Chapter 4: Evaluation
As Ezekiel and his group entered the evaluation hall, a sense of awe washed over him. The hall was enormous, the ceiling so high it seemed to disappear from view and a magnificent crystal chandelier floated above their heads. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and paintings depicting various magical battle scenes. The floor was made of gleaming marble, and four large, colored pillars rose up in the center of the room, each representing one of the main elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Between these pillars were smaller, intricately designed structures, representing the minor schools of magic.
Ezekiel could see the scouts of the Great Families seated in their designated areas, their eyes trained on the group of newcomers. He felt the tension in the air and knew that every single person in the room was eager to see who among them had the potential to become a valuable asset to their respective houses. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves, knowing that this was his chance to make an impression. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling evaluation hall. The circular room was filled with students and mages of all ages, the students eager to showcase their abilities and prove their worth, the mages watching with hawk's eyes for any promising candidates. In the center of the room, surrounded by the pillars and structures, sat a large crystal, glowing with a faint blue light. This had to be the legendary tool used for the evaluation, the crystal that revealed the magical affinity of all the newcomers there – the Fatebringer.
Ezekiel's gaze was drawn to the four cardinal points of the room, where the seats for the students of the primary schools were located. To the north sat the Fire magic students, their seating area adorned with a central, throne-like structure. To the south sat the Water magic students, their seats surrounded by a pool of shimmering water. To the east sat the Earth magic students, their chairs carved from rock and enclosed by a small stone garden. To the West sat the air magic students on clouds of mist that floated in the air. And filling the space between the elemental areas were the seats for the minor schools, filled with students and mages specializing in secondary magic: Light, Darkness, Nature and other minor schools.
Ezekiel looked around, trying to spot the leaders of the elemental factions. Ezekiel took in the sight of the young man sitting on the throne-like chair in the center of the Fire section. He could see the confidence radiating from the older student, who was leaning back leisurely in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest. His piercing gaze appeared to dominate everything in the room, and his sharp features and strong jawline made him stand out even from the older mages in the room.
The person next to Ezekiel took a look at his red hair and noticed his interest in the Fire section's leader, and with a knowing smirk, he leaned in to whisper to him, "That's Alexander Feuerkranz, the heir to the Feuerkranz family, one of the Great Families. He's a fourth-year student here at the Elementium. Rumor has it that he's one of the most talented Fire mages in the entire empire."
Ezekiel nodded, taking in this information. With some surprise, he realized that he felt envious of Alexander's accomplishments and position, but he pushed the feeling down and turned his attention back to the rest of the room. Ezekiel looked at the next figure his neighbor pointed out to him. Theodor Steiner sat on the earthen throne with a confident posture, his muscular frame and chiseled features adding to his commanding presence. He was the heir to the Steiner family and a third-year student at the magical academy. His piercing gaze seemed to take in everything around him, as if he was constantly analyzing his surroundings. As Ezekiel watched, Theodor adjusted his grip on the armrests of the throne, the muscles in his arms flexing with the movement. It was clear that Theodor was a formidable fighter and someone to be reckoned with.
"... and that's Miranda Wellenrufer on the Water throne."
As Ezekiel looked over at Miranda, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her beauty. Her blue hair and eyes seemed to glow in the sunlight that streamed in from the high windows of the hall, and her relaxed posture exuded a sense of confidence and poise. Despite the fact that Alexander was glaring at her from across the room, Miranda seemed completely unfazed, as if she were used to being the center of attention. The man next to Ezekiel told him that Miranda was a fourth-year student at the academy and was considered one of the most promising young talents of the Wellenrufer family. She had been adopted into the Great Family in her second year and was highly talented in the Wellenrufer's water-based magic, and her combat skills were said to be exceptional. As Ezekiel watched her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration.
Ezekiel glanced over to the air section, where he saw a small girl with a playful expression on her face seated on the throne. Before he had a chance to learn more about her, a loud voice echoed throughout the hall, demanding silence. The noise in the room quickly died down as all eyes turned towards the front of the hall, where the arch magus stood. He was an elderly man with a long white beard and piercing blue eyes, and his presence commanded respect from all those in attendance. As he began to speak, all conversations came to a halt and the room fell silent, all ears turning towards the arch magus as he delivered his address.
