Chapter 207: Spectacular Performance

David Silverwater’s POV

David sat in the frontmost available seat, just behind the judge's panel. His new friend, Alan, was taking the exam, and David didn't want to miss a moment of it.

When David had first met Alan, he'd viewed him merely as a useful recruit, someone who could bolster his standing in the family. But over the past week, those feelings had begun to shift. While he still hoped to recruit Alan and elevate his own status, he now felt a genuine comfort in Alan's presence. Their conversations flowed freely, unburdened by concerns of status or hidden agendas.

This development surprised David. He'd initially told Alan to drop the "My lord" formality, but he hadn't expected such natural camaraderie to develop between them.

I suppose he's met his fair share of nobles in Arzak, David mused. Still, there aren't many with a status higher than mine in the whole kingdom.

At first, David had been suspicious of Alan's nonchalant attitude. Yet as he spent more time with him, he realized it was simply a unique facet of Alan's personality. Extremely gifted, tenacious, and laser-focused—that was David's assessment of Alan.

Even this high estimation, however, fell short of the reality unfolding before David's eyes.

"I've never seen a junior apprentice cast spells that quickly in my life," Jayden, master of the earth tower and member of the judge panel, sighed in amazement as he watched Alan. "And he hasn't missed a single target."

Alan was unleashing a barrage of fist-sized fireballs at the targets, using both hands with astonishing speed and precision.

"He must be using a multi-cast spell," Floga, master of the fire tower, deduced, her eyes gleaming with barely concealed desire. "Fire Barrage, perhaps? No... The fireballs are too small, and the pace is too rapid for that."

As David absorbed the judges' discussion, a shadow loomed over him. He turned to find an old man with a long beard and a golden robe, staring intently at Alan. The man's eyes shimmered with a golden glint as he observed the apprentice mage's movements.

"That is no multi-cast spell," the old man declared before settling into the seat next to David. With a gentle smile, he added, "I hope you don't mind this old man sitting beside you."

David's face went blank as he recognized the man's identity. Without missing a beat, he shook his head. "Not at all. It would be an honor, Grand Mavis."

"Oh, Lord Mavis," Jayden exclaimed, turning in surprise. "We didn't expect you at this occasion. Please, join us up here."

"It's quite alright," the Grand Mavis chuckled, his voice slightly raspy. "I prefer the view from here."

As Jayden scratched the back of his head, looking uncertain, Floga seized the opportunity to ask, "Lord Mavis, if what that junior is using isn't a multi-cast spell, then what exactly is he doing?"

"You should be able to discern it if you observe his mana paths," Mavis responded, his tone mysterious. "A multi-cast spell like Fire Barrage would have a symmetric activation, wouldn't it?"

Floga furrowed her brow, her eyes flashing golden as she scrutinized Alan. After a moment of contemplation, she gasped. "Ah, this is Dual Casting. The mana paths he's using in his left and right hands are extremely similar, but not identical."

"Dual Casting?" Erune, the water tower's master, asked incredulously. "That's... astonishing. I never expected such a talent to appear so suddenly."

"Keep your hands off him," Floga warned, noticing the greed in Erune's eyes. "He may be talented in all elements, but his heart lies with fire. It's only fitting for him to be my disciple."

"I'm not so sure," Erune replied, eyeing Alan with interest. "Isn't his calm and collected temperament more akin to a water mage?"

David watched, stunned, as the two tower masters vied to claim Alan as their disciple. The scene was so surreal that he wondered if he might be dreaming, but the excited pounding of his heart assured him this was reality.

Thank the gods I met him before he even set foot in the court, David thought. He's now guaranteed to soar to the greatest heights.

"You two should mind your tongues," Veryan, the master of the wind tower and head judge, scolded. "Don't you think it's presumptuous to discuss taking him as your disciple when the Grand Mavis is present?"

At the mention of Mavis, Erune and Floga shivered momentarily before turning to the old man. With a hesitant voice, Floga asked, "Are you planning to take this junior as your disciple, Lord Mavis?"

The ever-jovial old man stroked his long beard before responding, "A year ago, there would have been no question. I would have taken him as a disciple immediately. But now..." Mavis paused, his expression thoughtful. "I'm not certain. I'll have to wait and see."

Hearing these words, both Floga and Erune visibly relaxed, while David sank into deep thought.

A year ago...? Ah, that's when the Grand Mavis took in his latest disciple: the imperial prince Yael. He must be occupied with training him, leaving neither time nor focus for Alan.

David bit his lip as he reached this conclusion. If not for that unfortunate timing, his newly acquired friend might have become a disciple of the Grand Mavis, living in the heart of the imperial family's palace.

