Ascension of the Draconians

"We will only be accepting 15 students this year." 

as we all heard that, all of us examinees' faces paled.

"Only 15! Why so few!" the green-skinned man shouted.

She turned and said "I assure you. It isn't intentional but due to certain circumstances that is all that the academy can allow this year."

I caught a hint of disgust in her voice but she hid it well.

She turned and started listing off the details and rules of the exam.

"knowing the rumours about her she probably did this to break our spirits." I heard another examinee, the lizardman with the bow, whisper to the human who was reading a book earlier. They were clearly friends as they seemed to be of similar minds.

"The academy probably accepted more noble students than normal. We will know when we get to our first class and see 5 nobles in the class." the human whispered back.

"True but I would like it if she could hide her dislike for Orcs better." the lizardman responded secretly gesturing to the green skinned man.

The human nodded but didn't say anything else.

'What rumours? How many nobles attend this school? Is that green-skinned man an Orc?' a lot of questions ran through my head.

Returning my attention to the headmaster I learned what would happen for the test.

"An applicant will be chosen at random and will enter the Arena 1 at a time. Each test will last for 5 minutes. When you enter a random monster will be released."

"Each monster will be equivalent to an F+ rank monster or lower, but if an applicant is an adventurer they can fight a monster at higher ranks equal to their own rank or below."

She pulled out a crystal tied with a string into a necklace.

"Protection talismans are provided to each student that will protect them from serious injury but not pain."

"This test doesn't require you to kill the monster. We are looking for talent and potential, not strength. Show us your potential and you will pass."

"Each applicant will be given a score out of 100 and the top 15 students will be enrolled. Other factors could affect the grade given so do your best."

"If your talisman breaks before the time limit is reached you fail. If you give up you fail. If you show no potential you fail."

We all felt very tense hearing how strict the rules were. However, a few people didn't seem all that worried.

After some more unneeded details, we were led to a viewing area and the tests began.

i stayed in my own area avoiding people as I didn't know how to act but everyone else seemed to be talking amongst themselves.

I watched a few fights but none seemed very impressive, it was mainly humans with one dwarf, each wielding weapons and swinging at the monsters.

All of them got a score of 50 or less.

I tried to figure out what the other students could do but whenever I looked at the human with a strange aura I could feel a strange feeling in my chest, a feeling I was unfamiliar with.

He seemed to be friends with the lizardman as they talked and both seemed confident that they would get in while I wasn't sure I could get in considering my abilities.

I couldn't help but stare at him. The aura he gave off was comforting in a way but also showed he was strong, way stronger than me.

Sometimes he would look over and almost catch me staring at him. I don't know if he knew I was watching him but if he did he didn't say anything.

Eventually, the short reptile I saw earlier walked into the arena. Based on his clothes he seemed to be a mage but I couldn't tell what kind.

All that I could give a hint was his staff that had a light blue crystal on one end and an orange one on the other.

When he entered the arena, the announcer introduced him as Zek a kobold mage and soon after a gate opened on the other side, and 5 black-furred, red-eyed wolves walked out.

"A single kobold against a pack of Dark Dolves. How do you think this will go?" the lizardman asked his friend.

The human stayed quiet for a second then said "I think it's better if you watch."

Then he leaned over "Including us, in total I can see 6 people with high potential among the applicants and he is one. Let's just hope this school can realize that." he whispered but I could hear him.

the lizardman, shocked, asked "Only 6?"

the human nodded and they both turned back to the arena.

The kobold stood in place, gripping his staff tightly. He didn't move, just watched the wolves circling him.

Four of the wolves growled and charged toward him.

The kobold placed the blue crystal-tipped end of his staff on the ground.

[Frozen Floor]

A sheet of ice spread outward, coating the ground beneath the wolves. Caught off guard, they slipped and fell, making startled yelps as they skidded into each other.

The kobold then raised the staff, pointing the orange crystal toward the fallen wolves.

