I started walking down the aisle heading toward the arena in a proud manner.

I knew it! I knew that my name would be chosen among the exemplary mage candidates.

I had managed to reach 1st tier mage even before I could attend the 3rd ceremony trial. Not to mention that I managed to survive the onslaught of a berserk mage’s golem attack. There was a setback like how I failed to reach 2nd tier but even geniuses have a bad day. Anyway, my mana art showcase was the final trick that let me get selected. As the saying goes all is well that ends well.

I am Benjamin Almond, a genius born once in a millennium so there should have been no room for doubt, to begin with.

It's just that it really doesn’t settle well that my name was the last to be picked. It was like I just barely made the cut. Anyway, no point in brooding over this any longer.

As I headed down the stairs walking towards the arena, a condescending smile appeared on my face. My walking style by default changed to this elegant posture suited for a king. I still clearly remember when my wife, Gloxinia, hammered me on the way to walk in this gentlemanly posture just days before my coronation ceremony in the demon realm.

After I ended all the wars in the demon realm, Gloxinia started training me to live my new life as the royal Overlord of the demon realm. My new task as the king was to learn the way noble walks, talks, dances, hunts, etc, down to the note. Gloxinia’s training was harder than any battle that I ever faced but I still enjoyed the time we spent together.

As I reminisced about my wife, a wave of sorrow hit me again. The condescending smile disappeared and my brows narrowed with firm determined eyes- ‘Enough! I had grieved long enough in that pitch-black dimension. Now all I should focus on is the trial in front of me. Vengeance can wait a little longer,’

As I walked through the seats, the other ordinary 1st tier candidates were all glaring at me. Their eyes were filled with anger, disappointment, and surprise.

“Heh” I scoffed after remembering this was not the first time I experienced these glares.

Kinda reminded me of those stupid demon nobles ogling at me during my coronation as the Overlord of the Demon realm. They put a charade of being loyal and happy but behind my back, they loathed me and almost wished me for my death.

These 1st ordinary kids had a common expression as those of the demi nobles, the feeling of envy. How laughable.

As I climbed down the stairs I quickly entered the arena.

The white marble tiles of the arena were crystal clear like new, I could even see my own reflection on it. I had to be careful to walk on these smooth tiles so that I won’t slip and make a fool of myself. I have to give some credit to the head mage for fixing this arena, it almost looks brand new.

Sigurd stood in the center of the arena. I stood before him and greeted him with a respectful bow. The head mage nodded and then turned back towards the crowd in the front.

I finally got to get a good look at the head mage.

Sigurd was a rather short hunchback old guy with barebones and loose skin. His eyes were soggy and sunken deep like he had almost seen all the world had to offer. His lousy beard was just frills of a couple of hairs hanging from his chin. Without the support of his staff, I don’t think he could stand for more than a few seconds before falling on his back.

To be honest, Sigurd looked like any other old man that you would find in a village. Such old people would rather spend time playing with their grandkids as they waited for their death. These old people always are dependent on others, you would never even expect such old people to be even able to defend themselves. Just a tight slap across the face of an old man would be enough to send him to his grave.

But Sigurd’s a mage, so don’t get fooled by his appearance.

Despite looking barebones, he can easily fix such a large-scale arena back from the dust and still not be tired. Not to mention he also is the head mage of the ascension ceremony, so I am sure he is more powerful than your average mage.

I then walked back to where the fellow exemplary candidates were standing behind Sigurd.

But right after I took a few steps, I felt open hostility coming in my direction that I had to stop right then and there.

I turned my head looking at the front, there stood the rest of the exemplary candidates from where the open animosity was coming. Many of the candidates were straight out glaring at me like they were holding a grudge or something. Among these guys, was that eight-arm freak as well who was just gritting his teeth, ready to pounce at me anytime. Although some of these candidates were not even glancing at me and didn’t seem to even care.

These were all the 2nd tier candidates gathered together who were right now standing shoulder to shoulder like a bunch of united proud apes. Just because they had a good harvest during the blessing ritual they were really high and mighty. This bunch of snot-nosed brats was already acting like those shitty arrogant nobles.

As I glanced at this crowd my brows started throbbing.

Alright, I understand the purple candidates, but why were even the black-collared candidates acting like they are hot shit. Not long ago they were being treated like a bunch of low lives chained like livestock. These black-collared candidates had lifeless eyes and almost no will to continue living back when I saw them climbing the ceremony. But now look at them!

Their personality totally shifted to 180 degrees.

