Chapter 13: Magic Academy III

There was only one way to increase the Mana Potential of a Human being, but the process wasn't something to be taken lightly.

"If I may, General," called out the only male scientist in the room. "Since the boy really wants to serve, I suggest you give him a chance with the Haber Process. If he survives after forcing his body to accept Mana, who knows what powerful affinity he might awaken?"

"How can you even suggest that, Klint?" Ella opposed. "He's just a kid. You know very well that no one has ever survived the Horrors of the Haber Process."

"Yes, but if he survives, he won't just awaken a mere Elemental affinity. We're talking about a God-level limitless affinity here. General, give him the chance."

The General pondered on Klint's words for some seconds, before turning his attention back to Jordan.

"How much pain can your body take?" he asked, crossing his hands over his chest. "What if I told you that the only way to make you a Mage has a very high possibility of killing you? Would you still want to take the risk?"

Jordan didn't even need to think before a reply shot out of his mouth.

"I don't care the price. If there's even a slight chance that I can become someone like you, I'll risk it all. So help me," Jordan pleaded once more.

Deep down, a part of Jordan was very irritated by what he was doing, but he tried his best not to show it. All he had to do was become a very powerful Mage, then he would make them pay for humiliating him like this.

"I'll let you in on two conditions, Jordan. One, you'll keep this all a secret, and two If you do manage to survive the Haber Process, your allegiance will be to Rivia alone," the General finally stated.

Ever since the theory of the Haber Process was released to the world 20 years ago by a mad scientist from Atlantis, Muggles and Mages all over the world have tried using it to increase their Mana potential but no one has succeeded. Seeing Jordan's determination to become a Mage and knowing the large benefits the Rivian Military could attain by having her very own SuperMage, the General couldn't be more tempted to agree with Klint. He didn't care much that Jordan was just a kid.

"I agree," Jordan answered, his face brimming with joy.

"In that case, go join the others outside. Come by the Science lab by noon tomorrow. After you sign a binding Mana Contract, they will guide you along the process."

Upon hearing those words, Jordan got up from the ground and thanked the General. He located the exit and headed quickly to it as if the General would retract his words if he stayed too long.

"Are we really going to do this?" Ella asked, troubled. She waited for Jordan to get out of the hearing range before she spoke.

"Yes. No one has volunteered for the process in 5 years, and now we have one you think we should let him go just because he's a kid?" Klint replied, getting back to the machine he was calibrating.

"You heard the General, he's an orphan. No one will even care if he dies. Stop pretending to have a conscience," supported the other female scientist in the room.

"It's settled then. Make the necessary preparations before he arrives tomorrow," the General ordered, walking slowly to the exit door. "Oh, I don't need to remind you all what would happen if you mess this up and the kid doesn't survive, do I?" he added with a cold, threatening tone.

The fear that came upon their faces was instant, their heartbeat even spiked.

"Good."

The General walked out of the testing lab. It didn't take long for him to catch up with the kids. They were lined up in the open space used for combat practice. Standing in front of them were 48 people who by the badges they had on, were obviously workers at the Academy. 30 men and 18 women in all.

"I believe you guys can take it from here?" The General asked one of the ten.

"You can rest assured General," he replied.

"I see you all have been given the rulebook," the General said out loud to the hearing of all the recruits. "For your own good, memorize everything in it. I really do hope you enjoy your stay here."

Having said that, the General walked away.

"Now, if you look on your right wrist, you'll notice a watch," said a bald young man with a loud voice. "It'll identify you as a student of this academy. Don't for any reason, take it off when out of your dorms. It will grant you access to certain places in the Academy and make payments among other things.

"When not in use, the watch will show a number which is your power level as a mage. But seeing as none of you is a Mage, it should show 0."

Jordan looked at his watch. Instead of 0, what it showed was '-' making him wonder if that was because he didn't have any Mana Potential. Naturally, as the only one without Mana Potential, he was the weakest among the recruits.

For the next hour, Jordan and the other kids were orientated about the Academy. They were split into groups and given a tour around the very large territory of the Academy by the 48 instructors; the places they had access to, at least.

They were shown their homeroom classes, sports classes, the cafeteria, and several battle arenas that had elevated square platforms among others. The instructor would explain a little bit about each area of the school they visited and Jordan paid utmost attention, interested in everything the Academy had to offer.

The tour ended outside the Academy's dorms and all the different groups converged.

"This is where you'll be staying all through the program. There will be no lessons today so once you have settled in, feel free to explore the Academy."

One of the instructors raised his hand and waved it in the air and small game-like cards appeared out of thin air, floating in front of the recruits.

"The number on the card before you is the room you'll be staying in," he announced. "Your bags have already been taken inside."

Jordan picked the card in front of him and looked at the number: 22. They were dismissed and without wasting time to chit chat like the other kids, Jordan headed straight to his room. He was greeted by a familiar voice when he walked in.

"We meet again."