Not long after the bet was declared, one of the new prospective students caught my attention—he was from the Valenmont family, the same family that had abandoned my father for protecting my mother.
"Alright then, David Lavemont, please step forward," said Hugo.
After being called, David stepped onto the stage to test what element he possessed.
Instantly, the entire selection room—especially the women—burst into hysterical screams over David's handsome face.
"Look at that, David Lavemont is so handsome!"
"You're right, born into the Lavemont family, and on top of that, such a good-looking face."
"I wonder when I'll have a boyfriend like David."
David winked with one eye in response to the compliments thrown at him.
But suddenly, before moving to the front, he walked straight up to Clarisse and began to flirt with her.
"You must be Clarisse, right? With your fiery red hair, you deserve to stand by my side in the future," David said confidently.
The room immediately erupted into chaos again because of David's charm.
"Wow, that flirtation is making me swoon!"
"He's so lucky, meanwhile, I'm just a commoner."
"You're right, truly lucky to be courted by such a handsome prince."
However, after hearing David's flirtation, Clarisse felt disgusted.
"Ugh, get out of my sight, you playboy," Clarisse said sharply.
David was shocked by Clarisse's words but tried to stay calm.
"W-what? Fine then, I'll make you fall in love with me once I reveal the element I control," David said.
David then proceeded to the elemental test area, his face slightly annoyed.
Meanwhile, I, sitting next to Clarisse, was confused why she rejected David.
"Hmm, by the way, why did you reject him? Isn't he handsome?" I asked, yawning.
"It's nothing. I just find him disgusting, and the man next to me is much better than him," Clarisse replied.
"Who's the man next to you then?" I asked.
"Guess for yourself," she said.
"Alright, whatever. I don't care," I said.
I went back to watching David's test while Clarisse seemed annoyed at my lack of sensitivity.
Meanwhile, at the elemental testing stage:
"Alright David, place your hand on the crystal orb," said Hugo.
"Okay," David replied.
David placed his hand on the orb, which emitted two colors, blue and red, indicating that he controlled both fire and water elements.
"Good, good. As expected from the Valenmont family. At such a young age, you can master two magic elements," said Hugo.
The whole room immediately erupted in cheers at the fact David could control two magic elements.
"Wow, he's the same age as us, but he can control two magic elements."
"I only control one, and it's still weak."
"As expected from a noble family, their talent is no joke."
But I ignored the cheers, considering it normal.
"Why does mastering just two elements cause such a fuss?" I muttered quietly.
After the excitement, Hugo asked everyone to calm down and told David to return to his seat.
"Everyone, please calm down. (looking at David) Good, you may return to your seat," said Hugo.
"Yes, sir," David replied.
David immediately went back to his seat, imagining Clarisse's amazed expression.
But he didn't realize Clarisse only showed a neutral expression, no hint of admiration at all.
Then Hugo continued the test and called Clarisse.
"Clarisse Vernadette, please step forward," said Hugo.
"Yes, sir," Clarisse replied.
Clarisse stood up from her seat, and I, sitting next to her, gave a little encouragement.
"Good luck, proud princess," I said.
"Just watch, I'll surprise you," Clarisse said.
Clarisse stepped forward to the elemental test area, and upon arriving, Hugo told her to place her hand on the crystal orb.
"Alright, Clarisse, place your hand on the orb," Hugo instructed.
Clarisse placed her hand on the orb, which emitted three lights—red, light blue, and cyan—signifying that she controlled fire, water, and ice elements.
"Fire, water, ice—wow, you truly have rare talent, Clarisse. Even the Vernadette family only manages to master one element, and you've surpassed them, even surpassing the Valenmont heir," said Hugo.
Just like Hugo, the entire selection room erupted into even louder excitement than before.
"Look! She can control three elements!"
"And the Valenmont heir only controls two, which is already rare."
"She controls three? That means she's like the head of the academy, Hugo—capable of mastering three elements."
Hearing the praise, Clarisse returned to her seat without being told.
As soon as she sat down, David immediately approached her.
With confidence, he claimed Clarisse as his future bride.
"As expected of my future bride, you control three elements and I control two. Together, we will be the strongest couple," David said confidently.
"Who did you call your bride? Do you think I'm interested in you?" Clarisse snapped.
Hearing Clarisse's words, David's confidence shattered instantly, but he insisted on getting praise from her.
Feeling disturbed, I immediately spoke up.
"Hey, Valenmont dog, can you calm down? You're bothering me," I said.
The entire room instantly exploded because of my words.
"Wow, he dares to call the Valenmont heir a dog?"
"Earlier, he rejected the request of the Vernadette princess, and now he speaks like that?"
"He's done for, defying the Valenmont heir."
David, hearing my words, became furious.
"Who do you think you are? How dare you disturb me?" David growled.
"I'm just a commoner, that's all. Your voice is disturbing, so I spoke up," I replied calmly.
"Hmph, just a commoner dares to say that? Fine, I'll forget this if you kneel to me three times and bark like a dog. Then I'll pretend this never happened," David challenged.
"Kneel? Don't count on me kneeling. Besides my parents, I won't kneel to anyone—not even a Valenmont dog like you," I said.
He immediately got very angry and wanted to cast a spell on me, but Hugo loudly intervened.
"Enough, both of you! Stop wasting time with this quarrel and Valenmont heir, return to your seat," Hugo commanded.
"Fine, sir," David grumbled.
Hugo returned to his seat, looking annoyed.
Clarisse, sitting next to me, praised me for my actions.
"You're quite brave, a commoner talking like that to nobility," Clarisse said.
"Just normal," I replied.
"But I thank you because of you, he stopped bothering me," Clarisse said.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever," I said.
"Hmph, your attitude is so cold," Clarisse muttered.
I noted her last comment.
Some time later, it was finally my turn.
"Kael Ardyn, step forward," said Hugo.
I immediately went to the testing area and, without waiting for instruction, placed my hand on the crystal orb.
As soon as I touched it, the orb emitted seven colors, including some very rare ones.
"Fire, water, ice, lightning, wind, light, darkness—what is this? How can a fifteen-year-old like you control all these elements?" Hugo asked.
"Are you sure? Check the colors again," I said.
Hugo examined the orb's colors again, his eyes widening as he saw purple, indicating I also controlled the dimension element.
"Is that possible? Purple? You control the dimension element?" Hugo asked.
"Exactly," I said.
Clarisse, curious about this element, immediately asked Hugo.
"Head of the academy, what is the dimension element?" Clarisse asked.
"The dimension element relates to space, time, and existence between realities. It is not limited to physical elements like fire or water but involves manipulating the structure of the universe itself. Legend says those who wield this element can tear through dimensions at will," Hugo explained.
The entire room erupted in excitement at Hugo's explanation, including Clarisse and David.
"What? Not only does he control all elements, but he also controls a mysterious element?"
"Who really is he, even surpassing the Vernadette princess?"
"Could he be from a hidden mysterious family?"
"Hmm, so he's that strong. No wonder he dared to bet with me," Clarisse said.
"Who really is he? Why is he stronger than me, a Valenmont heir?" David asked.
Hearing the excitement, Hugo told everyone to be quiet and ordered me back to my seat.
"Everyone, quiet. (looking at me) Alright, you may return to your seat," Hugo said.
I did not reply and returned to my seat.
Meanwhile, outside the academy, spies sent by Celestine Valenmont, matriarch of the Valenmont family, immediately reported the incident to her.
How will Celestine react to her spies' report? Will Clarisse continue to act arrogantly toward Kael? And what surprise will Kael unveil when the second test begins?
Stay tuned for Chapter 5.