The guard ran inside, going straight to the old woman who had just finished testing the last batch of students, sending them for further testing.
She was also one of the teachers at the academy and also the closest one to the doors.
The guard stopped before her, panting.
"What happened?" The old woman inquired, wondering why the man was in such a hurry.
"There is a student at the entrance for examination."
"Hmm? At this time? Send him back." The old woman didn't even bother to listen as she stood up, turning around. "The time is up. Someone who can't even be on time, he isn't worth wasting our time on."
"B-but he got a recommendation."
"I don't care about his recommendation. Just shoo him away. You should know that recommendations are useless in this place."
The Academy of Element held a prestigious position in the Kingdom and a certain kind of autonomy. Even though the Royal Academy received funds from the Kingdom, that was the extent of it.
No one was given importance when it came to the academy selection of disciples since each student carried the name of their academy for their lifetime. They didn't want any bad apples to get in, only to spoil their reputation after leaving.
The old woman didn't even bother stopping as she kept walking away.
"B-but he got a recommendation from him... He got a recommendation from the Lord of Light!"
It was only after she heard the statement that the woman stopped. It was as if her feet froze in place. It had been years since she heard anything about the Lord of Light.
She stared back. "What did you say? Whose recommendation is it? Can you repeat it again?"
"He gave me this letter. It's a recommendation by the Lord of Light." The guard placed the letter on the table of the old woman. "I know recommendations are useless, but it's not always that it's a recommendation from the Lord of Light who doesn't involve himself in such matters."
The old woman walked back to the table and picked up the letter, going through it.
"This is certainly the stamp that only the Lord of Light is allowed to use. That means this sign must belong to him as well. Interesting. That hermit has finally started taking an interest in things after being a ghost for years?" The old woman rubbed her chin, talking to herself.
"Should I bring him in for examination?" The Guard inquired.
"He got a recommendation from the Lord of Light. What do you think?" The old woman smiled wryly. "He doesn't need to give an examination. He'll get a direct admission. Making him go through an examination would be an insult to the authority of the Lord of Light, especially if his candidate fails the tests."
"What a day it is. There is rarely a year when we give admission without examinations, and this time, there are two candidates like that?" The old woman glanced at the letter again. "What element does he have?"
"This... I didn't really notice." The guard scratched the back of his head. In his surprise, he even forgot to ask the man for his element.
"It doesn't matter. Just bring him here. I'll see myself. I need to know his element, so I know which Head of House to inform along with Eliana. Just bring him to me."
****
The blonde man was still standing at the entrance of the Academy, with his hands behind his back, appreciating the beautiful structures.
"This academy is really beautiful."
"It is." The guard who was left behind smiled. "You'll be staying at the academy from now on as well. You'll have fun."
"Oh, I'm sure I will." The young man smiled mysteriously.
"Can I ask you a question if you don't mind?"
"Hmm? Go ahead. I don't mind."
"Can you tell me more about the Lord of Light?" The guard asked. "The current Lord of Light is the most mysterious one. Before him, all the Lord of Lights were known throughout the land. But the current Lord of Light... No one knows anything about him. I even wondered if he really existed until you came with a letter from him? So what is he like?"
The young man scratched the back of his head, smiling wryly. "I told you. He's a weird man. He never answers you straight if you ask any question, always trying to be mysterious. He can get on your nerves after some time. Only I know how I controlled myself. I would've gone crazy and snapped at him if I didn't have such good control."
"What does he look like?"
"His looks? He is quite short, honestly. I think he should be about two inches shorter than me. He is a chubby man who looks quite cute. He has long black hair and a chubby face. There's also a small scar under his right eye. Keep these features in your mind so you can recognize him if he ever comes before you."
The guard chuckled. "You're right. Since no one knows what he looks like, I don't doubt that. He could've even stood before me, and I wouldn't have recognized him. Thanks to you, I won't make that mistake now."
"That's right. Now you know." The young man smiled innocently. "By the way, how long do you think your friend will take? I'm getting worried if I'll even get admission here."
"Heh, don't worry, kid. You got the recommendation from Lord Hermit. There's no way you wouldn't get an admission here."
"Lord Hermit?" The young man tilted his head in confusion.
"It's the nickname that the citizens have given to the Lord Of Light. It's just because of the characteristics. It's not an insulting title. Even some members of the Church of Light use this term."
"Oh, do they now?" The young man appeared quite amused.
"Yeah. It seems even they don't know anything about their Lord. Only the Head Priests of Light can get an audience with the Lord of Light."
"That's understandable. Still, Lord Hermit... It's a cute name. I don't think the old man will mind it."
"Old man? Is the Lord of Light old?"
"Don't tell me you didn't know that either?" The young man's lips parted in surprise. "Do you guys really not know anything about him? I mean, at least you should know that he's an old man."
"That... We really didn't know. As I said, there's not much information about him. But still, an old man. That's fascinating but not surprising. How did you meet him?"
The guard kept asking questions about the Lord of Light since it wasn't often when he got an opportunity to talk to someone who had met the Lord of Light.
Unfortunately, his question was cut short as before the young man could answer, the other guard returned.
"You can come in. And I also got some good news. It seems you don't need to give an examination. You'll get direct admission at this point. Come with me."
The young man nodded as he followed the guard inside the academy. At the same time, he didn't forget to bid farewell to the other guard.
"Wait. What is your element?" It was only after the guard escorted the young man inside that he realized he had once again forgotten to ask about the element.
Since the young man was wearing gloves, it was impossible to see his mark.
"My element?" The young man took off his left glove, flashing the bright mark on the back of his left hand.
"It's the Element of Light. Just a novice Mage though. I'm here to learn more so I can become a powerful mage and join the Church of Light in the future."
"Ah, a mage of light. I should've guessed. Why would the Lord of Light give his recommendation to another element?" The guard tapped the back of his head. "What is your name?"
"I am Lelin," the young man answered respectfully.
"Heh, don't worry, Lelin. You are at the best academy now. No student of this academy went on to become a failure in their life. You'll achieve all your goals now that you're here. By the time you leave, you'll be a powerful mage who can make anyone tremble with your simple spells."
"Achieve all my goals?" Lelin muttered softly before he glanced at the bright sun in the distance. "I hope so... I really hope so..."
