A light that blind my eyes and forcefully made me move from my sleep. I rolled to the side without opening my eyes and covered my face with my blanket.
One more minute.
"Wake up, Zae."
Someone was calling my name. But I didn't answer as I was indulging myself with the faint dream. Wait. Just a minute.
Looks like my prayer was answered. There was no calling.
"Wake up! Zerath Solcrest."
I immediately stood up as I knew this was the last straw. I looked up as I noticed a shadow casted upon me.
I saw my mother staring at me. I let out a sigh and got up from the bed.
"I am an awake mom." I said slowly, trying to bring myself to her presence.
She waved her hands and mana flew around me, surrounding my body tightly. It transformed into a mist and showered me.
"Mom, I can wash myself."
"There is no time for that." My mother said in a hurry. She was always like that. Ever since my brother's failure, she always blamed herself for not being enough.
To be honest, she was more than enough.
Sure she was strict and sometimes, overbearing but she always cares for her sons. Even if one of them is dead beat.
I let my mother clean my face for this reason. After that, I pushed my mother outside and closed the door.
"I am 14 now, mom. I am going to be a proper adult." I yelled behind the door.
"I know. I know. I have laid down your dress on the desk. Dress properly and come eat with your father."
"Yeah. Yeah." I said, walking toward the desk.
I looked down at the clothes and flinched. There was a lot of gold on the cloth. I removed everything that was valuable and set it aside. I put on the cloth.
It was the standard uniform issued by the Empire for the students at Glisher. This was the only thing the Empire had controlled over the academy.
For various political reasons and history, Glisher was immune to the Empire's crest. I put on the uniform and looked at myself in the mirror.
I must say, I am quite a handsome man. My black eyes were devoid of light. I tried to form a smile but stopped when I felt unable to bear my smile.
I sighed, opening the door.
I saw the two beautiful maids, standing beside the door. I ignored them and went downstairs.
On the way to the dining room, I was greeted by many servants. Father should fire them. They all served no purpose other than eating up our money.
I didn't understand the way of the noble. Nevertheless, I must inherit this great way.
I opened the door and saw the long table. In the end was a middle aged man skillfully using the knife, cutting the meat in half. He glanced at me for a split second and went back to his food.
This was my father.
On the left side was my mother. I don't see my older brother and let out a smile. I walked up to my seat and began to eat. Today breakfast was filled with my liking. Clearly, mother put all her effort into this.
"There is news that some troublesome teacher is in the academy." My father said, "Observe him and report to me."
It was unusual for him to speak during the meal. I nodded in obedience and said. "I will father."
After eating the breakfast in silence, I gave my goodbye to my sweet mother and left the mansion. The Fourth Circle mage, our family paid, brought me to the academy via teleportation spell.
I never liked him as he seemed arrogant. I am the son of Solcrest, the successor of a great family. How dare a mare Fourth Circle be that arrogant?
I will teach him once I finish my lessons in this academy. I noted that and vowed to myself.
I was told that I will be a great man. Greater than my brother. Well, that was that they said.
But I feel differently. I don't want to be compared with such trash. I can't believe we are born from the same womb.
I looked up and let the view enter my eyes. The academy was grand. It was the only building I would compare with The Emperor's Castle.
It was simply that magnificent.
As soon as I stepped inside the academy, I felt a wave of mana scanning my beings. I hid the discomfort and continued forward.
I slowly walked on the pathway, ignoring the confused students.
They seemed to notice me as they slowly began to follow me. I don't mind that as they simply lack the leader.
I heard from my useless brother that the academy first created the illusion to judge the students. These commoners didn't know that.
As I continued to walk, I noticed that there was no change in the distance between me and the academy building. No matter how many times I wasted, the distance didn't come close.
I turned around and observed. I noticed that there were a few students. Some pointing at me, laughing at themselves.
How dare they!
I held in and closed my eyes. I drew out mana from my core and spread across the area. I finally saw mana leaving in one area.
I walked toward that and escaped this situation. I clenched my hands in a fist of anger.
How dare. My brother lied to me about the test. This was no test.
He said, just run and you will arrive at the academy. No. He lied. I have to use mana to find the way.
The academy probably set up this test to judge the commoner who didn't awaken their core. And yet, I waste my time there like a fool. Because of my useless brother.
I scanned the area and saw that it was indeed the place where you test your magic capacity. It should be easy enough.
There was a ball of crystal in the middle of the field. I saw a young man with a single monocle checking the paper and looking across the area. His eyes were lazy.
I don't like it quite a bit.
I had to wait for everyone to show up. Some fools struck up a conversation with me but I was too occupied with myself to entertain them.
They were all lower nobility anyway. Not worthy of my time and energy.
Then, the monocle man called out, gathering the attention.
"I will call out the name and come here. Place your hand on this crystal. Just like this."
He demonstrated. "This will not have any effect on your grade." The monocle man told.
He flipped the page and called out. " Zerath Solcrest."
I heard my name and I walked toward the crystal with my head high. I was happy that my name came first.
The academy was strict so they most likely list the best students at the start. I gave a glance at the other High noble child.
The monocle man nodded and stepped beside.
I did as the man instructed and placed my palm on the giant crystal. I knew what it was.
The crystal that revealed the innate talent of the person. I already know what mine is.
I have Light mana and Ice mana. Two Unique mana. It should give them a surprise.
I let out a smirk unable to contain the excitement.
I heard some girl exclaiming something. Soon, murmurs overlapped one another and formed into a giant wave of noise.
I opened my eyes, frowned etched on my face. I looked at the people, as they were pointing at me. Laughing.
I turned around and saw it. Immediately, air left my chest. The crystal projected image of feets.
Some were dirty. Some were pale white, divine dripping with honey. Some were harsh man-like features.
I heard a cough from the monocled man.
"This crystal showed the mental image of a person's love." He revealed. "It is called Revelation Crystal."
I knew. I knew that because that is what I use to humiliate my brother on his birthday. I was hoping he would hang himself after that but he was too weak for that.
Stop it.
The students were laughing at the reveal. Mostly the commoners. Nobility were in their own circle, recording this with their own crystal.
What is going on?
Stop it. Stop laughing. Not at me.
"Stop it." I yelled. The laughter didn't stop. It intensified even more as if I gave the fuel.
I have not done anything wrong.
Stop it.
I went and grabbed at the monocled man's shirt and yelled. "Stop this or else."
"Else what?" The man said calmly. His eyes pierced into me. It was like he could see through everything about me. I felt naked in front of that eyes.
But I can't evade the gaze. Evading the gaze meant meeting with laughter.
I can't face that. I can't be a fool. I am not a fool.
I pushed the man and gathered mana in my fist. I turned and quickly pushed at the crystal. It would break.
It will break. It had to break.
But what broke was my hand. It pushed my mana back into me. This is not supposed to happen.
I dropped to my knees as I felt weak for reasons I can't admit.
I heard a step and shadow cast upon me.
I looked up and faced the monocled man.
"I guess, you are not him at all. Such a shame. I have high hopes for you." He said strange words and continued writing in his notebook.
He then called out. "Next is John Huma."
"Also, carry this child to the infantry."