I didn't say anything and followed along with his words. I couldn't care less about whether he was targeting me or not.

.....All I cared about at the moment was my current progress and strength.

Where did I currently stand?

"We will gauge your score from a scale of zero to ten. The number will represent your approximate range within the Tiers."

I didn't quite understand but I maintained my composure and walked forward, stopping right in front of the orb.

Hundreds of students stood behind me.

Their gazes pierced my back. They felt pressuring.

But...

'I couldn't care less.'

I wasn't going to do well.

I knew that much.

Even so... I still was planning on doing my best.

The stares meant nothing to me. What I cared about was myself, and myself only.

"You may start. Start with the first orb, the mana quantity measuring orb."

"...."

I nodded and placed my hand on the orb.

The moment I did, the assistant professor's rough voice echoed from behind.

"Channel your mana into the orb."

I did as I was told.

Focusing my attention on my abdominal area, a familiar sensation coursed through my body, gathering toward my hand where it released and entered the orb.

A white light unfolded before my very eyes as my mana started to drain from my body.

I didn't resist it and let it flow out of my body.

'It's quite simple.'

All I did was channel my mana and direct it toward the orb.

The rest was straightforward.

This persisted for a few seconds before the light finally died down and the assistant professor's voice echoed from behind.

"Score value; 1.716. Average."

Score value 1.716...? For some reason, the values felt familiar.

Recovering my breath, I thought closely to where I had seen those numbers before, when...

Ah

Something struck me.

'Status'

A screen floated in front of me. My eyes immediately darted toward the top spot where I finally saw it.

Level :17 [Tier 1 Magician]

Exp : [0%[16%]100%]

'Level 17 and 16%. Is that what it means by 1.716?'

My thoughts were interrupted by the rough voice of the Assistant Professor.

"You're only 0.284 from reaching Tier 2."

He then went on to point toward the other orb.

"You can start the mana purity test."

But I didn't move immediately.

I was busy musing over his words.

'Only 0.284 from reaching Tier 2... Does that mean that I'll reach Tier 2 at Level 20?'

If that were the case, would Tier 3 be level 30? Every ten levels a Tier?

Although I already had an idea about this, it was becoming clearer to me that it was probably true.

That said...

I was still not 100% sure.

I needed more time to observe the situation.

"Cadet?"

Hearing the Assistant Professor's not-so-pleased voice, I quietly nodded and moved toward the second orb.

"...."

It looked the same as the first one and without needing anyone to tell me what to do, I placed my hand over the orb.

Yet again, the orb shone and mana drained from my body.

This lasted for several seconds before stopping.

"...."

A silence enveloped my surroundings before I finally turned my head to see the Assistant Professor staring at me with a frown.

I raised my brow.

'....Something wrong?'

"Mana Purity; Tainted."

Tainted...?

What sort of score was this? I took a look around me and saw the expressions of the cadets around me. Some were whispering amongst each other while looking at me. I couldn't tell if they were making fun of me or not.

It very well could be given my position and score.

I accepted such criticism without flinching.

The Professor went on to explain.

"Pristine, Pure, Refined, Standard, Tainted, Corrupted, and Void-touched."

He looked at the other cadets while he explained this.

"Mana purity is judged based on one's ability to use mana. From speed, density, and elemental affinity. What we expect from you at the bare minimum is the Standard assessment."

As his voice grew deep, the Assistant Professor finally turned to look at me.

"While not rare, tainted do occasionally show up. Our institute does our best to help such cadets out, but..."

Finally, he displayed his disdain toward me for the first time.

"I'm disappointed by the fact that our top cadet is one such cadet. Proceed toward the next orb."

The disdain was evident from his tone.

'.....What's this guy's problem?'

But even though he seemed to dislike me, he remained professional. Which was why I also remained quiet.

That and because fighting him wouldn't wield any positives for me.

"...Was that really his score?"

"You heard it, right?"

The whispers of the other cadets became even more prevalent but I ignored them and focused my attention on his words.

'So my mana is tainted... That makes sense.'

I had only been introduced to the concept of mana about two weeks ago.

Such a score made sense.

'I am no genius.'

My talent was average. That much became clear to me after learning the first spell. I wouldn't have struggled so much had I been talented.

But that didn't deter me from continuing my path.

I already knew it was a hard path.

One that might not yield any result.

But...

I needed to cling to something. Regardless of how improbable it was, to retain my sanity, I needed to cling to my goal.

Otherwise...

'I'll lose sight of myself.'

I went on to move toward the next orb.

"This test will be a little different. Once you channel your mana inside of the orb, your goal is to control the mana threads and disperse them. The speed at which you're capable of doing this will determine your score."

"...."

Without looking back, I placed my hand on the orb. Unlike the previous times, the world around me turned dark.

'What's this?'

I was confused at first, but soon enough thousands of white threads appeared in the space in front of me.

I reached forward with my hand and grasped one of the threads, gently moving it to the side.

'Ah.'

That was when I recalled the Assistant Professor's words and understood.

'....I'm supposed to untangle this?'

