The students gathered in a neat line in front of the shimmering magic orb, its smooth surface pulsing faintly like a slumbering heart. Each slow throb sent delicate ripples of light coursing beneath its translucent shell—a quiet promise of the power it could reveal. The warm morning breeze stirred the grass at their feet, carrying with it a strange blend of excitement and dread.
Standing tall before them was the mage instructor, Marcella Duskwhisper, her sharp violet eyes scanning the assembled group of examinees with a calm authority that needed no announcement. Her black robes, woven with ancient silver runes, fluttered gently in the wind, their subtle glow hinting at the strength she possessed. She carried herself with the grace of someone who had long since mastered the art of magic and the patience to guide those who had yet to begin.
"Listen carefully, all of you," she began, her voice smooth and deliberate, cutting effortlessly through the murmurs of anticipation. "Once again, my name is Marcella Duskwhisper, and I will be the one conducting your magic aptitude test today. This orb—" she gestured to the artifact, its pulse steady and soft "—will reveal two things: your elemental affinity and your potential to grow. Each element—earth, wind, water, fire, ice, and beyond—resonates uniquely with each individual."
Her gaze sharpened as she continued. "Your growth potential will be assigned a letter grade, from S to F. S is extraordinarily rare. A represents great talent. B is strong. C is acceptable. D… is workable, though the path will be steep. Anything below that will require relentless effort to develop even modest power."
The students hung onto her every word, some wide-eyed with anticipation, others shifting nervously where they stood.
"Now then, line up. One at a time."
The first boy stepped forward confidently, slapping his palm on the orb with a grin. A dull brown glow spiraled sluggishly within.
"Earth magic. Growth potential: D."
The boy's grin faltered, disappointment flickering across his face. "Ah… just a D…?"
"Next."
The next student, eager to prove himself, stepped up and pressed his palm against the orb. A pale green swirl rose briefly.
"Wind magic. Growth potential: D."
The boy scratched his head, frowning. "Seriously? D? Guess I'm not cut out to be great."
"Step aside."
A girl approached next, her hands fidgeting as she pressed them against the orb. A faint flame flickered inside. She closed her eyes.
"Fire magic. Growth potential: C."
The girl let out a quiet sigh of relief and nodded. "Right, thanks."
The line moved briskly. Another boy—Plant magic: growth potential D. Water magic: D. Light magic: D. The murmurs among the students grew heavier with each average result.
Kielbasa swaggered up with a cocky smirk, as if the outcome had already been written in his favor. Slapping his hand onto the orb with unnecessary flair, he waited, sure of his worth. Blue ripples shimmered within.
"Water magic. Growth potential: C."
Kielbasa grinned broadly, crossing his arms in triumph. "Ha! Better than all those D-rank chumps. Guess I'm just naturally gifted."
Alessia approached next, her steps steady, her expression focused. She calmly pressed her hand to the orb. A crisp blue light surged to life, cool and sharp.
"Ice magic. Growth potential: C."
Alessia smirked, pulling her hand away. "C rank, huh? I was hoping for higher, but I can work with that. A C is just a starting point."
"That's actually good, Alessia!" Elenora said softly from the line.
"Of course it is. I'm not surprised."
Elenora shuffled forward, gripping the edges of her sleeves tightly. Her steps were small, hesitant. After a brief pause, she placed her palm gently on the orb's surface. A lively breeze swirled around her as the orb flickered with a bright green light.
"Wind magic. Growth potential: B."
Elenora blinked in shock. "Oh… really? I… I didn't think I'd get that…"
"B?!" Alessia's eyes lit up. "That's incredible, Elenora! You'll be able to control powerful wind magic someday!"
Elenora's cheeks flushed a deep red. "I-I… I guess so… but wind isn't that impressive compared to ice. It's just… air."
"Don't sell yourself short! You've got talent. You'll be amazing."
Elenora lowered her gaze, but a shy smile crept onto her lips. "I-I'll try…"
"Next," Marcella called, her voice cutting through the fading whispers.
Satoshi swallowed hard.
"Looks like it's my turn."
Each step toward the orb felt heavier than the last.
"I've never used magic before… not once. Not even by accident. My sister Yoshinori could wield fire, my father too… but me? I could never conjure a thing."
His heartbeat thundered in his chest. His hand trembled as he slowly raised it toward the orb.
"But I have to try. I made it this far. Even if I don't have magic… maybe I can still find another way to be an adventurer," he muttered to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he pressed his palm against the orb's cool surface.
Nothing happened.
No glow. No ripple. No color.
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Kielbasa's laugh broke through it like a blade. "Ha! He's got nothing! Worse than an F! He's just—"
"Enough, Kielbasa," Marcella's voice cracked sharply, silencing him instantly.
Alessia scowled. "Seriously? You're laughing? Did you already forget that even without magic, Satoshi still beat you easily when you fought earlier? Quit acting like you're something special—you're still not stronger than him."
"What? How dare you—" Kielbasa's sputtering only made the other students snicker.
Marcella raised her hand again, quieting the murmurs. Her voice softened, though it remained steady. "It appears you have no magic affinity at all."
"I figured… but still… how can I use physical enhancements then?" he asked himself, confused.
"But," she continued, her gaze firm yet kind, "that does not mean your journey ends here."
Satoshi's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that.
"This academy exists to cultivate all kinds of talent. Magic is only one path. Do you remember Sir Garrick Thornewald, the instructor for physical aptitude?"
"Yes, I remember him," Satoshi said quietly.
"Sir Garrick has no magic either," Marcella said, a faint smile touching her lips. "And yet, he is one of the most respected warriors ever to study here. He defends the kingdom from monster attacks. His strength and determination carved his place at this academy."
"You'll have your physical aptitude test later today," she reminded him. "Your performance there may yet secure your place. Magic is not the only measure of one's worth."
"But… even so… no magic at all…" Satoshi murmured, staring at the orb that had so effortlessly rejected him.
"Perhaps your strength lies elsewhere," Marcella said gently. "Magic or not, the academy welcomes those who persist."
Kielbasa smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Yeah, sure. Have fun swinging sticks while I flood the battlefield."
Alessia shot him a glare. "Please. Your so-called magic can't even fill a bucket."
Kielbasa's face flushed with irritation. "Tch. We'll see."
Satoshi clenched his fists, his voice low but firm. "Magic or no magic… I'll still become an adventurer."
Elenora's soft voice broke the tension. "Um… I… I don't think it's bad to try."
Everyone turned to her.
She shrank a little under their gaze, but her eyes met Satoshi's with quiet resolve. "Even without magic… I think you can still find your place."
Satoshi blinked, caught off guard by her words. No one had ever said that to him before.
"Thank you," he said quietly, a faint, genuine smile tugging at his lips.
Marcella gave a small nod. "That's enough for today. We'll continue with the next phase later. Dismissed."
The students began to disperse, but Satoshi remained still for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on the orb.