was suspicious. Not that you can't join."

"We find some unregistered mages every now and then. They are usually from small places who practice under a local mage and never get registered until they decide to join a family or an association. Where was it you said you might be from?"

"Morad"

"Ah. The extreme south. Yes it's far and isn't particularly developed. It's possible you were raised there as an apprentice to some old mage resting in retirement."

"It might be true." Aaron decided to go with the flow. He wanted to see where Park was going with it.

"The families might offer you more facilities. But you will be restricted by them. Also don't forget the free of cost portals we offer. No one has the as extensive network of portals as we have. The four families combined may come close, but they would die before they work together."

"We have the best atmosphere to nurture a young talent as you. You are a true mage right? "

Turns out it was all an recruitment game. He was trying to pressurize Aaron first to soften him a bit and see whether if he was indeed a genuine newbie or a pawn sent by someone. But seeing him actually about to leave forced him to change his tune.

The competition between the mage families and Association was immense. And Mages were resources they were all after.

True mages were rare in the first place. And a space mage was something everyone was after. Having a space mage in your rank added a lot of benifits. He couldn't afford to let this mage go.

Before waiting for Aaron to reply, he continued.

"You can join the Mage Association. But you will need to pass the tests first. "

"The test is a mere formality. Any mage worth his salt pass it. The main purpose behind the test is to gauge your overall strength. We have different testing exams for different kind of mages. So, you don't need to worry about being judged unfairly."

The testing system it seems was dependent on the type of mages appearing for it. It did make sense. Having same tests for different mage types would produce different results.

"Now, do you have any questions? " Park asked.

"When do I appear for the tests? " Aaron had already made his mind to join the Mage Association. He didn't pretend and directly asked.

"It's quite late today. You can appear for it tomorrow. Anything else? "

Aaron thought about it. He really wanted to ask about the device Park was holding. It had really attracted Aaron with it's resemblence to a computer system.

But what if it was a common knowledge to the mages of this world? Would that increase the suspicion on him?

His curiosity won at the end.

"What is that? " he pointed to the hand held artifact.

Park was little surprised with the question. He was hoping for a question related about the tests. Not this. But seeing as how the boy was from the not so advanced part and being a small time apprentice to a local mage. He thought he might not have heard about the new artifacts.

"This is a compartively new artifact. It was invented by the Jhonson family about 60 years ago. They somehow managed to use mage stone to create an incredible system capable of storing information. The Johnson family charged an astronomical amount of mage stones to make a system for the association to store it's most important information. This hand held artifact is the key to use that system. The mage Association made it compulsory for all mages to register their names and general information with the association. Whether they are from the mage family, mage association or free mages, they have to comply with this rule."

"As to how the system really works. No one apart from a few people in the Johnson family knows."

Aaron was amazed at the mages on this side. They had really taken magic to a whole different level.

"Alright. You can leave now. Be here on time tomorrow morning for the tests. "

"Thank you Mr. Park." With that Aaron left the office.