Magus Reborn

84. Ascension exam

The rhythmic scrape of Klan’s boots echoed through the polished stone halls as he led the way.

"So, Lord Arzan," Klan began his voice, a hesitant squeak. "The exam structure... Well, it’s fairly straightforward. Mages can test for any level they wish, though most aim to climb one rung on the ladder at a time."

He paused, glancing at Kai over his shoulder. "For example, novices take the exam to be apprentices. And apprentices, like myself, take the exam to become adept. The difficulty of the exam depends on what you choose. Failing is a common occurrence, especially at the higher levels. It takes a lot of dedication and talent to climb the ranks quickly."

"So, what goes down in an adept exam, then?" Kai asked.

"Usually, it’s a combination of theoretical and practical assessments. The theory portion is definitely important," he stammered, ticking items off on his fingers. "There’s questions on mana manipulation, that’s a given. Then there’s spellcraft theory, where you need to know the workings of different spells, the mana flow, the potential side effects... nasty business if you mess that up."

He took another shaky breath. "And might I not forget history and lore, especially about ancient Mages. Then, of course, there’s the practical assessment. The real meat of the exam, some might say. This is where you separate the wheat from the chaff, as they say."

"So, what spells do they test you on?"

"Ah, spells! Third-circle spells, Lord Arzan. That’s the benchmark for adepts. Though," he added with a sly smile, "casting a third-circle spell doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a third-circle mage. A lot of peak second-circle mages like myself take a shot at it too. You see, the exam doesn’t only test your internal mana pool, but your ability to execute the spell itself."

This was different from the type of exam he was accustomed to, where reaching the third circle was important to become adept. The other parts were similar, at least the theoretical parts.

He absorbed the information, mulling it over in his mind.

"But it’s not just about casting the spell, mind you. They test you under pressure, to see if you can keep your head under fire. Efficiency is key, Lord Arzan. The faster and cleaner you cast, the better your score."

"I see."

Whatever Klan told him sounded easy to him, but he didn’t say it out loud.

Who knew what sorts of questions he would be given?

"About the practical examination, Klan. Will there be any duels? Or perhaps monster hunting?" he asked, wondering if he should have brought armour.

"No duels, Lord Arzan. Those are reserved for Mages who take examinations to become savants. But as it’s a higher-level examination, not a lot of Mages take it. Moreover, it’s a small event in itself. Savants are very rare and I believe the last time someone attempted the test was three years ago and they failed. So, it’s really not easy."

This information confirmed his earlier suspicions. The Archine Tower seemed to prioritise theoretical knowledge over practical application. Apprentice mages didn’t receive combat training, and only after one became adept that they get trained for it.

No wonder Actra was better than these apprentices.

"These exams are brutal, Lord Arzan. Not everyone cuts. Even some talented apprentices like myself... Well, we just keep taking the test, hoping to pass or at the very least, catch the eye of a higher-ranking Mage. A savant or even an adept who needs a promising apprentice. I desperately seek a master even if I don’t pass," Klan said in a hopeful voice.

While they were discussing amongst themselves, they continued walking towards the exam halls. More and more students lined up the corridor as they reached closer to their destination.

Klan shot another question after a brief pause. "So, what level are you aiming for, Lord Arzan?"

"The adept exam," he replied.

It was a perfect fit for his current situation. Magus Veridia considered him to be at the peak of the second circle, so he would easily qualify for the position of an adept. He had briefly considered settling for just being an apprentice, but after thinking about it, he felt like it was beneath him.

Honestly, he was pretty sure that he would even be able to pass the exam to be a savant.

But there was no need to gain so much attention.

"Ah, the adept exam," Klan said aloud. "Well, good luck. You will need it. I hope your exam goes well, Lord Arzan." He smiled.

"Thanks, Klan. You too."

They reached a colossal oak door, elaborately carved with esoteric symbols that pulsed with a faint magical glow. This was it— the exam hall for the Adept ascension exam.

***

Rows upon rows of aspiring adepts hunched over their desks, brows furrowed in concentration as they battled the magical theory paper before them. An invigilator stood in front of a desk, looking over everyone and Kai realised that the whole room was enchanted.

There weren’t any complex enchantments. Probably just there to detect if any students were carrying any artefacts or spells to help them cheat.

After giving one last look at the room, he focused on the paper.

The first section, titled "Magical Theory Fundamentals," seemed straightforward.

There were no multichoice questions, rather they were all questions that needed a proper answer. As he read through the paper first, he realised that they were all basic questions on spell construction, the interaction of mana and the environment.

Therefore, he began writing without wasting another second.

Explain the fundamental differences between evocation and abjuration spells. How do they manipulate the energies to achieve their desired effects?

Evocation spells are all about drawing out magical energy and shaping it into a specific effect, like a fireball or a gust of wind. They tend to be direct and forceful. Abjuration spells, on the other hand, focus on manipulating the weave of magic itself, creating wards or barriers to protect against magical attacks. They’re more subtle but equally powerful.

