[ 54 ] First Prize

Several minutes after the exam had finished, four government clerks appeared beside them, utilizing some kind of teleportation spell. After placing a hand on their shoulders, they were abruptly transported out of the examination area.

The entire ordeal was over in minutes, the government mages having collected all of the participants and brought them back to the street where they had taken the preliminary examinations.

Most of the participating groups were placed in a crowd before the podium, which the clerks had used to explain the Magic Hunt previously, save the three top-scoring teams.

Kal looked over at the other two teams. Caesil glared back, unsurprisingly, and Team Alpha’s expressions didn’t look any friendlier.

At least I made friends with Vae… perhaps I should have just gone without the prize. This better be a good prize for potentially ruining so many noble connections.

Kal's stomach gargled, and he wondered if the prize could possibly be worth pissing off so many young masters. The reality was that he was poor and having powerful contacts was likely more valuable than whatever he was about to be given.

Legendary Bloodline Trait Unlocked: The Rivaled One. +1 Evolutionary Shard | +10 Mana | +1 All Stats 

Ahhh, okay. Maybe it was worth it.

Kal scanned the crowd and realized that an uncomfortable number of people were staring at him in particular. It seemed he was likely the most rivaled young mage in the kingdom, if not the world. But more importantly, what was an Evolutionary Shard? 

“Thus, we conclude the second examination phase,” the clerk said, and Kal realized he had missed half of the speech.

“Some of you have performed better than others, and in these dark days, The Kingdom of Lyssia believes it only fair to reward those who push themselves beyond the limits most impose onto themselves. First, we shall reward third place,” the bearded clerk mage said and stepped aside for two other suited clerks to step upon the stage carrying a chest that looked far too heavy for men of their size, but the mana sweeping out of them gave away their core stat usage.

“Ahem,” one of the clerks said as they placed the chest down, seemingly amplifying his voice with a spell. “Everdry Cloaks woven from Veilwood spider silk.”

The other clerk opened the chest to reveal the four shiny white cloaks as the man spoke. 

“Not bad—if it’s raining,” Vae whispered to Kal from the side of his mouth.

The clerks waved Team Allseeing forward. The four young mages bowed as the clerks handed them the illustrious cloaks, but Caesil’s scowl never lifted.

I have a feeling a waterproof cloak isn’t much of a prize for that pampered brat.

“Second prize,” the bearded clerk called with a clap of his hand, and the two clerks walked off with the chest as another was brought to the stage.

“Emerald Eyes, through these, see the true shape of any object,” the clerk said as the clerks who brought it on stage opened the second chest, revealing four emeralds placed upon elegant red pillows. 

“Wow, nice if you’re opening a general store,” Vae murmured.

“And finally, first prize,” the bearded clerk clapped again.

Lumbering to the stage, two more clerks brought the final chest.

“You should all be familiar with these treasures. Items no mage worth their weight can go without,” the bearded clerk said, stepping forward. “Astral Pouches made from the finest nightmare leather found in the Ruby Waste.”

“Well, that’s at least useful for the adventuring kind,” Vae said.

“Step forward, Team Ebenshire,” the clerk beckoned.

Kal didn’t know how Ellie and Arix would share an Astral Pouch, but he didn’t care at that moment.

It had become perhaps his most desired magical item since discovering their existence. With this, he could carry everything he possibly needed. There was no way around it; he would need an Astral Pouch if he wanted to adventure and see the world. Not only did he gain one with this reward, but from his understanding, he also gained one of considerable value.

Between the pouch and the legendary Bloodline Trait, Kal was suddenly beyond happy about winning, so much so that he couldn’t hide the smug grin that formed across his face, causing several scowls that already bore down on him to sour further.

Come on then, you sore losers. Show me what you got. Becoming the next Archmage won’t be any fun if I don’t have competition!

“With that being said,” the bearded clerk said. “We shall move on. You shall all get a single night to recover in proper accommodation within Morington, though he can’t guarantee the availability of lodgings in a busy city like this. Tomorrow, you will all be expected here at ten in the morning to hear the rules of the final exam. Let me tell you that while we have been paying close attention to all of you and your achievements, this final exam will be the most important at determining what kind of academies you will get an opportunity to attend.”

***

“Come on, can’t you do any better than this?” Vae said, arguing with the innkeeper over the inn’s wooden bar. He was a broad, mustached man with a disinterested gaze. 

“Just let it go,” Ellie said. “It’s the fourth inn we’ve tried. At least they have space.”

“Space? In the barn? You’ve got to be kidding me. I’ve been camping for an entire week; a proper bed isn’t that much to ask for.”

“Sorry, can’t do,” the innkeeper shrugged. “Ye shoulda booked ahead of time, what with all the mages about. Morington is busy enough at the best of times. You kids should know caravans from all over pass through here on their way to Lorran. It’s what we’re known for.”

“I don’t care what you’re known for; I want a bed. I’ve put on a smile and endured the wilderness for a week. Some soft linens aren’t that much to ask.”

“I thought he was tougher than this,” Ellie whispered to Arix.

“I heard that. Don’t take me for just another noble. I’m not stuck up and tightly wound like that. But a week of camping is a week of camping.”

