Ending of Test and New Chosen Ones!

The hall of mana tests — fragile hearts under bright chandeliers

The grand hall of Himwarry Academy was more alive than it had been in years. Light poured through enormous glass windows, catching motes of dust that danced like tiny spirits above the crowd. The chandeliers overhead seemed almost to tremble, as if straining to contain the crackling excitement that filled the air.

Hundreds of students had gathered — from year 1 to year 4 — each of them a knot of nerves wrapped in fine academy robes. Laughter burst out here and there, hands clenched into fists, feet tapped the marble floor.

Today was not merely another routine test. Today, futures would quietly pivot on the needles of a crystal's glow.

Vivien had stood patiently for quite some time, her silver eyes watching the stream of students being called up to the testing dais. With every name, there'd be a hush, then a flaring of mana light, followed by either gasps of awe or sighs of disappointment.

Her own name had yet to be called. Eventually, feeling the weight of standing so long in heels that were more elegant than practical, she moved off to the side.

There was a massive pillar there — wide enough that when she leaned back against it, she was almost hidden from the crowd.

A flicker of loneliness

Vivien let out a soft breath, closing her eyes for a moment. When she opened them again, she simply watched — how the students clustered together in pairs or little groups, comparing nervous jokes or clutching each other's hands. The gentle chaos of camaraderie.

For most of her life, she hadn't bothered feeling anything about being alone. At her family estate, that was simply the natural order of things. No one approached the cursed granddaughter of the Dean if they could help it. Servants bowed low, instructors kept a sterile distance, relatives smiled with hidden knives.

It had never once struck her as painful.

But since coming to Himwarry…

Since that girl — Esme — had bounced into her life with bright eyes and casual warmth, Vivien had begun to understand what she'd been missing all along. And now, watching all these students, she felt it again. That tiny, traitorous ache.

So this is what it means to be alone.

She lowered her head slightly, silver hair spilling forward like a veil.

"Boom!" — an entrance like a sunrise

"BOOM—!"

Something collided against the pillar next to her with dramatic force. Vivien flinched, eyes snapping up — just in time to see Esme grinning at her, one hand slapped against the marble.

"You're here!" Vivien found herself blurting out, her voice accidentally sharper than she meant. Her face softened almost immediately. "I mean… did you finish already?"

Esme gave a flamboyant spin on her heel. "Ta-daaah! Yup, just finished my test. It was easier than I thought — but maybe that's because I didn't blow up the crystal this time. Anyway!" She paused, then peered closer. "I was looking all over for you. Didn't know if they'd already taken your name."

Vivien felt something gentle curl in her chest. She was looking for me.

It was such a small thing, and yet… it warmed parts of her that had been winter-locked for years.

"Not yet," Vivien replied, trying (and failing) to hide the slight smile tugging at her lips.

Esme spotted it immediately. Her own grin widened like a sunrise. "Good! Then I didn't come charging over here for nothing."

Idle talk of rats — and one elusive boy

They slid down to sit on the raised edge of the pillar's base. Around them, the crowd surged on, each name echoing through the vast hall.

At first they chatted idly — Esme's nerves fizzled into rapid jokes, while Vivien listened, finding it easier than expected to let the sounds of laughter fill her ears.

Then, inevitably, Esme's thoughts turned to another favorite topic. "Speaking of luck… what kind of rotten luck do we have anyway? Every time we try to go see that Aether boy, he's not there."

Vivien tilted her head, amusement flashing in her cool eyes. "It's not that important, is it? He's not about to disappear from this academy entirely."

"Hmph!" Esme puffed up her cheeks dramatically. "You're too calm about this. I swear I'll catch that little rat next time. He won't keep slipping away."

Vivien blinked. "Little… rat?"

Esme looked puzzled for a second, then burst out laughing. "Ahahaha— well, you know, he's quick, always scurrying off the moment girls show up. Like a startled mouse. It's honestly kind of adorable."

Vivien found herself laughing too, though it was soft, almost hidden behind her hand. Just as she was about to ask — Esme, do you actually know him personally? — a steward's clear voice cut across the hall.

"Vivien Lumielle, please come forward for evaluation."

Whispers and cold eyes

Esme perked up. "Hm? What were you going to say?"

Vivien shook her head slightly. "Nothing important." She rose, smoothing her uniform skirt with practiced grace.

As she walked toward the dais, it was like the entire hall leaned toward her. Whispers ignited in the crowd — soft at first, then swelling.

"Is that her? The Dean's granddaughter?"

"Hey, hey, watch. Let's see how monstrous her mana is…"

"Bet she just got the title because of her family."

Lucas, standing nearby, clicked his tongue sharply. "Tch."

Vivien heard all of it. Her steps didn't falter, but her eyes grew colder, harder — the careful mask of someone used to dissecting stares and venom.

