This examination doesn't feel like they were looking for a craftsman at all. It felt like the test was similar to military or mercenary organizations.

All of them except Wallace were not able to appreciate the Grand Arcanist's congratulations due to their exhaustion.

Especially Merlin Hermes, he was heavily panting even after Slaine stopped the pressure bearing down on them.

It seems that although he had reached the 2nd place, he had pushed himself too hard. As his eyes landed on Wallace, a hint of furiousness can be seen and detected by his Divine Sense.

'What did I do to this guy?'

Wallace couldn't help but be surprised upon seeing the hatred in the eyes of this 13-year-old magician. After considering some things, he could only guess that the kid was aiming to be the first place from the beginning. Unfortunately for him, Wallace had found out that the Grand Arcanist's Arcana touched upon the principles similar to his dimensional storage space. Connecting with the latter would allow him to be unaffected to this Arcana. Other than that, he wasn't really sure where or what kind of magic this Grand Arcanist was using.

In his mind, if ever he had the chance, he would surely ask to study this Arcana.

After a couple of minutes as the six picked themselves up, Slaine Allusia that was still at the stage spoke again.

"I never thought that anyone could last more than 5 minutes after I activated the maximum power of my Arcana at 50 minutes mark."

Slaine amiably smiled at Wallace. After all, once he activated the full power at 50 minutes, the pressure would increase every minute at that point. He stopped at 55 minutes not just because Wallace was the only one left but also he was worried that the kid might be injured and too exhausted and it would be too unfair to him for the third examination.

He also recognizes the other's resilience in his Arcana's activation. The group's performance wasn't something that can easily be ignored especially to him, who was fully aware of the strength of his own Arcana.

This made him believe that these six had secrets of their own that their earlier test hadn't found. But that was fine for him as this made him sure that whoever the last five will remain, would surely perform greatly once accepted as an apprentice.

"Wallace Ravencroft, Merlin Hermes, Jared Faust III, Ren Tao, Rhine Wimbledon, and Tristan White, I believe that all of you are aware that I only needed 5 apprentices this time. One of you must leave."

As Slaine said this, the six applicants looked at each other probably thinking who would be left out. After being silent for a while, Slaine continued.

"Anyway, we'll just proceed with the third examination. Since there's only six of you remaining, this will be quick... but looking at your faces now, we can conduct the final test tomorrow so we can be sure to measure your abilities when you're at peak condition."

Everyone agreed at this since they were also worried that their current body condition might affect their performances.

"You will be given a room at the manor.

to rest and prepare yourselves. We'll resume the examination tomorrow morning. Clyne, lead them out."

As Slaine said this, Clyne appeared behind the group of six.

They didn't feel his presence only until he spoke.

"Young sirs, congratulations for lasting this long in the examinations. Please, follow me."

The six could only nod and thanked the man. They were too tired to ask questions. As they looked back at the stage, Slaine was already gone somewhere. Anyway, they will meet again for sure, their aim right now was for this meeting with the Grand Arcanist not to be their first and last.

'I will be selected tomorrow' is what in their minds right now.

Clyne leads them upstairs as he showed them their rooms on the first floor of the manor.

***

Within a small room in the tall building at the Dolu City. The room has the smell of a cigar that couldn't easily be removed just by letting some air in from the window. It probably requires magic just to completely remove the smell.

Currently, there were two people within the room as they spoke with a suppressed voice.

"What happened back there?" The man sitting on his desk said while having a puff of smoke.

"We are not sure- I mean, we haven't fully investigated the reason behind it. Please, give us some more time." The young man was bowing in apology as he was unable to complete the mission given to him.

"Hah! I can't believe that not a single magician recommended by an Arcane Artificer managed to be in the last six. That's ridiculous."

"The six surely possess something that allows them to lessen the effect of Sir Slaine's Arcana, or they might've found a loophole in the examination." The young man can only say to lessen the burden in his chest. He was proud of his skills but during Slaine's test, he was unable to bear the 45 minutes mark. It was too painful as he felt that he would die.

"I don't need your guesses, give me definite answers! If you have nothing else to report, leave!"

The fat old man finally said to his subordinate. He is Albert Schien, Ross Schien's uncle who had also 'taken care' of the latter's manufacturing rights of Mana Artifact that he made on his own.

Their Schien Clan was now declining due to the lack of outstanding magic engineers. In the past years, their clan members even tried to get some recognition in the other fields but failed to do so. They tried to get into Mage Doctor's Path, some tried to be a Celebrity Idol, and some tried to be just a merchant but no one made it very successful to the point of lifting up the whole clan.

Anyway, due to this person handling most of the external activities of the clan, the quality of the Schien Clan members declined even more. It was all because of his ability to send people away from their main branch here in the capital.

All capable people that may threaten his position in the future were being sent to some dangerous missions and for those still too young, he was unable to really send them for a mission but he has the power to send them to study away from the capital and be taken care by the other declining branches of Schien Clan.

This is one of the reasons why Ross Schien was studying in Tanza City and living at the small branch of the family in the city. But even Ross doesn't have much money to support his study, his amazing performance made Albert rethink his decision. Since the young man was capable, Albert sent him resources to help him in his artifact forging but in exchange, he would maximize its profits.

As he remained rich within the Clan, even the elders were unable to do anything to him.

This time, to make his position even sturdier, he sent 5 young Schien Clan members loyal to him in the selection. He even made arrangements to get them recommendation letters. They were already trained for two years by an Artificer that he hired before.

Unfortunately, it didn't work this time.

They were all eliminated and unable to compete for the apprenticeship.

"Useless kids. I should've sent Ross..." Albert muttered but suddenly remembered.

'No, if ever he was accepted by Slaine, he'll just get a powerful backer. I won't be able to control him. Tsk. What bad luck!'

He had already made arrangements for Schien to get him back in the capital so he had to make sure that he could control the man.

In the meantime, he had to learn the identity of the six. After all, once the five from them gained the status of an apprentice to a Grand Arcanist, their value will increase steadily the longer the time passes. He should try to make a connection to them or to their families.

***

Cloud Hawk Manor.

The examination had ended midday. It was still too early but because of everyone's sore muscles and exhausted mind, they each ate them lunch in their room. Of course, since Wallace was still in his peak condition, he could only busy himself talking with the A.I. about the new factory in Cove City.

He had a lot of plans to it, especially with the large space it possesses. The height or the space of the first level in the building was actually very ideal to manufacture Mech Frames.

As the evening came, everyone had recovered to their peak. It was also thanks to the Mage Doctors that were sent to heal them.

The six ate their dinner together as they tried to acquaint themselves with each other. After all, only one of them will be leaving as the others might be their future colleagues.

"Mr. Wallace Ravencroft! I heard a lot about you from my sister!"

Tristan White excitedly said during their first formal meeting. This is also the same 13 years old magician he saw at the New Era's Magic Shop.