章節 50: stunned examiners

Standing in the room, I notice the absence of the usual marble floors that adorn the Tower of Magic. Instead, the ground beneath me is composed of dirt, a stark contrast to the usual pristine environment. On the balcony above, an instructor awaits.

"Mr. Tama, it says here you're a fire and earth user with no affinity to any other elements," the man announces.

I nod in acknowledgment, ready to demonstrate my abilities.

"Okay, get your weapon out and channel the elements. We'll start with fire," he instructs.

With practiced ease, I retrieve my greatsword and focus my energy. Flames begin to dance along the length of the blade, their intensity growing with each passing moment. With a confident swing, I unleash the fiery power, the flames roaring to life and extending towards the ceiling.

Encouraged by the success of my fire manipulation, the examiner prompts me to showcase my earth abilities. I drive the blade into the ground, and immediately, earthen spikes erupt from the earth, filling the room with their jagged presence. With another forceful strike, I command the earth to obey, causing fissures to form and walls to rise.

But I'm not done yet. With a determined gesture, I call upon the earth's molten core, causing lava to surge forth from the cracks in the ground. The room is bathed in the fiery glow of molten rock, a testament to the raw power at my command.

"That's enough," the examiner declares, breaking the display of elemental prowess.

Reluctantly, I withdraw my influence, allowing the room to return to its original state, the earth settling back into place as if untouched by my display of power.

After the boy leaves, I release the breath I had been holding. What the fuck was that display?!!

As the young student, Damien, steps into the examination room, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation. His file indicates a remarkable affinity for elements, with space and shadow as his main focus, along with minor abilities in ice and lightning. It's a combination that promises great potential, but also presents a unique challenge in terms of control and mastery. Also because he's one of the students that challenged the tower.

"Damien," I address him, my tone neutral yet tinged with curiosity. "We'll begin with space magic."

I observe closely as Damien demonstrates his proficiency with spatial manipulation, conjuring miniature portals with practiced ease. His ability to store and retrieve objects through these portals is impressive, a testament to his understanding of the complexities of space magic.

Next, we move on to shadow magic, and I watch as Damien envelops the room in darkness, his manipulation of shadows both eerie and mesmerizing. His control over this element is precise, each movement calculated and deliberate.

With lightning and ice, Damien displays a similar level of skill, conjuring bolts of lightning that crackle with energy and summoning ice spikes from the ground with a flick of his wrist. It's clear that he possesses a deep understanding of these elemental forces, harnessing them with finesse and control.

"Combos?" I prompt, eager to see how Damien integrates his various abilities into cohesive and powerful combinations.

In response, Damien unleashes a barrage of attacks, seamlessly blending his elemental powers to devastating effect. The room reverberates with the force of his onslaught, leaving no doubt about the extent of his prowess.

As Damien concludes his demonstration and steps back, I'm left with a sense of awe. It's clear that he is a force to be reckoned with, his mastery of the elements far beyond that of his peers. In that moment, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement, knowing that the future holds great promise for this young mage..

Releasing Damien from the examination room, I find myself grappling with a mix of emotions. Witnessing his display of power has left me stunned, and the implications of his abilities linger in my mind long after he's gone. As a space mage myself, I'm well aware of the formidable reputation our kind carries, but Damien's demonstration today has shaken me to the core.

The ease with which he conjured and manipulated portals, unleashing a torrent of elemental attacks from their depths, was nothing short of astounding. From bolts of lightning to razor-sharp ice spikes and ominous explosive orbs, Damien showcased a level of control and versatility that surpassed anything I'd seen before. To think that he's only capable of creating ten portals at this stage speaks volumes about the potential he holds within him.

What struck me most was the stability of his storage space, a feat typically achieved only by third-year students. Damien's ability to maintain such a complex and stable spatial storage system at his current level of advancement is nothing short of remarkable.

As I reflect on Damien's performance, I can't help but feel a sense of trepidation mingled with anticipation. The path ahead for him is filled with limitless possibilities, and it's clear that he's destined for greatness in the world of magic.

Gregory heeds the examiner's words, his massive frame towering over the room as he prepares to demonstrate his control over earth and fire. Gripping his double-headed war hammer and axe with a firm grip, he channels his elemental magic with focused determination.

With a powerful swing of his war hammer, Gregory brings it crashing down upon the ground, unleashing a wave of earth-shaking force. To the astonishment of the examiner, the solid ground beneath Gregory's feet begins to liquefy, transforming into fine grains of sand that swallow him whole.

As Gregory sinks into the sandy abyss, the room falls into a stunned silence, broken only by the shifting sands below. Moments later, Gregory emerges from another part of the room as the ground solidifies once more, leaving the examiner gaping in disbelief at the display of earth manipulation.

Turning his attention to his secondary element, fire, Gregory ignites his weapons with a fierce blaze, the flames dancing with controlled intensity. With each swing of his axe and hammer, he sends waves of fire rippling through the air, illuminating the room with their fiery glow.

When prompted for a combo demonstration, Gregory wastes no time in showcasing his skill. With a swift and precise motion, he slices through chunks of stone with his axe, melting them down into molten projectiles that soar towards the walls with lethal accuracy.

As the demonstration comes to an end, Gregory's mastery over both earth and fire. His display of power leaves no doubt in the mind of his examiner that he is a force to be reckoned with, his abilities surpassing even the most seasoned of elemental earth mages.

I stand in the examination room, my heart steady despite the anticipation coursing through me. There's plants and seeds laid out before me.

The examiner's voice breaks the silence, pulling me back to the present moment. I listen intently as he outlines the tasks ahead, noting the order in which I'm to demonstrate my mastery over nature, water, and wind. With a nod of understanding, I steel myself for the trials to come.

Focusing my energy, I reach out to the seeds, attempting to coax them to life. Despite a moment of initial struggle, the plants respond to my touch, their growth quickening under my influence. With a sense of satisfaction, I manipulate their form, bending and shaping them to my will.

Next, it's time for the element of wind. Retrieving my bow and arrow, I channel the essence of the air around me, infusing the projectile with its power. As the arrow soars through the air, the room reverberates with the force of its impact, leaving cracks in its wake. With practiced precision, I conjure wind blades, their sharp edges slicing through the air with deadly accuracy.

Then, the basin of water appears before me, a shimmering pool awaiting my command. Drawing upon my affinity for water, I create torrents of water arrows, each one finding its mark and unleashing a cascade of liquid fury upon impact. The room is soon filled with the sound of rushing water as I manipulate the element to my bidding.

At the examiner's prompting, I delve into the realm of combos, weaving together the powers of wind and water with finesse and creativity. With a deft flourish, I conjure a swirling typhoon that roars to life, its mighty winds and crashing waves combining to form a tempest of elemental might. Then, with a subtle gesture, I merge water arrows with swirling wind blades, enveloping the room in a dense fog that obscures vision and confuses the senses.

Water element ability users typically face challenges due to the limited amount of water provided for the exam, but she stunned me. While many water affinities excel in manipulating large volumes of water, she defied expectations by showcasing deadly proficiency even with the minimal amount provided.