Chapter 33: Magic Evaluation Test (Pt. II)
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|| CHAPTER 33 | Magic Evaluation Test (Pt. II) ||
"As the story continues, their journey knows no bounds.
"Training with all their might, sacrificing their blood, their sweat, even shed some tears in the midst of war–– truly, what a sad world we live in.
"In the end, those who come out as victors through unruly ways will soon lose their place. Those who were born beneath the ranks will rise up. Those who were abandoned and lost all hope will soon find a spark of light in their lives.
"All they need to do is be patient and wait.
"Their heroes in training will soon finish their vows and come to them."
––
They all ended on the floor, panting for breaths.
The ceilings swirled in their vision, turning around as the gales invited their way in through the open doors. With splatters of mud spread across the building's once clean floorings, Asuma took note to clean it up later on.
Miracles happen in the weirdest places.
Some were still energetic as always–– like Elloise, Kishi, and Yuzuru. One would wonder where they got all that energy and would possibly beg them on their knees to share that endless stamina of theirs.
Meanwhile, it was no surprise that the others lay dead on the ground, unable to move an inch with sore muscles and aching limbs.
Shizuka did just fine as she just used her magic most of the time and didn't move that much. Of course, like every other test, Isseiris aced them perfectly. No one should be that perfect, especially when they're good looking.
Aside from the physical tests, she scored high on the strategic ones and the... non-exercising ones. They would be the death of her soon enough, she swore.
If only Asuma allowed her to use magic to support or even enhance her physical abilities in those tests, she would probably score better than her brothers.
Innyse was casually sitting beside a sleeping Keita, it wasn't unexpected, seeing how the Ichinosuke slept through every day of school and got away without being noticed.
There's not much to describe as they were all sweating heavily.
Noticing that it's almost time for a break, Asuma clapped his hands and walked towards his students, wearing a wide grin that annoyed most.
"Well done, well done, children ~!!" Asuma clapped childishly and laughed. "I've got quite a lot of data now. You can rest a bit for twenty minutes for lunch until we move on to the next test~!!"
"FINALLY!!!" almost all of them cheered as if they had won a long war–– well, it's not exactly wrong though. They did quite well for first-years against the giant mud golems.
According to the young Ashitaka, the first-years would usually either give up or get swallowed up by the muds. He dared to laugh at the memory of several students slipping on the mud splatters from three years ago.
Asuma took note that some of them worked well with each other while others fought better solo.
Though the latter needed a bit of work and advice, Asuma was satisfied with the results they gave. He was especially excited about this year's generation, seeing how seven representatives of the five main spirit clans were all here.
The man watched them as they took out their lunchboxes. They gave their prayers before finally digging in with growling stomachs.
"Mmm~! This is so good!! Who would've thought that the cafeteria's food was this awesome?" Vinnetra spoke with his mouth full, swallowing his bread a whole without a second thought and getting ready to open another.
Elloise sparkled at the taste of his own homemade lunch.
Shizuka blinked several times when she saw flowers blooming around the tangerine. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at him again only to find that the flowers were still there.
'Am I seeing things...?' Shizuka squinted her eyes.
Kishi noticed his childhood friend's odd demeanour and asked her out of concern for the girl, "Shizuka? You all right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine, I think. I just thought that I was seeing things." Heaving a sigh, Shizuka gave up and decided to enjoy her meal.
"Oh, you mean the flowers?" Avangenille asked the female Ichijou, pointing at Elloise with a spoon in her hand. The fact that the taller female knew what Shizuka was talking about caught the latter off guard, causing Shizuka to almost choke on her food.
"Err... Okay, soooo... I'm not seeing things...?"
"Nah, you're good, girl." The brown-haired female gave Shizuka a thumbs-up and continued to consume her meal.
"Huh..." shrugging, the crystal-blue-eyed female resumed eating her lunch. 'I swear, Gaia, this day is probably weirder than any of my past missions.'
––
'What are these...'
Shizuka's eyes dropped down onto the objects in front of her and the whole class.
Pots of withered plants were neatly arranged in front of them. The cracked reddish clay of each pot, some covered in moss while others struggled to remain intact.