There were only a handful of exemplary candidates that belonged to the black-collared but they were the cockiest bunch of all. Seeing them standing with their arms folded as they looked down on me like I am some rundown stray dog down the lane or something.

There was now a silent standoff between them and me.

As I was looking around, I finally noticed 2 other candidates who were standing at the corner away from these 2nd tier candidates. These two were none other than my fellow 1st tier candidates who were also picked like myself.

I just turned around and went to where they were standing. It's not like I wanna even be near these cocky 2nd tier brats anyway.

As I walked toward the 1st tier candidates, one of the candidates started waving at me.

It was the guy in glasses who was waving at me with a smile.

‘Do I know that guy?’

I nodded to him with a silent greeting and just stood beside them. He also didn’t say a word and just smiled at me. Next to him was the girl, another fellow 1st tier candidate.

If I remember correctly, the guy’s name was Jason. At first impression, he looks more approachable and friendly unlike the rest of them. But for some reason I find this guy kinda weird, I don’t know why.

Sigurd, the head mage, started addressing the other ordinary 1st tier candidates. You know the drill, good-old talk about how privileged we kids were to be getting a chance to enter mage school and whatnot. How we should bow before the government for letting peasants like ourselves be grateful for being able to get a chance to become mages ~ followed by an inspirational message about working hard~ Failure success quotes~ blah, blah, blah! You know that boring talk, the head mage’s long-ass pep talk.

I don’t wanna bore you, so let’s just skip that.

As the head mage was busy with his long rant, I examined the fellow 1st tier mages who were the chosen ones like me.

Standing next to me was Jason Rendal, he was wearing round-rimmed spectacles and had his hair combed properly to the side. His clothes were quite neatly ironed and free of any dirt speck as if specially prepared these clothes just for today. To be honest, he totally looked like those nerds that would go around kissing the class teacher's ass for the extra marks.

I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its appearance but I somehow feel a bit unsettled standing next to him. This guy was able to make the cut into the exemplary candidates like me, I wonder what's so different about him.

I then shifted my vision to the girl next to him, another fellow exemplary 1st-tier mage candidate, Marcia Gonzalves.

She was standing with rather disheveled long hair that looked like a mess.

Is that a bedhead?

As I was looking at her she noticed my gaze and she inadvertently dodged her eyes. Her face suddenly turned to beat red and her eyes were starting to get moist. At least she has a keen sense of her surroundings.

As I was observing her behavior, she grabbed one of her elbows with her hand and gripped it tight as she stood rather uncomfortably. She was just staring at the floor and sometimes raising her eyes to look towards me only to avert her eyes in the end.

After a few seconds of observing she finally decided to talk,

“Please~ don’t~ Don’t stare at me,” she said in a rather meek voice.

“She’s very shy, don’t mind her,” interjected Jason all of a sudden.

I just stood silent and didn’t say anything.

I didn’t want to join their conversation so I turned away.

“The silent treatment, huh?” said Jason, “But you were quite talkative just a while ago”

He really is annoying.

I turned toward Jason,

“I am just trying to concentrate on my ascension trial, sorry if that may come out as rude.”

“Ah! I see. I am nervous as well but there's no point in worrying about it. Let's do our best as fellow 1st tier candidates. Although, I doubt we have to try harder than them-.” Jason stopped his sentence midway.

He turned his face towards Sigurd and acted as if nothing happened.

That’s when I noticed that some of the 2nd tier candidates were clearly prying on our conversations.

Sigurd was finally over with his closing remarks.

The next instant he signaled the red cape mages.

The red cape mages standing next to pillars placed outside the arena started their incantations. The small stone pillars started glowing once again as the red capes continued to recite various indecipherable chants.

The candidates were quiet and looked at these events very closely.

As fellow budding mage candidates, their curiosity as mages had already taken root. Even the cocky 2nd tier candidates were no different observing the mages in action.

As the pillars started glowing-

*Crack*

*Rumble*

*Crack*

Cracks started appearing in an orderly circular manner between the pillar and the arena.

These cracks then all joined making a big wide circular crack as if a boundary had been formed around the arena trying to separate the stage from the amphitheater.

As the cracks appeared the amphitheater shook like an earthquake. The loose dust from the ceilings would trickle down on the candidates, and it felt like the whole structure would collapse. The 1st tier ordinary candidates were a bit perplexed at first but seeing the red capes who were calm, they stayed quiet.

After a few minutes, the red cape mages standing near the pillars stopped the incantation.

The pillars also stopped glowing and the rumbling finally died down.