[Ring of Fire]

Flames burst forth, forming a ring of fire that encircled the wolves, trapping them. The crowd stirred with excitement.

"He can use opposing elements!" someone exclaimed in astonishment.

But the enthusiasm was short-lived.

"A kobold using two kinds of magic? Yeah, right. It must be using a magic item, probably the staff" an arrogant man said. Others around him nodded in agreement.

The kobold ignored the crowd. His focus shifted to the one wolf that hadn't charged, the Alpha. Seeing its pack trapped and sensing danger from the kobold, it turned and tried to escape.

The kobold pointed the blue end of his staff at the wolf.

[Ice Spear]

A sharp shard of ice shot through the air, striking the wolf in the side. It yelped and collapsed, wounded but alive.

The kobold lowered his staff and stood silently as the fight ended. The crowd buzzed with a mix of awe and skepticism, but the kobold remained unmoved.

He won the fight and received the highest score yet, a score of 82.

Another student went up next but his fight wasn't great and he lost just before the 5-minute time limit.

I did notice the kobold seemed very smug and I couldn't blame him.

I don't know much about magic but I do know that naturally having 2 elemental affinities is very rare and Fire and Ice magic are complete opposites. Normally a mage can have only one of the 2 but this kobold has both.

Eventually, it was my turn and I nervously walked down towards the arena.

What I wasn't expecting was that the headmaster would be waiting for me.

"You are Ark Moonfang correct?" she said in a businesswoman's voice.

"Um, y-yes," I said nervous and confused.

"I just want to remind you that because of your Grandfathers... 'donations' to the academy to get you in. I will be lenient and raise your score by 20 points, but keep in mind this academy is prestigious, it will be the first time one of... your kind attend this school" she said with a hint of disgust at the end.

"But I will warn you that you can still fail this if you are unworthy of attending this academy. Is that understood?"

Scared I nodded. "yes ma'am it is."

"Good. Now if you will excuse me I have other matters to attend to," she said and walked off.

I placed a hand over my beating heart, taking a moment to steady myself.

'Grandfather. I know you meant well by helping me get in here, by giving her that, but I'm not sure I'll be able to make it.' I thought to myself with worry,

"They're waiting for you." A voice called from behind.

I jumped and tried to move away, but my feet tangled, and I tripped.

Thankfully, the person caught my hand and stopped me from hitting the ground.

He helped me up, and I turned to thank him, but my words caught in my throat.

Standing before me was the man with the strange aura, the one who had been quietly watching me.

It was nice to see him again, but my emotions were everywhere, and I couldn't think straight. I quickly turned away, unable to meet his gaze.

"Nervous and doubting yourself?" he asked, his voice calm.

I couldn't speak, only nodded with my head down.

He smiled gently and said, "Don't doubt yourself. You may not think so but I can see great potential in you. Even if you think you aren't special or worthy, think of the people who support you and gave you a reason to come here, even if it's only one person."

"Do you want to let them down and throw their belief in you into the mud, or will you trust in their faith and accomplish greater things than you could ever imagine?"

I stood there, trying to process his words. I felt both comforted and overwhelmed by them.

He seemed to notice my hesitation and gave me a reassuring nod. "Just remember, it's not about being perfect. It's about doing your best, and that's enough."

"oh and don't mind that woman, she clearly doesn't like you, so stick it to her and show that you have potential and aren't someone who will roll over and die."

I finally dared to look up at him, my mouth opening to say something, out of shock, anger, confusion, anything but I couldn't find the words.

He gave me one last smile and said "Good luck. You'll do great." and turned to head back to the viewing area.

Before he left, he glanced over his shoulder. "Oh, I almost forgot, my name's Jack. You'll probably see me around."

I barely had time to process the information before Jack walked off, disappearing into the crowd.

For a moment, I just stood there, his words echoing in my mind. I took a deep breath, feeling a little more ready, a little more sure of myself.