Ch 63 - Shattered Hopes

Taking my place within the red circle, the first trial commenced. Two colossal slabs of walls emerged from the ground, positioning themselves on either side, enclosing me within it.

In an instant, the walls trembled with energy, unleashing a torrent of vibrant blue light that fell on me like a spotlight. The moment the rays touched my body, a delightful warmth spread throughout every fiber of my being.

The sensation of the blue light was akin to basking in the sunlight. However, there was a unique quality to it as if the rays were permeating our skin and seeping into the depths of our bodies. It evoked a sensation comparable to sipping a warm drink on a chilly day, enveloping us with a comforting warmth from within.

The towering slabs of walls started their mesmerizing dance, swirling around me in a graceful rotation. The motion created a whirlwind of blurred images, momentarily obscuring the view before me. As the walls revolved, the constant beam of light scanned every nook and corner of my body. This spectacle lasted for half a minute before the walls finally stopped and receded back into the ground.

With a sense of anticipation, I shifted my gaze toward the floating cylindrical fountain screen. I held my head high, filled with confidence, as I eagerly awaited the unveiling of the results that were about to astound everyone.

However, amidst the positive atmosphere, Grandmaster Hamanthra's angry glares continued to be directed at me. It seemed as though she harbored a deep resentment for the events that occurred earlier.

Even if the other grandmasters had started favoring me, it's still best not to get on the bad side of the Starlight Nexus as a whole. Aside from pouty Hamanthra, the Starlight Nexus itself was the second most powerful academy just after the Bloodfire Academy.

Initially, the Starlight Nexus had been my second choice in case I couldn't secure a place at Bloodfire. But now it won’t be an option anymore.

The outcome of the first trial unfolded before my eyes on the grand floating cylindrical fountain. As I observed the display, I witnessed my silhouette adorned with intricate mana veins, gracefully traversing across my entire body. That was a sign of a healthy mage for sure. It looked better than Hendrickson’s meridians for sure, at least I think so.

“That’s a healthy body. Too healthy I should say,” said Gunther with his eyes furrowed.

A smile appeared on my face.
Yes, I am better than Hendrickson.

"He even has mana capillaries connecting his meridians, indeed he is too healthy for his own kind" added Grandmaster Pierre.

I am confused. Why are the grandmasters starting to act so fishy?
Am I too good that they can’t believe their eyes?

“That’s certainly odd. Mana capillaries shouldn’t manifest until the age of 14 and with rigorous training. Are you sure he’s 12 years old?” asked Grandmaster Messindra.

Head mage Sigurd stood up from his chair,

“Yes, we have performed a thorough background check. I can assure you the credibility of our reports.”

As the grandmasters fixed their skeptical gazes upon me, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach. Had they somehow discovered my true age? Doubt and uncertainty clouded my mind, leaving me in a state of confusion. Should I be worried about their suspicions?

The atmosphere in the room took a sudden turn, becoming more serious and tense. I found myself completely lost in the conversation happening among the grandmasters. Their words seemed cryptic, and I struggled to comprehend their underlying meaning.

Gunther, perhaps sensing my confusion, let out a sigh and broke the silence.

"Well, alright," he said with a hint of resignation, "It's no wonder the first-tier candidates are always the ones with peculiarities that catch your attention, head mage Sigurd."

A wave of satisfaction washed over the grandmasters, and they seemed genuinely pleased with the outcome. Their eyes held a newfound respect as they looked at me, acknowledging my results.

"As expected from the courageous lad!" Ajax chimed in with a booming voice, his enthusiasm filling the room.

However, Biswaq couldn't resist dampening the mood with his remark. He interrupted the positive atmosphere, questioning my lack of ability.

"But with such a healthy body, shouldn't he be able to manifest his abilities already?" he interjected, his tone laced with skepticism. "He should at least show some signs, but it seems he's oblivious to it."

His words were met with agreement from the other grandmasters, who began nodding in unison.

"It is indeed peculiar that he hasn't exhibited any abilities," Messindra chimed in, her eyes shining with intrigue. "Perhaps he belongs to the psychic mage category, his potential yet to be unlocked."

