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## Chapter 6
**The Test of Power**
### Morning at Helios Academy
The sun rose over Helios Academy, its golden rays reflecting off the enchanted spires. Students streamed into the courtyard, chatter filling the air—a mix of excitement, nervousness, and idle gossip. Today was the day of the **Class Advisor's Magic Assessment**, a test to determine each student's power level and magical class.
Rougen Leo adjusted his red-and-gold cloak, his spiky hair messy but his purple-red eyes sharp and alert. He had trained with Horus for months now, practiced daily, and refined both his magic and his physical skills.
Beside him, Zach Yamamoto nudged him. "You ready for this?"
Rougen's lips pressed into a straight line. "I'm ready."
Helten Javier, leaning against the academy's outer wall, smirked. "Try not to burn anything down… or anyone."
Rougen didn't respond. Words were unnecessary; he had learned through silence that actions spoke louder.
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### Teachers and the Advisor
The students were gathered in the **Grand Courtyard**, a circular arena enchanted with protective wards. At the center stood **Professor Lyra Vanthe**, the Head Advisor and class overseer, tall and imposing, with silver hair tied into a tight braid and eyes that glowed faintly with sapphire mana.
"Good morning, students," she announced, her voice calm but commanding. "Today we begin the assessment of your magical strength. This test is not a measure of your personality, nor your potential. It is a measure of your present power and control. Pay attention."
Beside her stood other professors:
* **Professor Talan Draven**, combat magic expert, rugged and stern, wielding dual mana-infused blades.
* **Professor Selene Mirai**, specialist in elemental theory, her robes shifting colors like water, fire, wind, and earth.
* **Professor Kael Rintar**, history and theory, a meticulous man with spectacles that glowed when he analyzed mana.
* **Professor Liora Esten**, enchanting and alchemy, gentle but sharp-eyed, often smiling at students she favored.
Rougen scanned the crowd. The academy was buzzing with excitement: students laughing, showing off minor spells, and whispering about classmates' rumored ranks.
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### Social Dynamics: Friendships and Rivalries
Zach and Helten stayed near Rougen, observing. Around them, students interacted. Girls giggled, boys competed with minor tricks, and the atmosphere was chaotic but alive.
A group of boys—clearly trying to impress—began casting small illusions, which drew laughter from passing girls. Rougen ignored them. Social antics were not his priority, though he noted who had skill and who relied on luck.
Then a sharp, loud voice broke the murmurs.
"Hey! Move it, loser!"
A tall boy with slick black hair and piercing amber eyes, flanked by three followers, shoved a smaller student against the wall.
"Zekky Rufus," Helten muttered. "Expect trouble."
The smaller boy whimpered as Zekky's followers laughed. Rougen's hands curled into fists, a quiet rage rising. He couldn't ignore this.
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### Rougen Intervenes
Zekky sneered. "What's the matter? Too scared to speak?"
Rougen stepped forward. His eyes glowed faintly purple-red. "Leave him alone."
Zekky laughed, thinking Rougen a weak newcomer. "And who are you supposed to be?"
Rougen's hands ignited subtly with controlled flames. His stance was calm, quiet, deadly. "Someone who doesn't like bullies."
The courtyard grew tense. Zekky's three followers moved to surround Rougen, but he moved faster than expected. With a flick of his wrist, a small, precise flame shot between them, scorching the ground at their feet and forcing them back.
Zekky's expression faltered. Before he could recover, Rougen leapt forward, knocking one follower to the ground with a swift punch, while another was thrown off balance by a short fire wave. The third staggered backward, tripping over a fallen student.
"Enough!" Zekky shouted, backing away. "You'll regret this, forest boy!"
Rougen didn't respond. He turned to the small boy Zekky had bullied. "Are you okay?"
The boy nodded, eyes wide. "Y-yes… thank you…"
Rougen's voice was low. "Stay out of trouble. If you can."
The crowd whispered. Many were impressed by Rougen's quiet decisiveness. Even some of the girls—who had been giggling earlier—watched him with interest. Zach grinned. "Looks like we've got a problem-solver in our class."
Helten chuckled. "That's one way to make an impression."
Rougen didn't answer. His eyes scanned the courtyard, already analyzing potential threats and students who might be allies.
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### The Class Advisor's Test
Professor Lyra raised her hands, signaling silence. "We will begin. Each student will perform a series of magical exercises. Your control, strength, and creativity will be evaluated. At the end, your rank will be determined. Follow instructions. Do not interfere with others."
The students lined up. Rougen's mind focused. This wasn't just a test—it was a benchmark for the world. Poor, Normal, Middle, Upper, General, Royal—the hierarchy that Horus had explained. He already knew where he wanted to be.
"First exercise: simple spell projection. You will summon a magical construct based on your personal affinity."
Rougen stepped forward. Fire, instinctively. His flames were precise, forming a miniature phoenix that hovered, wings beating slowly, then burst into sparks without harming the courtyard.
Professor Selene's eyes widened faintly. "Interesting control for someone new…" she muttered.
Next, a mana manipulation task: creating barriers, controlling energy streams. Rougen's training with Horus shone. He layered fire and energy, creating a delicate shield that absorbed incoming magical projectiles from other students' tests without faltering.
Professor Talan nodded approvingly. "Exceptional reflexes and focus."
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### Interactions and Friendships
Throughout the test, Rougen observed others. He met new students:
* **Lira Windfall**, a girl with long silver hair, specializing in wind magic. Quiet but observant, she nodded at Rougen during the tests.
* **Kaito Renn**, a boy slightly older than Rougen, fiery and competitive, but respectful of skill.
* **Mina Velaris**, a cheerful girl who often laughed at harmless pranks but showed unexpected precision in magic.
Rougen didn't speak much, but he noticed them, analyzing potential friends and allies. Zach and Helten stayed nearby, helping Rougen navigate social nuances and minor magical competitions.
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### The Result: Upper Class
After hours of testing, Professor Lyra raised her hand. "All students have completed the assessment. Based on your performance, control, and adaptability, your magical rank will be determined."
Rougen held his breath, standing quietly with Zach and Helten at his sides.
"Rougen Leo," Professor Lyra announced, her voice calm but firm. "Your ability to control elemental mana, adapt to situations, and demonstrate tactical thinking is exceptional for your age. Your rank is…"
"Upper Class."
A hush fell over the crowd. Upper Class for a twelve-year-old newcomer—rare, even extraordinary.
Rougen's eyes reflected the sun and the pride of silent accomplishment. He didn't smile, but internally, he felt Horus' teachings, his forest training, and the memory of his parents converge into this moment.
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### The Aftermath
The courtyard buzzed with whispers. Zekky Rufus scowled, muttering under his breath. His followers avoided Rougen, wary now.
Rougen walked away with Zach and Helten. Zach grinned. "Looks like you just made enemies… and friends."
Helten chuckled. "Upper Class at twelve. That's… impressive. You might just survive this place after all."
Rougen said nothing, letting the words settle. He didn't need validation from anyone—not yet.
But as he walked, he caught a glimpse of Lira, who gave him a small nod. Mina waved cheerfully. Other students observed him quietly, recognizing the quiet, lethal strength in his eyes.
Rougen's mind, sharp as always, cataloged everything: allies, rivals, potential threats. He had entered Helios Academy as a survivor from the forest. Now, he had begun to carve his place in the world of power, magic, and strategy.
And Rougen Leo, cloaked in red and gold, spiky-haired, purple-red-eyed, had no intention of being weak ever again.
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