Tori Avin, age 8, no magical aptitude, strength 50.

Mario Chichik, age 8, no magical aptitude, strength 110.

Cao Ni, age 7, elemental attribute: wind, inferior magical aptitude, strength 35.

...

One by one, trainees stepped onto the testing platform, eager and ready. They harbored high hopes; if the empire’s heroes favored them, their futures would shine bright. Perhaps they could even replace their family’s eldest son and inherit the noble title.

Yet reality was often cruel. Most walked back down dejectedly. The two heroic mentors didn’t spare them a glance.

"Lord Leyang, aren’t you going to try?" Phoenix turned to Leyang, asking softly with a hint of puzzlement.

"Let’s watch first. Our turn will come. Go if you wish—no need to mind me," Leyang replied calmly.

He’d go up eventually, but not blindly. He didn’t know his magical aptitude yet, but in strength, he was confident he could crush every younger boy here. Other rewards didn’t matter; that special privilege was his to claim.

He needed the privilege, yet didn’t want attention. His power was still weak. From his past life’s habits, he knew the weak must hide to avoid drawing powerful predators.

"I’ll wait too. Too many up front—can’t squeeze through," Phoenix said, tossing her ash-green hair twice and smiling faintly.

On the high platform, Soya Jemi’s gaze lingered elsewhere. She ignored the tests; she already knew the true talents among newcomers. Those on stage now were just low-aptitude nobles—no personal disciples for them.

"Soya, what are you watching?" Bark Keith followed her gaze, settling on Phoenix.

"Thinking of taking that half-elf girl? Elves naturally bond with elements—their magic is strong. Phoenix, as a half-elf, has boundless potential."

"She’s good. But notice the boy beside her? He feels... unusual. So composed for his age—more like us." Soya Jemi raised a slender finger to brush her lower lip, smiling seductively.

"Oh?" Bark Keith shifted his focus to Leyang.

Leyang sensed the two fifth-tier mentors watching. He looked up, meeting their eyes. No reverence, no admiration, no tension—just calm stillness, like a deep, unruffled well.

"Lord Leyang, the mentors are staring!" Phoenix stiffened, whispering nervously.

"I know." Leyang withdrew his gaze, unfazed.

"Aren’t you nervous?"

"Why? Afraid they’ll eat you?" Leyang chuckled carelessly.

"I wish I were as strong as you," Phoenix murmured enviously.

"When your power grows, you will be." Leyang ruffled her hair, making her cute face flush crimson.

"Interesting kid. If he meets my standards, I’ll take him as my disciple," Bark Keith chuckled.

"He’ll surprise us," Soya Jemi mused. Sometimes a woman’s sixth sense was terrifyingly accurate.

"Look—it’s Princess Ailin Camila Lumier!"

"Heard she’s Camila Empire’s once-in-a-century magic genius. True or not?"

"We’ll see soon. The seven-colored crystal never lies."

...

Amid fervent stares, a girl in a crimson princess dress ascended the platform. Young as she was, her every move radiated nobility. Her dewy face held a gentle, charming smile—like a warm spring breeze.

"Ailin Camila Lumier, age eight. Please guide me." She lifted her skirt hem, bowing first to Plan Dominic, Bark Keith, and Soya Jemi—the empire’s strongest. Then she bowed to the registration mentor, honoring all present.

"Good, good. Begin." Plan Dominic stroked his snow-white beard, smiling warmly.

Lumier nodded, turned to the seven-colored magic crystal, and took a deep breath. Calmly, she reached out her hand.

Light erupted instantly. Red and cyan glows intertwined, stunning the crowd into silence.

"Dual wind-fire attributes?! Seventh-level magical aptitude!!!" Even the three fifth-tier masters gasped, their eyes blazing with fervor.

Magical aptitude peaked at level ten. Camila Empire’s history held one eighth-level genius—now a legendary mage and guardian deity. Yet that mage had only one element. Lumier had complementary wind and fire, plus seventh-level aptitude. Her future might surpass even the legend.

Soya Jemi smiled bitterly. With such talent, countless powers would covet Lumier. The Emperor placed her here at Kamila Noble Academy to shield her growth. Royal factions were tangled and treacherous; for young Lumier, the academy was safer than the palace.

Plan Dominic glanced at Soya Jemi. She nodded—and vanished, reappearing beside Lumier.

"Princess Ailin, I am Archmage Soya Jemi, master of wind magic. Will you be my disciple?" Soya Jemi asked softly, smiling warmly.

"I will, Mentor Soya Jemi," Lumier nodded, smiling back.

"Then it’s settled. Ailin Camila Lumier is now my personal disciple."