They were all seemingly the same type of plants, but neither Isseiris nor Shizuka could recognize the plants in front of them, as they looked like they were burnt instead of withered. The crispy looking leaves were what led them to that conclusion.
If they were to touch them, they feared that those plants would reduce into ashes.
"All right, attention everyone!!" Asuma clapped his hands again, a gesture he always used to gather everyone's attention.
"You, kids, need to resurrect these plants, making them all fresh and green like they were before," he explained with a giddy smile, "This will be your evaluation for support and healing. How you resurrected them will determine how good you are in both fields."
Asuma took a step forward and made way for the plants with a simple gesture of his hand. "I know full well that not all of you excel in support, even healing.
"Some of you are better in attacking, others defending. A few in strategizing, magic, even other things. One or two of you are better at using raw powers rather than skills and technique, it applies the other way around as well."
The man smiled warmly and crossed his arms. "It's been a long day for all of us today. I'd say, it's better to have more than one or two fields to excel in, so show me what you got."
Looking at his watch, he signalled the children to start, "You have thirty minutes, ready... go!!"
Not wasting any time, Isseiris already brought his plant back to life when he injected a bit of mana into it.
It bloomed a beautiful sky-blue-coloured flower with six perfect petals. Something fluffy was in the middle of it. When the young male touched it, the fluffy thing felt like cotton.
Keita also managed to revive his as well, with small aqua-coloured flowers around it. They faded into bright yellow in the middle as they let out a fragrant smell. The more he sniffed them, the more he grew sleepier.
Asuma mused at both of their flowers, having knowledge of what they meant.
He wrote notes and scribbles on his little pocketbook before closing it, looking content. Shizuka raised an eyebrow at this, going back to her plant as it bloomed too, albeit a bit late than the first two.
Bright coloured leaves with beautiful crystal flowers grew.
The leaves were colourful and varied but also balanced at the same time. Shizuka sparkled at the sight of her plant, taking a mental note to draw it later. Seiya and Kishi laughed at her little behaviour as theirs bloomed at the same time.
Yuzuru's got burnt and Zannera simply gave up on it. The others managed to revive them, while some others could not. Mizuto, Orion, Arnettia, and Mizuki revived theirs perfectly not long after.
"Interesting, definitely interesting..." Asuma mumbled to himself as he told them that the time was up.
Time was ticking and the day had yet to come to an end. The sky outside was getting darker, and although it showed no sign of setting soon, the clock inside said otherwise.
Asuma walked around and collected the plants, gathering them in front of the students as they sat down, mostly cross-legged.
"Now, does anyone know what this plant is? Extra points for those who knew," Asuma playfully waved his pen around and grinned, hoping someone would answer.
Shizuka and Isseiris raised their hands and answered at the same time, being the geniuses they were, "Dynaryous Blooms."
"Correct! Extra points for both of you!!"
Phenera, the assistant fairy, helped the khaki-brown-haired teacher note this little detail as he continued to explain.
"Dynaryous Blooms. They are plants that can show your true personality. If they didn't bloom when you tried to earlier, that just means you need more practice on support and healing, because each method of blooming them are different for everyone. I've seen a lot of interesting ones here."
Storing the plants in his Magic Space, Asuma resumed his explanation, "Though you may not excel greatly in both of these fields, just know that you still excel in others. Though there are some exceptions to those who aced everything perfectly."
Taking a glance at the young Caraell who paid his words no mind, the Ashitaka looked back at his students.
"The next test is much simpler this time."
Asuma took out an unfamiliar item for most from his Space gently, careful not to break it. He tapped the sphere-like object and it glowed faintly.
"Just place your hand on this little gold ball right 'ere, and it will measure your Magic Energy, which is also known as 'mana.' I believe you know what that is already?"
Some students shook their heads while others stayed silent, clueless on what that was. Most ones that knew deadpanned at such a simple knowledge, also keeping quiet throughout the whole explanation.
"Well, basically, 'mana' is just another name for 'Magic Energies.' They are a form of energy that exists and flows in nature and within ourselves. They're also kind of like fuel or a source for magic. Even if one doesn't have any mana, they could still learn magic. Pretty cool, right~?"
