Part 4: Regrets (1)

“Haaa… I’m so nervous. What should I do?”

Lucy paused in her tracks, placing both hands over her chest.

This was a place she had only observed from afar.

A place she had only visited in her dreams.

The place where she would begin a new life as a mage.

Right before her stood the Centum Branch of the Rayon Magic Association.

The Rayon Magic Association was one of the three great mage associations on the continent, renowned for its elemental magic.

The branch itself was a sophisticated two-story brick building, adorned with a star ornament symbolizing the association on its roof.

“You don’t need to worry. You’ll pass for sure.”

“Thanks for saying that, even if you don’t mean it.”

“I don’t say things I don’t mean.”

As usual, Aiden’s response was curt.

But today, Lucy found comfort in his unyielding tone.

It meant Aiden had evaluated her skills objectively. It meant he truly believed she could pass.

“Aiden, you recognized my talent even though I hadn’t shown you my magic yet, right?”

“I did.”

“Then, don’t you think you might have a talent for magic too? Have you ever thought about learning it yourself?”

“Not really. My talents lie elsewhere.”

“In what exactly?”

Aiden didn’t answer.

Lucy decided not to press further and took a deep breath.

She stepped into the first floor of the branch building.

At the reception desk, a man was yawning.

Noticing Lucy and Aiden, he immediately straightened his posture.

“What brings you here?”

Lucy stifled a laugh at his sudden shift in demeanor.

She knew the receptionist had mistaken Aiden for a nobleman. Such was the intimidating presence of Aiden’s appearance.

“We’re here to inquire about the upcoming academy admission process,” Aiden explained.

“This way, please.”

The receptionist rose and guided them to the basement level.

“Please wait here for a moment.”

The receptionist entered a room at the end of the hallway and soon returned, informing them that the branch manager was inside.

‘Don’t be nervous.

You’re not lacking money. You’re not lacking skill.

Just do what you always do!’

Encouraging herself, Lucy entered the room.

What she thought was an office turned out to be a magic training room. The walls, floor, and ceiling were made of cyanite, a mana-resistant stone.

The bluish hue all around made her feel as though she had stepped underwater.

“Welcome. I’m Cody, the branch manager.”

The middle-aged man wearing glasses extended a hand toward Aiden.

Aiden shook hands with Cody before introducing himself and Lucy, adding that they were both commoners.

Lucy didn’t miss the brief flicker of disappointment that crossed the branch manager’s face.

“Manager, I’m here to request a recommendation letter for the Dalton Academy entrance exam.”

“You’re aware of the conditions, I assume?”

“Yes. You need to possess at least a first-class mana core and be proficient in one elemental magic.”

Lucy’s reply was sharp and to the point.

Dalton Academy.

One of the two great academies in the Grand Duchy of Grann, and a dream destination for any mage.

But Dalton Academy…

It wasn’t a place where anyone could take the entrance exam just because they wanted to.

A recommendation from a local branch of the Mage Association was mandatory.

This was because the academy was overwhelmed with applicants each year and couldn’t conduct individual evaluations for everyone.

Thus, the Mage Association acted as the first filter.

“How old are you this year?”

“I’m twenty-six.”

“Isn’t that a bit old for a freshman? Most people your age would already be at the second or third class by now.”

“I started training late.”

At Cody’s remark, Lucy’s cheeks flushed, and her head drooped.

She knew.

She knew she was older and lagging behind other mages.

But knowing it herself and hearing someone else say it were two entirely different experiences.

She felt a surge of shame wash over her.

“Why not skip the academy and just receive private magic instruction?”

“……”

“The aristocrats’ elitism won’t make things easy for you.”

“Even so, I want to attend the academy.”

“You do realize the tuition is 100 gold, right?”

“I’ve already secured the tuition.”

Her retired father had worked tirelessly to save up for her fees.

If she could just get admitted…

Lucy was determined to cover the rest of her expenses on her own.

Her ideal plan was to earn a scholarship, but if not, she was prepared to take on small jobs within or outside the academy.

Her father had even promised her living expenses, but Lucy didn’t want to rely on him any longer.

“You’re making life unnecessarily difficult for yourself. Fine, let’s start with the test.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Cody moved behind Lucy and placed a hand on her back.

A cold sensation swept through her body as he scanned her mana circle.

He returned to face her, nodding slightly.

“Now, show me your elemental magic.”

“Understood.”

Lucy focused her mind, drawing on her mana as she envisioned fire.

She pictured the campfires her father always kindled during family camping trips. She channeled mana from her mana heart, bringing the image to life.

Fwoosh!

Flames flared to life in her palm, dancing as though alive.

Despite her nerves, the result was better than she expected.

The flames burned hotter and flickered more vigorously than usual.

“Hmm… You seem to have some basic talent…” Cody tilted his head, his expression ambiguous.

“Can you handle any other elements?”

“At the moment, I can only use fire.”

“Recently, the academy entrance exams have become so competitive that having proficiency in just one attribute isn’t enough,” Cody remarked coolly.

“I haven’t tried it before, but I’ll attempt other attributes as well!” Lucy shouted desperately, her voice trembling.

A sense of foreboding gripped her.

It felt as though Cody was about to cast her aside.

Her father had risked his life for years to scrape together her tuition fees.

And now, if she couldn’t even take the academy exam, could there be a greater tragedy?

What would become of the blood, sweat, and tears her father shed?

