Everyone's eyes were affixed on the Black Mage. Nobody dared to speak, for fear that they may offend him.
Adam and Ophelia were given the privilege to stand beside him.
Everyone knew who Ophelia was. She is the famed Valkyrie in the Johnson family.
"She must have been chosen personally by the Black Mage," the crowd envied.
They didn't know who Adam was though. He had clothes fit for a noble, so they thought that he was the son of an unknown noble.
The Black Mage took out a flawless, transparent crystal ball and placed it on the table, and ordered, "Come. Place your hands on the crystal ball, and focus your mental strength onto the ball. If the crystal ball is filled, then you have the qualifications of a basic mage. If the crystal ball lights up, then it means you are excellent."
The crowd hesitated. This ball determines their fate.
The Black Mage could sense their apprehension and said, "Adam, demonstrate."
Adam stepped forward, expressionless, and placed both his hands on the crystal ball.
The change was almost immediate. The ball was filled and shone with a dazzling white light. Slight explosive sounds could be heard within the ball, and the crowd shielded themselves.
"Huh?" The Black Mage was confused at their reactions, but continued, "That's enough Adam."
Adam took note of the Black Mage's tone of speech and stood back in his place quietly. Ophelia wanted to try it as well.
But the Black Mage simply continued, "Enough. Let's start with you."
He pointed at a random timid boy with freckles on his face. The boy was petrified, but still gathered some courage and stepped forward.
He placed his hands on the crystal ball and clenched his entire body. He exhausted his supply of mental strength, and even his face was flushed from the lack of oxygen. However, the crystal ball was barely filled.
The boy's face contorted in horror upon opening his eyes. He knew it was over for him.
Silence.
After a while, the Black Mage announced, "Next."
The boy slumped to the ground, knees limp, weeping. His parents helped him up, and he was inconsolable. The Black Mage had no sympathy for him.
Each teenager was given 15 minutes to channel their mental strength in the ball, but after three hours, not a single one had the basic qualifications of a mage.
Many started to sob in the main hall.
"Let me."
A sudden voice sounded. Adam didn't care, he was busy analysing the runes in his brain, but Ophelia was surprised.
It was a girl with curly brows and vibrant eyes. She was a commoner among the crowd of nobles, and had stepped forward.
The crystal ball was filled in less than five minutes. She was the first person to have the qualifications of a mage.
The Black Mage nodded in satisfaction.
Just as he was about to speak, the crystal ball lit up. The girl was bathed in soft light. This meant that she had excellent qualifications.
The Black Mage was admittedly surprised and clapped, "Congratulations. Tell me your name?"
"Crystal."
"Crystal! How fitting. Stand behind me and wait for the second round of testing. Don't worry, it isn't difficult."
The Black Mage was surprisingly friendly. Not even Adam and Ophelia experienced this friendliness, and they were much stronger than Crystal. Adam could tell there was an underlying reason.
Crystal's success in lighting up the crystal ball had cast doubt on the remaining people. They assured themselves that, at least they had a representative among the commoners.
The sky soon turned dark, and only three more people had basic qualifications. They failed to light the crystal ball up, however they were satisfied.
Soon everyone left and the Black Mage continued to the second test. He drew the rune that he had drawn previously.
He chose this rune as it was the foundation of spells. They may be fast or slow learners, but they could surely conjure this rune.
Adam remained silent, focusing on optimising this rune,
"When can I learn magic?"
"Can I go home to see my parents after becoming a mage?"
"Where is the academy?"
The teenagers were obviously excited, and blurted out these questions.
Crystal wanted to ask a question too, but the Black Mage reminded, "In the wizarding world, the privilege of asking unlimited questions like this doesn't exist. Save your silly questions for important ones."
The four teenagers immediately hid their faces. They felt like they had lost a great opportunity.
Crystal was grateful though. She knew that not every mage would be as forgiving as the Black Mage.
"Black Mage, when I removed my hand from the crystal ball, it lit up. Why?"
Adam blinked. The reason for the Black Mage's friendliness must be sourced from the crystal ball lighting up.
The Black Mage smiled, "This crystal ball is the masterpiece of an alchemist, its called the Talent Tester. It identifies the inherent talent within a person, and shows the potential growth of their mental strength. The light showed me your traits, and it told me you were kind."
He continued, "Adam's light was explosive. I am unable to interpret it. There are too many ways to become a mage."
Adam knew he was raining on Crystal's parade.
He continued, "You are different from Adam though. Adam's natural talent is the strongest I have ever seen. With some effort, it isn't difficult for him to become a full-fledged mage in no time. However, take this as a lesson -- there isn't a fixed way to become a mage. Choose your own path."
Crystal bowed, "Thank you esteemed Black Mage."
Ophelia was anxious. She wanted to know what her light meant.
The Earl entered the main hall -- perhaps he wanted to make amends with his daughter, so he asked the Black Mage, "Dear Black Mage, can you tell me what my daughter's light means? I'd be willing to pay for a small energy vein for the news."
However, in the wizarding world there are strict definitions for 'small', 'medium', and 'large'. Mages do not like to be taken advantage of, "I am happy to serve but..."