As she looked at me, a smile formed beneath her hoodie. I could sense her excitement. If I did fall into the psychic category, the Mind's Eye would be a tempting choice. However, deep down, I had a gut feeling that it wouldn't be the case for me.

Moving on to the next trial, I stood before the metallic tree. Its hollowed center emitted an eerie dark mist, giving the impression of a portal to another dimension.

With a signal from the phantom mage host, I rolled up my sleeves and inserted both my arms into the hollow. The spaciousness inside allowed for freedom of movement, but an unusual burnt-like smell permeated the air.

Feeling secure in my position, I was then prompted to begin forming a mana orb with my hands submerged in the hollow. It seemed like a relatively simple task, so I followed the instructions. Drawing upon the memory of creating mana, I concentrated the energy within my body, channeling it into the palms of my hands to shape the orb.

However, as soon as I formed the mana orb, I sensed a peculiar sensation. It felt as though the mana was being absorbed and forcibly drawn out from my hands. It was akin to the feeling of a person losing bodily functions when losing blood. The drain was palpable as my mana was forcefully extracted by the metallic tree.

The branches of the metallic tree extended in all directions, reaching far and wide. Thousands of leaves sprouted and adorned the branches, while vibrant flowers bloomed and withered in rapid succession. As they faded away, small fruits emerged, growing in their place.

With each passing moment, my knees grew weaker, and a drowsy sensation overcame me. It was challenging to observe the details of my results from my current position, as my face was mere inches away from the trunk of the tree.

After a while, the mist surrounding the tree dissipated, and my arms were released. I rose to my feet, though maintaining balance proved difficult. Fortunately, the phantom mage approached me and poured a potion over me. In a matter of seconds, I felt revitalized, my mana reserves replenished.

As I surveyed the outcome, I noticed that my mana tree had grown into a sizable specimen. While the leaves were large, they were slightly smaller than Hendrickson's tree. However, the fruits that had developed were substantial, nearly the size of my head. Their triangular shape and rigid outer surface resembled coconuts, but they bore an unfamiliar appearance.

But most importantly, the size of my fruit surpassed that of Hendrickson's!

That's what truly mattered.

With a confident smile, I directed my gaze toward Hendrickson and the others. I couldn't resist flaunting my superiority over those second-tier candidates who had acted so arrogantly earlier. Their expressions twisted into frustration, seemingly realizing that I was rubbing it in.

"A remarkable tree, almost on par with Hendrickson's," praised Gunther.

The other grandmasters joined in, offering their commendations for my results.

However, the celebration was interrupted by a question from Biswaq, "But what kind of fruit is that? I've never seen anything like it before."

Biswaq really had to be a thorn in my side, questioning everything I did. Who cared about the fruit anyway? That's what I wanted to shout out loud, but I managed to hold back my urge to yell.

The other grandmasters remained silent, clearly unfamiliar with the fruit as well.

"That's the Aguvare, a tropical fruit that only grows in the Jarla Forest," chimed in Casia.

"I never knew you were an expert on fruits, Lady Casia," remarked Hamanthra, her tone laced with mockery.

Casia simply shrugged her shoulders. "I'm no fruit expert, but I recognized it as an Aguvare because it's a valuable fruit with medicinal properties. We import a significant amount of these fruits for the production of medicines and potions, so we're quite knowledgeable about them. They're only found in the Jarla Forest and are highly sought after by healers."

So, that meant the fruits were both rare and expensive. It further validated the superiority of my results compared to Hendrickson's. I couldn't help but grin in satisfaction.

The grandmasters exchanged a few glances among themselves but didn't say much. I could sense that they were somewhat taken aback by my impressive performance.

As we moved on to the third trial, I positioned myself in front of the exoskeleton, ready to take on the next challenge.

Cracking my knuckles, I confidently approached the intimidating exoskeleton.

As I got closer, I could examine the eerie contraption up close. Its structure was far from resembling a human skeleton, with an array of bones arranged in a peculiar manner. The exoskeleton's back was covered in metallic plating, and there were gemstones hidden within its ribcage. Though the bones obscured my view, the faint glow emanating from the gemstones could be glimpsed through the gaps.

