"Now then, we shall reveal the results of this session of examinations to you all." Desmond Lawcroft declared.
We all held our breaths, knowing that a majority of us wouldn't make the cut. No semblance of the confidence I previously had appeared as a silent fear lurked within my guts.
>GULP<
"I have the list of those who passed the exams here with me. But, to make it easier for everyone to understand... I shall display the results for everyone to see!"
It was amazing that the Academy had already compiled the results so quickly and had determined the winners in the series of tests we passed through. However, when considering the fact that they could use magic to manipulate the flow of time, it was no mystery as to how they arrived at a conclusion so quickly.
Silence filled the air as we all awaited the moment of truth, watching Desmond bring forth a scroll from within his luxurious suit. The piece of parchment seemed to have been buried within a pocket within the inner recesses of his jacket, and him bringing it out meant the conclusion of the whole matter was at hand.
Of course, none of us could see the contents displayed on the scroll due to our distance. Besides, the list was facing Desmond directly. Since we were all seated opposite him and faced him directly, there was no way we could see anything written on the scroll.
'How does he intend to reveal the results, then...?' I asked myself, refusing to take my eyes off the mysterious man for even a second.
Desmond's mouth suddenly opened from the tightly shut form they had taken and he appeared to be mumbling something under his breath. From the way his lips moved, I realized the man was chanting a spell.
This lasted for a few seconds, and then-
>SHIIIIIIINNNNNGGGGGG<
Light shone suddenly as a wave of energy burst through the room.
Everyone felt the rush of energy and was captivated by the sight that was displayed as the pressure subsided.
Above the head of Desmond Lawcroft was a large panel that glowed brightly. it was so clear, sharp, and bright that no one could miss it.
The panel that took the form of a long list stretched as high as the tall ceiling, revealing its contents. With our eyes all moving to the bright list caused by brilliant clusters of golden light, we marveled.
'This is... light magic...' I beamed.
He must have used light refraction to display the figures and letters that appeared on the long panel. It was no mean feat, considering the details put in it.
Everyone's eyes bulged as they saw the results as well as the meticulous details placed in them. The scores gotten from each round, and the parameters for judging the examinees were also given. Also, only the top 100 who made the cut were displayed on the long panel.
Instinctively, my eyes darted to the very top of the list to see who had taken first place. It was no surprise to see who it was.
Maria Helmsworth!
My eyes trailed to my side as I took a short, subtle glance at her. The young girl's eyes were entirely focused on the list and seemed to be scanning through it.
'She should have seen her name... what is she looking for?' I thought to myself.
Her eyes were determined, though, as though frantically looking for something but not seeming to find any semblance of what she sought.
Looking away from Maria before I got even more curious about what could pique her interest other than the fact that she scored the highest, my eyes went back to the list.
Reading the contents word for word, I scrutinized the parameters placed therein.
[AINZLARK STUDENT CANDIDATES LIST]
~1st Place~
Name: Maria Helmsworth
Age: 12 Years
1st Test Score: 91
2nd Test Score: 95
3rd Test Score: 100
Total Test Score: 286
Mana Core Grade <Blue>
Mana Core Grade Concentration: 100%
[You Have Been Accepted As A Student Of Ainzlark Academy]
[.]
It was amazing no matter how many times I thought of it. Was this what it meant to be a genius?
Her Mana Core was Blue, and not just that, but it had a total concentration of a hundred percent. Usually, once a Magic-User advanced their Magic Core to the next grade, it took a gradual process.
So, if a white grade core became yellow, the yellow grade would slowly saturate the core until it became a hundred percent in quality. Only when it became a hundred percent could it be possible for the Magic-User to completely utilize the full capabilities of their Core Grade and advance to the next Grade.
Usually, people her age would still not have achieved a hundred percent concentration in the Yellow Core Grade. She was a genius beyond the normal level!
Presently, I had a total of zero concentration of the Yellow Core Grade and was still a pure White Core. It didn't bother me, since that was what I wanted, but even with my knowledge and talent in internal mana manipulation, I doubted it was possible for me to reach her level at my age.
'So terrifying!' My mind rang.
I felt my stiff neck refuse to take a turn so I could take another glance at the prodigy. It made sense why everyone was so crazy about her.
Quickly shaking off the thoughts about the girl, my eyes went down the list and caught yet another interesting character in second place. Well, it was inevitable, since the two were a pair.
If the first was Maria Helmsworth, the second had to be Stefan Netherlore!
~2nd Place~
Name: Stefan Netherlore
Age: 12 Years
1st Test Score: 97
2nd Test Score: 89
3rd Test Score: 85
Total Score: 271
Mana Core Grade <Blue>
Mana Core Grade Concentration: 10%
[You Have Been Accepted As A Student Of Ainzlark Academy]
[.]
'Oh? Not bad! I suppose his arrogance wasn't for nothing...' I smiled with an impressed reaction.