"Welcome, young mages," he began. "I am Archmagus Victor Windtänzer, headmaster of the Elementium." In his hand, he held a staff of gleaming white, topped with a glowing crystal that seemed to pulse with power. As he spoke, his voice boomed throughout the hall, commanding the attention of all who heard him. "Welcome, students, to the magical evaluation," he said. "Today, you will be tested to determine your aptitude for the arcane arts. Those who show promise will be given the opportunity to enroll in the Elementium, the greatest academy of magic in all the land. Fail, and you will be sent home, your dreams of becoming a mage destined to remain dreams forever. Do you have what it takes to succeed?"
With that, the headmaster stepped back and allowed the proceedings to commence. Ezekiel watched as the first name was called, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. He knew that this was his first chance to make a name for himself, but he also knew that there were many other talented youngsters vying for the same opportunity.
As the first girl approached the crystal, her hands shook and her eyes were wide with fear. She glanced around the room, taking in the sea of faces staring back at her, before finally turning her attention to the crystal. The crystal glowed a faint blue color, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, as the girl stood there, her body tense and rigid.
The arch magus, Victor Windtänzer, looked at the girl with a sad expression on his face. "I'm sorry, my dear, but it looks like you have a very weak affinity for Water magic," he said, his voice full of empathy. "While you do have the right to attend the academy, I fear that it would be a waste of your time and resources. It is almost impossible for those with such a weak affinity to become true mages in the future. I suggest you consider finding another path in life."
Victor regarded her with compassion as tears streamed down the devasted girl's face.
Other hopefuls looked on with a mixture of pity and relief, grateful that they were not the ones being told that their dreams were out of reach. As the evaluations continued, Ezekiel watched as one student after another stepped up to the crystal, hoping to discover their magical affinity. Some of them were visibly nervous, while others appeared confident and calm. Despite the variety of reactions, the majority of initiates were ultimately disappointed when the crystal remained unchanged, indicating that they had no magical affinity. Occasionally, a student's affinity would be revealed, causing a stir among the crowd as people congratulated or commiserated with the student. Some even had dual affinities, which were considered rare and highly coveted. Overall, the atmosphere in the hall was tense and anxious, as the hopefuls waited their turn to find out if they had been blessed with magical affinities or not.
Finally, someone Ezekiel knew stepped up to the crystal. Peter approached the Fatebringer nervously, but he had barely taken his stance before the crystal when it began to glow a deep brown color with hints of green. The arch magus examined the crystal and declared that Peter had a greater Earth affinity and a minor Nature affinity. Peter looked relieved and proud as the arch magus congratulated him on his affinities, telling him that they were a good fit and that the academy would gladly offer him a place. Peter glanced back at Ezekiel and gave him a shy wave before walking over to the Earth section to join the students there. Ezekiel was happy for his acquaintance, but as he watched Peter take his place he also felt his own anxiety mount.
Of the hundreds of hopefuls that had gathered to have their affinities tested, ninety percent were rejected by the headmaster after the Fatebringer remained lifeless or glowed but faintly for them. Occasionally, Ezekiel recognized a face from the carriage that had brought them to the capital, or someone that he had noticed in the Great Hall. His neighbor, who had given him information on the head students of the elemental factions, was rejected from the academy with no affinity. The green-haired girl that had come on the carriage with Peter and Martin, who was called up as "Linda from Bergen," turned out to have a Greater Nature affinity. Ezekiel grinned to himself for having accurately predicted this and almost missed the arch magus' next words.
"Unfortunately," Archmage Victor told Linda, "you do not have a primary elemental affinity, which is what we specialize in at the Elementium. You would still be able to join the academy and train as a combat Nature mage, if you truly wished it, but I'm afraid your path would be fraught with difficulty and disappointment. I would recommend to you a different course – we could arrange for you to attend Agricul Academy, where you will train not as a combat mage, but as a public servant, instead."
Linda almost looked relieved as she nodded to this, and an assistant ushered her over to the group of transfers. She was not the only initiate whose affinity was declared unfit for the Elementium, and who was encouraged to pursue an education elsewhere. Ezekiel expected to join the Fire mages at the Elementium, and he fervently hoped that his friends' affinities would also qualify them for combat mage training so they could all stay together. He had long had his suspicions of what he believed his friends' affinities to be: Lilly, with her calm, soothing demeanor, seemed to him a natural-born Water mage, while he thought Markus' steady, reliable personality was linked with Earth. That he had been right about Linda's affinity soothed his nerves a bit, thinking that he was correct in his guesses about his friends, too.
