19 Welcome to Clover Academy!

"Wha…" Adam was in a daze.

How was he supposed to finish something he didn't have the slightest knowledge about?

Seeing the youth's expression, the woman was amused. "You have 2 minutes to finish this test. Your time starts now."

Adam was brought back to his senses. "What? There's a time limit!?"

But the lady didn't reply. She simply stared at him with a smile.

Seeing that the lady didn't have any intentions whatsoever to help, Adam could only grit his teeth and focus all his attention on the shining geometrical model hovering in front of him.

He intently stared at the completed patterns as well as the parts that were missing, trying to figure out what exactly to do. He observed the lines and angles for a good half a minute until finally, he had a flash of inspiration.

It seems like the shapes and lines mirror each other at various intervals. Wait, that's not right! Adam's mind worked at lightning speed.

The effects of absorbing souls during the past couple of months were beginning to show. His thought process was extremely fluid and fast.

His eyes darted from one point to the other continuously as he mumbled, "The top left quadrant mirrors the bottom left… parallel lines mirror each other… I see… this is a three-dimensional figure!"

The lady sitting across from him was moved.

Adam stretched his hand and pressed one point on the model. He then drew a line and connected it to another point right across from it. A new line was magically formed mid-air following Adam's actions.

Soon, a minute had passed.

Adam continued to connect dot after dot, creating lines and patterns, inclining one line to the other, and forming an angle at their intersection. His speed initially was slow but slowly he began to connect everything very quickly almost as if on instinct.

He moved both his hands in a mesmerizing manner as if he were a masterclass artist in the process of finishing a beautiful painting.

With only a few seconds short of the two-minute timer, Adam finally connected the last pattern and completed the model.

As soon as the geometrical model was complete, it gave off a bright radiance and then dispersed into tiny motes of light.

"Finally, done!" Adam breathed out in relief. He then looked at the lady across from him whose mouth was agape, as if she couldn't believe what had just transpired.

"Is everything alright?" He got slightly nervous seeing such a reaction from the lady and was wondering if he had done something that he wasn't supposed to.

"Y-Yes, everything's alright." The lady composed herself and looked at Adam. "Excellent job! You may proceed to the next test through the back exit."

"Alright, thank you." Adam stood up and exited the tent.

The burgundy-haired lady looked at Adam's departing back and thought in astonishment, What monstrous analytical skills!

That geometrical pattern from earlier was actually an incomplete spell model for a Rank 1 spell!

Generally, without proper knowledge, it would have been nigh impossible for a layman to complete the pattern. The academy required the student to only complete 25% of the model to pass the test.

This test not only tested one's analytical skills but also comprehension ability. In the long history of the Clover Academy, only a handful of students had been able to complete the second test of the entrance examination.

And all of them grew up to be powerful Magi!

To be able to complete such a test meant that the person would have much less difficulty analyzing, comprehending, and memorizing spell models as they progressed further.

After all, spell models became exponentially harder to analyze the further a Magus advanced.

"I must immediately inform the higher-ups. Special attention needs to be given to this boy." The lady took out a palm-sized circular disk from within her cloak, injected mana into it, and relayed the information.

Unknowingly, Adam had already kicked up a storm before even entering the academy.

…

After exiting the tent, Adam found himself on a large square. The streets were paved with white bricks and lamp posts were placed on the sidewalk at fixed intervals. And in front of him was a grand three-story building.

At the center of the crossroad, there was a large and spectacular fountain. Many children were sitting around the fountain. Some sat on the grass on both sides of the streets. All these children had passed the first two tests and were in a very happy mood.

Adam found a tree nearby and walked toward it. He sat under its shade, plucked a blade of grass, and began chewing on it. He closed his eyes and began wondering, According to Magus Alex the final test is going to be a combat test. I wonder who my opponent will be…

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to him. "Adam!"

Adam opened his eyes slightly and saw Edward running toward him with a jolly expression.

"Edward, you made it!" Adam greeted him with a hearty laugh.

Edward sat down under the tree beside Adam, panting slightly. He then looked at Adam and started laughing loudly. "Of course, I made it! What was your aptitude?"

"B-grade," Adam replied.

"Ohhh! Me too!" Edward laughed.

"By the way, Edward, is B-grade very common?"

"Yes and no," Edward replied, "in general, A and B grades are very rare, especially A-grade. They are heavily nurtured and taken care of by any major organization.

"But here in Clover Academy, B-grade students can be considered common because the academy only handpicks the best of the best."

"Hmm… I see." Adam nodded in understanding.

He wondered if his current aptitude was a result of the white lotus' constant nourishment and whether his aptitude could increase in the future. However, he couldn't confirm his speculation.

Thinking of this, he asked, "Can a person's aptitude increase?"

"Hah!" Edward slapped his thigh exaggeratedly. "Although analytical and combat skills can be improved and sharpened over time, aptitude cannot! This is something a person is born with."

As I thought… Adam nodded.

Suddenly, the doors to the large building in front of the fountain opened and a dozen Magi wearing dark-green cloaks stepped out. Their aura and demeanor demanded nothing but admiration and respect.

They walked down the marble stairs and finally stopped in front of the hundreds of students. More than 700 students had started initially, but now only about 350 remained.

An old woman wearing a dark blue robe and a pointy hat of the same color came forth and spoke to everyone present, "I am the Headmistress of the Clover Academy. You all may address me as Professor Godfrey."

The children present at the square were stunned. They hadn't expected the Headmistress to appear all of a sudden.

Professor Godfrey continued speaking with a gentle smile, "Although the entrance examination consists of three tests, only the first two are required for your admission into the academy. The final test is only used for the first-year rankings."

The children were confused, however, some of them could understand what the Headmistress had just conveyed, and they couldn't help but be exhilarated.

Seeing the puzzled expressions of most of the students present, Professor Godfrey chuckled.

"That means all of you have passed the academy's entrance examination.

"Welcome to Clover Academy!"