Kapitel 87: Ch 65 - Unexpected Decision (Part 1)

The moment of the hour was upon us.

The chamber was abuzz with animated conversations as the candidates engaged in lively discussions, passionately debating the merits of each academy and why it was the best option. The room resonated with the chatter of eager voices, each candidate advocating for their favored academy with fervor. Amidst the constant chatter, the sound of twisting dials from the dial cards added to the commotion. Some candidates were visibly grappling with their decision, repeatedly turning their dial cards in contemplation.

The cacophony in the room made it difficult for me to focus and make a clear decision on which academy's invitation I should accept.

Nevertheless, amidst the bustling crowd, I noticed a few candidates who had already made up their minds and now stood calmly, patiently awaiting the end of the submission time. Trisha and Hendrickson were among them, and it came as no surprise since they were among the most popular candidates in the room. Their confident demeanor seemed to suggest that they had chosen wisely and were now simply waiting for the formalities to conclude.

Amidst the commotion, I noticed my fellow 1st tier candidates, Jason and Marcia, being swarmed by the other candidates. Their unique trial results had turned them into the center of attention, and everyone seemed eager to know more.

"Your mana color is so unusual. How did that happen?"

"Having two mana cores sounds incredible. How does it even work?"

"Do your mana abilities have different properties with two cores?"

"Dark energy? Does that mean you have a connection to evil?"

"Why do you seem so emotional? Is it related to having two mana cores?"

The barrage of curious questions seemed to overwhelm both Jason and Marcia. Marcia, in particular, sought refuge behind Jason, seeking some comfort and protection from the attention.

With evident frustration on his face, Jason responded, "I wish I had all the answers, but honestly, I'm just as clueless as everyone else. We're all trying to figure this out together. Can you guys please give us some space for a few minutes? We need to decide our invites in peace."

As I watched Jason and Marcia deal with the overwhelming attention, a sense of relief washed over me for not being in their shoes. However, I couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy at the spotlight they were basking in.

The only attention I got was nothing more than taunts and mockery for revealing my new abilities. It seemed like karma had caught up with me for being so boastful and showy during the trials. This experience taught me a valuable lesson – humility. I realized that I had learned it the hard way, and now I understood the importance of staying humble and grounded.

Understanding how I ended up with this unusual ability still baffled me. Ever since birth, I had been marked by my striking red hair, a color that set me apart from others. As I delved into books about mages and their anatomy, I stumbled upon fascinating information that hinted at my uniqueness. These books often pointed out how elemental attributes could influence the physical traits of young mages.

For instance, families with a long line of fire attribute mages might showcase characteristics associated with fire, like red or yellow hair, a moody temperament, and a passion for battle. Similarly, water attribute mages could have appearances and personalities reflecting the essence of water.

However, it wasn't as simple as these studies suggested. The chances of these traits manifesting were about 50-50, and many people looked and behaved differently from their attributed element. I came to realize that these studies weren't absolute, and my own experience had taught me the hard truth of it.

Similarly, the life energy or the healing element follows a similar pattern. Supposedly, those with an affinity for healing possessed certain traits like green hair, a caring and gentle nature, and a strong aversion to violence. Yet, I found myself devoid of any of these characteristics, which left me wondering why I had been chosen for the healing attribute in the first place.

And then it hit me like a bolt of lightning: "My eyes... of course, they are green," I muttered to myself, a realization dawning upon me.

Apart from my green eyes, there wasn't a single trait that aligned with the conventional understanding of the healing element. The study I had read about before seemed nothing more than a load of nonsense! It was becoming clear that these patterns and expectations were not so rigidly defined after all.

As I stared at my calloused hands, a testament to the intense training I had endured, a surge of determination washed over me. I couldn't allow all the plans and preparations I had made to go to waste. Somehow, I needed to overcome this unexpected obstacle. It felt as though the gods of mana were testing my resilience by throwing this unique ability in my path. But I wouldn't back down; I was determined to become an independent adventurer and prove my worth.

I glanced at my dial card once more, knowing that the choice I made now would shape my future as a mage. The academy I selected would hold great significance in the path I chose to walk.

In the midst of my contemplation, a phantom mage's voice cut through the room, reminding us of the time remaining. "Candidates, we are already halfway through. Seven and a half minutes remaining."

"Fantastic," I said in a dry tone.

As I pondered my options, I tried to determine the best choice for an unorthodox healer like me, who thrived on being at the forefront of battle. The fact that I had discovered the ability to heal and use tree magic was completely unexpected, leaving me with little knowledge and experience in these areas.