A faint smile played on Kai’s lips. This was child’s play compared to the materials he had glimpsed in the library, knowledge gleaned from ancient texts that he had studied, practised and used for years. He began answering the questions with extra ease, his mind simply a wellspring of formulas and theoretical constructs.

Mages throughout history have documented various ’fizzling’ effects when spells go wrong. What’s your take on the role of magical stability and how do you think it can be improved?

Spell stability is paramount. It hinges on a delicate balance between the caster’s willpower, the clarity of the incantation, the visualisation of the desired effect and the precise execution of the structure. Even a minor misstep can cause the magic to fizzle or backfire. Personally, I believe meditation and intense focus are key to achieving greater stability.

He inked all the thoughts that danced in his mind. Next question...

Soon after, he raised his hand, a spark of mana igniting in his palm.

He said an incarnation for a show as ten fiery arrows erupted from his palm and moved in the air. It happened almost instantly as he drew the spell structure accurately. He didn’t simply let them fall to the ground, instead, he darted them around the room.

The heat that erupted from the arrows prickled his skin a little, but he kept going.

His eyes moved from the arrows to the invigilator. Her eyebrows almost reached her hairline as she looked at the precise spell structure, efficiency and Kai’s immediate but controlled mana manipulation. To add to the list, Kai added more mana to speed up the movement of the arrows.

He saw her haughty expression breaking and noticed the transparent shield that surrounded her, probably there to save her life in case of an accident.

Getting an idea, he drew the arrows in a circle around it.

She took a step back and he barely held back the chuckle.

Diapering the arrows, he summoned his next two spells one after another.

"[Searing lance!]"

"[Infernal whip!]"

The invigilator subconsciously tightened her grip on the pen and her lips parted in a gasp making Kai almost grin.

He hadn’t seen double casting from any Mage in the tower before and assumed that it was a rare skill. The expression on the invilgilator’s face was enough to confirm it.

Deciding to finish it, he focused on the spells.

With a flicker of his wrist, he let the spells slam into the invigilator’s shield— a white explosion momentarily blinding the room.

The shield, designed for minor accidents, shattered with a reverberating crack, sending the surprised invigilator leaping back with a startled yelp.

Silence descended upon the room, thick with tension. The invigilator, her face pale, finally met Kai’s eyes. "Are you trying to attack me, Mage Arzan?" she snapped, her voice laced with a hint of anger.

Kai blinked innocently, feigning confusion. "Attack you? No, no," he replied smoothly. "I was merely demonstrating the power of the spells as instructed. Three distinct third-circle spells, each maintained for at least a minute."

The invigilator stared at him for a long moment, a battle raging within her eyes between exasperation and grudging admiration. Finally, she sighed, muttering something under her breath.

When her legs shook, he knew he had more than just to shock her. He had managed to scare her.

She scribbled furiously on a parchment, clearly marking his performance.

"Alright, you pass," she announced finally, her voice devoid of emotion.

Kai nodded curtly, concealing his victory smile.

This exam, designed to test basic spellcasting competency, had proven ridiculously easy.

***

A shaft of afternoon sunlight speared through the shutters, illuminating a map sprawled across the mahogany table.

Edrian, the middle son of the former Duke Kellius, traced his finger along a winding trade route. His blond hair was pulled back in a simple braid as he touched his head— something he often did when he was hyper-focused.

A path was marked by him on it and he couldn’t stop himself from smiling as he thought about the future.

A low cough broke him from his trance.

In the doorway stood Giles, his butler, his white starched collar and impeccable attire were different to Edrian’s more relaxed attire— a simple doublet and breeches that spoke of practicality over ostentation.

"My Lord, I have an update regarding Arzan," Giles muttered.

Edrian’s head snapped up, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features. "What is it, Giles?"

"His investigation with the Archine Tower has concluded, my lord," Giles reported, his eyes remaining respectfully downcast. "According to our sources, he is currently taking the ascension exam."

Edrian traced the faint scar that ran along his jawline.

He rose from his chair abruptly. The map slid off the table, scattering pins and parchment to the floor. He strode towards the window, his gaze falling to the afternoon sun.

"So, he managed to survive through the investigation?" He asked, looking back at the butler.

Giles nodded. "Yes, my lord. Apparently, the report we got said that the tower is interested in recruiting him and isn’t pressing any charges over him."

"That’s interesting," he muttered. "Seems like my brother had grown over the time we had been apart."

Giles stood silent as Edrian talked to himself. Looking over at the map on the floor, he picked it up, giving it one last look before speaking again.

"I’m quite curious about him now. Since we are both in the capital, it seems like it’s time for a brotherly reunion. Don’t you think so, Giles?"

"Yes, my lord. Should I send out a message?" Giles asked in a low voice.

"Do so. Make sure to include that I will feel bad if he rejects the invitation."

Giles nodded and left the room while Edrian went back to the map, his gaze cold.