With caution, I placed my hands on the exoskeleton's back. In an instant, the ribcage began to rotate, enclosing my hands and locking them in place.

As the exoskeleton came to life, rising upright and straightening its back, a surge of excitement coursed through me. While others might feel fear in the presence of such a creature, I was eager to discover my true abilities. The moment of revelation was finally at hand.

Thoughts raced through my mind as I eagerly anticipated the results. Which academy would I choose? What kind of training would I pursue based on my abilities? The highest likelihood seemed to be that I would inherit my mother's flame mage genes, granting me control over fire. It was a power I had always admired and longed to possess.

However, there was also a chance I could be a transmutant mage, with the ability to transform into monstrous forms. As the former Demon Overlord, I had experienced the thrill of assuming a ferocious horned demon shape and wreaking havoc upon my enemies. The thought of tapping into that power again intrigued me.

On the other hand, psychic abilities held a certain enigma and unpredictability. Even if I possessed such abilities, mastering them could take a lifetime of dedication. Perhaps it would be best to steer clear of the complexities of psychic magic.

Lost in my contemplations, I was now fully focused on the exoskeleton, eager to see what it held in store for me.

In response to my actions, the exoskeleton began emanating a radiant green light, enveloping its entire body. The grandmasters displayed a range of expressions, reflecting a mixture of contemplation and subtle disappointment. Some released weary sighs, while others simply nodded in acknowledgment.

Is this all? I couldn't help but feel a pang of dissatisfaction. I had anticipated more remarkable results, hoping for them to be blown away with-

Suddenly a chirring sound emanated from the exoskeleton as something was about to happen.
I focused my attention on astonishment as small fleshy parts emerged from within, wrapping themselves around the bones. The exoskeleton was gradually being infused with living, sentient flesh. It was a sight I had never witnessed before, especially considering that other transmutant mages had never reported such a phenomenon.

A sudden realization washed over me—I possessed the abilities of a transmutant mage. However, unlike others who had undergone the trial, my power manifested in a unique manner. While most transmutant mages experienced transformations that altered the external appearance of their skeletal structures, never before had flesh grown upon the exoskeleton during the trial. It was an unexpected and extraordinary twist, setting me apart from my counterparts.

A wide smile stretched across my face as I came to terms with the fact that I possessed exceptional abilities as a transmutant mage. Although I had initially expected to be a fire elemental mage, I embraced the revelation of being a transmutant mage with enthusiasm. The trial was not yet over, and there was still a chance that I could possess a second affinity, perhaps even the coveted element of fire. Filled with optimism, I eagerly anticipated the trial continued.

The grandmasters observed our interaction with keen interest, their expressions serious and contemplative. The exoskeleton was now covered in flesh that almost resembled its muscles. Although the process of flesh regeneration had slowed down quite a lot. Although there was small tiny meat flesh appearing and reconstructing on the skeleton.

It almost felt like this exoskeleton might come alive any second.

"What a surprising turn of events," muttered Grandmaster Biswaq.

"Look at that potent life energy. It even managed to bypass the seal and regenerate that monster’s flesh. Should we be concerned?" Pierre asked, glancing at Sigurd.

"No need to worry. We have a rune in place as a fail-safe in case such a thing were to occur," Sigurd reassured with confidence, “Although I never expected to see such a vigorous life energy in the hands of such a young boy before.”

"So there's a fail-safe. Then I don’t have to pull out the big guns," Pierre commented while letting out a breath of relief.

“Despite the fail-safety, we should never use such a thing for the ascension trials,” added Biswaq, letting out a sigh.

"I must admit, I had hoped for him to possess psychic ability," expressed Messindra with a tinge of disappointment.

"Well, I had expected him to possess fire elemental magic, but it seems healer it is. How disappointing," Grandmaster Travis voiced his dissatisfaction while glaring at Manager Bervice. Bervice and the red-haired lady beside him both lowered their gazes, displaying a sense of shame.

Hang on a second…

"Let's give the kid some credit. With such a remarkable abundance of pure life energy, his future as a healer looks promising. We can assign him to our best support unit, allowing the frontline battle mages to focus on offense without any concerns," Gunther suggested.

