The Colorless Light

As the crowd cheered, the applicants proceeded to the first examination.

Proctor Aleric Valemont:

"I am Aleric Valemont, the proctor of the first examination. This test will assess your knowledge and understanding of magic and the history of Aurelia. You will have one hour to complete the written examination. You may begin."

The room immediately fell silent as every applicant focused on the test before them.

Miyuuki remained calm. She had spent countless hours studying in the village library, and every late night of hard work had prepared her for this moment.

Without hesitation, she answered each question with confidence.

Meanwhile, many of the other applicants struggled. Some frowned as they read the difficult questions, while others nervously scratched their heads, unable to remember the answers.

The written examination was designed to eliminate those who lacked the necessary knowledge to study at Morthalis Academy.

After an hour had passed, the first examination came to an end.

The successful applicants were then guided to another chamber for the second examination—the Ether Resonance Assessment.

As everyone gathered inside the hall, whispers about Miyuuki began spreading among the applicants.

Female Applicant:

"Psst... Look at that girl. I heard she doesn't even have any magic. How did she manage to pass the written exam?"

Another Female Applicant:

(She chuckled.) "What are you talking about? If she really doesn't have any Ether, then she's definitely going to fail this examination."

The two girls laughed quietly.

Nearby, another group of applicants noticed Miyuuki.

Male Applicant:

(He smirked.) "Hey, look at that girl. Her hair is gray. I've never seen anyone with hair that color before."

Another Male Applicant:

"I heard she's weak. She must have been incredibly lucky to pass the first exam. What a waste... she's actually pretty." (He laughed.)

The applicants continued whispering and mocking Miyuuki from a distance.

Noticing the gossip, Eleanor immediately walked over to her.

Eleanor:

*(*She frowned.) "Don't listen to them. They're just jealous because you aced the written examination! Honestly, I feel like punching them. Why are they saying such horrible things about you?"

Miyuuki:

(She smiled gently.) "It's alright, Eleanor. You don't have to do that. What's important right now is focusing on the next examination." (She let out a small giggle.)

Eleanor:

"You're right... but I still don't like people talking badly about my friend."

Miyuuki:

(She laughed softly.) "Thank you, Eleanor. You're very kind."

As the applicants continued chatting among themselves, the large doors to the examination chamber slowly opened.

A beautiful young woman stepped gracefully into the room.

The entire hall instantly fell silent.

Her long orange hair flowed elegantly behind her, while her emerald-green eyes carried a calm yet dignified presence.

Although she appeared to be no older than twenty, an overwhelming aura surrounded her, causing every applicant to instinctively hold their breath.

Several male applicants stared in complete admiration.

Male Applicant:

"Who... is she?"

Another Male Applicant:

"Maybe she's today's proctor?"

Third Male Applicant:

"No way... Wait... orange hair... green eyes... and big boo—"

Female Applicant:

(She slapped the back of his head.) "Will you stop being a pervert already?! That's the famous mage known as 'The Etherseer!' She's the only person in Aurelia capable of analyzing a person's Ether with a single glance!"

Male Applicant:

"E-EH?! Seriously?! I thought the Etherseer was supposed to be an old woman!"

Third Male Applicant:

"Yeah! Me too!"

Female Applicant:

"Both of you, be quiet!"

The mysterious woman smiled as she walked toward the center of the chamber.

Her footsteps echoed softly throughout the silent hall.

She looked around at the remaining applicants before letting out a gentle laugh.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest:

(She giggled softly.) "Well... I'm pleasantly surprised. It seems there are still quite a few survivors from the written examination."

She smiled warmly.

"Allow me to introduce myself."

"I am Seraphine Evercrest, your proctor for the Second Examination."

Before we begin, the Moonstone Monolith, an ancient relic entrusted to Morthalis Academy by the Astralis Dynasty. Its purpose is to reveal the true nature of the Ether that resides within your soul.Each applicant will approach the Monolith individually and place one hand upon its surface.

The Monolith will first emit a silver light as it synchronizes with your Ether. Once the resonance is complete, the silver light will transform into the color of your natural Ether Affinity.

Through this assessment, we will determine:

A glowing screen appeared

Your Ether Affinity

Your Mana Capacity

Your Ether Purity

Your Magical Potential

Do not attempt to manipulate or force your Ether. The Monolith responds only to your true nature, and it cannot be deceived.

When your name is called, step forward calmly, place your hand upon the Monolith, and await your results.

The Ether Resonance Assessment will now begin."

