Magical Academy: Rise of the Supreme Magic Craftsman

"Huuu~"

Wallace wiped the sweat trickling down on his forehead after confirming that he successfully completed the task. 

It seems that the Mana Array within the room had also detected the finished product that he made using the new forging method as another secret compartment opened from the desk near the bed. 

The inside of the drawer this time was similar to an Artifact Forging Box but its functions seem to be quite different. 

"Oh... Should I place the knife here?" 

[ This compartment is similar to Item Scanner Artifact. It will help in appraising your creation. Due to its size, only small objects can be appraised. ] 

This was answered by Avalon, the floating sphere beside him. 

Wallace was satisfied with it's answer and thought of something else.

'Great... It can easily identify Mana Artifacts now. Once the Simulation Pods were fully released, it can learn more. Hehe...' 

While Wallace was lost in his thoughts as he imagined the future of Avalon, the scanner completed the appraisal on his creation. 

[ Light Daedric Knife - A simple but extremely sharp knife made of Pure Daedric Steel and Purified Ebony Wood. It can barely be considered as a Sixth Generation Mana Artifact as per Cloud Hawks Manor's standard. 

Effects: 

- High Cold Resistance - this will take effect when the knife was gripped. 

- Reform - due to Spirit Channelling, the knife can reform to its original state by itself even if it was destroyed or damaged given enough time. 

Quality: 

- Rank C - Low-Grade Sixth Gen Artifact.

Bounded to Wallace Ravencroft. ]

"Mhm... Not bad." Wallace evaluated his own creation. He was referring to the "bounded" effect that was included in the status of the weapon. Based on the information that was in the memory crystal, this means that its effects would only work if it is being used by him. 

For the Reform effect, as long as the parts of the weapon were still present, it can still be repaired. But if it was destroyed to the point of leaving nothing behind, then the Reform will not take effect.

"I wonder if everyone finished the task... but if that was the case, we might be graded depending on our duration... That may not be favorable to me. I just barely finished it at the last minute." 

Wallace heard a knock on the door. It was Clyne Troyard calling them outside. 

He stood up and was about to take the knife with him but the compartment suddenly closed. 

"Oh... Maybe they still need to grade it personally?" Wallace thought upon seeing that he can't open the compartment without using stronger force. 

He walked outside and met with Clyne. The others hadn't been called out yet as it seems. 

"Your room signaled us that you finished the task at the last minute. Congratulations." Clyne said smilingly after seeing Wallace.

"Thank you..." Wallace smiled as he appreciated Clyne's words. 

"Mhm... I will still call the others, wait here." 

He then proceeded to fetch the other examinees.

'He didn't look for the artifact I made. I guess it was really supposed to be on the compartment then.' 

Wallace thought for a moment but after seeing the other five that was beaming with confidence, he felt a bit worried about the result.

'Did they finished it earlier than me? Let's just hope that there's someone who failed or at least has a poor quality of weapon.' 

This thought only appeared in his mind and not to be taken too seriously. He wasn't that petty to hope others to fail, just only a little bit. After all, he was still a young and competitive teen. 

Wallace saw that Merlin Hermes has a bit of a smug look on his face. 

'Well, it seems that this kid completed the task easily. He doesn't look stressed or tired at all. I hope he'll be eliminated.' Wallace thought but again changed his mind.

'No. I can't be like this. If he really possesses superior talent... then I guess he can be smug about it.' 

Wallace looked at the others who were also looking good after getting out of the room.

Although Ren Tao has a stoic expression as always, this time, he couldn't hide the satisfaction showing on his eyes. 

Tristan White who was supposedly only here for experience always had a happy expression on his face so it seems that nothing had gone wrong in his examination.

Rhine Wimbledon and Jared Faust III were also in a good mood as they greeted Clyne Troyard as if they will be part of the Cloud Hawk Manor after the results came out. Wallace even heard "I'll be in your care, senior" on their words as they speak to the butler. 

'Isn't that a bit too early?' Wallace's mouth twitched upon hearing them. 

Anyway, the five look satisfied with their gains inside the room. 

'Am I really the only one worried here? Sigh~ I still need to learn, huh.' 

"Alright, we'll meet at the office above. You guys can take rest for half an hour as we'll double-check all your accomplishments." As soon as Clyne said this, one of the servants at the manor came to lead them out.

The six followed as they were brought to their previous rooms. They all took a fresh bath as they relaxed their bodies after the three full days of examination. Although they were satisfied with their performance, they didn't have the mood to talk to each other. They felt that it's unnecessary for the meantime.

Half an hour had passed and they were brought to a hall where Slaine Allusia was standing and waiting for them. Clyne can also be seen standing behind Slaine's right hand. 

They immediately bowed and greeted the Grand Arcanist with respect. They may be his master after a few moments so they have to watch their attitude. 

"Mhm. Any moments by now and your memories about the new forging method and AOTL will be forgotten." Slaine announced after facing the six young magicians.

The examinees had almost forgotten about this problem. They were aware that they must consume another type of memory crystal from this manor to retain those memories. They were all hoping to receive them. Those memories were precious. 

"For now, Clyne will evaluate your results." 

Clyne steps forward holding a small notebook as he prepared to announce the results. He prepared to have this paper notebook rather than using an electronic device to save his notes. 

He turned the page and soon started to evaluate each of them.

"Tristan White, you successfully comprehended the "Perfect" state of the breathing method of Awakening of Thunder and Lightning within 2 days and reached the "Natural" state at the last minute of the examination." 

As soon as Clyne announced this, the other examinees except Wallace were surprised upon hearing this. 

Wallace didn't miss their shocked expression. After all, he was also shocked upon hearing this but his state of mind was stronger so he immediately surveyed the others to feel out their progress. 

'I see, they were also shocked by his slow progress.' Wallace thought quickly but he realized that it was only normal since Tristan was only here to have an experience. 

'I guess, I have a guaranteed slot now.' 

Slaine requires 5 apprentices and there's only 6 of them here. Tristan's low progress means a chance for him. 

"Ren Tao, you managed to reach the "Perfect" state of the breathing method and using your own secrets, you managed to find a way to start imprinting the spells to your Mana Body but you didn't have enough time to finish even a single spell. After all, without reaching the Natural state, although you've found a loophole, it would still take a lot of your time." Wallace couldn't help but raise his brows upon hearing this. He can clearly see Ren Tao's smirking and satisfied look. 

"Jared Faust the 3rd, just like Tristan, you reached the Natural state of the breathing method almost at the end of the exam. It was five minutes before the deadline. You were a few minutes earlier than Tristan." 

Wallace, while still stunned on what he heard from Clyne, saw Jared's conceited look. Well, he is an 18 years old magician and he has beaten a 13-year-old competitor. He probably felt good about that. 

"Rhine Wimbledon, on the second day of the examination, you already learned the Natural State but you had troubles in your Mana Body. You probably needed more time to get used on the imprinting process of magic formulas." 

"Merlin Hermes, you reached Master state on the first day, Perfect state on the second day and Natural state on the last day. You had stable progress and had an hour more to start studying the new forging method but you didn't attempt to apply it. Well, only 60 minutes were left so I can somehow understand." Clyne said as he turned to the last page of his notes.

He paused for a moment and announced to everyone. 

Jared and Merlin were still feeling better but they heard Clyne's announcement. 

"Wallace Ravencroft, you learned the Natural state within a day. Learned the new forging method within the remaining days and completed the Sixth Generation Mana Artifact at the very last minute of the examination." 

Finally, Clyne declared. 

"For the result of this apprenticeship examination, only Wallace will be accepted as an apprentice of Sir Slaine. Thank you for coming."