Aren placed his hand on the staff as he watched the crystal closely.
A second passed.
Then two.
Three.
Still nothing.
He felt his heart beating wildly in his chest — this was it. His life was over.
But just when he was about to give up, the staff lit up with a blinding light. It shone so brightly that everybody had to close their eyes.
Even the men sitting on the stage were shocked — they were the only ones who could keep their eyes open.
"Such a strong magic affinity."
"Hahaha, bless the heavens, this boy is a gem."
Aren didn't even hear a thing these men were saying. He was in his own world. He was floating above everything — his joy was so overwhelming that it felt like his body would explode.
"I can practice magic. I'm not dreaming. It's really happening!"
He removed his hand as everybody finally opened their eyes and stared at Aren on the stage in shock.
"Isn't that the farm boy from uphill?"
"Now that you mention it, they have a lot in common."
"Shut up, idiot. They don't have a lot in common — it's him. I'd recognize his greasy face even if I were half asleep."
First it was the beggar, now it was the farm boy. Nobody could understand the mechanism behind testing their affinity.
Was it just random, or were they born with it?
That was the question on everyone's mind as one of the boys behind the men stepped forward to take Aren with him.
"Hold on — my bag."
Aren jumped off the stage with excitement as he scooped his bag off the floor. Then he soared into the air and landed back on the stage.
Excited was an understatement — he was in dreamland as he followed the boy and walked to stand beside Erin.
Erin looked at him and smiled. She was happy to see someone else join her.
Aren returned the pleasantries as his gaze shifted back to the stage.
On the stage…
Kids came and went as they all took their turns, but after a hundred and fifty placed their hands on it, only five were qualified.
Aren looked at the other three — apart from Erin, they were all boys. And they weren't in his or Erin's situation. They looked like they had lived a better life.
They didn't even acknowledge Aren and Erin. To them, those two weren't worthy of their attention.
The man in the middle finally stood up with a disappointed sigh as he walked to the centre of the stage. Then he removed his staff from the ground and looked at the people, who were also scattering in disappointment.
"Only five from over a hundred. Expected from such a town."
He didn't bother lowering his voice, and everybody heard him. But what could they do about it? He was a mage — and they were just puny, miserable humans.
Some parents who had followed their children, hoping they would become mages, consoled them as the crowd cleared within minutes.
The man then turned around as he faced the five kids in front of him — two of whom looked like they needed a good bath and clean clothes.
The man then said softly,
"Vold."
The student named Vold came from behind his chair and stood before the elder respectfully.
"Stay with the five of them. Make sure they get what they need — fresh clothes, fresh cuts — then bring them to the academy immediately."
"Yes, Master," Vold nodded respectfully as he walked towards Aren and his group.