Finally, after almost three hours of ceremony, the first person from Ezekiel's village was called: Markus.
Markus approached the crystal with some measure of nervousness. He glanced back at Ezekiel and Lilly, his best friends, and gave them an anxious smile before turning to face the crystal. Markus closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on his connection to his magic core. The crystal remained dormant, not giving any indication of Markus's affinity. As the seconds ticked by, Markus' face fell. Just as he was about to turn away, the Fatebringer's glow gradually increased in brightness to a muddled, silvery gray.
Victor examined the crystal and nodded. "Lesser Metal affinity," he declared, causing a murmur to ripple through the hall. "It's unfortunate," the arch magus continued, "we do not train pure Metal mages at Elementium, and without a primary affinity, we cannot offer you a spot; and your affinity is unfortunately not strong enough for another, specialized academy to take you on. As it is, I'm afraid your chances are not good."
Markus looked disappointed as he stepped away from the crystal, but he seemed to have decided in his heart. He walked over to the group from his village. He looked resolute, as if he had come to a decision about his future. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a sense of finality in the way he carried himself.
Ezekiel and Lilly shared a pained look as their friend walked towards them, Lilly's face showing the uncertainty and sadness that Ezekiel also felt. Ezekiel didn't hear the next names the arch magus called, his focus locked on his friend. He knew that Markus had always struggled with their meditation, but Markus had never given up, always working hard and practicing whenever he could. Now, it seemed like all of that hard work had been for nothing. As Markus approached them, Ezekiel pulled him into a hug.
"We'll figure something out," Ezekiel said, his voice hoarse with emotion. But at this, Markus pulled back. He gave Ezekiel a sad smile and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Zeke," he said, "but I don't have the talent to be a mage. I don't want to waste my time, or yours, trying to pretend otherwise."
Ezekiel stared at Markus in shock. He couldn't believe that Markus was turning his back on their dream of becoming mages, just because he had a lesser affinity of a secondary type.
Had he pushed his friend into something Markus didn't even want? Ezekiel suddenly felt guilty for dragging him to the magical evaluation in the first place. He had always been the one pushing for his two friends to become mages with him, and now it seemed like his dream might at any moment come true while Markus's was being crushed. As the realization of what was happening hit him, tears welled up in his eyes, and he couldn't stop them from falling.
Right then, Ezekiel heard someone snicker behind him. He turned to see Martin and his friends laughing and sneering. Martin made a crude joke about Markus having a "trash" affinity, and his friends joined in with their own insults and mocking laughter. Beside him, Markus stiffened, and Ezekiel felt a surge of anger and disgust at their behavior. He could see the hurt and embarrassment on Markus's face.
He knew that he had to do something to defend his friend, but before Ezekiel could say anything, a loud voice called out: "Martin from Feldstadt."
Martin walked confidently to the center of the room. As he stepped up to the crystal, the room fell silent. The Fatebringer glowed a bright red, signaling that Martin had a regular Fire affinity. His friends cheered and clapped for him as he approached the Fire section. Gleefully, Martin looked back at Ezekiel with a smug grin on his face before taking his seat among the Fire mages. Ezekiel glanced to where Markus had stood a moment ago, but his friend was nowhere to be seen. As his eyes searched to faces around him, the arch magus called out the next name, his voice echoing off the walls of the circular room.
"Lilly from Feldstadt."
Momentarily forgetting about Markus's disappearance, he watched on with a racing heart. He hoped ardently that his other childhood friend would have a strong affinity and be able to join the academy with him. As Lilly stepped up to the crystal, Ezekiel's heart beat loudly with anticipation and nerves. Relief flooded him when the crystal shone bright yellow.
Lilly's face glowed with pride as the arch magus announced: "Greater Wind affinity." The people in the Wind section stood, clapping and cheering, and Lilly turned to look at Ezekiel with a big smile on her face. Before joining the Wind mages, she rushed over to give him a quick hug.
Then the next name was called.
"Ezekiel from Feldstadt!"
