“In previous years, Lord Osaran would come to preside over the event. Since it’s been changed to his disciple this year, it seems Lord Osaran’s health is truly failing as the years go by,” the blue-robed man said with a look of regret.
“From your tone, it sounds like this isn’t your first time participating in the test?”
Qiaolin asked curiously.
“Not many, I’ve only come three times, but I failed every single one without exception.”
Seeing Qiaolin chuckle softly, the man assumed he was being mocked.
He jabbed a thumb toward the badge on his chest and said, “Hmph, even an Intermediate Mage like me has a hard time passing. Let alone a Magic Apprentice like you! You should just go home!”
“Even if I’m eliminated, I’ll still be going home. It doesn’t hurt to wait a bit longer.”
Just as Qiaolin finished speaking, the voice of Karl, Saloran’s prized disciple, rang out across the arena.
“For the first test, the Mana Measuring Stone will measure each mage’s mana capacity. As long as the height displayed reaches over 6 feet, you will pass. Please, competitors, find the stone pillar corresponding to your number.”
Qiaolin followed the number on his card and walked to his Mana Measuring Stone.
As luck would have it, that same blue-robed mage was lined up right next to him.
“Heh, don’t tell me you’ve never seen one of these before. Do you want me to teach you how to use it?” he laughed.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve never seen one. It’s the most basic instrument for mana capacity assessment. As long as the value reaches 3 feet, one has the talent to become a mage.”
“Then I expect you’ll stop right there. Someone your age who is still a Preparatory Mage… even if you’re intentionally hiding your strength, playing the pig to eat the tiger, you’ll reach 4 feet at most. This is because 5 feet is the standard for a High-rank Mage, while 7 feet is the level of a Grand Mage. People like that don’t even need to take this kind of test; the Empire focuses on nurturing them, and they can naturally browse most of the magic in the Imperial Library. Anything above 7 feet means possessing talent comparable to Karl or Lord Saolan!”
“Is… Is it really that impressive?”
Hearing the blue-robed mage’s words, Qiaolin put on a look of surprise, which only served to make the other man more smug.
“It’s not too late to back out now, kid. Don’t embarrass yourself when the Mana Measuring Stone only goes up 3 or 4 feet.”
“Haha, thanks for the concern.”
Qiaolin gave a few dry laughs.
In reality, the standards for the Mana Measuring Stone the man mentioned were only for children under 12 years old, as that was usually when mana awakened.
Mana capacity could grow with age, though talent would limit the ultimate upper bound of that capacity.
Looking around, the place was filled with people of significant age.
At the very least, he couldn’t see many young people who looked under 20 years old like he did.
Therefore, it was likely inappropriate to define these old veterans by the mana capacity of beginners.
The blue-robed mage was the first to press his palm against the stone pillar.
As he injected mana, he immediately felt a surge of resistance.
As the mana continued to pour into the Mana Measuring Stone, a light glowed from the bottom and climbed upward, finally stopping at 6 feet.
“Huff, huff… See that? This is my true strength.”
After completing the task, the blue-robed mage was panting for breath.
He had exerted all his effort to prove his status as an Intermediate Mage to Qiaolin.
Qiaolin raised an eyebrow at the sight.
The man’s level was indeed mediocre for a 2-crown level mage.
Suddenly, a burst of startled cries erupted from the middle of the arena.
“Heavens, it’s 8 feet!”
People’s eyes focused on a purple-haired woman.
She looked to be about 30 years old.
Qiaolin estimated she was likely around the 4-crown level, which was already quite good.
*Hum—*
A buzzing sound rang out.
This was a sign that the Mana Measuring Stone was nearing the limit of what it could contain.
A brilliant white light climbed rapidly, catching everyone’s attention.
“9 feet! 9.5 feet! It’s still rising!”
It stopped just 1 inch short of the 10-foot peak!
The participant was an old man in simple clothes.
Though not as old as Saloran, his face was weather-beaten, making it clear he had been cultivating diligently in seclusion.
“So many monsters are appearing this time? Luckily, there’s no limit on the number of slots…”
The blue-robed man breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, Qiaolin also pressed his palm against the stone pillar.
In an instant, a powerful suction pulled from within, and his mana began to be drained uncontrollably.
‘What’s going on?’
Qiaolin remembered that one only needed to slowly inject mana into the Mana Measuring Stone.
He had used one once before, but that was back when he had first become the Hero.
A long time had passed since then.
Speaking of which, since when did the Mana Measuring Stone actively absorb mana?
Qiaolin continued to inject mana according to the procedure.
A faint white light sluggishly rose from the bottom of the pillar.
The blue-robed mage watching the show was stunned.
“Half a foot?”
“Pfft—”
Seeing this, the blue-robed mage burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Are you joking, little brother? It only rose half a foot? Are you sure your qualification as a Preparatory Mage is real?”
The people around them also noticed the slowly rising white light on Qiaolin’s Mana Measuring Stone, as if they were witnessing a novel thing they had never seen before.
“So there really are people here just to make up the numbers. It seems the screening at the Reception Hall was too lax.”
“There’s no point in faking it, man. You can forge a badge, but mana capacity can’t lie!”
Sitting in the audience, Gabriela saw the pillar in front of Qiaolin and scratched her head in confusion.
‘Is that Mana Measuring Stone broken?’
Ignoring the laughter coming from all sides, Qiaolin felt that the stone was a bit strange.
He decided to slightly increase the mana injection.
Immediately—
*VROOM!*
The sudden explosion of sound was incredibly piercing.
It was so loud that it actually ruptured the eardrums of the blue-robed mage standing closest to it.
“Aaaagh!”
Everyone on the field covered their ears, and even the people in the audience stands couldn’t stand the noise.
The white light on the stone pillar surged upward with violent speed.
Before anyone could see the displayed height, the Mana Measuring Stone let out a loud *BANG* and shattered into pieces.
“Whoa?!”
Qiaolin shook his hand, clearly startled by the sudden explosion of the stone.
‘I haven’t used one in hundreds of years. Have Mana Measuring Stones become this temperamental now?’
The scene instantly fell into a deathly silence, save for the blue-robed mage rolling on the ground while clutching his ears.
“Uh… anyway, Heal.”
Qiaolin reached out his hand. He didn’t even bother to chant.
A golden light shot into the blue-robed mage, and his injured ears began to gradually recover.
“You… what did you do?”
He stared at Qiaolin with a face full of terror.
“Do you mean this shattered stone, or…”
Qiaolin picked up a fragment of the Mana Measuring Stone and said, “Your ears?”
At that moment, up on the high platform, Karl looked down at the accident that had occurred below.
His brow furrowed deeply.
“Just who is that guy?” he muttered, his voice filled with wariness.
“Arrange a normal Mana Measuring Stone for him.”
Karl summoned an attendant and gave the order before immediately turning to leave.