The assessment chamber was a circular room with a high ceiling, its stone walls bare save for a few mounted lanterns that cast a steady, golden light. The floor bore an intricate pattern of concentric circles inscribed with arcane symbols—a testing ground designed to measure mana capacity and control.
Adam stood at the center of the innermost circle, his posture relaxed but alert. Before him, three figures observed from stone benches arranged along the room's perimeter: Lady Serena, her steely gaze never wavering; Lord Thalius, his silver-streaked hair neatly tied back; and a third individual Adam hadn't met before—a tall, broad-shouldered man with a close-cropped beard and the distinctive emblem of a Meister visible on his right hand.
"We'll begin with the basics," Lady Serena announced, her voice echoing in the chamber. "Core formation, mana manipulation, and elemental affinity. Master Kaiden will conduct the assessment."