n

n

nThe Sound of people chattering and working resonated throughout the city as they passed by on a carriage. Unlike the other carriage they were in, this one was a lot more luxurious.

nOne of the drivers was apparently a guard.

nInside the carriage were four of them, including Eleanor along with her dad.

nSo far, Eleanor felt like she had been avoiding him, but it didn't feel like a grudge.

nWhen they all ate breakfast together she kept silent and even now, she just quietly stared outside of the window.

n

"So, are you all feeling? Today are your entrance exams.

" Asked Kurt.

nJohn didn't feel nervous at all, Eleanor should be fine since she was a noble, and she could use light magic. The problem was Ariel, but John knew that she would be fine. She practiced every day whenever she had time.

nSerena did the same. The two of them hadn't stopped practicing. John hadn't stopped either, but he hadn't been able to progress much.

n'I'm going to need better ideas… I can't just create a spell out of nowhere…' John thought to himself.

n

"I'm good,

" John replied.

n

"No problems here

" Replied Serena.

n

"I was a little nervous, but… I'm fine now,

" Said Ariel with a determined look.

n'She can do it if she tries.' John thought to himself.

n

"I was a lot nervous before, but thanks to you three being here, I feel calmer…

" Said Eleanor as clenched her arm in the middle of her chest.

n

"I'm glad to hear it, Thanks for coming with us, John, Serena, and Ariel.

"

n

"There's no need to thank us, you're offering us a ride, we're the ones that are grateful,

" John replied

n

"That's right,

" Said Serena.

nAriel nodded in response.

n

"Haha, is that so… I'm glad those are your thoughts.

" Said Kurt as he stared outside of the window.

n'But it's strange… Could the magic academy be small or something? I didn't see any signs of it at all, not once since we came to the city. Is it really here?' John wondered.

nSuddenly, the carriage stopped.

n

"Looks like we've arrived.

" Said Kurt.

n'Eh? Already?' John thought with confusion.

nThe four of them hastily looked outside of the carriage and were surprised. There were a lot of spaces all around, but no school. There were also a lot of people here, teenagers with their parents. The nearest house was far.

n'Why is there such a big lump of space inside of the city? Where's the school? There are so many people here and yet…' John thought to himself.

n

"Are they all here for the exam..? But I don't see a school anywhere… Unless…

" Said, Serena.

nAt the same time, the carriage door opened, and on the outside was a guard.

n

"Identification, please.

" Asked the guard.

n

"Of course, Kurt van Mira, and this is my daughter Eleanor van Mira. These are our guests who will also be taking the exam,

" Said Kurt as he handed the man some sort of badge.

n

"My deepest apologies! For not realizing who it was!

" Said the man as he bowed.

n'Eh? What's with that overly dramatic reaction? Wait, he told me he was a noble, but he never said what rank… For guards to act like this… What sort of person is Eleanor's dad…?' John thought with surprise.

n

"Haha, no need to be so tense, personally, I don't mind. But that aside, any ideas when the gate will open?

"

n'Gate? What gate? Wait, something strange… There're only houses here, yet the guards seemed to be chanting something in the center… Wait, this isn't what I think it is, right..?' John inferred.

nAs he thought that, the guard said

"Right now

" and as he said that, the light began to gather in the center of where the other guards were chanting and took the shape of two gates.

nA blue one and a red one. Two gates were formed and in front of them was a single mage. The guards had moved out of the way to give the person space.

n

"Wow…

" Muttered Ariel.

n

"Is that the unique space magic I heard about? Gate… It took around 8 mages to cast it…

" Muttered Serena.

nEleanor quietly watched with a look of amazement in her eyes.

n'Hm… I'm guessing the gate is different from teleportation. Gate is like connecting to ends in a line, and these are indeed two separate gates. John reckoned.

nShe looked like an old woman in her 70s, yet she didn't give off the feeling of being fragile.

n

"*Clears throat* Testing… Good. People of xoleria, once again it is the start of a new year, and we are proud to announce that the exam will commence,

" Said the lady.

nThe crowd suddenly started cheering when the lady announced that.

n

"Looks like everyone is excited…

" John muttered.

n

"Of course, it's always like this,

" Said Kurt.

n

"It's like this in every city with a magic school? Must be hard…

" John said.

n

"Hmm… You seem to be getting the wrong idea. Things are only like this because it is this school. Haven't you heard about this magic academy?

" Asked Kurt.

n

"Well, we heard that it was considered one of the most prestigious ones,

" John replied.

n

"Not just one of the most prestigious ones, this academy is the most prestigious one in the whole continent, Most magicians who have had their name go down in history have had ties to this academy.

" Said, Kurt.

n'It was that good..?' John wondered again.

n

"And now I feel a bit nervous.

" Said Serena.

n

"Haha, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.

" Said Kurt.

n

"It's fine, but it's good to know how amazing the school we're going to is.

"

n

"As always, only the students will be allowed in, Parents, Guardians, and Guards will have to stay here, along with the carriage. These are the necessary safety measures.

"

nIt looked like the security was tight, it's a good thing since apparently, and they'll be living in dorms there. Eleanor will be safe that way.

n

"Looks like we'll be parting ways here… You four, stay safe and good luck!

