Inside the testing grounds, Reinhardt waved his wand and activated the Radiant Stone spell.
This round of testing is simple: it involves using the Shining Stone magic on the puppets acting as sandbags in the distance to conduct several comprehensive evaluations.
However, the staffs of the other magic apprentices in the same test all emitted a blue light from the brilliance stones at their tips, while Reinhardt's staff emitted an heretical color between orange and yellow.
Not only that, even the magic academy emblem that appeared at the top of the radiant stone changed from its original cyan to orange, and even the large chunks of magic pebbles that were launched were the same.
Moreover, its power seems to have increased considerably.
The others merely threw magic pebbles at the doll, but Reinhardt's Radiant Magic Pebble made the doll sway slightly and almost fall over.
The scene immediately erupted into a huge uproar.
"What is that? Is that really radiance stone magic?"
"What kind of cheating method did this guy use?"
"Heh, how dare he cheat in the Highmore classroom and in front of the Kalia royal family? This kid is probably doomed. At the very least, he'll be expelled from the academy."
The magic apprentices below the stage were buzzing with discussion, while the magic professors observing on stage also looked somewhat surprised behind their iron masks.
Aside from Lani, the Moon Princess, this was the first time they had ever seen a magic apprentice possess a talent capable of altering magical attributes.
Reinhardt, feeling the various gazes directed at him, couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "I knew it..."
He wasn't surprised by the current situation; it was up to the people at the Highmore Classroom to judge it.
"quiet!"
The Radiant Stone mage in charge of the test recorded the results and gave a result that surprised everyone present—
"Reinhardt, qualified."
Images are provided here; please update to view them.
14. The Sorrowful Queen and the Cunning Prince Consort
This outcome naturally caused another uproar among those present.
They didn't understand why they got this result.
Was there no cheating involved?!
The man sitting on the second-floor platform observing the test frowned slightly upon seeing this, and his hands unconsciously tightened, making the wooden handrails creak.
A barely perceptible look of surprise and intense disgust flashed deep within his golden eyes, as if he loathed his own long, fiery red hair.
He is the hero of the Golden Tree, the consort of Kalia, and the loyal dog of the Golden Law—"Redhead" Radagan.
Indeed, in addition to the magic professors, the observers for this test included King Fladagan of Caria and Queen Renara, the leader of the Caria royal family.
This is a tradition that the magic academy has had since its founding.
However, what made Radagan this way was not the heretical color that Reinhardt emitted when he used the Radiant Stone magic.
Instead, he felt the scorching heat of the flames within that magical fluctuation and the radiant stone magic.
Although it was very faint, his strength was enough to detect it.
That was a power that the Golden Tree considered forbidden.
"...You don't look well."
Rena La, sitting on the throne to the side, turned her head slightly to look at Radagan's handsome and resolute face and said.
Hearing his wife's voice filled with boundless tenderness, Radagan shook his head and said, "No, I'm fine."
"..."
Lena didn't say anything more, but glanced at her husband a few more times before turning her head back to look at the testing venue below.
Her husband, Radagan, is lying.
Moreover, it's a lie that's obvious at a glance.
Although Radagan had tried his best to appear calm, as his wife, she still caught a subtle change in his expression.
She was puzzled as to what had caused Radagan to show such a solemn expression just now.
Although the magic apprentice named Reinhardt displayed some unusual talent, it shouldn't be like this.
Why exactly...?
Suddenly, Lena La thought of a possibility.
Is it another golden tree?
A hint of sadness appeared deep within his deep blue eyes, tinged with gold and resembling a full moon at the edge of the horizon.
She could clearly sense that Radagan was hiding more and more things from her.
Whether it's a magic professor or someone within the magic academy.
She knew almost everything Radagan had done, but she had simply pretended not to see it.
To my shame, in order to maintain this marriage, I don't know when it started, but I've even abandoned the bottom line of being a ruler, and forgotten the mission I was supposed to fulfill...
Although their marriage was a political alliance between Kalia and the Golden Tree, it became a celebrated story among the people of the border region.
The heroes of Kalia and the heroes of the Golden Tree, having grown to appreciate each other amidst their struggles, eventually married for the sake of peace and to achieve a situation where the stars, moon, and gold coexist.
Even Radagan, in order to be bound to Kalia, followed Kalia's tradition and used star tears to cleanse his sins in the Church of Bondage.
She accepted the blessing from the Golden Tree for this relationship, submitting to its power, and even tacitly allowed her two sons to become its subjects.
Even so, Rena La could still sense that although she lived with Radagan, they were ultimately sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams.
Radagan has always held the Golden Tree in his heart, and that seems to have never changed...
However, the talent of that boy named Reinhardt is indeed intriguing.
It originated from pyroxene, and it is indeed the power of the stars, but it is not the pyroxene power possessed by the academy.
If I had to pinpoint a similarity, it does bear some resemblance to the Darkmoon and Star Laws wielded by her daughter, Lani...
