Wallace waited again for his turn to have his physical data recorded.

Some of the magicians in line recognized him as he waited quite a while near the gate as Clyne validated his information somewhere.

"I heard that it was alright to consume drugs to enhance your physical prowess and even your mana affinity but there's a point where a magician consumed too much and ruined their body's potential." One of the magicians in front of him said.

They were trying to find a reason why these tests were required.

"Right, it means that they could no longer progress. Exhausting your life potential just to gain a quick boost in your body is not a good trade at all."

"It seems that even though they said that they will still accept those who used drugs, what they meant was that only those that still possess potential even after consuming the drugs."

"Mhm... I agree with that but what amazes me here was that they were capable of detecting whether a magician used drugs and other enhancements or not."

"That's a Grand Arcanist for you. Anyway, I remember that when Sir Slaine had taken his third and fourth apprentice, it wasn't this complex. I wonder what's on their mind now." The last sentence was said in a low voice as the magician tried not to be heard by the Grand Arcanist's personnel. After all, he might be accused of questioning his method of selection.

There were cases for those high-ranking officials to be easily offended with those words alone and as he wasn't sure of Grand Arcanist's attitude, he had to be careful.

Wallace heard everyone's words and confirmed that this medical examination seems to be really important. He felt that for an apprentice of a Grand Arcanist, their future must reach a level of Arcanist and if not, it would only be a taint under the Grand Arcanist's name.

After about 10 minutes, Wallace's medical examinations started.

Age: 15

Gender: Male

Height: 170 cm

Weight: 60 kg

Hair Color: Gray

Eye Color: Black

Blood Type: O

Civil Status: Single

Nationality: Zairusian

Occupation: 2nd Year at Leonhearts Magic Academy

Recommendation Letter: None

Body Modifications: None

Enhancements Drugs Consumed: None

Registered Original Mana Artifacts and Magic Structures: Magic Jammer Canceller, Float Drive System, Traceless Oscillation (Simplified Structure), Echo Blast (Simplified Structure), Compact Mananuclear Reactor (Unstable Version)

Unregistered Original Mana Artifacts and Magic Structures: Laser Focus, Completed Versions of Traceless Oscillation, Echo Blast, and Stable Version of CMR.

Affiliation: None

Family:

...

...

Overall Potential Rating: 89/100

Wallace answered a few more questions about himself before getting the result of the overall potential rating.

'They might as well ask for my favorite food or color.' Wallace thought after answering some personal questions.

'They can't detect the enhancement I received from the Pathfinder, huh.'

An hour more had passed and all applicants had been tested. It seems that there are no longer any applicants as the gate was already closed.

All the results of blood tests were being shown after three to five minutes so it was very quick.

It seems to be very important as well since all the blood that was being collected was later used to drop in a certain thumb-sized crystal after being tested for drugs or enhancements consumptions.

Wallace wasn't sure what were the crystals for but he wasn't in a hurry to ask. It better to wait in this situation.

Now, only about 600 young magicians from 13-18 years old were left. The number was actually quite small compared to what Wallace had imagined.

He expected to have them numbered at least double that due to the number who applied for the test.

"Alright, everyone that has remained until now passed the qualifications and medical examinations. But its not over yet, this is just the first part of body examinations. Next, you will be joining the others below." Clyne announced after gathering the 610 Mana technicians.

"Below?"

Everyone unconsciously looked below but they only see the grass on their feet.

"Yes, follow me."

Clyne said before leading them to a building connected to the main house. As they entered, they realized that the building was made of wood but enhanced with powerful protection magic.

Soon, Clyne reached the center of the wide and empty building. He pressed something on the ground before a bright light came out blinding everyone that was not prepared.

As they opened their eyes, a stair going down appeared on the ground that Clyne had pressed.

They were awed not by the changes in the structure but because of the concealment that was used. All of them have some kind of detectors or scanner but they hadn't realized that there was a hidden stairway there.

