Chapter 34 - Trinity of The Enlightened

A luminous light shined from the last crystal. A refulgent that is even brighter than the brightest star of all Aerdrin. The glorious radiance even pierced through the dark veils that covered the two man, like a perforated bag of water.

" I-I've never seen something like this... " The examiner dropped his papers in amazement. But of course, there’s nothing to be said about it because, Zio too, was also as amazed as he is. Yet, then again, this mechanism is only but a means to test out one's compatibility towards a type of magic. ‘So, what if I'm compatible with alteration magic?’ Zio asked himself.

" Alright, young man. That's enough. Now it's time to test out your mana. " The examiner took out another crystal, but this one is shaped in a perfect-round.

" An orbuculum? "

" Yes. Place your hand on it and let out all of your mana. "

" Uh. Do I really have to pour ‘all’ of it? " Zio reluctantly repeats the examiner’s words.

" ...Is there a problem? "

Yes, there is. Zio was forewarned by Albert not to ever drain all of his mana for a whole year. But whether he should tell the examiner is the thing that is hard to decide for him. He’s afraid that his poor condition might affect the test.

Hence, he decided that he can't risk it. He’ll just be pretending to draw out all of his mana and then stops halfway.

" No. " After the quick answer, Zio put his hand on the crystal ball and starting to pour his mana to it. Surprisingly, he can see numbers coming up from it. His guess is that the more you pour your mana, the higher the number is.

" Uh, sir. What is the average number of this test? "

" Hmm... As much as I wanted to tell you, but sadly, I'm prohibited to give any hint to the participants. "

After a few moments, Zio gradually feels his body aching and getting weaker. ‘This is it, I'm close to my limit, it's time to play it safe.’ He thought to himself. Then, he took a few glances at the examiner as he carried out his plan to reduce his mana output.

He got all nervous when he feels that the examiner is sharply staring back at him from the other side of the half mask.

" You lied, didn't you? "

" ...Yes. " Zio gave a straight answer as he knew that there's no talking his way out of this. It’s just as he thought after all, the people of the High Academy are the true experts on magic. Therefore, there’s no use to lie to someone so keen. He might as well tell the truth than leaving a bad impression on the examiner.

" Tell me what's wrong. "

Zio lifts up his sleeves, revealing what he had concealed beneath it. The 'black roots' that covered his whole body.

" ....Good lord. ...You never ran out of surprises. "

" ...Am I going to fail the test? "

" Just do your best. "

Zio keeps pouring his mana until he finally can't handle the pain anymore. He stopped at 3227. ‘Let's see where those numbers would take me’ He said to himself.

Soon after they are done with the magic aptitude and capacity test, the participants were gathered in the previous hall once again. Unlike before, now the hall is already clean and spotless. To think that there were bloods and footwear marks on the floor just a few moments ago, the exam organizer is surely leaving a great impression on Zio.

The participants are being lined up facing on a stage which wasn't used previously. Now that Zio takes a second look at this place, it clearly is a large and vast hall.

" Attention to all participants, the result of the exam will be announced. To those whose name is not on the list, we demand you to leave the hall at once. "

Following the announcement, one of the examiners cast a spell upwards. It was until then that they finally realized that there's a giant scroll hanging above them. The spell cut off the small rope that holds the giant scroll, unbundling it as it spreads itself open with a surge of wind.

There, they can see the names of those who passed the test. No one knows what the rankings are based on, but the top rankers are having their name painted in blue-glowing ink.

1. Alex Milan

2. Fransesca Gissella Rennesia

3. Rhea Islay Aimar

4. Frederick Gilford

5. Andreas Joseph-Kamille

6. Sa'ad Alram

7. Mary Alvard-Kamille

8. Zhao Hanwei

9. Luna Matilda

10. James Javier

“ ...Fuck. Where's my name? ” Zio blurted out his anxiety.

