The conversation with the proctor ultimately went nowhere.

Joseph didn’t know who to decide on.

He couldn’t make he’s choice. The other masters found it just as difficult. This was what they thought. They thought Joseph was being selfish as he was prolonging the tension being built in the students. They thought he was being rather selfish and they had reasons to think they were right.

Joseph never thought what he was doing was wrong simply because he didn’t think about things that way. In his mind the reason he couldn’t just as easily pick a student to advance was because most of he’s students were relative.

’I can’t foster and advance one at the cost of the others,’ he thought.

Joseph’s situation was unlike anything the others faced. They just didn’t realize it. How could they?

"All of them are A ranks," he said.

"They may vary in talents but they’re all A ranks regardless."

He panted at first. He started to get himself.

He realized he’s behavior right now wasn’t suited for a master.

Roe was observing both he and the second proctor. He said nothing.

He ruled out talents that couldn’t be fostered. Joseph was doing the hard thing finally.

The reason he couldn’t eliminate them individually was because he was thinking in terms of snuffing out talents, extinguishing the fire of potential.

He didn’t think about that anymore. Not that he didn’t care—

"Maron," he said.

"You’ll be the one to proceed."

The others teared up. One gave Maron a push.

"Carry on," another said.

The tears were present. There was no hiding that.

"Thanks master. I’ll do my best for you and my colleagues," Maron said as she proceeded to the next hall.

"Ok.

Ok.

Touchy, touchy feelings is over. Let’s start the next evaluation," Lana said.

"I’m still disappointed you number all the way up to 45, but I guess I’ll work with what I have."

Outside the second hall, two mana signatures disappeared. No one but Roe noticed.

’Where did Master and Joseph go?’

-

In a space, rather a random dimension.

"We need to talk," Solomon said.

Joseph nodded in submission.

-

"These will be a more individual test.

You won’t take it on your own however. This test will be done in groups of twos."

Lot smiled as he heard this.

None of the masters knew the test or their criterion, but he seemed to be loving where this was all going.

"You are not permitted to choose one from your set, of course," Lana announced.

"Just when I thought this was the reason master paired us up in the first place," John said.

"Make your picks right now before I proceed.

I’ll give 10 minutes. Make it quick."

The students did as instructed.

Alot found it difficult, they were basically going in blind, remember none of these students have interacted before, the tower and rules made sure if it.

"Very few seemed to have realized," Sigman said.

"I know right, what gives?" Modred followed.

"This is the first test," Edward added.

Roe approached the Set B students.

"Oh, I’ve realized. This is part of the test," he said.

"I choose you."

He pointed out Modred.

"Sure, let’s do it," Modred responded.

"I was going to go with that guy," Sigman said.

"Yeah, well me too," Edward added.

Most of the other students didn’t realize what was up. It was really just the four of them.

Gwen reached out to Finna and she agreed, so another alliance formed. The other members of Set A paired up with rather random students.

Ursula with Beatrix from one of the fallen sets.

"Hope this isn’t you playing the pity card, missy," Beatrix asked.

"Oh, that. Not really my style," she responded.

Everyone was set. Time was up.

They all stood in pairs. Only a few of those pairs made for notable competition.

Roe and Modred was definitely a potential highlight.

Ursula and Beatrix, another string pair.

Edward teamed up with Faux, another from a demoted set.

Sigman went with Randolph. He liked how crafty he was when he was manipulating he’s mana output the test before.

Gwen with Finna. The last notable one was Max and Zach.

"Now that you’ve all paired up. We can begin the test," Lana said.

Solomon appeared from the top. He was afloat. From he’s hand a new scale popped into existence.

Lana pointed at it.

She told Solomon to just do it already.

He activated the scale.

The students noticed they’re mana was being stolen. Without exception, even Roe.

While they were losing mana she continued talking.

"I’m going to test your on the go coordination. That’s why you’re paired," she said.

"I also plan on testing your skills as mages. I don’t give a damn about your ranks."

’No special mana reserves needed here.’ Roe smiled.

"So it’s an even playing field then," Modred said.

"Yes.

Right now all of you have about as much mana as a C rank mage," Lana responded.

The members of group B all tried to locate Zach. They chuckled.

"What was that about?" Roe asked.

"I’ll tell you about it later," Modred responded.

"Now that your mana reserves have been equialized. Let’s get to the test proper."

As she said so they all began elevating. In an instant they were above the clouds.

"Solomon will serve as my aide in this test.

You are to fight Solomon. Touch his staff and retrieve your mana back. The faster you obtain your original reserves, the more your chances of winning are."

"Wait so those with more reserves have less chance since it will take more time to absorb their mana back?" Julian asked.

"Not really, the amount of mana absorbed back should be proportional to your output, it’s only those with unsturdy fundamentals that will struggle," she responded.

’That barely makes sense. She’s saying absorbing rate, input will equal output rate. This is a first we’ve heard,’ Roe thought.

"Solomon will be going easy on you so don’t worry. Oh and about that first to get it done. Well only 15 of you are making it to the next round.

Solomon will take you on two on one. Each pair will have a minute. The next pair another minute. Should it make 15 before your team can achieve the goal then you’ll be eliminated.

The teams will be in order of formation.

First team. Roe and Modred step forward please."

"A minute? How are we supposed to get a hold of Solomon’s staff for that long?"

"You may plan, you may strategize. When you’re ready give us the signal so we can start the timer."

"I’ll take the first thirty seconds. You’ll take the next."

"That seems just about fair," Modred said.

"So how do you wanna start, Roe?"

"What are your talents for starters?"

"I use darkness," Modred responded.

"Well I’m an energy type."

"Ok. We can work with this.

Not mine but your’s.

Do you have any spell that can just flat out dispel darkness?

I just need Solomon distracted for a few then I can work my magic."

"Sure sure. I can do that," Modred said.

"Now a plan for you," Roe said. "Let me think."

Modred held him by the head.

"You made your’s, I’ll make mine.

All I need from you are energy beams."

"Is that all?" Roe asked.

"Energy beams, you got that right," Modred reiterated.

’If you say so,’ Roe thought.

"We’re ready."

Lana gave the signal.

"Start.

60."