Apparently, they were allowed to bring their own Mana Artifacts in this place and were even free to use them.

The walked down for about five minutes before reaching the underground base below the manor.

"Huge!"

The applicants exclaimed seeing the large area in this underground facility. The place was also partly filled by workers and other applicants. They were most likely the recommended mana technicians by those Arcane Artificer registered at the Congress.

Their number wasn't that small as there were about 400 of them inside already.

"Wow! Isn't this place some kind of secret place or something?"

"That's right. There's a thousand of us here and only five will be selected. Is it really wise to reveal this place to us?"

"Maybe this place is not very important so they are fine with it."

"Or maybe they wouldn't let anyone alive leave this place."

"Hah... You're watching too many movies."

There weren't any seats as the young mana technicians outside stood together with the recommended individuals.

Clyne stood on the stage at the front as he eyed everyone who had passed the examination.

"Only those with a potential rating of 80 and above were allowed to be here. It means that you guys have above average potentials in your generation. You all know that we only require five apprentices under Sir Slaine this time and there are 1,035 applicants present here."

Clyne paused for a bit as the sound of murmurs were heard in the crowd.

"Ehem... You don't have to be disappointed. The potential rating records and other test results that we've gathered were stored in the thumb-sized crystal you saw outside except for those recommended by Artificers. These crystals were recognized within this whole country and even in Maja. It means that you can use this to apply as an apprentice to other Artificers, Arcanist, or even a Grand Arcanist. After all, since Sir Slaine wanted to see the potential of the candidates, others would want as well."

After Clyne said these words, it lightens up the mood of those people who had a very small chance of getting selected.

The man continued as he further explained.

"Those thumb-sized crystals were recently invented mana artifact that allows us to gauge the potential of a Magician. It was specially made by Miss Lacus Minerva, Sir Slaine's first apprentice."

"Whoa!"

"Amazing!"

"Didn't she just released the Blazing Thunder Ring?"

"That's right. I think that this Potential Measuring Crystal she created was something she made before that ring."

"Mhm... Since this crystal must've done a large number of tests or samples before it was used to us. After all, it would be a disaster if they made incorrect potential ratings."

"But for it to be recognized even by Maja was impressive."

"That should be normal, they're our closest ally."

Words of awe and amazement were heard after Clyne revealed the creator of that crystal where their blood was placed.

Wallace wasn't unfamiliar to Lacus Minerva due to the sales lady's advertisement outside the New Era's Magic Shop.

Anyway, he wasn't too inclined knowing about her for now as it wasn't confirmed whether he'll be an apprentice yet.

Wallace had carefully spread his Divine Sense a while ago avoiding Clyne and other personnel as he covered all the applicants.

It seems there weren't any magicians who studied soul in their group. This made him breathe a sigh of relief even though he detected a lot of strong candidates right now.

"Alright, the second examination is simple. You just have to withstand Sir Slaine Allusia's pressure. You have an hour."

As soon as Clyne said that, all personnel including him went away leaving a thousand magicians confused.

"What did he mean by that?"

"Withstand his pressure?"

"Does it mean--"

Soon, they heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind the stage.

There, they witnessed the first appearance in public of Sir Slaine Allusia since 15 years ago.

He was one of the most outstanding individuals within the country and was also one of the 24 survivors of the northern continent expedition.

They gulped nervously as they waited in bated breath.

Slaine Allusia, contrary to their expectations, was a handsome and well-built man looking like someone in his thirties.

The man doesn't look like a person who joined in the expedition about a century ago at all.

Rumor says that it was a side effect of the

Secret Arts he practices called Awakening of Thunder and Lightning and this was also being personally taught by him once a magician became his apprentice.

His dominant aura made everyone revere the man as they subconsciously called him with the title that he previously had during his active years.

"Thunder Emperor..."

A title more suited to a warrior than a craftsman.