"Whoa..."
"That's awesome!"
"Haha, okay then... line up! Just place your hand on top of it and you're done. The average mana of kids your age is probably around thirty percent or more, so the higher the better!
"Your mana percentage will be calculated on how much an average mage has, which is around fifty." Asuma showed them his open hand, gesturing the number five when he said 'fifty.'
They each placed their hands on the carved sphere, and when they did, it shone and a hologram appeared, indicating the amount of their current mana.
Keita got around 42.7% while Seiya got 40.5%, which is quite high from the average amount. Mizuto and Yuzuru both got 46.8%.
"What are you guys?! Monsters?!" Zannera and Ylffore gaped at their large amount of mana.
Zannera got 33% while Ylffore got 33.9%.
The almond-haired elf deadpanned at her amount, probably thinking, 'Why not just 34% if it's that close?' or something along the line.
Vinnetra's was 39.6%, Elloise's was 39.5%, while Arnettia got 38.7%.
It seemed like all of their mana was far above the average number when all their numbers exceeded Asuma's expectations.
Not surprisingly, Isseiris got one of the highest scores–– a perfect 50%.
It was more jaw-dropping when the sphere nearly cracked when Shizuka merely placed her hand on it. Coming to the conclusion that it had something to do with the Grand Summoner having infinite mana (as rumours told), Asuma stopped her in time, or else the item would've broken into pieces before it could even measure her mana level.
"You guys are seriously monsters!! Where the hell did you get all those magical energies?!" Zannera dramatically shouted while others were amazed at their amount of mana.
"Okay, okay! The amount of mana does not define a person," Asuma calmed them down.
"Each of you has your talents and weaknesses. Don't focus on your weaknesses and just focus on developing your talents. Evolve and train yourselves. Surpass your limits, got that?"
"Aye, aye, sir!!"
"All right, last but not least–– strategy!"
"Strategy? What do you mean, Asuma-sensei?" Mizuki asked with a hand raised high towards the older male, only receiving a bright grin in return, showing his pearly white teeth.
"Puzzles and riddles, of course!! Fuhahahahah!!" Ashitaka gushed. "Okay, let's get into it, children!!!"
––
'How did it get to this...' Innyse, Isseiris, Shizuka, Mizuto, and Seiya sweat-dropped at the class' rowdiness. The cacophony of noises could literally gain victory over the loudness of the central market.
With Keita sleeping in the background–– again, as always–– the ones that had finished the test Asuma gave them sat by the stage of the gym, minding their own business while finding amusement from the others' struggles.
Least to say, Shizuka enjoyed their hardship the most.
"IT'S THE TOP ONE!!"
"NO, IT'S THE BOTTOM ONE!!!"
"Huh?!?! It's obvious that it's that one!!!"
"That just doesn't make any sense!! It's the second one, you moron!!!"
They argued back and forth about solving their puzzles while six individuals were just watching them. They were already done with their puzzles, so Asuma let them do anything they want for the time being.
"HUHHH??!! ARE YOU STUPID OR WHAT?! IT'S OBVIOUSLY THE FIRST ONE, SEE?!"
"It's this one you, Flower Head!!!"
"Oi, Shizu, Mizu-nii!! Help us with this, would ya'?!" Yuzuru exclaimed as he struggled with his third riddle.
"Yuzuru, you know you should do it yourself, right? Or else it won't be an individual evaluation anymore..." Mizuto answered while Shizuka just eyed her brother lazily, putting her chin on her hands.
Mizuto sighed and dared to ask, "Also... why aren't you guys even being discreet about working together like this...? I wonder if Ashitaka-sensei's reducing points by now."
"You know, it's pretty easy when you think about it carefully, Yuzu-nii. Just wrack that brain of yours and maybe you'll figure it out sooner or later~!" Shizuka snickered and stuck her tongue out, annoying Yuzuru further.
"HUH?! WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN, YOU LITTLE GENIUS?!"
"Is that a compliment? I'll take it as a compliment~!" Shizuka teased her brother as he grunted at her.