" said Kurt.

nThey each thanked him and got off the carriage and when it was Eleanor's turn…

n

"Thank you, and… Sorry… Dad.

" Said Eleanor as she hung her head.l

nShe had been giving him the silent treatment, so he guessed this is what the apology was for.

n

"For what? I got what I deserved, don't feel bad about it. I'm the one that's sorry… I shouldn't have rushed things,

" He said.

nHer sad eyes seemed to slowly gain its life back as she heard his words.

n

"If you're truly sorry, then once I pass make sure you make it up to me.

" Said Eleanor with a bright smile.

n

"I will

" Replied Kurt who also smiled.

nAfter the interaction, Eleanor got off the carriage, and we had all finally gotten off.

nBy the time they had gotten off, they had started forming a line on each gate.

n

"This year, we will do something different. You will have the option to choose which gate you would like to enter. Blue is easier, but if you do get accepted, you'll start in the lowest ranking class. Meanwhile, red on the other hand will allow you to start in rank 5,

" said the lady.

n

"Rank 5? Did she say rank 5?

" Said a person.

n

"Isn't that really good?!

" Asked another person.

n

"O-Oi… maybe it might be a better idea to go inside of the red gate,

" suggested another person.

n

"Y-Yeah, he's right… We'll be one rank below alpha class…

" said another guy.

n

"Yeah! Let's do it!

" Shouted a random guy

nSuddenly, more and more people lined up in front of the red gate

nHm, this isn't what Eleanor said… She said they separated it by a commoner and noble… And that it would be harder for commoners to get in because they were running out of space…

n'Why would she deliberately change the rules? Being kind? No, I doubt it… Most of the people that lined up in front of the red gate looked like commoners.' John thought in a questioning manner.

nThere were a lot of teens lined up behind the red, maybe around 90 or 100, and 1

/3 seemed to be nobles.

nMeanwhile, in front of the blue gate, there were around 20, maybe 30 lined up in front of it.

n'Ah… I see… There's barely any space in the lower-ranking classes, so they're pairing up the commoners with the nobles to decrease the amount. Naturally, they'll make the noble test harder too.' Lin Mu realized.

nHe felt bad for everyone, but this also benefited him and they'll all be able to stick together.

n

"John, which gate do we pick?

" Asked Serena.

n

"Well, I originally planned on going with the commoner route, but with this, I'll be able to rank up without having to wait for 3 months, so we're going with red,

" John declared

/

nHaving a head start will definitely be advantageous for us.

n

"Understood

" Said Ariel

n

"Well then, listen up, we have no idea what might be on the other side of the gate, but our first priority if we separate is to meet up. Understoo.d?

" John spoke to them.

nThe two girls nodded, Eleanor kept quiet

n

"W-Well… I wish you three good luck…

" said Eleanor as she turned and was about to leave.

n

"Where are you going?

" John asked as he grabbed on to her hand.

n

"Where? To the line… You shouldn't be telling me your plan…

" Said Eleanor

/

n

"Why?

" I asked

/

n

"What do you mean, why? Your plan is something you should tell to your team…

" She muttered

/

n

"But Eleanor, you are in our team?

" Said, Ariel

/

n

"I am?

" Eleanor asked with a confused expression

n

"Well, after all, who wouldn't want to team up with their friend? And besides, the school with john would be annoying, I need back up.

" Said Serena

/

n

"Oi.

" John intentionally let out.

n

"So I can join the team..?

" Asked Eleanor.

n

"Of course, I'm sure there's going to be many other teams, and she never said that teaming was against the rules, so… will you join our team?

" John reiterated.

n

"Tha… Thank you… Gladly!

" Said Eleanor.

nShe seemed relieved and happy, her spirit also seemed to return to her.

nWas she sad because she didn't want to go against me? I thought it was because of the engagement…' John thought.

n

"Well, no use in thinking about it,

" He muttered to himself.

n

"About what?

" Eleanor asked.

n'She heard that?' John thought.

n

"N-Nothing, anyway, let's go line up on the red gate.

" John suggested.

nThe three of them agreed with a hint of excitement in their eyes and they lined up. John was probably just as excited as them.

n

"Well then, it looks like you are all lined up. On my signal, you may pass through the gate. Do not worry, the exam will not start until everyone is inside.

" Said the lady.

n

"Looks like we're starting,

" John muttered.

n

"Shhh

" said Serena.

n

"Well, then, On your mark… Go! Let the exams begin!

" Said the lady.

nAfter that, everyone began to walk through. The teenagers in front of the blue gate walked through it, while the near 100 in front of the red gate, entered.

nIt didn't take long for it to reach our turn to enter.

nJohn only realized this now. 'But how could such an old lady's voice reach all the way here?' He thought.

n'Can she use sound magic or something?' He wondered.

n

"Well then, let's go. Good luck to everyone,

" John said as he walked inside.

n

"You'll need it,

" Said Serena as she followed behind him.

n

"We all will,

" Said Ariel as she followed behind Serena

n

"You're right about that..

" Said Eleanor as she was the last to enter.

/

n