"Kid", Darius finally said, voice stead. "Do you have any plans for your future".
Xavier shrugged. "Not really".
"Good-Then listen closely".
The mage straightened his coat, instantly regaining his usual authoritative demeanour.
"There are three academies for mages in the this city". With your potential, you can get into any of them.
In fact-Darius smirked, once the news about you gets to them, "they will even fight over you if you let them"
Darius continued raising his finger as he listed them. "Elderstone Academy, Drakemourn Academy and Verdaris Institute", specialized in training mages of all mages of all calibres. They are good for you to grow.
He dropped his hand, voice lowering.
"You'll get a special admittance too". Mages with elements of high purity are rare.
He hesitated, then added with a chuckle, "pity, you're not of fire element. Still....the world always needs healers, even though we are not compared to elves in that aspect. It is still something.
Xavier's lips twitched. "Water wasn't weak at all". Not with his system. Not with his potential, he thought.
Darius went on, unaware of Xavier's private thoughts. I'm recruiting new talent. You should come with me to the mage association.
He had poach this kid now or else. If those four families were to get to him first, there is no knowing what choice he would make.
Xavier looked on, pondering in his mind.
"You're too young to join officially-only bronze rank mages above eighteen can join us at the moment ,but that's fine. The Academies will do a good job to harnessing your potential. We'll just monitor your progress till then.
"I "go", Xavier said
He had nothing- no power backing, no money, nothing and worst of all.... If that person knew he survived, he might come back to finish the job.
That night, he had died at the hands of a fellow mage. He hadn't forgotten that fact.
And currently, there was no way he could defend himself. Until the goddess avatar gets here, joining the mage association is the only thing he could come up with.
At least, that should offer him some form of protection. At least, that was the smartest path he could come up with at the moment.
A rare stiff smile tugged at Darius lips.
"Good, pack up and say your goodbyes". Two days from now, meet me here. Don't be late. Together with that dual-element user. You both are the only ones worth recruiting this year.
"Ah yes, Miranda".
He had a feeling she wasn't done glaring at him. That girl was going to be trouble.
Darius clapped his shoulder once.
"Two days later, meet me here". Don't be late. Saying that he left.
Xavier stood alone at the training field entrance, the cheers and whispers of students still hanging in the air.
The test had ended long ago, yet the feeling of being watched still remained. Everywhere he looked, a pair of eyes were looking at him.
He sighed.
Days before, he was practically ignored, his existence forgotten.
Today he became a "local celebrity". It felt odd-unnatural. Well, he better get used to it, because he was going to be in the spotlight from now on.
He spent the next forty-eight hours saying his goodbyes at the orphanage.
He was going to miss this old nun, and some of the other kids too.
They were his only family.
During those two days, he also practiced the only skills he currently had as he had abundant mana essence.
SKILL
Ice Blade...A thin blade of water sharp enough to cut wood.
The water blade was still fragile, breaking after a few strikes.
Every failure taught him something new. He continued practicing,
after all this was the only self defense move had for now.
There were many dangers in the world and Xavier needed to be ready.