He also saw quite a few mana beasts lying around the campus, some even weaker than him, while some whose aura he couldn't even fathom.

'Damn, is this what a top-tier academy feels like?'

[Of course, Master won't know, you only went to the local academy in your city.]

'…' Orion couldn't even rebut it as he decided to wisely shut up and look around the place. Everywhere he saw was a wonder for his eyes.

A faculty member dressed in azure and silver robes noticed him enter. The middle-aged woman held a book with a crystal embedded on its cover and wore a simple circlet that pulsed with soft mana.

"You there, student," she called out politely. "Show me your testing token, please."

Orion nodded and handed it over without a word. The moment she scanned the runes etched onto the token, her demeanor subtly changed—it became a little more polite and friendly.

"Ah… You're the one recommended through House Helstorm's token." She nodded with a slight smile. "You should hurry to take the test. Follow this corridor straight ahead until you see a large dome-shaped testing arena. Someone will guide you further from there."

"Thank you," Orion responded calmly.

As he walked forward, he continued to enjoy the peace and serenity of the place. Banners with the elemental symbols of flame, frost, lightning, earth, wind, and more hung on the high wall while fluttering without any wind.

Eventually, the corridor ended as he reached an open area with an enormous circular plaza surrounded by stadium seating. Inside, applicants had already gathered with hopeful expressions, standing nervously or chatting to ease the tension.

At the far side of the arena, a semi-circular podium rose slightly above the testing floor. Several instructors and examiners were already sitting there, each exuding a strong presence.

Behind them floated dozens of glowing crystal spheres, likely enchanted artifacts to record test data.

Down on the main floor, a row of examinees stood before one of the testing stations: a raised circular platform carved with dense runic patterns.

At its center floated a translucent crystal orb—a Mana Assessment Core. Surrounding it were three brass rings suspended in air, each etched with dense formation runes.

As each candidate stepped forward, the orb and its rings glowed softly and responded based on the individual's mana output and channels.

A voice echoed across the testing floor as one of the examiners called, "Next candidate—step forward and place your palm on the assessment core."

A girl with fiery red hair stepped forward nervously. She pressed her hand against the crystal orb.

The rings began spinning slowly—first one, then two.

"Candidate: Jisela Marrowind. Mana Channels: Three. Mana Capacity: Intermediate Rank. Tier 2 Fire Affinity."

The crowd murmured approvingly. A noble with three vessels and an intermediate capacity? That was a solid foundation for most nobles.

"She's from House Marrowind after all, no surprise she got that," someone muttered.

Another stepped forward.

"Candidate: Borus Arkhelm. Mana Vessels: Two. Mana Capacity: Low Rank. Tier 1 Earth Affinity."

The murmurs were more subtle this time. Orion observed quietly, arms folded behind his back.

[Master, this is interesting! You can really see how varied everyone's foundations are!]

'Indeed,' Orion mused inwardly. 'It gives me a clearer idea of what passes as average and what stands out in this kingdom. Hmm, can you tweak the results? I don't want to expose the full extent of my potential.'

[Ehh, you want to hide your powers, Master??? Σ(っﾟДﾟ;)っ]

'Of course not. But there is no need to expose my full potential here when a little is already enough to surpass all of them.' He inwardly smirked.

[Hmm, I can do that. Just need to partially block the scan. ヽ(o＾▽＾o)ノ]

'Good, then listen, show my Affinity at Tier 5 for Light, and Tier 4 for both Thunder and Wood element. Hide the rest of my elements. Dual Element Wielders are already rare. Three elements should do the job of making me stand out enough.'

[Okayyy Master! That should be good enough to clear the quest as well.]

He slowly nodded his head and continued looking at the test.

One by one, students stepped forward and underwent the same process. The majority had two to five mana vessels unlocked, and very few had more. And the majority had Tier 2 or Tier 3 Elemental Affinity.

Occasionally, a name would earn soft applause either due to noble recognition or an impressive foundation.

But then—

"Candidate: Sylvia Stormbolt. Mana Vessels: Six. Mana Capacity: High Rank. Dual Affinity—Thunder and Wind."

A wave of whispers rippled through the crowd.

"She's from one of the top duchy families!"

"Six damn vessels? That's nearing the prodigy level!"

Even the instructors sat up a little straighter looking at this score.

Orion quietly observed her as she turned and walked away from the platform—tall, proud, her scarlet eyes briefly flicking toward him with curiosity before moving on.

"Next!" another instructor called.

A boy from a lesser-known house stepped up, trembling slightly. "Candidate: Elrin Darnel. Mana Vessels: Two. Mana Capacity: Low Rank. Affinity: Water."

Some pitiful sighs escaped the crowd.

[Master, you're going to blow all of these people away… (*≧▽≦)]

Orion smiled faintly. 'Well… time to make an entrance then.'

Just as he was about to move closer, one of the assistants at the top came towards the senior examiner and whispered something in his ear.

The man raised an eyebrow before nodding. He stood up, "Candidate recommended by Royal Citadel Stormrend—Arya Stormrend—please step forward and test next."

Orion's eyes widened as he heard the examiner's words, 'Fucking hell, she was royalty???'

"Stormrend? Is the little princess going to join the academy with us?" The crowd became excited as they all focused their gaze towards the entrance.

"She is the kingdom's jewel." Another young man said with infatuation.

His friend gently nudged him, "Control your gaze lest you want your head decapitated. Look beside her, that is the daughter of the Royal Guard Captain—Emilia Ashborn."

He pointed toward a tall, lean girl with striking blue hair tied in a ponytail. She held a spear in one hand and walked a step behind Arya, her movements calm like a well.

Arya directly went atop the testing ground to take her test, while Emilia followed behind her without pause.

"Thank you for having me," Arya said, bowing gracefully in aristocratic fashion toward the examiner.

The examiner nodded his head politely, "The pleasure is all mine, Princess. Please proceed," he respectfully said while gesturing towards the orb.

Arya nodded her head and moved towards the orb, ignoring the gathered crowd.

'She is acting completely different here, no longer that meek girl huh.' Orion quietly muttered to himself.

[Master! She is stealing your spotlight!!!(╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻]

He inwardly chuckled, 'Don't worry, if she can then good for her. Though… doing that is pretty hard.'

The crowd began whispering and discussing how high her talent would be.

Emilia looked towards Arya with fanatical eyes, eagerly looking forward to her results.

Arya took a deep breath and moved her hand closer to the orb. Before her hand could even reach it, the orb began to glow subtly.

She didn't hesitate further and placed her hand on the glowing orb.

Boom!