Chapter 4: Evaluation
As Ezekiel and his group entered the evaluation hall, a sense of awe washed over him. The hall was enormous, the ceiling so high it seemed to disappear from view and a magnificent crystal chandelier floated above their heads. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings and paintings depicting various magical battle scenes. The floor was made of gleaming marble, and four large, colored pillars rose up in the center of the room, each representing one of the main elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. Between these pillars were smaller, intricately designed structures, representing the minor schools of magic.
Ezekiel could see the scouts of the Great Families seated in their designated areas, their eyes trained on the group of newcomers. He felt the tension in the air and knew that every single person in the room was eager to see who among them had the potential to become a valuable asset to their respective houses. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his nerves, knowing that this was his chance to make an impression. His eyes scanned the room, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling evaluation hall. The circular room was filled with students and mages of all ages, the students eager to showcase their abilities and prove their worth, the mages watching with hawk's eyes for any promising candidates. In the center of the room, surrounded by the pillars and structures, sat a large crystal, glowing with a faint blue light. This had to be the legendary tool used for the evaluation, the crystal that revealed the magical affinity of all the newcomers there – the Fatebringer.
Ezekiel's gaze was drawn to the four cardinal points of the room, where the seats for the students of the primary schools were located. To the north sat the Fire magic students, their seating area adorned with a central, throne-like structure. To the south sat the Water magic students, their seats surrounded by a pool of shimmering water. To the east sat the Earth magic students, their chairs carved from rock and enclosed by a small stone garden. To the West sat the air magic students on clouds of mist that floated in the air. And filling the space between the elemental areas were the seats for the minor schools, filled with students and mages specializing in secondary magic: Light, Darkness, Nature and other minor schools.
Ezekiel looked around, trying to spot the leaders of the elemental factions. Ezekiel took in the sight of the young man sitting on the throne-like chair in the center of the Fire section. He could see the confidence radiating from the older student, who was leaning back leisurely in his seat with his arms crossed over his chest. His piercing gaze appeared to dominate everything in the room, and his sharp features and strong jawline made him stand out even from the older mages in the room.
The person next to Ezekiel took a look at his red hair and noticed his interest in the Fire section's leader, and with a knowing smirk, he leaned in to whisper to him, "That's Alexander Feuerkranz, the heir to the Feuerkranz family, one of the Great Families. He's a fourth-year student here at the Elementium. Rumor has it that he's one of the most talented Fire mages in the entire empire."
Ezekiel nodded, taking in this information. With some surprise, he realized that he felt envious of Alexander's accomplishments and position, but he pushed the feeling down and turned his attention back to the rest of the room. Ezekiel looked at the next figure his neighbor pointed out to him. Theodor Steiner sat on the earthen throne with a confident posture, his muscular frame and chiseled features adding to his commanding presence. He was the heir to the Steiner family and a third-year student at the magical academy. His piercing gaze seemed to take in everything around him, as if he was constantly analyzing his surroundings. As Ezekiel watched, Theodor adjusted his grip on the armrests of the throne, the muscles in his arms flexing with the movement. It was clear that Theodor was a formidable fighter and someone to be reckoned with.
"... and that's Miranda Wellenrufer on the Water throne."
As Ezekiel looked over at Miranda, he couldn't help but be mesmerized by her beauty. Her blue hair and eyes seemed to glow in the sunlight that streamed in from the high windows of the hall, and her relaxed posture exuded a sense of confidence and poise. Despite the fact that Alexander was glaring at her from across the room, Miranda seemed completely unfazed, as if she were used to being the center of attention. The man next to Ezekiel told him that Miranda was a fourth-year student at the academy and was considered one of the most promising young talents of the Wellenrufer family. She had been adopted into the Great Family in her second year and was highly talented in the Wellenrufer's water-based magic, and her combat skills were said to be exceptional. As Ezekiel watched her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration.
Ezekiel glanced over to the air section, where he saw a small girl with a playful expression on her face seated on the throne. Before he had a chance to learn more about her, a loud voice echoed throughout the hall, demanding silence. The noise in the room quickly died down as all eyes turned towards the front of the hall, where the arch magus stood. He was an elderly man with a long white beard and piercing blue eyes, and his presence commanded respect from all those in attendance. As he began to speak, all conversations came to a halt and the room fell silent, all ears turning towards the arch magus as he delivered his address.
