Chapter 6: The Three Tests

Finally, the day I would attend Scarlet Academy arrived.

Scarlet Academy was known for its difficult tests and the ranking system it used.

Students were assigned numbers based on the amount of magion they possessed. The lower the ranking number, the better you were treated.

There were also three tests we had to take to enter the academy; those who failed were sent home.

The first test was the Weapons Selection. It required us to choose a Bloodless Weapon.

Bloodless Weapons were magical weapons that chose their owners. You could channel your magion through them, enabling you to cast spells as well.

However, the weapon's element had to match your own.

For example, you couldn't use a Fire-type Bloodless Weapon if your element was Water.

If you had more than one element, you needed to choose a Multi-type Bloodless Weapon.

Next came the Skill Selection test. We had to choose one of the millions of skills left behind by our Founding Ancestor through his stored memories.

The skills only appeared if you were compatible with them.

Lastly, there was the Magion Limit test. As the name suggested, it measured the amount of magion your body could hold, with a minimum requirement of 500 to pass.

This academy was truly ruthless—just to get in, we had to pass all three tests.

I arrived at the front gate of the academy, where thousands of Vampires were streaming through. I joined the flow and headed toward the testing area.

The first test was the Weapons Selection.

I could feel the anxiety of all the students in the air.

I waited until they called my name.

"Silver Lustra, step forward," a teacher said.

"Y-Yes," I answered.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.

Millions of weapons—or rather, magion shaped like weapons—floated around the area.

"Step into the circle and hold out your hand."

I stepped into the circle, which was a high-level spell engraved on the ground.

As soon as I put my hand out, three Bloodless Weapons appeared before me.

"So, it's three that chose you." the instructor said, marking something on a sheet of paper.

"Choose one."

I examined the three weapons, all swords: a saber, a greatsword, and a katana.

I wanted something that was both fast and strong.

So, I chose the katana, which was a little bit longer then my height.

As soon as I touched it, it disappeared into the palm of my hand. A mark resembling the katana appeared on my hand before vanishing.

"Congratulations, you passed the test," the instructor said with a smile.

"Go to Test Area B for the Skill Selection test."

I made my way to Area B, where I saw Emily waiting for her turn.

I waved to her and went to stand by her side.

"Emily, what weapon did you get?" I asked.

"I chose a rapier," she replied.

"Emily Bloodsworth, step forward!" an instructor shouted.

She approached a golden ball made of glowing threads—a construct purely formed of magion.

It took her only a minute to complete the test. She nodded at me before heading to Test Area C.

I guessed she was wishing me luck.

Soon, they called my name, and I approached the golden ball.

Wait—where had I felt this magion before?

Ah, now I remember—it felt like the magion of the Fairy during the Vampire Ceremony.

I placed my hands on the ball. It felt cold yet warm.

Suddenly, I found myself in a completely white space. Three words floated in front of me.

"So... these are the skills," I murmured, staring at the words.

[Copy: Imperfect] [Creative] [King of Magic]

Each skill had a description:

Copy: Imperfect—Allows skills to be copied when meeting certain conditions. Copied skills will be weaker than the original. Skill evolution is possible.

Creative—Allows the user to create skills under certain conditions.

King of Magic—Grants the ability to understand any spell upon seeing it.

These skills were unlike anything I had ever seen—every single one was incredibly powerful.

Our Founding Ancestor had possessed these and millions more.

How powerful must he have been?

The Copy skill seemed the best of the three. Although it was imperfect, it had the potential to evolve.

I reached for the skill, and it flew toward me, merging with my mind.

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the testing area.

I proceeded to Test Area C for the Magion Limit test.

As I arrived, I noticed a commotion. Everyone was staring at a boy with pitch-black hair.

"Theo Klein, 20,000," the instructor announced in shock.

The Klein family—one of the Seven Nobles—was famous for their monstrous magion levels.

But 20,000? That was the minimum required to become a Vampire Lord.

If Theo evolved, could his magion surpass even the strongest Vampire Lords?

I couldn't believe it—a boy my age was already that powerful.

Envy stirred within me. If only I had that kind of power, Mother wouldn't have had to die.

But dwelling on these thoughts wouldn't help. I needed to grow stronger. I clenched my fist.

I spotted Emily and called out to her.

"Emily!... Emily?"

She was staring at Theo intensely.

"Y-Yes, my King," she stuttered.

"No, it's... Do you know him?"

"Yes... we were friends as children," she replied, looking sad.

She then mumbled something I couldn't quite make out.

"Emily...did you just say something?" I asked as I looked at her.

"No." She replied in a soft tone with a smile on her face but I could sense that it was fake.

"Emily Bloodsworth!" an instructor called.

She stepped forward and touched a floating orb.

"Emily Bloodsworth, 5,150," the instructor announced, handing her a bracelet.

I couldn't believe how much stronger Emily was than me.

Yet she chose me as her King. I needed to live up to her expectations.

Next, it was my turn.

The orb I had to send magion through was very different from the previous one. It was small and transparent.

"Silver Lustra, 850," the instructor announced, handing me a bracelet.

"Those who have completed all tests may check into the dorms," an instructor said.

Emily went to the training grounds, wanting to test her new skill. I headed to the dorms.

After checking in, I found my room.

"Room 15... Ah, found it," I said, opening the door.

The room was bare—a bed, a desk, and a window.

I decided to rest for the day.

We Vampires didn't need sleep, but it helped restore magion faster.

Before lying down, I checked my stats:

[Sei]

Race: Vampire

Age: 16

Magion: 850/850

Stats:

Strength: 20

Speed: 15

Reflexes: 10

Skills:

Race Skills: [Sei]; [Ei]; [Regeneration: Low]; [Night Vision]; [Accumulation]

Accumulated Skills: [Accelerate]; [Copy]

Magic:

Element: [???: Locked]; [???: Locked]; [Water]

Spells: [Water Shot]

My magion was reduced. Was it due to the blood pact?

And I learned a new spell.

But...why were two of my magical elements still locked? Was it because I was too weak or for another reason?

Guess I'll ask Marcus tomorrow.

I bet he'd be surprised to learn I had three elements.