บท 20: Magic Academy

Max trained with Anna for a few days. He could now control mana inside his body like any other person which surprised Anna and Lilly a bit as it was a very fast improvement at the same time they were happy too.

Emily also came during their training to give him some tips. Max was now skilled enough to fight a novice mage on equal footing and sometimes can even overpower them thanks to his high mana.

...

"You've improved very fast little Max. You have to train daily and accumulate more fighting experience. If in the future you came across some dangerous situation, you should know how to fight or your life might forfeit." Anna advised.

"What do you mean Anna? Aren't you here to train with me? You won't let me slack off anyway." Although Anna was gentle and cheerful by nature, she was very strict when it came to training. In these past few days, she didn't even let him sleep late in the morning which he wanted so badly and pointed out his mistakes every so often that max felt he won't be able to do this anymore.

Anna smiled "Ohh is my little Max still want to train with me?" She asked in a teasing tone.

Max smiled but didn't respond. He was well aware of her nature after spending a few days with her. If he said something which she didn't like she would immediately make a sad face which he didn't want.

"You should know that we were here for your birthday celebration which we weren't celebrating because certain someone was being a little too much brave and got seriously injured." She looked at him with a grin on her seemingly innocent face and added "Now we have to return to the academy therefore my little brother you will have to train on your own."

"Ohh!" Max exclaimed in surprise. He couldn't help but felt a little sad knowing he won't be able to see Her and Emily. After waking up in this world he became very close to Lilly, Anna and Emily. They were his only ones and who gave a damn about him, that is of course, except for his father.

"When are you going?" He asked, his mood turned slightly sour but he quickly regained his composure.

Anna noticed the slight change in his mood and joked "We will go tomorrow. It will take a few days to reach the academies and we only have 4-5 days until we have to report back. What? Don't tell me you can't bear to part with me. If you want to, you can join my Academy where we will be in touch." She winked and put her arm around his shoulder which made her look a little awkward as she was not as tall as Max.

He knew she wanted to cheer him up so he smiled at her and seriously thought about her casual words.

"How can I join your Academy?" He abruptly asked.

Anna looked at his serious face and couldn't help but smile wryly. She sighed "Our Academy recruits students every two years and coincidentally after two more months it will recruit again. But it isn't easy to get into our Academy. Our Cloud Academy is one of the top five magic academies of our kingdom. Therefore its requirements are very stringent too." She paused for a second then continued.

"First, you must be a one-star mage or you won't even be able to take part in the recruitment test. Second, you must have at least second-grade talent or affinity with mana. After that, you will be required to pass a test that is different every time. If you fulfil all conditions you can join our Academy."

"That's the case." Max nodded and thought for a while.

"How do I know the grade of my affinity with mana?" He asked.

Anna and Lilly looked at him strangely but Anna chose to answer him "You can just ask father to evaluate it for you." She then added, "But max you know that your affinity with mana is not... too good."

Max chucked at this "You want to say that I have zero affinity for mana right?"

Anna nodded reluctantly. She was afraid he would get hurt if she told him directly but she didn't want him to get his hopes high in vain.

Max didn't feel bad, he just smiled a little and said "That was the case before. It is not the same anymore or how would I have become strong enough to beat a novice mage."

The realisation struck her after hearing his words although she was dazed by his beautiful smile for a moment. It was right. Before He wasn't even able to accumulate mana inside his body, much less become as strong as he was now. It must be that his affinity has increased. Her eyes shone brightly realising this. She jumped on him excitedly like a little kid and gave him a tight hug.

"Hehehe, You are right little Max. Sorry I didn't think that. Now you should have a chance as long as you become a one-star mage in two months." She giggled but after Finishing her last sentence her laughter came to a stop. She looked at him with worry "But Max it isn't easy to become a one-star mage in such a short time."

Max seeing her expression change many times in a short time couldn't help but pinch her cheeks lovingly "It's okay. I'll figure out a way to do it."

"Ugh..." Anna looked at him indignantly, rubbing her baby cheeks.

Max wasn't even worried about becoming a one-star mage. He could just have a few more juicy sessions with Lilly and he would have enough mana to level up but the problem was he didn't know if the system will help him liquefy mana to strengthen his body as Lilly explained to him.

...

In the night after dinner, Anna gathered Max and Emily to chat for a while as she also want to spend more time with her brother and sister before parting ways.

They chatted while drinking wine which after a few glasses made the mood cheerful. Anna started telling them about her experiences in the academy and made jokes by which even Emily laughed.

They casually chatted about many things. Max came to know that Although Emily and Anna were going together. They were in different academies. Emily was in the Royal Academy which was ranked first in the whole kingdom. Royal Academy was run by the royal family of the Green leaf kingdom and they only accepted truly talented students.

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Author: Blizzard54k