I looked at the invitation insignias on my dial card:

Biswaq's Radiant Sanctum

Pierre's Iron Will

Ajax's Ivory Tower

Casia's Celestia Mercy

Gunther's Sapphire Citadel

Out which Radiant Sanctum was already out of the question after the shit Biswaq pulled on me. I had some self-respect and I am not gonna just accept his invitation and pretend that nothing happened today.

That left me with four remaining options to consider.

Iron Will Academy certainly had its allure with its reputation for immense wealth and abundant resources. It was no secret that the students there were driven by ambition, seeking to amass wealth and political power. It was a place where cunning and shrewdness were highly prized, making it the perfect environment for those aspiring to become influential leaders in the future.

But for me, the world of politics and power struggles held little appeal. I craved the thrill of battle, the rush of adrenaline that came from facing formidable opponents head-on. The idea of hiding in the shadows and scheming for personal gain didn't resonate with my adventurous spirit.

Indeed, Ivory Tower had its own unique appeal, especially in terms of its inclusive approach, welcoming students regardless of their social class. This resonated with me, given my background as a former demon Overlord, where power and strength were the primary factors that garnered respect. In that sense, I could easily find camaraderie among the students of Ivory Tower, where strength and prowess were highly esteemed.

However, the concerns surrounding the academy couldn't be ignored. The flood of students had strained their resources, making it challenging for them to adequately provide for everyone. This shortage of resources could hinder my progress and development as a mage, preventing me from reaching my full potential.

Moreover, the lack of healer instructors was a glaring issue. Being predominantly battle-focused, the academy seemed to prioritize training in offensive combat arts over healing. As an aspiring independent healer, it would be best that I master my abilities and for that, I might need the best of the best instructors. Relying solely on self-study might not be sufficient to master the intricacies of healing and tree magic and would only slow down my plans even further.

To unlock the full potential of my abilities, joining Celestia's Mercy seemed like the perfect choice. Their reputation for producing exceptional mages with remarkable healing skills is renowned worldwide. Graduates from this academy are constantly sought after by prominent guilds, making it an enticing opportunity.

Moreover, Celestia's Mercy is known for nurturing talented botanokinesis mages, those who possess the power to manipulate plants and trees. Learning from such skilled individuals would undoubtedly elevate my abilities.

However, there are some rumors surrounding the academy that give me pause. It is said that the headmaster strongly disapproves of violence, which means that combat arts might not be part of their syllabus. Additionally, the students are known to be non-combative, and some even harbor a dislike for fighting. The majority of the attendees are reportedly girls.

I can't imagine myself fitting in at Celestia's Mercy. As someone who loves battles and thrives in the excitement of combat, the thought of being in an environment focused on non-violence and healing seems suffocating. The instructors might be kind and knowledgeable, but the prospect of being surrounded by students who dislike fighting is intimidating.

I fear that I might clash with others, leading to conflicts and potentially getting into fights with their students. That would undoubtedly lead to serious consequences, possibly even getting expelled from the academy.

On the other hand, Sapphire Citadel appeared to be the most well-balanced academy among all the options.

It was known as the backbone of the imperial army, consisting of disciplined and principled individuals who were devoted to upholding law and order. Unlike Celestia's Mercy, Sapphire Citadel trained mages not only for combat but also for non-combative purposes. Their focus was on equipping mages with a variety of abilities that could enhance their chances of victory. From trap-setting to mind reading and detection magic, they sought out any mages who could be useful in maintaining law and order.

Graduates from Sapphire Citadel were known to become formidable mages with strong leadership skills. Many of them went on to establish their own guilds and ventured to different countries, spreading the influence of the kingdom throughout the world. Their commitment to the kingdom's cause made them a force to be reckoned with.

Considering all the options, Sapphire Citadel seemed to be the most attractive choice. However, there was a significant obstacle I had to face - each academy would require me to adhere to the traditional role of a healer. My aspiration was to create my own unique fighting style, but I doubted any of these academies would grant me the freedom to do so. The ideal scenario for them would be for me to play the role of a traditional healer and support their mages in battles. Breaking away from these norms and establishing a new method seemed like a daunting task.

I realized that to develop my own revolutionary healer fighting style, I first needed to master my abilities. It felt like the academy that could provide me the liberty to fight and learn mana arts on my own terms would be the most suitable for my ambitions.

As much as I admired the discipline and integrity of Sapphire Citadel, I knew they wouldn't allow me to explore and create my unique path. Now, I find myself in a predicament, torn between my desire for freedom and innovation, and the structured environment that Sapphire Citadel represents.

I found myself stuck in a frustrating dilemma, my gaze fixed on the dial card as I tried to make a decision. Suddenly, Hendrickson, wearing a smug expression, appeared beside me, offering his help.

"Seems like you're struggling to decide. Let me assist you," he said.