MTLNOVEL Chapter 110: Test Of Qualification
[Ding!]
[Protagonist Carl has requested a challenge: a test of qualification.]
[A new Destiny Quest has been activated.]
[Intermediate Destiny Quest 1: What will you choose when you know you will likely lose?]
[Quest Content: Participate in the challenge of the wizard qualification test with Carl.]
[Reward: ??]
[Note: The Quest will be completed after you draw with the protagonist. Losing will automatically forfeit the Quest.]
'Tch, what will you choose when you know you will likely lose, huh?'
Ian was a little surprised that this quest was so bizarre as it only required him to draw with the protagonist. However, he could understand why.
As far as he knew, everyone here would be tested by the Keystone, the large crystal, at the center of the square in three categories: magical aptitude, elemental affinity, and mental power.
Each category was graded on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest and Carl had achieved a perfect score of 10 in all three categories this time in Arcane Passage.
So of course, Ian had no chance of winning and could only hope to draw with him at best.
It was intriguing, though, that the system predicted his loss and then gave him a quest that required only a draw to succeed.
"What do you think?"
Seeing Ian lost in thought, Carl assumed he was afraid and taunted him to see if he would accept the challenge. In terms of qualification, Carl didn't believe anyone in this barren place could surpass him.
"Haha, okay, okay. Whatever makes you feel good. Let's compare our qualifications—it might at least make this boring event interesting."
Seeing Carl acting as if he'd already won, Ian laughed and accepted the challenge graciously.
In fact, Ian knew he was no match for Carl in wizard qualifications under normal circumstances. However, now that he had awakened his bloodline, unsealed the Veilstrider Meditation method, and gained rewards from the Star Well, he should at least be comparable.
Otherwise, why would the quest show a draw as the condition for completion?
Even so, it didn't matter if he lost this time. Real strength lay in the power at hand. Potential and qualifications could be acquired, just as his comprehension had been directly enhanced by the Star Well—not to mention that he still had his system.
"Okay, good. Haha, then let's see who's better."
After Ian's agreement, Carl laughed, elated, and returned to his place, as the test was about to start.
How could he not be happy? He was about to flaunt his incredible talent and slap his enemy's face, even if it wasn't in combat. Competing with the one person who had defeated him made the victory all the sweeter.
"Ian, why agree to such nonsense? Just ignore him."
Lyra couldn't understand why Ian bothered entertaining the other party when there was no need to care about what Carl thought.
"It's okay. It's just for fun. But tell me honestly, did you say that last sentence on purpose to irritate him?"
Your journey continues at empire
He asked Lyra with a questioning look, to which she smiled almost imperceptibly, mischief gleaming in her eyes as if she was thoroughly enjoying herself.
'This girl.'
Ian laughed and made his way to the square. Just when he arrived Ron saw him, nodded in relief, and stepped onto the platform to begin the test.
"Okay, quiet down. It's time for the wizard qualification test."
While all this was happening, the crowd had been murmuring about Ian and Lyra when a crisp voice suddenly entered everyone's ears, silencing them instantly.
The inexplicable appearance of someone on the platform and the voice that felt as though it came from right beside them made the crowd freeze in dread as they realized a real Wizard was on stage.
This was really unexpected.
In previous years, Wizards typically appointed proxies to conduct this mundane test. Unless you were chosen as a candidate, you would never have the chance to see a real Wizard as even if they chanted the spell to awaken the Crystall at the center, they were mostly invisible.
However, this time was an exception because Ron was in a hurry to leave and took charge himself.
With his methods, the test for the once-in-a-decade Ignisia Trial would be over in no time. There really was no need to add extra steps to make it more cumbersome.
Seeing everyone's attention on him, Ron smiled and continued,
"Now, everyone with an Ignisia Trial Token, line up and approach the platform one by one after I activate the Keystone. No talking, no delays. Anyone disturbing the order will be disqualified."
After issuing his instructions, Ron exuded the unique aura of a Wizard, causing the crowd to feel stifled. Of course, he avoided directing his aura toward Ian.
Once he saw everyone taking his words seriously, Ron approached the Crystal Ball and began chanting an ancient incantation while embedding a unique token into a groove beside the crystal.
As the chant slowly concluded, the Ignisia Tower above the Everbright Cliff, barely visible from afar, glowed brilliantly, illuminating the Crystal Ball at the square's center.
Ian, with his keen perception, clearly felt the inexplicable flow of mana from the tower into the crystal.
The radiant glow of the Ignisia Tower lasted only a moment but was truly breathtaking.
Although people on Gravethrone Continent had begun to not take the Wizard's path seriously due to it being too distant, seeing such an incredible scene was enough to ignite their hearts again. So, it made one wonder if the name Ignisia was chosen for this very reason.
"Now that the Keystone is charged, you may step forward," Ron instructed, retrieving his token.
"Remember, insert your Ignisia Tower Token into the groove and place your hand on the crystal. Your talents will be evaluated in three categories: magical aptitude, elemental affinity, and mental power. Anyone scoring 4 or more points in each category may enter the Ignisia Tower. Others can just leave."
"Step forward now."