At the center of the examination chamber stands a towering crystal pillar nearly three meters tall. It appears transparent, yet countless streams of colored light flow endlessly within it. Silver runes engraved around its base emit a faint glow. The artifact has existed since the Divine War. Only Seraphine can fully activate it.

As the assessment begins... Professor Seraphine Evercrest stood beside the Monolith with her usual calm expression.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest:

Applicant Number Twelve, Eleanor Whitestar.

Eleanor:

(Eleanor jumped excitedly.) That's me!

She turned toward Miyuuki and smiled.

Eleanor:

Wish me luck!

Miyuuki:

(Miyuuki nodded with a warm smile.) You can do it, Eleanor! Taking a deep breath, Eleanor stepped onto the platform. The entire hall watched as she approached the Moonstone Monolith. She gently placed her right hand against its smooth surface.

For a brief moment...Nothing happened.

Then, a soft silver light emerged from the crystal. The light slowly spread across Eleanor's arm before surrounding her entire body. The examiners watched quietly.

Applicant:

Look.

"The resonance has begun." One of the professors adjusted his glasses. "The silver light is scanning her ether." Several seconds passed. The silver glow suddenly shimmered. Tiny particles of light rose into the air.

Then, the silver transformed into a brilliant golden yellow radiance. Golden yellow stars floated around Eleanor as rays of warm light illuminated the platform.

The examiners and applicant gasped.

"Beautiful..."

"So that's Astra Ether."

Professor Seraphine slowly opened her silver eyes. For a few moments, she quietly observed the golden ether surrounding Eleanor.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest:

"Applicant Eleanor Whitestar."

"Ether Affinity: Astra Ether."

"Mana Capacity: A-Rank."

"Ether Purity: Ninety-three percent."

"Magical Potential: Excellent."

The professors immediately recorded the results. The crowd applauded. Eleanor's face lit up.

Eleanor:

I did it!

She bowed politely before leaving the platform. As she walked back, she couldn't stop smiling.

Eleanor:

Miyuuki! I got Astra Ether!

Miyuuki:

Congratulations! (Miyuuki smiled happily.) I knew you would do well.

Eleanor:

(Eleanor laughed.) "I'll be waiting for your turn!" She gave Miyuuki an encouraging thumbs-up before returning to the applicants' line. Miyuuki looked toward the glowing monolith.

As Eleanor stepped down from the platform, the hall filled with applause. The emerald glow of her Astra Ether still lingered faintly around the Moonstone Monolith.

Several examiners smiled as they recorded the results.

One Examiner:

Another excellent Astra candidate. House Solarius continues to produce remarkable talents.

Second Examiner:

Her ether flow is stable as well. She'll have no trouble adapting to the academy. 

Nearby, several professors quietly reviewed the list of remaining applicants. One name caught their attention.

Third Examiner:

Next is... Miyuuki Tsukihana.

The examiner adjusted his glasses.

Third Examiner:

She's the girl from the countryside, isn't she?

Fourth Examiner:

Yes. Her written examination was impressive, but...

He glanced toward Miyuuki, who quietly stood at the back of the applicants.

"...Her Ether is almost impossible to sense."

Another examiner nodded.

Fifth Examiner:

I tried observing her during the practical orientation this morning. Nothing. Her ether fluctuations are unusually faint.

The group exchanged uncertain looks.

Second Examiner:

Perhaps she's simply a late bloomer.

Fourth Examiner:

Or perhaps she possesses almost no Ether at all.

A few examiners quietly sighed.

Third Examiner:

If that's the case... She won't survive Morthalis Academy.

Across the room, several applicants overheard the conversation. The whispers spread almost instantly.

Applicant:

Did you hear that? Even the examiners think she barely has any Ether.

Another Applicant:

So that's why she looks nervous.

Sayuri couldn't help but smile.

Sayuri:

(She folded her arms confidently.) Looks like the entrance examination was just beginner's luck.

A few students laughed softly. Not everyone joined in.

Eleanor glanced toward Miyuuki with concern. She gently grabbed her friend's hand.

Eleanor:

(She smiled reassuringly.) Don't listen to them. They don't know you like I do.

Miyuuki forced a small smile.

Miyuuki:

Thank you... I'll do my best.

High above the platform...Proctor Seraphine Evercrest quietly observed everything. She had heard every whisper. Every assumption. Every conclusion. Yet… Unlike the others… She never judged an applicant before the Monolith revealed its answer. She calmly closed the record book in her hands. Then she raised her voice.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest:

Applicant Number Thirteen... Miyuuki Tsukihana.

