Chapter Eighty: Academy Assessment

Chu Yun savored the fruit wine in his cup and nodded slightly, indifferent to the other man's unfriendly demeanor.

"Let's continue with the previous question. I have things to do this afternoon."

Anna, who also disliked Cassido and did not want him interfering with her studies, turned to him and said, "Sorry, Cassido, I have questions I need to ask Chu Yun."

Her words made it clear she wanted him to leave, but Cassido, lacking any sense of propriety, instead demanded, "Anna, the teacher said before leaving that you could ask me anything you needed. Why do you ask this wandering mage instead of me?"

In the Mage Guild, second-tier mages were considered the backbone. After Chu Yun became a second-tier mage, his status was publicly announced in the guild, so although Cassido had never met him, he recognized him. A mage from the wilds—put bluntly, a refugee mage—was nothing compared to someone like himself, trained through a formal system.

Anna felt awkward admitting that she initially intended to study the obscure Divine Berry Technique just to save on meal expenses. Though Cassido was technically her senior, his gaze always seemed somewhat lecherous, and Anna had never liked to interact with him.

"Cassido! Chu Yun's mastery of magic is far greater than yours, so please don't disturb us!" Anna's voice rose slightly.

The staff in the Star Tree House glanced over. Cassido dared not cause trouble here; he shot a fierce glare at Chu Yun. Instead of leaving, he sat back down, continuing to glare at them and occasionally knocking on the table to make noise.

Truthfully, Chu Yun paid him little mind. He had slain third-tier warlocks, so why would he be concerned about Cassido?

Though Chu Yun was unconcerned, Anna found Cassido's glare deeply unsettling.

"Chu Yun, I'm sorry. Let's discuss this another time," Anna said, irritation in her voice.

Chu Yun smiled and stood, purposely addressing Cassido, "It's fine. Anna, come to my room tonight for a discussion, just like last time."

Cassido's face instantly turned ashen at those words.

Anna, however, took it at face value; the last discussion had benefited her greatly.

"Alright, but we can't go too late tonight. I start classes tomorrow."

Her reply confirmed Chu Yun's implication, and Cassido's face paled, then darkened.

"Let's go—the assessment is about to start. Don't be late."

"Oh, it's already this late; we'd better hurry!"

Watching the pair leave together, Cassido slammed his cup onto the table.

"Sir, this cup is made from deep-sea crystal. Please pay one hundred gold coins in compensation."

"......"

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Today was a momentous day for the citizens of Blackstone City—the first enrollment for the Blackstone City Magic Academy was to be held at Blackstone Square.

By morning, the staff had already prepared the site, and over a thousand candidates were in position, though nobody knew exactly how the selection would proceed that afternoon.

Chu Yun and Anna were both assessment officers. Together, they walked along the path cleared by the crowd and took their seats at the assessors’ table.

"Anna! Look, it's Anna!" A group of children from the slums cried out, excited.

Anna, born a commoner, often performed good deeds in the slums after becoming a mage. She was the idol and goddess in these children's hearts.

"As long as you pass the assessment, you have a chance to become as strong as Lady Anna. Don't fool around during the exam," their parents advised, reassured that Lady Anna would surely be fair and not favor the noble children.

"But by the way, who is the mage beside Anna? I've never seen him before. He's so handsome~"

In fact, the assessment officers chosen this time were quite unusual—Chu Yun, for example, was new to Blackstone City and had little contact with the city's elite, making him more likely to judge fairly.

The mage profession had traditionally been a privilege of the nobility; commoners rarely had the opportunity to become mages.

Compared to the number of nobles, the populace was far larger, and among them, surely some possessed exceptional talent. Moreover, these mages would be more receptive to the academy’s specialized training.

The establishment of the Mage Academy was largely intended to replace and curb the resurgence of the Church of Life, so part of the curriculum focused on developing healing magic.

Once admitted, these students could sign an agreement to waive tuition, requiring them to work for the Mage Guild for three years after graduation.

During those three years, they would follow the Guild’s assignments.

Naturally, noble children paid their own tuition and did not sign such agreements. Thus, the Mage Guild actually preferred to recruit commoner students, training them as utilitarian mages.

There were ten assessors in charge of the first round, all identifiable as second-tier mages by their badges.

Third-tier mages and the Guildmaster would assess the subsequent rounds, but those would only begin once the academy’s facilities were completed. Students who passed the first round would receive preliminary training.

In the second round, those who trained diligently would have a greater chance of success.

Applicants were subject to an age limit; only students under eighteen were eligible this time. There were no restrictions on race—any legal citizen of the kingdom could participate.

Humans were not the best at magic; among the non-human candidates, many were highly competitive.

With anticipation in the air, the Mage Guildmaster, Nelson, finally arrived at the square with his granddaughter, Selina.

Selina’s arrival in Blackstone City was, in fact, directly tied to the founding of the Mage Guild.

"Ahem, everyone, please quiet down," Nelson coughed lightly, and the crowd fell silent.

"First, allow me to introduce Selina, from the Imperial Mage Guild. She will serve as inspector, supervising the establishment of the Blackstone City Mage Academy and its enrollment procedures."

Those who knew Nelson and Selina were related could not help but smile—this must be the work of Nelson’s rivals, as no other city had an inspector assigned.

Selina was tactful, refraining from overshadowing Nelson and instead studying blueprints at her designated seat.

"This first round has screened the applicants, and one thousand five hundred candidates are eligible. Now, please line up in groups according to the registration forms before each assessor."

Normally, such hosting duties would not fall to Nelson himself, but this was the academy’s inaugural enrollment. A responsible man, Nelson placed great importance on this event and took charge personally.

The crowd surged toward their respective queues, as if a delay meant instant elimination. Even those at the front were quickly pushed aside, and chaos erupted, nearly overturning the assessors’ tables.

Nelson’s face reddened; countless onlookers were watching, hoping to attract more talented students in the future.

He sternly announced, "Any candidate not in line within one minute will be eliminated!"

At his words, the candidates lined up quietly like docile sheep. Nelson nodded in satisfaction.

"We will now begin the first round of assessment. Each assessor will select fifty candidates with potential from their group of one hundred and fifty, according to their own criteria."

At this, the crowd was stunned.