"Welcome, young mages," he began. "I am Archmagus Victor Windtänzer, headmaster of the Elementium." In his hand, he held a staff of gleaming white, topped with a glowing crystal that seemed to pulse with power. As he spoke, his voice boomed throughout the hall, commanding the attention of all who heard him. "Welcome, students, to the magical evaluation," he said. "Today, you will be tested to determine your aptitude for the arcane arts. Those who show promise will be given the opportunity to enroll in the Elementium, the greatest academy of magic in all the land. Fail, and you will be sent home, your dreams of becoming a mage destined to remain dreams forever. Do you have what it takes to succeed?"
With that, the headmaster stepped back and allowed the proceedings to commence. Ezekiel watched as the first name was called, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. He knew that this was his first chance to make a name for himself, but he also knew that there were many other talented youngsters vying for the same opportunity.
As the first girl approached the crystal, her hands shook and her eyes were wide with fear. She glanced around the room, taking in the sea of faces staring back at her, before finally turning her attention to the crystal. The crystal glowed a faint blue color, almost imperceptible to the naked eye, as the girl stood there, her body tense and rigid.
The arch magus, Victor Windtänzer, looked at the girl with a sad expression on his face. "I'm sorry, my dear, but it looks like you have a very weak affinity for Water magic," he said, his voice full of empathy. "While you do have the right to attend the academy, I fear that it would be a waste of your time and resources. It is almost impossible for those with such a weak affinity to become true mages in the future. I suggest you consider finding another path in life."
Victor regarded her with compassion as tears streamed down the devasted girl's face.
Other hopefuls looked on with a mixture of pity and relief, grateful that they were not the ones being told that their dreams were out of reach. As the evaluations continued, Ezekiel watched as one student after another stepped up to the crystal, hoping to discover their magical affinity. Some of them were visibly nervous, while others appeared confident and calm. Despite the variety of reactions, the majority of initiates were ultimately disappointed when the crystal remained unchanged, indicating that they had no magical affinity. Occasionally, a student's affinity would be revealed, causing a stir among the crowd as people congratulated or commiserated with the student. Some even had dual affinities, which were considered rare and highly coveted. Overall, the atmosphere in the hall was tense and anxious, as the hopefuls waited their turn to find out if they had been blessed with magical affinities or not.
Finally, someone Ezekiel knew stepped up to the crystal. Peter approached the Fatebringer nervously, but he had barely taken his stance before the crystal when it began to glow a deep brown color with hints of green. The arch magus examined the crystal and declared that Peter had a greater Earth affinity and a minor Nature affinity. Peter looked relieved and proud as the arch magus congratulated him on his affinities, telling him that they were a good fit and that the academy would gladly offer him a place. Peter glanced back at Ezekiel and gave him a shy wave before walking over to the Earth section to join the students there. Ezekiel was happy for his acquaintance, but as he watched Peter take his place he also felt his own anxiety mount.
Of the hundreds of hopefuls that had gathered to have their affinities tested, ninety percent were rejected by the headmaster after the Fatebringer remained lifeless or glowed but faintly for them. Occasionally, Ezekiel recognized a face from the carriage that had brought them to the capital, or someone that he had noticed in the Great Hall. His neighbor, who had given him information on the head students of the elemental factions, was rejected from the academy with no affinity. The green-haired girl that had come on the carriage with Peter and Martin, who was called up as "Linda from Bergen," turned out to have a Greater Nature affinity. Ezekiel grinned to himself for having accurately predicted this and almost missed the arch magus' next words.
"Unfortunately," Archmage Victor told Linda, "you do not have a primary elemental affinity, which is what we specialize in at the Elementium. You would still be able to join the academy and train as a combat Nature mage, if you truly wished it, but I'm afraid your path would be fraught with difficulty and disappointment. I would recommend to you a different course – we could arrange for you to attend Agricul Academy, where you will train not as a combat mage, but as a public servant, instead."
Linda almost looked relieved as she nodded to this, and an assistant ushered her over to the group of transfers. She was not the only initiate whose affinity was declared unfit for the Elementium, and who was encouraged to pursue an education elsewhere. Ezekiel expected to join the Fire mages at the Elementium, and he fervently hoped that his friends' affinities would also qualify them for combat mage training so they could all stay together. He had long had his suspicions of what he believed his friends' affinities to be: Lilly, with her calm, soothing demeanor, seemed to him a natural-born Water mage, while he thought Markus' steady, reliable personality was linked with Earth. That he had been right about Linda's affinity soothed his nerves a bit, thinking that he was correct in his guesses about his friends, too.