The whispers immediately ceased. The entire examination hall turned toward the quiet girl standing at the end of the line.

Miyuuki took a slow, steady breath. Then...She stepped forward.

Miyuuki:

(She quietly clenched her fists.) I can do this...

She climbed onto the platform and bowed respectfully before Seraphine.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest:

Do not be afraid. Simply place your hand upon the Monolith. Allow your Ether to answer.

Miyuuki:

Y-Yes, Professor.

With trembling fingers, Miyuuki gently placed her right hand against the crystal.

For a moment...Nothing happened. The examination hall fell silent. Then, a brilliant silver-white light burst from the Moonstone Monolith. The light flowed like liquid moonlight, wrapping around Miyuuki's entire body. The audience gasped.

Examiners:

The silver light has appeared!

Everyone waited. Normally, the silver light would only last for a second before changing into an ether color.

Red.

Blue.

Green.

Purple.

Yellow.

Every mage eventually revealed their true affinity. But this time...

One second passed. The silver light remained.

Two seconds. Still silver.

Three seconds. Nothing changed.

The whispers began.

Applicant:

Why hasn't it changed?

Another Applicant:

Did the Monolith stop working?

One Examiner:

*I*mpossible... The Monolith has never failed.

Five seconds. The silver-white light continued to shine without fading.

The hall grew restless.

Applicant:

Does she not have an Ether?

Another Applicant:

I've never seen anything like this...

Sayuri:

(She folded her arms with a smug smile.) Just as I expected. She's completely talentless.

Several students quietly laughed.

Miyuuki lowered her head.

Miyuuki:

(She bit her lip.) ...Did I fail?

Everyone believed the crystal had rejected her. Everyone...

Except one person.

Seraphine never looked away. Her expression, usually calm and unreadable, slowly changed. She activated her unique ability, Ether Sight.

The colors of every Ether in the room became visible before her eyes.

Brilliant flames of Solis.

Golden Yellow Astra.

Flowing Aqua.

Verdant Zephyr.

Dark Umbra.

Radiant Astralis.

Each Ether glowed with its own unmistakable color.

Then...

She looked at Miyuuki.

Seraphine's breathing stopped.

There was no color.

Only pure silver-white light.

Not empty.

Not colorless.

Chief Examiner Seraphine Evercrest:

(She whispered under her breath.) Impossible...

The moonstone monolith trembled.

A faint crack of silver light spread across its surface before vanishing.

The other examiners stepped back in shock.

One examiner:

Professor... The monolith reacted!

Seraphine slowly raised a hand.

Without taking her eyes off Miyuuki, she calmly spoke.

Chief Examiner Seraphine Evercrest:

Remain calm.

The room fell silent once more.

After several long moments, the silver light finally disappeared.

Miyuuki slowly removed her hand from the crystal.

She looked at Seraphine with nervous eyes.

Miyuuki:

Professor... What is my Ether?

The entire hall waited for the answer.

Seraphine stared at Miyuuki for a long moment.

Then, with her usual composed smile...

Chief Examiner Seraphine Evercrest:

Assessment complete.

She looked toward the audience.

Chief Examiner Seraphine Evercrest:

Ether Affinity... Unknown.

The hall erupted into confusion.

Applicant:

Unknown?

Another Applicant:

I've never heard of that before!

Sayuri:

(She laughed quietly.) She doesn't even have an Ether.

Miyuuki forced a small smile.

Although disappointed, she bowed politely.

Miyuuki:

Thank you, Professor.

She quietly stepped down from the platform and returned to her place beside Eleanor.

As she walked away, Seraphine watched her.

The applicants left the chamber...

Seraphine remained alone before the Moonstone Monolith.

The room was silent.

She slowly reached into the sleeve of her robe and removed an ancient silver pendant engraved with a crescent moon.

For the first time in a century...

The pendant began to glow.

Seraphine closed her eyes.

Proctor Seraphine Evercrest

(She whispered.) So... The prophecy was true.

Without another word, she turned toward the palace overlooking Morthalis Academy.

Far beyond the academy walls...

Inside the Royal Palace...

An ancient mural depicting the Moon Goddess suddenly shimmered.

A single crack spread across its surface.

At the same moment...

Deep beneath Aurelia...

Something sealed away for one hundred years...

Opened its eyes.

Chief Examiner Seraphine Evercrest:

(She whispered so softly.) Welcome back... Child of the Moon. ( She smiled)

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