2. Thrown Out
Two years passed, and now my 16th birthday is just two days away. I have learnt to suppress my mana so I don't attract attention and to mislead people into thinking that I am weak and pathetic.
I have developed my own set of spells viable for both offense and defense. I even collected the coins my father litters around and forgets about.
All these are part of my preparations for the entrance exams of the renowned Parmadon Academy.
It is an academy that trains both mages and magic knights. The main reason I seek to attend it is because of the benefits that come with it. The most important one for me is the resources. They give their students access to a lot of resources.
For most children of low nobility and the common class, it is a dream that may never come true. That's because of the power struggles between the various syndicates in the academy.
All manner of vile crimes are carried out, from bribery to assassination of oppositions. Nobles dominate the academy because of the high quality of their mana cores, gained from spending millions of coins on breathing techniques.
Most low-class families cannot afford such expenses, so their children end up in one of the low-class magic academies — with the exception of geniuses. Magical prodigies that possess magnificent talent. And the one thing Parmadon Academy cherishes the most is talent.
I will soon be 16, and in this kingdom, 16-year-olds are considered adults and are allowed to make decisions without the consent of their guardians. I have been waiting for over two years for this moment.
I better wash these feeders quickly so I can get back to magical practice.
My stepmother is coming this way.
"Good day, madam." I bend my head and greet her.
"Lowlife! I hope you are washing those horses' plates to perfection. Even though you are just a defect, you can at least scrub the dishes of horses." Her voice echoes with mockery.
Slam!
She kicks the plates aside, splashing water on my body.
"Just look at you? Making me stress my unborn baby. I wonder who keeps plates by the road." She shouts loudly, knowing my father is coming towards us.
"Unfortunate child, can't you ever be useful? Don't expect any food today!" he says as he takes his wife away, a smirk on her face.
I pick up the plates and head to the stables.
Now that I'm done washing, it's time to practice some spells.
"Spartial Barrier."
It is a spell that creates a barrier. I can freely manipulate the size.
Up next, "Flame Bullet."
The destructive force has increased. I think it depends on how much mana I concentrate into it.
After the long wait, the day of my 16th birthday has finally arrived.
It's early in the morning — a perfect time for a walk.
While walking, I see the head maid preparing my stepmother's bathing water. She steps away from the tub to get a bucket from the store.
I take something from my pocket and move to put it in the water, but I get caught by my father.
"Hazemuru! You are planning to poison my lovely wife, huh?" he shouts.
"No, no—" I try to explain.
"I disown you. I give you 20 minutes to pack all your belongings from the stables and leave this house," he commands.
I go to the stables and pack my belongings, hiding the coins between them. The guard opens the gate and I step out.
"I never want to see your face here again!" my ex-father exclaims, his wife smirking beside him.
From this moment onwards, my name is no longer Balghmat Hazemuru but now Takeru Sai.
As I walk away from the house, a smile plays across my face.Just as I planned. Now I am no longer bound to that disgraceful family.
It's time to move on to the next phase of the plan. The entrance exams are in a few hours.
I change my tattered clothes and catch a ride to Parmadon Academy. As expected, it looks prestigious.
After passing through the gate, I walk to the registration stand. A long line stands before me, filled with the chatter of aspirants.
"Did you guys hear?" a girl whispers.
"What? What is it?" another girl — most likely her friend — asks.
"The crown prince Liam is going to participate this time," she answers energetically.
"No way. And I was aiming for one of the top spots," the other girl says in disappointment.
"You must be joking! I heard from a reliable source that the crown prince isn't the only genius attending. The Blizzard Witch, the Silent Blade, and the Natural Disaster are all participating too," her voice sounds with vigor.
"Forget the top spot. I give up. There's no way I'm challenging those freaks of nature," the other girl replies.
That's quite the lineup of aliases.
Aliases are given to geniuses that have proven themselves worthy.
It's finally my turn.
"Kid. This isn't a place for commoners. I would recommend that you turn back and abandon whatever crazy dream you have. I have seen many before you fail and scatter. Consider this friendly advice," the registrar says calmly.
From the looks of it, that monocle he wears enables him to gauge the mana of aspirants.
"I see. How much is the registration fee?"
I didn't even flinch. That was nice advice, but unfortunately for him, my mana is severely suppressed right now.
"You are quite the determined one, aren't you? It's 1000 gold coins."
It's even less than I had expected.
"No. 204."
I pay and immediately leave the stand.
"He's quite well put together for his age," he mumbles to himself.
I make my way to the arena and sit down on one of the chairs at the corner.
Bam!
Smoke and fireworks erupt as a woman takes the stage.
[I am the dean of Parmadon Academy. Alice. I don't have any grand speeches for you lot.
The exam is very straightforward. Inflict any form of damage on this Menalium block and you pass. You will all take turns according to your numbers. You will be scored based on the amount of damage you inflict.]
She summons a huge Menalium block to the center of the arena.
Menalium is an incredibly rare metal made from condensed mana material. It is also known for its high resistance to magical attacks — and all attacks in general. Basically indestructible.
[No. 1]
Immediately the number is called, a girl with scarlet hair and crimson eyes steps onto the stage.
"Flames gather and destroy."
I can sense the intensity of her mana from here as she chants —
"Flame Bullet."
She shoots an extremely powerful flame at the Menalium. It pierces deeply, about halfway through.
[10,000 points. No. 1 passes. I am quite impressed young lady]
Who is she?