Winter Spring Valley.
Under the enormous magical dome, one towering marble column after another stood around.
One could vaguely see the figures of people, like ants, neatly lining up, while at the very center of the magical dome, a massive magical crystal was situated.
"Gelulu, magical power value 4212 points, Level 4 Mage!"
"Claire, magical power value 5001 points, Level 5 Mage!"
"Reg, magical power value 4999 points, Peak Level 4 Mage!"
The tester shouted.
Young mages who had just finished testing their magical power, some were elated, some cheered, and some sighed as they left the massive crystal.
This was the great Winter Spring Valley, the most noble guardian organization of Violet Continent's Magic Sacred Temple.
Every year at this time, young mages in Winter Spring Valley would come to this sacred temple to undergo a test of their internal magical energy.
Any mage who had stayed in Winter Spring Valley for three years must undergo this test.
And those who fail to break through to a specific level within three years must leave Winter Spring Valley and lose the opportunity to further their studies there.
Therefore, this annual grand inspection has become a source of worry for many young mages.
"Ah..."
On the high platform under the magical dome.
Nanako, with her two long ponytails, sighed, her cheeks puffed up, her eyes full of worry.
She wore a large mage hat, and although her body was petite, no one dared to underestimate her.
Because she was one of the seven stewards of Winter Spring Valley.
The seven stewards represented the highest power and authority of Winter Spring Valley. Even the weakest among them was a city-breaking mage, someone who could face an entire city alone.
And Nanako was the seventh steward of Winter Spring Valley, representing the frost and cold might of the Storm Witch.
But at this moment, she was not in the least bit happy.
"Lynn, you rascal!"
Nanako looked worriedly and dejectedly at a young man in the queue below, murmuring:
"Three years! My master has taught you for three whole years, how can you be so unambitious!
"I've given you so many resources, even a pig could be pushed to become a Level 2 Mage in three years!"
Vaguely visible.
In the crowd.
The young man wore a linen robe, and although he had a large wizard hat, it still couldn't hide the handsomeness on his youthful face.
But at this moment, his face was clearly sleepy, his eyes drowsy, showing a casual indifference.
His name was Lynn, and he was Nanako's disciple.
Three years ago, Nanako brought him to Winter Spring Valley, nurturing him with care, wanting to turn him into a qualified and noble mage.
She usually had a keen eye for people.
But this time, she stumbled on this young man.
Over the years, she had poured countless efforts into Lynn, adhering to the principle of not letting anyone fall behind, even teaching him hand by hand.
But his progress in magical abilities was so slow that it had reached a shocking level.
Usually, what he learned today.
Tomorrow he would forget about seventy to eighty percent.
If he could remember ten percent the day after, Nanako would have to exclaim genius, exclaim it was not easy!
"Nanako-sama, are you worried that your little disciple will be filtered out?"
A mage next to Nanako blinked, looking at the worried Nanako.
Nanako helplessly blew her bangs, dispiritedly saying:
"Yes, Lynn... he's the dumbest one I've ever seen in history! Even dumber than a rock!"
Seeing Nanako's dejected expression, the mage whispered, "Nanako-sama, there's something I don't know if I should say?"
"Go ahead," Nanako said boredly and worriedly, blowing her bangs.
The mage frowned, "Actually, it might not be a bad thing for Lynn. After all, his low magical talent is well-known, and he's not suited for the path of a mage. And Nanako-sama, you're so powerful, you really don't have to care about him..."
"After all, with your status, there are plenty of talented mages in the world who would be willing to be your students..."
Nanako's action of blowing her bangs stopped.
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
She stood up, pressed down on her large wizard hat, revealing a pair of sapphire-like eyes.
"If I were to abandon my student just because he's dumb, that wouldn't be my style, Nanako."
She tilted her head, staring at the mage with those chilling eyes.
The mage immediately felt goosebumps all over and subconsciously lowered his head.
"And." Her eyes seemed to speak.
"Even a stone held in the embrace for three years would develop feelings."
...
"Next!"
Accompanied by the tester's shout.
Lynn, with sleepy eyes, walked up to the massive magical crystal.
Anyone could see that his eyes were filled with solemnity and worry.
And behind him, the voices of young boys and girls' playful discussions could be heard.
"Look! Look! It's Lynn's turn to be tested!"
"Didn't you know? Lynn is the student of the seventh steward, but I heard that his magical talent almost broke the lowest record in our Winter Spring Valley for thousands of years!"
"Really? But he's really handsome..."
"Yes! Yes! But I suspect that Nanako-sama kept him because he's too handsome. After all, if I had such a handsome disciple, I wouldn't be able to bear to let him go either!"
The discussions behind him were incessant, but Lynn's heart was not there.
He was very worried.
Unprecedentedly worried.
"So should I use one hundred millionth point nine of my magical power for the test, or one hundred millionth point one?"
Lynn muttered, his brows furrowed.
Because for someone with a choice-making difficulty and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this was an absolute century-old dilemma.
One hundred millionth point nine of magical power would just barely break through to Level 2 Mage, allowing him to stay in Winter Spring Valley and continue to survive for a few more centuries.
But one hundred millionth point one of magical power would just make it a neat and tidy number, very aesthetically pleasing, but the test result would obviously exceed Level 2...
For someone with choice-making difficulties, this was an absolutely terrifying decision.
"Hey! Are you going to test or not?" The tester frowned, looking at the worried young man in front of him, saying:
"There are many people waiting behind you!"
Such young mages, he had seen many.
Many young people who knew their magical power did not meet the standard would show great worry, even sweating profusely, when standing in front of this magical crystal.
Because not meeting the standard meant leaving Winter Spring Valley from now on, bidding farewell to the path of a mage.
Lynn worriedly said, "Please let me think about it, I'm sorry, this is a very important matter."
On the high platform.
Seeing her disciple so worriedly standing in front of the testing crystal, Nanako's heart ached, her eyes flashing with a hint of reluctance.
She also liked Lynn, this sensible disciple, and did not want to part with him.
But rules were rules.
She took a deep breath, then floated down gracefully, walking towards Lynn.
She wanted to comfort her disciple well, to ease his heavy burden.
"Greetings, Nanako-sama!"
"Good afternoon, Nanako-sama!"
Seeing the petite loli striding over, the surrounding mages all bowed.
But Nanako did not pay attention to them, her eyes always on Lynn. She quickly walked to Lynn's side, then stood on tiptoe, patting Lynn's shoulder.
"Disciple." Nanako's voice was crisp and clear, trying to make her tone gentle, saying:
"Don't be afraid, it's just a magical power test. Even if you don't meet the standard, you'll always be my disciple, come on!"
Lynn worriedly said, "No, Master, I'm not worried about that."
Nanako puzzled, "Then what are you worried about?"
Lynn frowned, "Master, I want to ask you a question, do you prefer 1 or 0.9? I can't make up my mind."