“Ha,” the innkeeper grunted.

“What?” Vae snapped, swinging back to the innkeeper.

“Do you want the room or not?” The innkeeper said, glancing over Vae’s shoulder to several other participants from the mage exams.

“We do,” Kal cut in. “Please, an extra copper for your troubles.”

“An extra copper?” Vae exclaimed. “For what? He’s only charging one copper for the four of us.”

Kal wasn’t rich and didn't plan to waste one of the five coppers he had. But he couldn’t wipe the smirk from his face or his buoyant mood. What was a copper compared to what he had just won?

“A whole copper?” Arix murmured. 

“Imagined the cold cuts we could’ve bought,” Ellie licked her lips.

“You two can always sell your pouch if you need coin,” Kal said.

Ellie reflexively grabbed at the pouch secured to her belt. She was carrying it, but she and Arix had agreed to come up with a better solution for sharing it later.

“I suppose—it would make sharing it easier,” Arix said.

“No way, at least not until we know exactly what it’s worth and have an idea what we’re going to do with the coin,” Ellie crossed her arms.

“I guess we’re back to being poor,” Arix sighed.

“We still have this camping gear,” Ellie grinned.

“That’s Vae’s,” Arix counted.

“I honestly don’t care what you do with it,” Vae groaned dejectedly. “I’m going to go find a pastry shop to drown my sorrows.”

“We’re not selling that stuff,” Kal said. “You never know when we’ll need to go camping again, and I’m sure you two will end up handing it all away for half its value.”

“Oww, no far,” Ellie whined. “We could at least sell some of it.”

“No. Well, not unless you want to clean and sort everything. If you do that, I suppose it would be far if I let you sell whatever we don’t need.”

“Forget it,” Ellie slumped. “I need a rest, not cleaning duty. I’m going to find somewhere to lie down or something.”

Kal still had four coppers since Vae had once again paid the stable itself. The small tavern was squeezed into a corner of the inn’s ground floor, which had little more than three round tables beneath candlelight, with their chairs so tightly packed that they were essentially one long table combined. Across from the tables was a tiny bar manned by a rosy-cheeked woman with gray curls. 

He doubted the humble establishment sold particularly good food, but rumble from his stomach urged him toward it.

“Hey there, lovely. What can I do you for?” The bar lady said whilst filling a flagon for another customer.

“Do you sell food?”

“Whatever’s in the pot,” she gestured over to a cauldron gently simmering. “Plus bread. But it ain’t the freshest. Old loaves from the bakery, we get ‘em at half price and sell ‘em accordingly.”

“How much for a bowl?” Kal asked, craning over the counter to watch as small chunks of carrot and potato swirled around the cauldron, carried by the tiny bubbles.

“A good-sized bowl along with a bread roll will set you back just a half copper.”

“Okay,” Kal said, handing one of his coppers over.

In a flash, the older woman moved surprisingly dexterously, swinging around to fill a bowl with a ladle and slide it across the table, followed by the bread roll she threw directly to Kal.

Kal caught the roll and squeezed it. It was firm, but no doubt it would be okay after soaking up some soup.

“And ye change,” she added with a crooked smile.

“Thank you,” Kal nodded and took the precariously thin coin that felt as if it would bend in his fingers if he wasn’t careful.

Finding a spot between a couple of drunks, he flashed his neighbors a smile and dunked his bread. Counting to ten in his head, he then took it out and bit.

That’s… that’s not bad.

Nodding as he chewed, a smile slowly formed on his face, and he dunked the roll back in and began shoveling the mild but tasty savory soup into his mouth. A moment later, he burped and leaned back into his chair, satisfied.

“You actually ate that stuff?” Vae said, walking in from outside.

“It was pretty good,” Kal shrugged. “Besides, didn’t you eat meat from a bag while we were camping?”

“Out of necessity, may I remind you.”

“I didn’t know you were so…”

“So what? Particular? I’m not, at least not compared to my family. But it’s been a long week,” Vae sighed and took a chair beside Kal. “You are more impressive than you believe, Kal Jakari.”

“I’m just a kid.”

“No, you’re not. These other noble kids are keeping up with you thanks to their wealth and secret spells. When you close that gap, I don’t know how they’ll stand a chance at being your equal.”

“If I close that gap,” Kal slumped. “Earning coin and buying magical items is one thing, but how am I supposed to get access to secret spells?” 

“Kal, please, head up. Moping like this is unbecoming of the winner of the exam.”

“You’ve been complaining since we got here.”

“It’s different. Besides, you’re already building a name for yourself. Noble houses are constantly adopting outside talent to fill their ranks. Or even becoming the apprentice to a great mage could be your means to magical knowledge. But from what I’ve learned about you in recent days, I’d gamble that you find a completely different route to the top. If I’m completely honest, I can’t wait to see it.”

“I’ll try not to disappoint.”

“Oh, I doubt you tell.”

“Vae, what are your plans anyway? You said you want to join an academy in Lorran.”

“Correct. One of the big five, preferably.”

“Big five?” Kal’s brow rose.

“Oh, you don't know?”

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