He searched the list one by one on the first twenty. And no, he is definitely not there. In the middle of his search, Zio saw people going out of the room one by one. He’s panicking as the time is ticking. His hands are all sticky drenched in cold sweats. The beat of his heart is a drum, and the hair around his nape is starting to stand tall.

He pulled a big breather before starting to look again. This time, he searched on the latter ones; checking out the last twenty. But again, he’s not there either.

*Creak-thud* The hall’s door is closed, and Zio still can’t find his name. How embarrassing it would be for him if it turns out that he was eliminated but he hasn’t left the room yet. People would think that he’s the worst kind of a sore loser.

Zio panickily went to take another look.

.

.

.

“ Oh haha. ”

He laughs as he found his name sitting in the 33rd place out of 60. The very definition of ‘your average guy’. He accepted it with open arms, guessing it might the best that he can do with all of those drawbacks on his body. He passed, that's what matters the most to him.

" To all participants, now we will welcome our great ruler, The Violet Dawn, Queen Helen The Second. "

“ Whoa! Hold a second, seriously? ”

The selected few are talking and mumbling to each other in amazement. They couldn’t believe that the queen herself didn’t bother to attend such an insignificant event amidst her busy duty.

" Attention! "

The silence was in the air as they heard the steps on the stage. There are two guards marching in elegance towards the podium, followed by a young girl with graceful purple hair that is tied to a bun with a vintage hair stick pin.

She wears the fairest dress Zio had ever seen. The contrast combination of black and gold with flounce sleeves that shows her exquisite skin. Her tulle skirt is also as beautiful with a dazzling inlay of diamonds and golden linings.

" (Psst! Psst! Hey!) " Suddenly a golden-haired guy beside Zio is whispering for his attention.

" (Get down!) " He pinched Zio’s leg and dragging his pants down.

" (O-Oh right, thanks.) "

Zio was too mesmerized by her breath-taking appearance. He didn't notice that the others were already on their knees. If he was a second too late, he might’ve been flayed alive by now.

" Rise. "

“ (What the...?) ” Zio was stunned by a voice that he didn’t expect.

" (Come on man, stop daydreaming! Get up!) " The same golden-haired guy whispered to him again.

" (A-Alright, sorry.) "

Zio immediately gets back on his feet. And that's when he noticed, that the queen is so small and petite. It was the height of the stage which gave him the impression that she was of an adolescent stature. But the truth is that she is younger than all of them, therefore it’s no wonder for her voice to be very high-pitched.

" (Psst. Hey. Is that really the queen?) "

" (Ssh.) "

Zio was trying to chat with the guy beside him but got shushed instead as the queen is about to start her speech. Zio held his head high, seeing and judging the queen for himself. It was at this moment of focus that he realized that there’s indeed something about the queen.

While the queen might come in a size of a pony, just a few sentimeitel taller than Ana. But the look in her eyes is tremendously fierce and charismatic. Enough to make someone know that she is special in a single look.

" Congratulation for being able to pass the exam.

Now I will read The Trinity of The Enlighted and all of you are obliged to repeat after me. "

She lifted straight both of her hands and place them right on her heart, followed by all, even the examiners themselves.

" The Trinity of The Enlightened

In the name of the Four Great Beings; Arcus, Mea, Chronos, and Nova.

I will dedicate my time to the endless pursuit of knowledge;

I will dedicate my knowledge to the prosperity of many lives; and

I will dedicate my life to the fulfillment of my time.

May the oath forever echoes as the beating of my heart. "

The queen put back her hands on the lectern, denoting the end of the vow. Then she spread her right hand to her side as if asking for something from her servants. Sure enough, another knight comes into the podium bringing a bejeweled staff and handing it to her.

" I, Helen Elaina Elgrania, The fourth crown of The Great Land of Elgram, hereby declare you as a Scholar of The State. " She swings her staff in the air like a little girl catching flies with her net, which reminds Zio of Ana.

" Welcome, to the High Academy. I trust you will bring honor to yourself by setting light in this age of darkness through wisdom and knowledge. "