The test — and a silent quake

She stepped up to the platform. A proctor in gold-trimmed robes held out a polished crystal orb. "Place your hands, please."

Vivien laid her slender hands upon the sphere. Instantly, light began to swirl inside — a gentle silver at first. Then it pulsed, deepened, grew blinding. Threads of luminous white spiraled like living things.

Gasps rang out. Even the steadiest students shifted on their feet.

Vivien simply stood there, her expression unreadable. When it was done, the light faded — leaving behind a hush so profound you could hear the banners rustling high above.

The proctor's face was pale with awe. He managed a stiff bow. "Thank you, Lady Vivien. You may return."

She walked back to the pillar where Esme waited. The red-haired girl practically bounced up. "That was intense! Did everything go okay?"

Vivien allowed a small, serene smile. "Yes. No problem."

The dawn of new rankings

At last, the tests ended. The hall emptied slowly, groups peeling away toward their dorms. A voice on the speaker announced, "All students, please return. The results will be revealed at tomorrow's morning assembly."

That night passed with the academy buzzing like a beehive. Speculations, rumors, anxious hopes — they filled the dorms' candlelit corridors.

When dawn came, every student, mage and non-mage alike, assembled in the open courtyard before the great stage.

The headmaster, robes a deep midnight blue, stepped up to the high podium. "Good morning, students. The results of yesterday's evaluations have arrived."

A murmur swept through the crowd like wind across grass.

"As stated before, if your mana surpasses that of a current chosen one, you will be appointed in their place. I am pleased to say we have a few such exceptional cases this year."

Aether and Lucas — shock, jealousy, laughter

Somewhere near the back, Aether stood with a hand tucked in his pocket, leaning lazily against a wall. He yawned. "New chosen ones, huh? Bet it's just a handful. Always is."

Lucas, standing closer to the front, had a smirk twisting at his lips. He already pictured the headmaster announcing him as the top again — maybe even pushing Olivia aside this time.

The headmaster began calling names from year 4 downward. As expected, only one or two new chosen ones emerged per year. Claire remained president of the year 3 team, flashing a calm, humble grin when her name was read.

Then came year 1.

"And for the year 1 Child of Lights… we have a remarkable change," the headmaster intoned.

Students leaned forward, breath held.

"Vivien Lumielle shall take the position of president of the year 1 chosen team."

Chaos and absolute proof

A stunned silence slammed down on the courtyard.

Then —

"WHAT?" Lucas practically screamed. His face contorted, red creeping up his neck. "That's ridiculous! You're cheating, aren't you? Giving it to her because she's the Dean's granddaughter!"

Some other students began muttering darkly. "Yeah, it must be rigged…" "Unfair politics…"

The headmaster didn't even flinch. "We anticipated such accusations. Therefore — allow me to display Lady Vivien's mana resonance."

He flicked his hand. A floating panel of light sprang into existence, displaying Vivien's results in luminous script. Her mana level was not only the highest in year 1 — it brushed the thresholds of top year 3 students.

A ripple of gasps spread through the crowd.

Lucas's mouth opened, closed, then opened again like a stranded fish. The headmaster's calm voice cut in. "And Lucas, your power doesn't even reach Olivia's. Speaking of whom — Olivia remains vice president, and you, Lucas, are now third."

Aether let out a low whistle, lips quirking. "What kind of training did that girl do before coming here? And haha… Lucas got thrashed again."

Around them, laughter burst out. Some students clapped Lucas mockingly on the back. Others snickered outright. Lucas's face crumpled — humiliated, raging, but powerless to contradict the glowing numbers floating overhead.

Soft laughter, sharp relief — and something new beginning

Vivien stood off to the side, Esme practically hopping with excitement. "You did it! You totally did it! President of the chosen team on your first try — ahhh, you're amazing!"

Vivien let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding. For once, her cool poise slipped, replaced by something almost shy. "It's just… numbers. But thank you."

Their eyes met. Esme's were shining — not with envy, not with calculation, but pure, unfiltered delight for her friend.

And for the first time in years, Vivien found herself smiling not because it was expected of her, but simply because she wanted to.

✦✦✦

In Himwarry's bright gardens — tiny futures stirring

As the crowd dispersed, the academy gardens rang with new kinds of laughter and whispered alliances. Somewhere near the rose hedges, Lucas fumed alone, plotting how he'd claw back his pride.

By the east colonnade, Aether strolled with Morgan, hands tucked lazily behind his head, grin easy. "Guess we'll see what that ice princess does as president, huh?"

Morgan only smirked. "Bet she'll surprise you."

And by the marble fountain, Vivien and Esme sat side by side — a lonely girl who'd begun to learn warmth, and a red-haired spark determined to chase her out of her solitude. Neither of them knew how tangled their stories would become with a certain elusive boy.

But for now, it was enough to simply share the morning sun.