Chapter 13: Chapter 13: Three Kinds of Magic

"Self-taught?"

The word piqued Bev’s interest.

In her mind, Magic was synonymous with luxury, always associated with expensive instructors, a wealthy family, and money-burning tomes.

A commoner learning Magic on his own?

’That sounds so strange.’

Just as Bev was about to ask something else, a wooden door on the right side of the hall opened.

A Mage wearing a monocle beckoned in Bev and Zelir’s direction.

"It’s your turn."

...

The examination was held in a room called the Room of Serenity.

The surrounding walls were built of white stone, and a Crystal Pillar stood in the center, looking quite sacred.

The Mage in charge of the evaluation adjusted his monocle and announced in a clear voice.

"My name is Marvin Koffler. I am an Upper Level Mage and your instructor for this evaluation."

It seemed like an introduction to both of them, but Marvin was really only speaking to Zelir.

Judging by Bev’s expression, she had known Instructor Marvin for a long time.

"My name is Zelir." Zelir placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.

Marvin was slightly surprised to hear that Zelir had no surname, but the expression quickly vanished from his face.

"Alright, Uncle Marvin, let’s get started," Bev urged.

Marvin glanced at Bev, his expression one of slight exasperation.

"Bev, this is your third time taking the Mage evaluation this month. If you don’t pass again, I’ll have to put you on a ninety-day cooldown period."

Bev pouted, her voice much quieter.

"I’ll definitely pass this time..."

"The evaluation process for a Magic Apprentice is simple. First, a Magic Power test, followed by a test of your Magic Release proficiency. I will determine if you pass based on your performance."

Marvin raised a hand toward the Crystal Pillar. "Bev, you first."

"Good luck," Zelir said with an encouraging smile.

Bev clenched her fists and nodded firmly.

"Mhm!"

She took off her light purple Magic Robe and placed it aside with her Magic Wand.

These items, which could amplify Magic Power, were not allowed during the evaluation.

Bev took a deep breath, walked up to the Crystal Pillar, placed her small hand on it, and began to channel her Magic Power.

The Crystal Pillar was made of a material similar to the Crystal Ball the guard at the gate had used, but it was purer, allowing for a clear judgment of Magic Power Strength.

A blue light began to glow from the base, rising gradually until it reached the height of Bev’s waist.

She mustered all her strength, desperately pouring in Magic Power. The blue light rose a little higher before coming to a stop.

Zelir visually estimated the height.

’About... a little over a meter?’

’Something like 1.2 or 1.3 meters.’

Marvin glanced at it.

"Not bad. A bare pass."

The corners of Bev’s mouth curved up, her pretty face breaking into a joyful smile.

"Woohoo!"

The last time, she hadn’t even passed the Magic Power test.

Next, it was Zelir’s turn.

He also placed his palm on it. Blue light blossomed from the base of the Crystal Pillar and shot upward.

Not only was it much faster than Bev’s, but its height also quickly surpassed her previous mark.

Bev blinked, seeming to not quite believe what she was seeing.

Marvin was also surprised, and his gaze toward Zelir held a deeper meaning.

Finally, the blue light stopped just below Zelir’s chest, about twenty to thirty centimeters higher than Bev’s result.

"Not bad."

Marvin nodded in approval. "Your Magic Power Strength fully meets the standard for a Magic Apprentice, and you even have some to spare."

"Thank you for the praise," Zelir said, withdrawing his hand.

A Spirit Attribute of 71 was indeed more than enough to meet the requirements for a Magic Apprentice.

If Zelir had chosen the Magical Surge Talent Skill, the light on the Crystal Pillar probably would have gone even higher.

"You... are you really self-taught?" Bev muttered under her breath.

’He’s even better than me.’

Next, Marvin would test their Magic Release proficiency. Bev went first again. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The process was simple: they just needed to cast the Magic they were best at, and Marvin would judge their performance.

Bev held her palm forward and began to channel Magic Power, Sketching a Spell Structure in her mind.

Marvin narrowed his eyes slightly, carefully observing Bev’s Casting process.

"SWOOSH!"

Space distorted slightly, and a pale-green blade of gas slashed forward!

Wind Blade Technique.

Although there were no training dummies to quantify the destructive power, Zelir felt that the attack was quite impressive, at least reaching the level of a slash from an ordinary sword.

Next, Bev began Sketching a second Spell Structure.

About six or seven seconds later, a bright light bloomed in her palm.

And with a gesture from Bev, this light could be condensed into a sphere that floated high in the air, illuminating a larger area.

Lighting Skill.

After resting for a moment, Bev began to sketch a third Magic spell.

This time, a ball of water the size of a human head gradually condensed in front of her.

With a loud BANG, the water ball shot forward at high speed and slammed into the wall.

Water Ball Skill.

"Hahh... hahh..."

Casting three spells in a row had clearly taken a toll on Bev. She panted lightly as she looked at Marvin.

"How was that, Instructor Marvin?"

"It seems you’ve been working hard lately."

Marvin nodded slightly. "You’ve passed, Bev. From now on, you are a Magic Apprentice."

"That’s great!" Bev was ecstatic.

It wasn’t just Bev who was happy; Zelir was quite pleased as well, because he could clearly see three new progress bars appear under his Technique Celestial Calculation.

Wind Blade Technique, Analysis Progress—2%.

Lighting Skill, Analysis Progress—2%.

Water Ball Skill, Analysis Progress—2%.

’This Talent Skill is really useful. It saves me the money and effort of getting Magic Scrolls.’

And compared to a more complex Magic like Embrace of the Mist Veil, the analysis speed for the three spells Bev had cast was clearly much faster.

’It’s already at 2% progress just from being added to the queue. I estimate it’ll be fully analyzed in a few days.’

"Your turn, Zelir," Marvin gestured.

Zelir stepped forward, exhaled lightly, and the Spell Structure for the Fireball Skill appeared in his mind.

His Magic Power spread out along the established pathways, ready to flow.

But just then, Zelir froze, having made an unexpected discovery.

In his mind, the originally complete Spell Structure for the Fireball Skill now showed several parts that seemed redundant and unnecessary to him.

These winding, superfluous parts could be modified into straight-line constructs that would allow Magic Power to flow faster.

’What’s going on...?’

Zelir couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

’I never felt this before when I cast the Fireball Skill.’

However, Zelir didn’t dwell on it. He followed his instincts, modified those redundant parts, and successfully finished Sketching the Spell Structure.