Lucy, who had always loved fire magic and primarily focused her studies on it, hurriedly tried her hand at wind magic.

She attempted to replicate the winds she had felt on her frequent visits to the hills behind her home.

Stretching her palm into the air…

Whoosh!

The breeze she conjured with mana softly rustled the hem of Cody’s robe.

‘Not bad for an impromptu spell, right?’ she thought nervously.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Calling this magic is almost embarrassing.”

“I… I apologize.”

Cody’s harsh words made Lucy shrink in on herself.

She couldn’t muster a single word in defense.

An awkward silence filled the room. Summoning every ounce of courage, Lucy asked cautiously, “Sir, I might lack competitiveness compared to other applicants, but surely I meet the minimum requirements?”

Cody stared at her intently without answering.

Then he shook his head.

It felt like the sky was collapsing.

“Your mana circle is near the level of a 1st-class circle, but not quite there. The strength of your rings is too weak.”

“……”

“You managed to wield fire magic, but its reproducibility is low. If you had at least cast something like a Fire Arrow, that’d be a different story. I was willing to consider you if you could handle another attribute decently, but… even you have to admit your wind magic was terrible, right?”

Cody’s rapid criticisms came like a barrage.

Lucy only nodded and listened with her head bowed.

She wanted to respond…

But her throat felt tight, and no sound came out.

Her efforts felt like they were crumbling to dust.

She had worked tirelessly despite her humble circumstances, frequenting the library alone to teach herself magic.

Yet the academy’s threshold was dauntingly high and thick.

Sure, she could hone her skills and try again next year…

But what guarantee was there that anything would change?

After all, other applicants wouldn’t be idle in the meantime.

And now… she wouldn’t even be able to face her parents.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t write you a recommendation letter. If you’re done here, you may leave.”

Cody’s cold words struck like a final blow.

Lucy nodded and walked out of the training hall.

The moment she stepped outside, she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Her shoulders trembled like leaves in a storm.

She felt a crushing mix of sorrow…

And anger.

Anger at herself for being so incompetent.

“I’m sorry, Aiden. I didn’t want you to see me crying like this.”

“……”

“But I can’t stop the tears. To think… someone like me from a remote, rural town even dreamed of becoming a magician. I was so naive.”

“……”

“Where did I go wrong…?”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Aiden’s calm voice cut through her spiral of despair.

“What? What did you say?”

“Your skills are more than enough to pass. In fact, they surpass the requirements.”

“But I failed, didn’t I? I’m hopeless.”

“You’re misunderstanding something.”

“Misunderstanding what?”

“Your rural upbringing is precisely why you’re more talented than other magicians. You’ve spent time and gained experience naturally honing the four foundational attributes of magic.”

Lucy couldn’t understand Aiden’s words.

She thought he was just trying to comfort her in his own way.

But no matter how kind Aiden’s intentions, they couldn’t distract her from the harsh reality.

Her heart was already shattered.

“Stay here. I’m going back in to have a word with him. Just the two of us.”

With that, Aiden turned and reentered the training hall.

Even if he confronted Cody, it wouldn’t change anything…

*  *  *

After Lucy and Aiden had left, Cody stood by the entrance of the training hall, staring at the door.

Creaaak.

The door opened, and Aiden stepped in.

His gaze was utterly different from before, as sharp as a blade.

It was hard to believe he was the same person.

“Are you here to argue about why she failed? If so, save it. I have nothing more to say.”

“How much?”

“What?”

“I asked, how much will it take?”

Finally, a smile crept across Cody’s lips.

This one knows exactly how the game works.

In truth, Lucy had passed.

Her mana circle was a flawless 1st-class, and her elemental magic proficiency was more than adequate.

Her age aside, she fully met the requirements to take the entrance exam.

So why had Cody rejected her?

The answer was simple: money.

Writing recommendations was a transactional affair.

While the association officially forbade charging fees, no branch adhered to that policy.

Conducting these preliminary evaluations cost time and energy, and Cody certainly wasn’t about to work for free.

Normally, a first rejection would pressure applicants to return, desperate enough to pay.

But Aiden had seen through the ploy immediately.

“Well… technically, I’m not supposed to accept money for recommendations. After all, the decision is based purely on merit. But a token of appreciation… might make a difference.”

“So, how much?”

“Five gold coins.”

“Pathetic. Is that all your conscience is worth?”

Cody’s face twisted at Aiden’s mocking tone.

‘This arrogant fool. Does he not realize who holds the power here?’

“Watch your mouth, kid. And stop talking down to me. I’ve been polite this whole time, but you’re making it difficult.”

“You don’t deserve respect.”

“Getting all high and mighty because your girlfriend failed? Let me tell you something—she won’t even get to sit for the official exam without my recommendation.”

“……”

“And if you think you can just go to another branch, forget it. I’ll send notices to all nearby cities.”

Cody’s threats were met with silence.

Aiden’s expression didn’t waver.

“Stop wasting my time and get out of here. Unless, of course, you’re willing to pay ten gold coins. For you, I’ll make it double.”

“You should be more worried about your life than your money.”

“What? Are you threatening me now? Don’t think you can intimidate me just because I’m a branch manager. I’m a 3rd-class master magician. You? You’re nothing to me.”

“3rd-class master?”

“That’s right. Now do you understand the difference between us?”

Cody puffed out his chest proudly, but Aiden’s reply left him stunned.

“How unfortunate. Even an 8th-class master wouldn’t stand a chance against me.”
 

To be continued

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