As I listened to their conversation in disbelief, confusion washed over me. Life energy? Support unit? Healer? What on earth were they talking about?

They surely are not talking about me, I am a transmutant mage…

Wait a minute...

A sudden realization struck me.

I recalled the poor girls who also exhibited a green glow on their exoskeletons, indicating an affinity for life energy. They were labeled as healers. At the time, I didn't pay much attention to their abilities, as I had no interest in healing or caring for others. Their paths seemed inconsequential to me… at least I did back then.

Desperation gripped me as I refused to accept this reality. This had to be some kind of sick joke, a cruel twist of fate.

No fucking way I am the same as those girls!

I don’t have the healing ability, do I?

This must be some fucking joke.

I am a former Demon Overlord who is known for death and destruction.
Healing? Life energy? That is so not in character at all!

"No wonder the poor lad wasn't able to display his abilities as a healer," Lady Casia chimed in, wearing a knowing smile. "There were no injured candidates left after the blessing ritual as the divine flames had healed every one. How could he have demonstrated his healing ability under such circumstances?"

"Ah, that explains everything," Biswaq muttered, nodding in agreement.

That's when suddenly,

“Thankfully he has a second affinity as well,” muttered some grandmaster.

With every word that spouted, I could hear my dreams and plans shattering.
Is this some nightmare, I wanna wake up already!

But then, a glimmer of hope emerged.

“The kid possesses a second affinity as well,” muttered one of the grandmasters.

My attention shifted to the skeletal hands of the exoskeleton. To my surprise, a large, pointy black stick emerged from its arm, sprouting smaller, pointy sticks resembling a tiny tree. And just like that, small leaves began to appear on its branches, forming a miniature tree that blossomed within its grasp.

"Ah, the second affinity is tree magic," marveled Pierre.

“Tree magic is an excellent element for defense, particularly for healers. They can use it for defense and then escape from their enemies," added Gunther, nodding his head.

As the exoskeleton opened its ribcage and released my arm, I found myself free from its grasp. However, I couldn't care less about being liberated at that moment.

Healing, defense, and running away from the enemy—these were the abilities bestowed upon me. A profound departure from the grandiose plans I had envisioned for myself.

The grandmasters continued to shower me with praise, emphasizing the power of my life energy. But their words fell on deaf ears, as I was preoccupied with unraveling the tangled mess of my shattered aspirations.

The concept of healing ability and plant magic, both falling into the support category, clashed with my identity as a battle-driven Demon Overlord. In our world, relying on support skills was considered a sign of weakness and brought shame upon the battle-hungry demons. As a leader who thrived on power and destruction, my focus had always been on offensive tactics and asserting dominance on the battlefield.

Now I am being classified as a talented support class healer mage.

I never even made friends let alone work with a team.

Following my trial, the grandmasters extended several invitations to me. Each one carried the same message, emphasizing their commitment to honing my abilities and teaching me defensive skills essential for the survival of a healer on the battlefield. Some even enticed me with the opportunity to acquire skills in trapping enemies and executing daring escapes. However, none of their offers managed to captivate my interest. The notion of delving deeper into the realm of support magic and adopting a defensive role held little appeal to me. I remained unmoved by their words, feeling a profound disconnection between their proposals and my own desires and aspirations.

Lady Casia approached me and presented her invitation. Unlike the others, her offer focused solely on sharing her extensive knowledge of healing and plant-related magic, aiming to shape me into a skilled and talented healer. Her invitation was direct and to the point, without mentioning survival or escape strategies like the rest of them.

Surprisingly, I didn't receive any invitations from Bloodfire, Starlight Nexus, Arcane Forge, or Mind's Eye. However, Biswaq's Radiant Sanctum unexpectedly sent me an invitation as well.

I descended from the stage and joined my fellow 2nd tier candidates, feeling disinterested in deciding which invitations to choose. My mind was still grappling with the reality of my current situation.

It all felt like a surreal nightmare, and I attempted to pinch myself to wake up. However, the pain affirmed that this was, in fact, a harsh reality.