How to be the Villain When Every Character Likes Me

5 - the Impossible

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"The Test has begun. Be seated, all. The observation of heirs of ducal or higher status will now commence. Those of lower standing will be escorted to individual testing circuits following the observation," a Royal Mage announced.

Since the Royal Mages had the highest status in the magic system, it was only natural they would administer the Test. People stared at the Royal Mage in awe as the slightly glowing air enveloped his levitating body. His robe, crafted from fine silk and branded with the crest of the Royal Mages, billowed around him, garnering praise from the audience below. His element was air; and only highly skilled mages were able to control the wind to such precision to fly with such stability for such a long period of time.

The crown prince and the second prince sat on the large platform above the seated audience, behind them in sequence were heirs of status down to the ducal rank. Only five heirs sat behind the princes. Rewan watched in anticipation, just one row behind the royals. His eyes glistened with mischief and anxiety as he thought over his plan. The ticking time limit hovered over him grimly as a blindingly bright blue screen.

The Royal Mage descended from flight and settled next to the elemental stone. He reached toward it. As his hand approached the majestic, seemingly clear marble that stretched up to the ceiling, it began glowing a glistening azure, shining with a light so intoxicating people couldn't help but gasp in awe.

"That Royal Mage must have immense capacities for mana," one whispered. The crowd rippled with hushed, impressed dialogue as the Royal Mage withdrew his hand, the stone reverting back to its clear property.

There were two aspects of the Test that determined one's magic affinity: the richness of the stone's color and the brightness of which it glowed. The Royal Mage's color was a bit pale, signaling a normal affinity—whether innate or cultivated over time—to his element of air, but the bright quality of the stone showed his large mana pool and open mana circulation. He must have had a high capacity for mana dispersion or output spells.

"The crown prince of Voraphite: Cesar Voraphite." The Royal Mage announced, shushing the crowd. The crown prince stood from his long stone throne, moving gracefully to the elemental stone.

Although the elemental stone was almost seven meters tall, imposing and intimidating to most, the crown prince's presence seemed to overtake its formidable quality, showing his past as a prince cultivated to be the next King.

The floor's careful engravings, which remained unresponsive when the Royal Mage had used the stone, illuminated with light as soon as he approached, the brightness snaking down the engravings like the flow of lava, leaving the crowd gasping in awe. The flashy display contrasted to the crown prince's regal and frigidly indifferent expression, making people feel as if he truly was a pure, ethereal being, descended from heaven.

"Place your hand on the elemental stone," the Royal Mage stated.

The masses buzzing with excitement immediately quieted, still as a mouse. Tension filled the air.

The crown prince's shapely, long hand lifted. His fingers landed on the stone like the dancing descent of white angel feathers.

The stone shone a crimson red, as red as blood, and lit up almost as much as the Royal Mage's.

"High affinity with fire elements. Relatively high mana capacity and circulation." The Mage announced.

The readings given by the mage were vague—after all, to accurately gauge magic talent took more precise instruments. The exact ranking of affinity and capacity were given around two weeks after the Test.