No use crying over spilled milk, David chided himself, shaking his head. Even becoming a disciple of Floga or Erune would propel Alan to great heights. With his talents, he could become a tower vice-master in just a decade—a position of immense authority.

"Is he your friend?" the Grand Mavis asked, jolting David from his reverie. "You seem to care about him a great deal."

"Ah, yes, I suppose you could call us that," David replied, instinctively scratching his head. "We met just a week ago when he came to the court. We've been practicing together ever since."

"I see, so he's a new recruit. He did look quite young," Mavis observed, his gaze fixed intently on Alan. "I find myself growing more interested in this young man by the minute. He's full of surprises."

As if on cue, Alan struck the final target. All the dummies crumbled instantly, disappearing into specks of colorful dust at the staff's command.

"Congratulations," Veryan announced. "You've struck all of the 'O' marked targets without hitting any of the 'X' marked ones. Your completion time is one minute and fifty-six seconds. You've demonstrated admirable speed and precision, and as such, you pass this stage of the exam."

  *

Thorian's POV

With most of his high-tier skills unusable in the second task, Thorian had decided to return to basics. Using his upgraded fire manipulation, he conjured small fireballs much faster than he could cast normal skills. This technique also afforded him better control over their size and trajectory, allowing him to strike the 'O' marked dummies precisely without worrying about any splashing damage grazing the ‘X’ marked ones. Employing this method alongside dual casting, Thorian breezed through the second task with ease.

As he stood center-stage listening to Veryan's congratulatory speech, Thorian couldn't help but feel fortunate that he had focused on elemental manipulation techniques for the past few weeks.

Without Tza'har's guidance and help, I wouldn't have reached this level so quickly. I owe him for this result.

"Now it is time for your third and final task of this exam," Veryan announced, drawing Thorian's attention. "This last part tests an integral quality for every mage: Power. While versatility and casting speed are important, they matter little if your spells themselves are weak."

Veryan exchanged a meaningful look with Jayden, prompting him to join the staff in preparing the next task. Turning back to Thorian, he explained, "Four fortified stone walls will be raised before you. Your task is to pierce through them with the strongest magical attack in your arsenal. Penetrating even one wall will suffice for you to pass this exam."

Thorian frowned at these words, not out of concern for the task, but due to a strategic dilemma.

Should I reveal my strongest attack now? Would that be wise? Thorian pondered this decision as Jayden and the staff raised one stone wall after another to his left. Yet as his gaze swept over the panel of tower masters and the mysterious old man seated behind them, his worries dissipated.

No. Now is not the time for caution. I need to deliver an extraordinary performance to be considered as a disciple by one of the tower masters.

"The final task of the exam begins now!" Veryan's announcement was met with an eruption of cheers from the crowd, startling Thorian.

Gripping his staff, Thorian turned toward his target. The fortified stone walls reached skyward, their ascent halted only by the magical barrier. Each wall measured two meters thick, a testament to the high standards required to become a senior apprentice of the mage court.

Yet Thorian remained unfazed. He had spent the entire day experimenting with various combinations of variant skills, searching for the perfect formula. After hours of trial and error, he had finally devised a suitable combination and honed his timing to execute it consistently.

Taking a deep breath, Thorian raised his staff and silently intoned, Spinning Galeforce Spear.

The crowd fell silent as a shockwave emanated from Thorian. Wind gathered from every corner within the barrier's perimeter, coalescing into a mighty air spear. The Galeforce spun with immense momentum, gaining speed with each rotation. Thorian had no doubt that this skill alone would pierce through one of the fortified stone walls.

However, he was not done yet. Just as he judged that the Galeforce spear had reached a high enough spinning speed, he casted his next spell. Fire Arrow.

As the Fire Arrow merged with the Spinning Galeforce Spear, a brilliant display of elemental fusion unfolded before the crowd. The air spear now blazed with intense, swirling flames, its form elongating and sharpening into a colossal, fiery drill.

Thorian's eyes narrowed in concentration, sweat beading on his brow as he struggled to maintain control over the volatile combination. The heat emanating from the spell was so intense that it started burning Thorian’s skin, even with all of his resistances.

With a final, decisive motion, Thorian thrust his staff forward, directing his creation towards the imposing stone wall. The Flaming Galeforce Spear shot forth with incredible speed, leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake.

As it made contact with the wall, the spinning motion of the spear coupled with its intense heat began to bore into the stone before destroying it in seconds. It then continued unabated, crashing into the second wall.

With a thunderous boom, the second wall crumbled. The third followed suit, unable to withstand the relentless assault. Debris flew everywhere, contained only by the shimmering magical barrier.

Sweat poured down Thorian's face as he watched the scene, not daring to blink. The spell, though weakening, barreled towards the fourth and final wall. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed the wall might hold. Then, with a resounding crack, it too shattered.