Chapter 15: Talia’s Self-Doubt
The carriage imperceptibly entered the bustling commercial district, passing by various restaurants, cafes, bars, and specialty shops. The spacious streets became increasingly filled with the atmosphere of people coming and going.
From classic ancient buildings like the Icerite Central Station and St. Brienne Cathedral, to modern-style magical glass curtain wall structures like Heydon Walking Plaza and Erica Magic Tower, the diverse yet harmonious architectural styles added much to Icerite's skyline.
As it neared afternoon,
The sightseeing carriage arrived near the academy.
The legendary Icerite Magic Academy was located in the heart of the royal capital.
The academy had no walls; this area and all the buildings inside were simply called Icerite Magic Academy.
Lanqi, carrying his suitcase, walked into the campus with Talia.
After just a few steps, Lanqi seemed to be welcomed by a melodious bell sound.
It was the bell from the iconic red brick clock tower, ringing only three times before abruptly stopping, indicating it was 3 PM.
The clock tower stood in the center of a vast lawn, surrounded by green trees. Sunlight filtered through the dense leaves, casting dappled shadows on the lush grass.
He and Talia followed the map on the signposts, walking past various buildings.
There was the Gothic-style Sage Department's Ancient Tower Library, its exterior walls adorned with exquisite reliefs, housing who knows how many mysterious ancient texts.
Then there was the Victorian-style Knight Department's Arena, with pointed arched windows full of classical charm.
Not to mention the innovative Alchemy Biology Laboratory and Magic Engineering Research Institute, their walls made of magical screens reflecting the blue sky and shadows of surrounding green trees.
After about ten minutes of walking,
Lanqi arrived at his destination.
A massive building with flowing lines and a unique appearance, the "Learning and Education Building" shared by the Knight Department and Sage Department.
Lanqi and Talia came to the second floor, the Student Service Center.
With the friendly assistance of the staff, Lanqi quickly completed the modification of his exam information, changing his application from the Alchemy Department to the Sage Department.
Next, to complete the full registration for the Sage Department entrance exam, he needed to go to the third floor for attribute testing.
Carrying his small suitcase in his left hand,
And holding the application form and personal information documents in his right,
Lanqi wandered around until he found the Basic Attribute Measurement Room on the third floor.
The spacious office was neatly arranged with various magical measuring devices, giving more of a feeling of a radiology room than a magic academy.
Students applying for the Knight Department and Sage Department usually completed the required attribute tests early during the application process. As Lanqi was transferring midway, he had missed the usual timing and encountered no other students queuing up two days before the exam.
The teacher sitting behind the desk quickly turned her attention to the two visitors.
"I didn't expect such an impressive new student this year... It seems the Sage Department has found a treasure."
The teacher responsible for testing attributes in the office gave off a very gentle impression. Upon seeing Talia, her face immediately lit up with a delighted and friendly smile.
Just the calm, reserved, and unfathomable magical aura emanating from Talia made her exclaim in admiration.
"It's not me taking the exam, it's him."
Talia said flatly.
"Oh?"
So the one carrying the suitcase is the young master?
Behind the desk, the female teacher whose nameplate read "Teresa" hurriedly looked towards Lanqi.
"That's right."
Seeing the teacher finally turn her surprised gaze to him, Lanqi smiled awkwardly.
Talia, being used to wandering, hardly had any luggage.
Him carrying a suitcase and holding documents while standing next to Talia, who looked like a human girl, plus Talia's ice-cold aura, indeed made it seem like a scene from "The Young Lady and I."
"Ahem, ahem."
Teacher Teresa coughed dryly, also quite embarrassed.
The reason for her misunderstanding wasn't just visual error. As a mage, they tend to trust their perception and judgment of magical power more than their eyes.
However, the pitiful magical fluctuations from Lanqi didn't give her much hope of him becoming an excellent magical profession.
Even without using professional equipment for testing, as an experienced teacher, she could sense that Lanqi's magical attributes were very weak, but his mental power seemed strong enough.
Perhaps he would be more suitable... to become a cleric?
After all, many of the auxiliary spells used by clerics are not linked to magical power, but to mental strength.
But if he wanted to become a clergy member, going to the equally famous Sacred Research Institute or Holy Artifice Academy in the Southern Continent would be more suitable for his talents than Icerite Magic Academy.
However, since he had already come, she certainly couldn't say anything to discourage the student.
And her job at the moment was to help Lanqi complete the attribute test.
If the test results, after comprehensive calculation, met the standard, she would then process the formal exam procedures for him.
Soon, they conducted and completed the test.
Apart from having extremely high mental growth potential and above-average physical growth potential, Lanqi had no talent in magical power or strength.
Although the mental attribute didn't weigh as heavily as the magical power attribute in the Sage Department's assessment of magical professions, due to Lanqi's extremely high individual mental attribute, after weighted calculation, he still exceeded the passing line by a fair margin.
So Teresa began processing the subsequent examination procedures for him.
Lanqi looked at his attribute test results to pass the time while waiting for Teacher Teresa to finish processing.
In this world's simplest "four-dimensional testing method" —
The magical power attribute affects the damage, healing amount, and bonus effects of most spells.
The strength attribute is directly linked to physical attack power.
Mental power affects the mana cap and magic resistance.
Vitality integrates life force, endurance, and physical defense.
"Student, what is your profession?"
Teresa was inputting Lanqi's specific test results into a tablet-like magical device, but when she reached the "function" column, she looked up and asked Lanqi.
Lanqi's survival ability was outstanding, but he lacked offensive means.
Based on her guess, Lanqi probably wouldn't be in a profession with strong offensive capabilities, but rather leaning towards support or logistics.
Although Talia remained expressionless, she also paid a bit more attention to Lanqi's upcoming answer.
Because she truly didn't know the answer.
Nor did she know how Lanqi would respond.
Mad Sorcerer? Evil Cult Priest? Neither seemed quite fitting.
In any case, she couldn't think of an appropriate term to describe the system composed of those cards Lanqi currently possessed.
"Obviously, I am a white mage."
Lanqi said with a gentle smile.
Talia, standing beside him, couldn't help but twitch her eye upon hearing this.
This guy really dares to say anything!
If she hadn't traveled through human countries for so many years, she would have first suspected her own language comprehension was wrong rather than doubting Lanqi.
The most outrageous part was that Talia couldn't even determine that Lanqi was lying.
He truly believed he was a white mage.
Hearing this, Teacher Teresa nodded with an "I see" expression.
"So that's how it is... Actually, I'm also a healing mage. If you can enter the Sage Department, perhaps we'll meet again in class in the future."
Such a bright and cheerful young man indeed looks like a healer with a merciful heart at first glance.
Teacher Teresa smiled and handed Lanqi the exam bracelet that had already been engraved with information.
Although his healing amount and support effects might be very low, since mental attributes are linked to mana, he should be able to use spells continuously, so his endurance should be sufficient.
Most crucially, compared to other functions, healing professionals need to have a gentle and kind heart.
"For the formal exam two days later, just use this bracelet to participate in the combat simulation on the seventh floor. Although the exam will be difficult, may the Goddess of Fate bless you. Good luck with your exam."
Sitting behind the long desk, Teacher Teresa rested her chin on one hand, her face bearing a beaming smile, and added another sentence.
She believed that all gentle people would be treated gently in return.
Even if this young man's chances of standing out and passing the test were slim.
"Alright, thank you."
Lanqi nodded in acknowledgment.
Then, together with Talia, whose eyes couldn't hide her confusion, they left the building.