I stared at the jungled-up mess in front of me.

Well, shit...

***

"How long has it been...?"

"Why is he still there?"

"Did something go wrong?"

Murmurs and whispers spread as all attention was focused on Julien who held his hand over the orb with his eyes closed. His back was straight, and his expression was calm.

His poise retained its usual dignity even under the intense scrutiny of those around him.

Eventually, his eyes came open to reveal his hazel pupils and he removed his hand from the orb.

"The overall score is 0.4. You fail."

The Assistant Professor's voice ruthlessly came down as he announced the score. Almost instantly, the voices of the cadets became louder.

"Failed?"

"0.4? Isn't that really low?"

"Is he doing this on purpose, or is he actually so weak?"

"Do you think I can beat him if I challenge him now?"

Overhearing the discussion amongst the cadets, Kiera, shook her head and muttered,

"....Idiots."

There weren't actually that many that were surprised by Julien's evaluation. It had been pretty obvious from the start that he wasn't very adept at using mana given his weak mana trace.

That said...

Those who knew didn't fault him for it.

'He's an Emotive Mage.'

One who wielded emotions. His proficiency over it was to a scary degree. Even now, Kiera could recall Julien's expression during the first lesson when he was called out by one of the cadets.

Who it was she didn't know.

Nor did she care.

But it didn't matter... She could still vividly recall what had happened afterward. The way he approached him, and how a single word from him made her skin crawl.

In her mind, he was no human.

'A crazy bastard.'

To study emotions to such an extent at such an age...

He could only be a crazy bastard.

She was therefore aware that whatever result he received today wouldn't reflect his true strength.

Many of those present were also aware of this with only a few thinking otherwise.

Arrogance, or stupidity?

'Maybe both.'

Either way, Kiera wasn't planning on defending him.

'Fucking asshole.'

Her impression of him was of the lowest. The scene at the library kept replaying in her mind as her expression crumbled.

'Just like that bitch... They're all the fucking same.'

Aoife K. Megrail.

Just the mention of her name made her face heat up as her teeth silently clenched together. One day... One day... She repeated to herself while staring ahead.

And then,

"Kiera Mylne."

Her name was called up.

She didn't hesitate to move forward. In her view, a certain person appeared. He was just coming back from his examination.

Under the whispers and murmurs of the cadets around, he seemed unfazed.

'Even though I know this isn't your strength...'

Kiera kept walking, her gaze never leaving Julien's.

'Even though I know this isn't your focus...'

The distance between the two of them shrank.

'Even though I know this probably won't faze you...'

Until she eventually passed him, catching a whiff of his scent in the process.

'I want you to know...'

Her hand came pressing against the orb where a familiar scene started to replay, and a rough voice announced,

"Score value; 2.504. Top rank."

'...I really do hold my grudges well.'

***

The physical exam was next.

"This test will be used to measure your general physical fitness. I don't expect mages to perform outstandingly, but I do expect a certain standard from you all. Training your physical body is just as important as training your mana. Just like the Professor said, your stamina is important for when you enter the Mirror Dimension."

We were in a large field, a complete difference compared to the other examination. Our outfits were also differentshirts and shorts.

Our test was to...

"Run."

The Assistant Professor began to jog.

"Don't fall behind."

His actions were so abrupt that everyone stared at his back with dumbfounded looks. Then, as if realizing what was going on, everyone started to follow along behind him.

"Fuck, he should've warned us beforehand."

"I'm still not warmed up yet."

Even though the cadets complained, none of them showed any signs of exhaustion as we ran for five consecutive laps.

Immediately, the top cadets began to distinguish themselves with a girl with platinum long hair and red eyes taking the lead.

Even in the mana test, she was first...

What monster.

"...."

I too was running with them.

But...

'Fuck, I'm going to die.'

I was secretly dying on the inside.

This body...

Although fit, it had some serious stamina problems.

My lungs were on fire, my legs were twitching, and my breathing was starting to become rough.

It felt as though I was being sucked out of all my energy, and by the time it was the seventh lap, I had no choice but to stop.

"Hue..."

I forced myself to take slow breaths.

Though tired, I still remained standing and kept my expression firm. I had a certain image that I had to maintain.

It wasn't something I could give up on.

At least, according to Leon.

Therefore...

Even as my lungs burned, and I was desperate for air...

"Hue..."

I took small and shallow breaths.

My head felt light because of it, but I threw away all such feelings and focused on my recovery.

"Hue..."

Once I felt my breath return, I once again started running.

The distance between me and the other cadets had become quite large. There were a few that were close to me, but the vast majority were far ahead.

I paid them no mind and focused on myself.

'My pace... My pace...'

I wasn't like them, I knew that.

My starting point was the lowest and it would probably take a long time to catch up to the top cadets... But even so...

'I'll do it.'

I knew I would.

Which was why I continued to go at my pace.

Because this was my limit. And the slowest I'll ever be.

"Huuu..."

There were no clouds in the sky. It was blue, and the sun basked me in a pleasant warmth.

And in such an environment, I ran at my pace.