Exploring Technology in a Wizard World

Chapter 130: Chapter 129 Talent Test
 

Hearing footsteps approaching the door, a young noble scurried over with a fawning quickness and opened it.

Outside stood a young man who cast a brief glance at the noble who had opened the door and stepped inside.

“Tap tap tap…”

It was clear to see that this man could be described as “beautiful,” so beautiful, in fact, that he surpassed the numerous girls the noble had sought after. His hands, wrists, neck, and face, the skin exposed to the air, were incredibly fair, more delicate than a woman’s, with not a single hair in sight, as if he were made of glass. His face lacked any hint of ruggedness; his eyebrows were meticulously groomed, exuding an androgynous beauty, and his nose was turned up, yet not too large, like an exquisite ornament.

His eyes twinkled, emitting an unusual light. The glow was not sharp but could be said to be gentle, yet it possessed a power that demanded awe.

“Tap tap tap…”

The newcomer walked onto a wooden platform set up on one side of the box, raised his eyebrows, and looked at the many people below as he spoke. His voice was neither overbearing nor too effeminate but rather possessed a neutral magnetism.

He said, “I am Hua’er, a Third-Level Apprentice from White Stone Tower. You should be aware that I am here to investigate certain matters in Cuijin City. As for testing Talent and selecting students to join our White Stone Tower, that will be the duty of Mr. Siv who will arrive later.”

The crowd below fell silent.

Hua’er continued, “Of course, given your enthusiasm for joining our White Stone Tower, I can help you by checking for Wizard Talent in advance of the respected Mr. Siv’s arrival. I will report the results directly to Mr. Siv, and those who qualify will earn the right to board, while those who do not may leave at their discretion. This will also lighten Mr. Siv’s load, which he should be pleased with.

However, there are some things I must clarify in advance.

First, this is the first time I will be conducting a Talent test, but it is also the last. So for those who didn’t make it, help me tell them there won’t be a second chance. They can wait for Mr. Siv to arrive.

Second, I will record the results of your Talent test and pass them on to Mr. Siv. Don’t bother trying to alter them; even if you manage to, you won’t get past Mr. Siv’s scrutiny. Therefore, it’s best if you keep any tricks to yourselves. White Stone Tower isn’t a place you can enter just because you want to, and its power is beyond what you can imagine.”

“Alright, I’ve said my piece.” Hua’er braced his hands on the desk and looked down at the crowd below, asking, “Have you all understood? If so, give me a response.”

The crowd nodded quickly.

“Good, now line up one by one for me to conduct the Talent test using a Spell. Don’t be nervous, afraid, or scream during the process! Once tested, leave immediately without lingering and wasting time. That’s all. Now… who will come up first?”

After hearing this, the crowd below obviously hesitated, exchanging wary glances, none of them wanting to be the first. After all, who knew what might happen.

A silence of more than ten seconds filled the room.

Hua’er slightly raised his eyebrows and said, “I hope you won’t waste time. If no one comes up, then this Talent test can come to an end, as I still have other business to attend to.”

“Don’t, Lord Hua’er.” Some in the crowd couldn’t hold back any longer and quickly made their way toward the platform.

Richard looked and saw a noble youth of about seventeen or eighteen wearing a scarlet coat, his face marked with tension and urgency.

Gro turned his head slightly and said, “He must be a bastard from the Torchi family. I heard he killed someone, and the family is too lazy to clear it up for him, forcing him to skulk around every day, hiding from the courts. Unexpectedly, he’s shown up here. It seems he’s considering becoming a Wizard and going to the continent as the only chance to escape prison.”

Richard nodded and continued to watch as the youth stepped onto the platform, approaching Hua’er with some fear.

Hua’er gave him a quick look and simply asked, “Name?”

“Amon… Amon Torchi.”

“Amon, then. Now, stand up straight, don’t move, and don’t tremble. Yes, just like that, steady,” Hua’er commanded, eyeing Amon Torchi. After a long pause, his words complete, his lips began to move.

“Mouthing a spell?” Richard speculated inwardly.

Richard saw Hua’er’s lips moving and slowly extended his hand, stopping about a dozen centimeters in front of Amon. Then, a sphere of golden light emitted from the palm of his hand, steadily infusing into Amon’s body.

“Ah!” Not only did Amon on the stage shout out in surprise but also the many people below. To them, this was shocking enough. Most of them were witnessing what they called a spell for the first time. However, they quickly recalled Hua’er’s earlier reminder “not to scream,” so the moment they started to shout, they abruptly stopped, sounding like a duck whose neck was being squeezed.

By comparison, some people in the audience were quite composed, one of them was Gro, and the other was Richard.

For Gro, he had already seen Richard cast a spell, and although he was somewhat astonished to see a spell now, he wouldn’t become as flustered as the others.

As for Richard, he could cast even more dazzling spells with ease, so naturally, he would not be emotionally perturbed by the scene before him.

Richard watched with an inquisitive mindset, observing the golden light released from Hua’er’s hand. He saw the light steadily infusing into Amon’s body and then visibly dimming at an observable rate.

First, a faint black mist appeared, then it rapidly turned pitch black.

At the same time, Hua’er’s complexion also darkened, he lowered his hand, dispelled the light, and declared, “No talent, disqualified.”

“Ah!” Amon cried out, not from shock this time but rather disbelief, or perhaps despair. On the stage, his mouth moved several times without making a sound, then after a moment he spoke to Hua’er, almost pleadingly, “That… Lord Hua’er, please test me again, I… I feel I really have the talent, I… I don’t feel any pain when I’m hurt, and I never get sick, look…”

Hua’er spoke, his command devoid of any emotion, “Leave.”

Amon didn’t want to give up, continuing to ramble with his requests, “Lord Hua’er, I… I’m truly begging you, I really want to become a wizard, I…”

Hua’er’s expression grew even darker, he raised his hand, a finger pointing upward.

“Crackle and Snap,” blue sparks of electricity danced on the fingertip.

Amon’s face instantly paled.

Hua’er looked at the ashen-faced Amon and said coldly, “I told you to leave, did you not hear me? Whether you have talent or not, I only test once. After the test, leave immediately, don’t waste time. Unless, you want to experience the feeling of being struck by thunder? You surely must be eager to try it, right?”

“I… I…” Amon’s whole body trembled, he vigorously shook his head.

Hua’er advanced.

Amon hastily retreated, tumbling down the wooden stage with a ‘rumble,’ struggled to his feet, and fled towards the exit in a panic, shouting, “No, don’t!”

Hua’er snorted lightly, his expression returning to normal. Then he looked at the crowd and asked aloud, “Next, who would like to test their talent a second time?”

“Uh, that would be me…”

A voice rang out.