"DONE!!!" Vinnetra accidentally shouted, catching the attention of answer-hungry students. He quickly submitted his answer to Asuma as he joined the other six, hoping for their protection.
"Did you just betray us?!"
"Oi, tell us the answer, you traitor!!!"
"HELL NO, DO IT YOURSELF!"
"Man, my brain cells aren't enough for this."
––
The tests were all done and their scores were displayed clearly on a translucent screen. The one who placed first was not very surprising, being Isseiris. Well, he did ace EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. OF. THEM.
Even Shizuka had given up completely on competing with the teen.
Keita was placed second and Shizuka was placed third, seeing as she didn't do very well in the physical tests. Keita also aced almost everything, but no one could guess that from the little Sleepy Head.
If only he tried hard enough for all of them, he would've probably beaten even the great Isseiris.
"All right, listen up! That is all for today. Don't be down just because you didn't place in the Top Five. You all have your specialities and advantages that others don't," Asuma encouraged them after seeing some glum faces.
"You may go home now. Oh, also please don't forget that we still have school tomorrow, so don't disappear and fake your absence on me now!"
The way their homeroom teacher toned the last sentence with a sickly-sweet voice sent chills down their spines. With goosebumps covering their whole skin, several rushed out of the gym first before saying their goodbyes.
"Haha, we won't forget. It is the most hellish place in the world, after all," Yuzuru replied with his hands behind his head, earning laughs and chuckles from others.
"Heyyyy!!! I'm hurt!!"
"Oh, don't lie. We all know you're not offended by that."
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The curtains to Shizuka's room burst in when she opened her windows.
It was considerably windy outside, with the setting sun by the west and the stars beginning to show, the young female figured that now would be the best time to draw before dinner approaches.
Opening her sketchbook, Shizuka poured everything that had happened today at school.
Starting from the Autumn Fairy. Short wavy hair with big doe eyes. Small petite body and transparent wings. Wearing a dress made out of maple leaves, she outlined her pencil sketch and didn't even bother to erase it.
A western dragon with sharp claws and long teeth. It didn't exactly look like the gigantic, cute dragon doll at school, but at least she got some inspiration from it.
Flipping the page, she then drew golems, but this time smaller, cute ones.
She was awed by her own drawings of the golems, probably looking crazy to other people. But there's no one there, so she didn't care that much.
Shizuka wondered what tomorrow will bring as she drifted off to dreamland, sleeping peacefully in the comfort of her room.
As a knock was heard from the entrance of her room, the door swung open slowly, revealing Mitsuru who poked his head in.
His general intention was to call his sister down for dinner, but it seemed that he didn't need to do so when he saw her peacefully sleeping figure. The older boy smiled gently.
"Looks like you'll be able to sleep soundly tonight," Mitsuru mumbled and approached Shizuka, grabbing her soft blanket while he's at it.
He knew that her whole body would ache if he didn't move her to her bed.
However, a side of him preferred to not disturb her, so he did just that.
He laid her blanket over her and patted her shoulders softly, making sure the coverlet wouldn't fall down. Mitsuru's smile only softened more. The male leaned forward and turned off her table lamp, all the while whispering some words before he walked out.
⠀
"Sleep well, Shizuka.
"May the stars be with you in your dreams."
⠀
|| CHAPTER 33 | Magic Evaluation Test (Pt. II) - To be continued... ||
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CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Xierryne
Xierryne ––
|| Magic Evaluation Test (Pt. II) ||
⠀
"As the story continues, their journey knows no bounds.
⠀
"Training with all their might, sacrificing their blood, their sweat, even shed some tears in the midst of war–– truly, what a sad world we live in.
⠀
"In the end, those who come out as victors through unruly ways will soon lose their place. Those who were born beneath the ranks will rise up. Those who were abandoned and lost all hope will soon find a spark of light in their lives.
⠀
"All they need to do is be patient and wait.
⠀
"Their heroes in training will soon finish their vows and come to them."
––
I based some of these scenes on some of my real-life events, so you could probably guess what I've been through at my hectic school TTwTT.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone