Charles raised a brow. He wouldn't be disappointed, not in the slightest. Skyler's potential, whatever it was, didn't matter.
Moreover, he had witnessed just how talented Skyler was. It was clear from how easily this young man learned a spell just by reading it once. They would both grow stronger and go beyond their limits.
Professor Hawthorne, who had stood up, scoffed inwardly, very annoyed. So what if Charles' potential was 23-star? Max had a 25-star potential! Not just Max, many with 25-star potential were in the academy! It was just that the number was low.
To him, the batch of students who got admitted four years ago were the best.
Before, barely anyone in Eldoria ever managed to awaken such high potential, but four years ago, many kids awakened with 20-star and above potential. It was as if that year was the year of future pillars of Eldoria, because not just their Academy, all the other academies in Eldoria gained an influx of high-potential students.
It was so random, and every continent in their planet was in turmoil, thinking the era of peace was soon going to be over.
Hawthorne wanted to call it bullshit, but it was too shocking. Now he saw that Charles is 20. This kid was from that very year when many awakened a high potential. So, it was no surprise he has such high potential.
Skyler placed his hand over the device. Doris became interested. She wondered what surprise this one would show her.
Dense Evol particles emanated from the ores fixed in the device, enveloping Skyler's hand and, once again, a screen flickered to life directly above the glowing device.
_______
Age: 18
Elemental Affinity with:
1) Light
2) Darkness
Potential: 5-star (Novice tier)
_______
Professor Hawthorne, who was watching secretly, broke into a mocking snicker when the screen displayed Skyler's results.
Doris blinked and let out an 'oh'. Charles was also surprised, but his smile didn't fade. He gave Skyler's shoulder a shake.
"It seems one of our goals is to look for those treasures that increase potential."
Skyler smiled. Not sure how to tell him that there was no need. His potential would go up on its own once he found more about his Special Spirit Constitution.
Doris stared at Hawthorne, who was quietly smirking, and the latter turned away. With a sigh, she faced Charles and Skyler.
"That's good enough. Now, let me officially welcome you two to Starlight Academy."
The two nodded, but the VP's lips twitched when Skyler gestured to the square device on the table and spoke innocently.
"Umm... excuse me? I believe you have many more similar devices. So, how about you give the ores embedded on this device to me as a welcome gift?"
Charles nearly fainted when he saw how Skyler's fingers were inching closer to the device in an attempt to secretly take out a few ores. He cursed inwardly. This jerk!
The VP had just welcomed them, and he was already eager to get them expelled!
He zoomed toward Skyler, seizing his collar before his friend did something irreversible. A dry laugh escaped his lips as he dragged the youth back, glancing at the VP.
"Miss Vice Principal, believe me, he is joking and didn't mean what he said!"
He glanced at Skyler with pointy eyes.
"Right?"
Skyler glared back at him, confused.
He had even asked the VP politely!
So why was Charles stopping him?
"I wasn't joking—"
Charles cut him off, sweating.
"Riruru's awake! Look!"
Skyler's focus was successfully diverted, and Charles hurriedly hid the device under some papers before this obsessed person eyed the ores embedded in it again. Only when the device was no longer visible did he sigh in relief. He didn't care how Skyler was glaring daggers at him to tell him that he was dead meat once they were alone.
Riruru was still asleep! He lied!
VP Doris could only watch their antics.
She was a bit confused by what had just transpired. However, a rare smile spread across her face. Her next words shocked Hawthorne, who tripped again.
"How about you two join the elite classes directly? Both of you have already cleared the preliminary test and are older than the first and second years, so it doesn't sound appropriate for you to join them."
Skyler shoved Charles, this traitor, aside.
"Elite Classes?"
VP Doris nodded and leaned back into her chair with a relaxed expression.
"Hawthorne, do the explaining."
The two youngsters whipped their heads to the professor, who wore an ugly expression.
Hawthorne wanted to argue with Doris that the two didn't qualify for the elite classes.
Moreover, the students in the elite classes had worked hard to earn their place there.
There was no way they would accept two weaklings waltzing into their ranks without the struggles they endured! Those students wouldn't take it lightly, maybe even think the academy had started taking bribes!
Charles and Skyler could end up getting beaten up or even isolated by them! But Hawthorne's argument died on the tip of tongue when he saw Doris's deep eyes.
He was actually trying to be helpful to the students for once. But it seemed his idea wasn't appreciated by the one in power.
Well, it's not like he cared. Professor Hawthorne just wanted Skyler and Charles to enter the first year, which he could order, so he could torture them himself to get his revenge on Max's team. Now, it seems he will be reduced to watching from the side.
With a grim expression, he explained the academy's student class structure to the two weaklings, who actually surprised him by listening attentively to the boring topic.
New students, admitted at the age of 16, begin their journey in the first year at the academy, progressing through the second and third. At the end of their fourth year, at age 20, every student with 15-star or higher potential faces the Preliminary test.
The students who return after passing the Preliminary test and those who failed are separated. Those who passed the test are placed into Elite classes, further divided into three years: first, second, and third.
In these elite classes, students receive comprehensive information regarding the levels of Battle Royal, ranging from the first level to the ones that are already cleared in Eldoria. They are taught how to efficiently and safely battle and clear these levels.
In total, these students spend seven years at the academy before being recruited by the government, various guilds, or official groups of Lights in the continent.
Unlike them, students who fail the preliminary test or students with potential lower than 15-star who aren't even eligible for that test—primarily those who entered the academy through the entrance exam—all join the 5th year classes, their final year of graduation before being recruited.
Skyler absorbed the information rather easily. At least, Professor Hawthorne was good at explaining. He turned to Doris.
"So we will be joining the first-year Elite classes where all those who passed the preliminary test are studying? However, this is not good for us since we lack basic knowledge unlike the elite students..."
Charles agreed with Skyler; his point was valid. However, Doris just smiled at them. In the next second, she called her assistant, and they were kicked out of her office.
Skyler glanced at the female assistant in a suit who was told to help the duo settle in, then at Charles, who stood beside him.
"Umm... why do I feel like our days here won't be as easy as we expected?"
"You just think? I'm sure we're fucked."
Skyler blinked as he gazed ahead.
"Here I was thinking Vice Principal Doris was being kind when she asked us to join the Elite classes. Perhaps she just wants us to leave this academy on our own."