Finally, after almost three hours of ceremony, the first person from Ezekiel's village was called: Markus.
Markus approached the crystal with some measure of nervousness. He glanced back at Ezekiel and Lilly, his best friends, and gave them an anxious smile before turning to face the crystal. Markus closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on his connection to his magic core. The crystal remained dormant, not giving any indication of Markus's affinity. As the seconds ticked by, Markus' face fell. Just as he was about to turn away, the Fatebringer's glow gradually increased in brightness to a muddled, silvery gray.
Victor examined the crystal and nodded. "Lesser Metal affinity," he declared, causing a murmur to ripple through the hall. "It's unfortunate," the arch magus continued, "we do not train pure Metal mages at Elementium, and without a primary affinity, we cannot offer you a spot; and your affinity is unfortunately not strong enough for another, specialized academy to take you on. As it is, I'm afraid your chances are not good."
Markus looked disappointed as he stepped away from the crystal, but he seemed to have decided in his heart. He walked over to the group from his village. He looked resolute, as if he had come to a decision about his future. His expression was difficult to read, but there was a sense of finality in the way he carried himself.
Ezekiel and Lilly shared a pained look as their friend walked towards them, Lilly's face showing the uncertainty and sadness that Ezekiel also felt. Ezekiel didn't hear the next names the arch magus called, his focus locked on his friend. He knew that Markus had always struggled with their meditation, but Markus had never given up, always working hard and practicing whenever he could. Now, it seemed like all of that hard work had been for nothing. As Markus approached them, Ezekiel pulled him into a hug.
"We'll figure something out," Ezekiel said, his voice hoarse with emotion. But at this, Markus pulled back. He gave Ezekiel a sad smile and shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Zeke," he said, "but I don't have the talent to be a mage. I don't want to waste my time, or yours, trying to pretend otherwise."
Ezekiel stared at Markus in shock. He couldn't believe that Markus was turning his back on their dream of becoming mages, just because he had a lesser affinity of a secondary type.
Had he pushed his friend into something Markus didn't even want? Ezekiel suddenly felt guilty for dragging him to the magical evaluation in the first place. He had always been the one pushing for his two friends to become mages with him, and now it seemed like his dream might at any moment come true while Markus's was being crushed. As the realization of what was happening hit him, tears welled up in his eyes, and he couldn't stop them from falling.
Right then, Ezekiel heard someone snicker behind him. He turned to see Martin and his friends laughing and sneering. Martin made a crude joke about Markus having a "trash" affinity, and his friends joined in with their own insults and mocking laughter. Beside him, Markus stiffened, and Ezekiel felt a surge of anger and disgust at their behavior. He could see the hurt and embarrassment on Markus's face.
He knew that he had to do something to defend his friend, but before Ezekiel could say anything, a loud voice called out: "Martin from Feldstadt."
Martin walked confidently to the center of the room. As he stepped up to the crystal, the room fell silent. The Fatebringer glowed a bright red, signaling that Martin had a regular Fire affinity. His friends cheered and clapped for him as he approached the Fire section. Gleefully, Martin looked back at Ezekiel with a smug grin on his face before taking his seat among the Fire mages. Ezekiel glanced to where Markus had stood a moment ago, but his friend was nowhere to be seen. As his eyes searched to faces around him, the arch magus called out the next name, his voice echoing off the walls of the circular room.
"Lilly from Feldstadt."
Momentarily forgetting about Markus's disappearance, he watched on with a racing heart. He hoped ardently that his other childhood friend would have a strong affinity and be able to join the academy with him. As Lilly stepped up to the crystal, Ezekiel's heart beat loudly with anticipation and nerves. Relief flooded him when the crystal shone bright yellow.
Lilly's face glowed with pride as the arch magus announced: "Greater Wind affinity." The people in the Wind section stood, clapping and cheering, and Lilly turned to look at Ezekiel with a big smile on her face. Before joining the Wind mages, she rushed over to give him a quick hug.
Then the next name was called.
"Ezekiel from Feldstadt!"
