Three privileged spots were taken by Ailin Camila Lumier and Glantham Phoenix, leaving just one remaining. Only Leyang hadn’t been tested yet. He could perfectly control his results. With the girls’ performances, no one would notice him anyway.

"My name is Nebis Leyang. I’m eight, from the Nebis Territory. Nice to meet you."

Leyang stepped onto the testing platform and gave a perfunctory introduction.

"Huh? The name Nebis… Could he be from that Nebis Family? I heard the Nebis Territory’s been in ruins for years. Even bandits skip it—it’s that poor."

"Didn’t the Nephus Lord’s daughter marry Viscount Lindenborg? He’s wealthy, always donating to other lords. Maybe he’s footing the bill?"

...

These kids gossiped fiercely, acting nothing like mere seven- or eight-year-olds.

Coincidentally, the Lindenborg twins were in the crowd. Others recognized them and exchanged pleasantries. Lord Lindenborg’s reputation meant it never hurt to get on his family’s good side early.

Leyang ignored the brats. Sure, Nebis was broken now—but who could predict the future?

Leyang reached for the rainbow magic crystal. Phoenix watched him eagerly. He was the first person besides her parents to be kind to her; caring was only natural.

The crystal spun a few times. Suddenly, a powerful gust ripped through the sealed hall, knocking everyone sideways. They clutched their guards for support, eyes wide with confusion.

How could wind appear here? The hall was airtight—such force shouldn’t be possible. Had the instructors used magic secretly?

Leyang’s eyes narrowed slightly as he withdrew his hand.

Boom!

"This is impossible! No human can do this!" The recording instructor shot up in shock, face twisted bizarrely. Even Ailin Camila Lumier and Glantham Phoenix’s earlier displays hadn’t rattled him this badly.

"Huh? What happened?"

Bark Keith, Soya Jemi, and Plan Dominic all shot him questioning looks.

"Nebis Leyang’s magic aptitude… ten… TEN!"

The hall gasped, faces flashing with horror.

"Level ten?! Are you joking?!" Plan Dominic shouted, stunned speechless.

"It can’t be wrong. The mana stone confirmed it." The instructor held up the stone firmly.

The mana stone worked with the rainbow crystal to measure aptitude precisely, capped at level ten.

"Level ten! TEN! Since the Camila Empire’s founding, no genius like this has existed. He’ll surpass the entire empire once he matures!"

The crowd erupted in excitement.

Phoenix genuinely felt happy for Leyang.

Ailin Camila Lumier’s eyes held a hint of something unreadable as she stared at him, curious. She’d thought her talent unmatched—yet today, a girl rivaled her, and a boy surpassed her utterly.

But then, the instructor’s next words poured ice-cold water over them.

"But he has no elemental affinity with mana."

"What?! No affinity?!" Elemental affinity and magic aptitude worked together. Without it, he couldn’t cast any magic. Leyang had godlike talent but couldn’t use it.

"How? Such a waste! Level ten aptitude—even basic affinity would’ve made him supreme. Fate’s cruel joke…" Everyone shook their heads, pitying Leyang. Even Plan Dominic had wanted him as a disciple. Affinity-less meant his talent was useless for life.

What good was supreme talent if unusable? Having it was worse than having none.

"Scared me. I thought a real level ten genius emerged. Just all show, no substance."

"Tsk. All that talent, unusable. I’d want to die if it were me."

"Told you. Level ten? Impossible."

...

Leyang ignored them and walked straight to the strength-testing stone.

No affinity? Hah, fools. His cultivation technique absorbed everything—metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, lightning. Affinity-less mana converted effortlessly. Leyang wasn’t magic-less; he was a monstrous prodigy of all-encompassing magic!

Even he hadn’t expected level ten aptitude. If he revealed his true power, they’d treat him like a national treasure. He couldn’t stand that. Let them misunderstand; this suited him fine.

His goal was always just the academy’s privileges. Top three freshman was enough.

"This kid looks sturdy. Can’t be a mage? He’ll make a great warrior! If his punch exceeds three hundred jin, I, Bark Keith, take him as my disciple. Soya’s got two—I won’t be outdone!"

Bark Keith stared at Leyang with fiery eyes, muttering.

Leyang took a slow breath, raised his fist, and slammed it into the stone.

BOOM!