"...To wield the law in a human form?"
Rena couldn't help but recall her past self.
Once a stargazing girl, I chased after the stars, but in the end, I encountered the full moon.
Later, under his guidance, he led his daughter Lani to meet Darkmoon.
Come to think of it, how long has it been since we've seen a full moon?
Rena sighed inwardly, slowly raising her head, her jewel-like eyes shimmering slightly.
It was as if looking through the towering dome at the brilliant night sky, where all destinies had been controlled by the Golden Law, and sealed away by his own child, Rataen, using gravity magic.
She didn't know when it started, but she had lost contact with Manyue and could no longer glimpse the trajectory of fate through her.
This was the inevitable fate of those destined to become stargazers, a destiny she, as Queen Kalia, was already aware of, yet the unease it caused grew with each passing day…
Images are provided here; please update to view them.
15. Tops, who wants to leave the academy
After completing the test, Reinhardt hurriedly left the venue.
There's no point in staying any longer; it won't change anything. The exam results are already set in stone, and all he can do is wait.
The final review and comparison of his results will determine whether he is qualified to receive the Shining Stone Set and join the classroom.
Moreover, the more important thing right now is to find Tops as soon as possible.
He didn't know exactly when Tops left the academy in the original timeline, but it seemed that this test was one of the reasons for his departure.
Although he didn't know how to deal with Tops yet, if possible, he would like to keep this genius who could revolutionize the magic and prayer system.
At least he stayed at the magic academy for the time he was there.
As dusk approached, he finally found Topps at the south gate of the magic academy.
"Hey, Tops senior."
Seeing Tops lingering on the bridge in front of the academy, Reinhardt raised his hand in greeting, but then asked with a puzzled look when he saw the luggage on Tops's back, "Where are you going? Are you already preparing to leave the academy?"
"...Mr. Reinhardt...."
Facing Reinhardt who was hurrying towards him, Tops didn't dare to meet his gaze, his face showing a hint of humility, as if his body had hunched over a bit, "...Yes, I'm ready to leave."
"Ah..." Reinhardt was taken aback upon hearing this and stopped in his tracks.
No way?
Tops actually left the magic academy at this time?
How exactly did Topps survive the subsequent War of the Stars and the War of the Shattered?
Could it be that this is the result of my own little butterfly flapping its wings?
Thinking of this, Reinhardt tried to confirm again: "Senior Topps, are you really not going to reconsider?"
Tops shook his head. "No... thank you."
He then looked up at the heavy iron gates that stood wide open on both sides, and the magnificent complex of buildings shrouded in a starry night, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.
"...I have no talent...Something like me, a worthless rock, would only tarnish this temple of learning if I stayed here...I am not qualified..."
Tops choked up, his voice trembling with sobs.
When he first met the Faded One, he was the one who most wanted to return to this place.
But now, that's when I most want to leave.
Perhaps it was because he discovered this groundbreaking theory during his time at the Church of Elis that allowed even the incompetent to use the Radiant Stone magic, which gave Tops the courage to return to the academy?
Unfortunately, even when Topps returned, he did not receive the treatment he deserved. Instead, he stayed alone in a corner with his back against the cliff, exhausting his life to leave behind the magic he had devoted his entire life to.
In the end, it was the one who faded that made this dusty gem shine with its original brilliance once again.
Seeing this, Reinhardt pursed his lips and couldn't help but step forward and gently pat Tops' shoulder, trying to comfort him: "Senior, this is just a failure, it doesn't mean anything."
"...No." Tops shook his head. "I've failed three times already, which proves I'm just a piece of trash…"
Aside from his own cowardly and self-conscious personality, this is also the main reason why Tops never refutes those who ridicule him.
He really had no way to refute it; what those people were mocking was all true, without any fabrication.
But this inexplicable stubbornness also troubled Reinhardt, who scratched his head in frustration.
Why are all the Radiant Stone Mages so stubborn?
Both Serlian and Tops are exceptionally stubborn in some ways.
Although I have never had a direct conversation with Master Luther and Master Yazler, I suppose they are just as stubborn old men?
"How about this? This isn't the place to talk. How about we go to town and have a drink and chat?" Reinhardt suggested, looking at the golden tree that was gradually losing its radiance. "If you still want to leave after hearing what I have to say, then consider this a farewell drink for you."
"I happen to know a shop that makes pretty good homemade beer, what do you think?"
"..."
His words made Tops slowly raise his head, open his mouth, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
Because Tops never imagined that he, a useless rock, despised by everyone in the academy, would have someone see him off on the day he left.
And this person was the disciple of his idol...
Tops didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment; his heart was filled with emotion.
After a long pause, he could only manage a dry, strained "...Thank you..."
"It's alright, it's alright, don't be shy, let's go!"
Reinhardt smiled dismissively, put his arm around Tops's shoulder, and pulled him toward the market in front of the town.
In the afterglow of dusk, their shadows were stretched long and thin.
-------------------------------------
Ring ring—