*sobs*

I turned my head and noticed that the bedhead girl, Marcia, had started crying when the noise started. It seems she was scared from all the rumbling.

“Calm down! There’s nothing to be afraid of,” said Jason trying to comfort her.

I looked at the girl with an annoyed expression.

“Mom~ I miss mommy!”, mumbled Marcia.

She was scared out of her mind and her waterworks were going on for some time now.

Jason quickly placed a hand on her shoulder,

“The mages were just trying to level the ground. No harm will come to you, I promise.” consoled Jason, “If you think I am lying ask Benjamin here.”

Jason was looking at me for confirmation. For some reason, I just hate his nice guy act. No wonder I was so pissed with him.

“What the hell would I know?” I said, shrugging my shoulders.

Jason looked at me coldly like he was kinda disappointed in me.

He really looked upset for a second that I didn’t play along. The cold look lasted for a couple of seconds before he let out a sigh, “That was not nice. You could have played along just to comfort your fellow 1st tier mage comrade. Be a sport.”

‘Why would I dance to your words?! Who made you the boss?’ There were more such things I wanted to shout but I didn’t bother.

I ignored them and looked around, to our surprise, the circular crack formed on the ground had widened to the point that one could insert their arms in it. The arena and the amphitheater were now separated by a wide crevice.

The candidates were all confused as to what was going on.

Even the 2nd tier candidates who were standing proudly were dumbfounded at whatever the hell was going on. Although some of these guys remained calm like they didn’t care. Trisha and the monster claw boy were few among those who were unfazed by whatever the mages were doing.

Although some of the 2nd tier mages were annoyed by Marcia’s sobbing.

“Wow! Is she really calling for her mommy?!”

“How did a crybaby like her get chosen?”

“Somebody needs to check her diapers. Maybe she needs new ones”

“Damn! I can’t believe I am sharing the stage with this girl.”

“She should be expelled from our group. She clearly embarrassed us.”

The 2nd tier candidates standing at the side were brutal with their words. Also, it's not like these guys were even trying to hide their disdain, they were speaking out loud for everyone to hear.

Suddenly, Sigurd tapped his staff on the ground,

“Silence.”

He glanced at the sobbing Marcia and then at the 2nd tier candidate’s group,

“I am in the middle of something so I would request all to keep quite a little longer.”

He turned facing towards the stage and started to stare at nothing.

What’s his deal?

Meanwhile, Marcia clearly heard the hateful words of the 2nd tier scumbags. She quickly fell silent but her tears were still flooding fiercer than ever. Even her running nose made her look even more miserable.

I was starting to feel sorry. She’s after all just a poor kid.

But why the hell was she picked before me? I still can’t understand what is going on with the moderators.

Jason reached out into his pocket and took out a handkerchief and gave it to Marcia.

“Don’t mind their words. It's okay to feel scared. Now clean up yourself and stand up.” said Jason in a low voice not to disturb the head mage.

Marcia was reluctant but timidly took the handkerchief. She then wiped her tears and blew her nose as well as cleaned up herself.

When she tried to return the handkerchief back-

“I think you should keep it. I have a spare,” replied Jason in a polite manner.

“Th~Thank you,” replied Marcia.

Just when the aura around the head mage suddenly changed.

I finally noticed that the head mage was uttering something like an incantation in a low tone and not just standing aloof like a senile man. His ramblings were fast but audible and indecipherable.

There was a burst of fierce wind coming from the direction where Sigurd was standing. It was like an intense pressure that something would be unleashed from within him.

I unconsciously started to step back, and Jason and Marcia also followed suit.

The 2nd tier candidates also walked away to a safer distance. They were quite baffled by the head mage’s sudden change. Even Trisha and monster claw boy were glaring at the head mage with serious expressions.

During the middle of the incantation, the head mage suddenly stood upright and grew taller.

He was no longer the hunched-back old man, instead he looked like a muscular old fart. He even tossed away his shirt and the staff down on the floor as if it was nothing. Sigurd stood topless with a muscular build and with a lot of scars on his body. He just looked like a different person.

Is he an elemental-mutant mage?

Sigurd finally opened his eyes and they were glowing brightly,

“Duhurl Alcazar, Celestial Spirit Possession”

As soon as he spoke his words, there was a bright blinding spark of light over Sigurd’s head. Followed by loud rumbling like the crashing sounds of rocks.

I quickly covered my eyes and stayed on my guard.

Spirit possession is one of the ultimate techniques prepared by high-class mages. This technique merges the soul of the contracted divine spirit with the mage, giving them tremendous power and mana.

Why is the old fart using this technique right now?!