Chapter 103: Minor Elder
Without any surprises, Xifrin and Trodeu were the first ones to arrive at the Space Station. They did that before anyone else even reached half of the climbing distance. Well... anyone but Linfel, who was already on the 750km mark by the time the first Level Four Maguses and Familiars arrived at the 500km.
There was a private room inside a different Space Station from where Linfel's group was taking their test. There, a woman watched the examiners climbing the Space Elevator with curiosity. Her name was Alexandra, a minor elder of the Ventis Sect.
All the planets that had exams of the Ventis Sect had to have at least one Minor Elder or someone more important overseeing the entire process. They might be Maguses, or they might be Familiars. Alexandra, obviously, was a Magus. And, for this round, Alexandra was the one in charge.
One might imagine that Alexandra was paying attention to Xifrin and Trodeu. After all, they were the only Level Five Magus and Familiar taking part in this test. However, that wasn't the case. Instead, her eyes were focused on a certain Familiar who was climbing alone, far ahead of all the other groups. 'That's quite a weird Familiar.
Only level three but already has such enormous Magic Energy Reserves and Control.'
She didn't care too much about Xifrin and Trodeu. The reason was simple. On this planet, it might look impressive that Xifrin and Trodeu made it to Level Five before the age of seventeen. However, when you take the countless planets inside the Ventis Sect Territory, Level Five Maguses and Familiars weren't anything uncommon.
If anything, most of the new disciples accepted by the Ventis Sect ended up being at Level Five or Level Four. There were even cases where the Maguses and Familiars were already at Level Six when they took the exam, although you would not find such geniuses on an isolated planet like this one. Rarely did someone at Level Three join them.
Alexandra smiled as she checked Linfel's Magic Energy Output score. 'This is the weirdest part. How are his Magic Channels not bursting apart with such an output? No doubt, the materials used to create this Familiar were very rare and expensive.'
She then looked back at the screen as Linfel flew through the drones' attacks and cut through the wind element with ease. 'Yet, the materials matter little. What is truly impressive is his soul. If the soul can't match the level of the core, the expensive core would be nothing but a waste of good materials. Linfel's soul, however, truly makes full use of the amazing core he possesses.
It is rare to find such Familiars on a planet like this one.'
Right after, Alexandra's screen changed. The images of the Maguses' groups appeared, specifically the furthest group which was basically made of Level Four Maguses. Yet, the camera quickly zoomed into someone, and Alvin's image was shown. Alvin was the only Level Three Magus in there.
'Not as impressive as the Familiar called Linfel, but still not too bad. His score in Magic Energy Output is over 700, even though he is still at Level Three. Even better, he seems to know how to use it properly. He has been keeping the pace of the Level Four Maguses in the front group until now. He must have received quite some good training regarding Magic Energy Conservation and Circulation.'
Alexandra continued to check the information regarding Linfel and Alvin. 'So they are Magus and Familiar duo... Oh! Alvin already allowed Linfel to take the Independent Familiar Test. That's quite unexpected. Pretty much no Magus would allow his Familiar to go independent when they are that good.
Nonetheless, they seem to still be together, so I guess they trust each other that much. Whether it is a good thing or not can only be seen in the future, though.'
After thinking for a moment, Alexandra pressed a few options on her screen. Linfel and Alvin's names changed color before the options closed. 'Let's see how things will work out.'
Alvin almost fell when the first gust of Wind Element hit him. However, he controlled his Magic Energy and pulled himself in the Space Elevator's direction again. "Phew... that was close."
*pew, pew, pew...*
The drones didn't stop attacking, though. Alvin quickly moved and seemed to have become a target. The drones followed him for a few seconds before finally changing to another target. Seeing that he was in the clear, Alvin sighed in relief. "The people who programmed those drones are truly merciless. The moment I lost my grip, the drones focused on me, trying to make sure I would fall."
*Ahhhhhh...*
*Nooooo!!!*
Several Level Four Maguses fell by Alvin, having been shot or thrown away by the wind. Sure enough, Alvin wasn't the only one the Drones targeted when they saw someone losing their grip. Not long after, more rays of yellow light shot from the planet's surface, catching those Maguses. They were disqualified.
Alvin looked down, feeling a little concerned. 'Milia shouldn't be far behind. Perhaps I should wait here to warn her about the changes...'
However, Alvin quickly shook his head and pressed forward. 'Milia would probably kick my ass if I tried to do such a thing.'
Alvin was right. It wasn't that Milia would never ask for help. She wasn't an idiot who thought she could do everything alone. However, this exam was all about individual power, or, in this case, dual power, since she was climbing with Nori while connected. Receiving help wasn't prohibited, but it wouldn't look well in the eyes of the others.
Twenty-two minutes later, Milia reached the wind challenge. She was a serious girl, so she never dropped her guard. Besides, Nori always kept an eye out for the drones that kept attacking and noticed the new ones. When the wind appeared, Milia and Nori were prepared and managed to keep their grip and balance.
"This is good," Nori commented.
"Indeed," Milia agreed. "We can probably gain a few positions if we are careful. Let's keep the good pace."
Time passed, and the third competitor finally arrived at the Space Station. Linfel passed through the barrier, separating the empty space and the Station, taking a look around. He was alone in the waiting area. Xifrin and Trodeu were in other Space Elevators, so he had the whole room for himself. "Well... I guess I can only wait now."