The morning of the Arcathis entrance exam was as tense as Kalem had expected, if not more so. The academy grounds were packed with hopeful applicants from every corner of the continent. There were humans, dwarves, and elves, but also less familiar faces—slender, long-tailed saurians and broad-shouldered minotaur-like hulks, each exuding an air of confidence. Kalem's nervousness only deepened as he realized how out of place he felt among the crowd.
"This place is a melting pot," Lyra murmured, scanning the competitors. "I've never seen so many different kinds of people in one spot."
Kalem tugged at his collar, feeling the heat of his anxiety. "Yeah, and they all look like they belong here. Look at that guy—he's practically glowing." He gestured to a tall, elven candidate whose robes shimmered faintly with magical energy.
"Relax," Lyra said, patting his shoulder. "We've got this. Besides, the glowing ones usually burn out first."
Despite her confidence, Kalem couldn't shake the knot in his stomach. He was here on sheer determination and skill, but he lacked the polished education that so many of these candidates clearly had.
Project Submissions
Before the formal tests began, the proctors announced an optional project submission. Applicants could submit an item, potion, or spell for evaluation, offering an opportunity to showcase their creativity and expertise.
"Perfect," Lyra said, pulling a carefully sealed vial from her satchel. "This should give us a head start."
Kalem hesitated, then reached for the spear and axe he had forged specifically for the journey. "I guess these will have to do."
As they handed over their entries, Kalem couldn't help but feel a pang of doubt. His weapons were functional and well-crafted, but compared to the glowing crystals, intricate potions, and scrolls of advanced spells being submitted by others, they seemed almost mundane.
Lyra caught his expression and nudged him. "Trust me, those weapons of yours are going to turn heads. You're selling yourself short."
The Exam
The entrance exam itself was divided into five grueling segments, each designed to test a specific set of skills:
Theoretical Knowledge
The first segment was a written test covering a broad range of topics:
Materials and their properties in crafting enchanted items. The anatomy and uses of magical beasts. Raw magic phenomena and their implications. Herbology and potion-making fundamentals. The various species and their unique traits. Spell theory and classifications.
Kalem felt like a fish out of water. The questions were detailed, technical, and often referenced concepts he had never encountered. Terms like "transmutational resonance" and "sympathetic binding" made his head spin.
He scribbled down what little he could, leaning heavily on his knowledge of materials and practical crafting, but the sections on spells and herbology left most of his parchment blank.
Lyra, meanwhile, moved through the test with ease. Her years of alchemical study and natural curiosity had prepared her well for this challenge, and she barely paused as she wrote down her answers.
Weapon Handling
This segment was Kalem's chance to shine. The proctors evaluated candidates on their combat proficiency, adaptability, and weapon familiarity. Kalem's movements were precise and deliberate, showcasing his intimate understanding of how weapons were meant to function.
"This one's got skill," one of the proctors muttered as Kalem demonstrated a seamless combination of strikes and blocks with a longsword.
His performance drew attention, especially compared to some of the more theory-focused candidates who fumbled awkwardly with their chosen weapons.
Magic and Practical Skills
This portion required candidates to demonstrate their magical aptitude or practical expertise. Kalem's lack of formal magic training put him at a disadvantage, but he improvised by crafting a simple rune-engraved trap. While not flashy, it was effective, and the proctors gave him credit for creativity.
Lyra excelled here, creating an alchemical reaction that neutralized a small magical flame and converted its energy into a harmless mist. The proctors nodded approvingly as she explained the science behind her demonstration.
Mental Evaluation
The final segment tested the applicants' problem-solving abilities and emotional resilience. Kalem approached this with practicality, solving the puzzles with straightforward, no-nonsense solutions. While his methods lacked flair, they were effective.
Lyra's responses were more inventive, earning her higher marks for creativity.
After hours of testing, the results were finally posted. The crowd buzzed with nervous energy as candidates searched for their scores. Kalem stood beside Lyra, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Eight out of ten!" Lyra exclaimed, pointing to her name on the list. "Not bad, huh?"
Kalem scanned the list nervously, finally spotting his name near the bottom. "Three-point-five," he muttered.
Lyra burst out laughing. "Oh no, Kalem… you're barely scraping by!"
Kalem groaned. "Great. Fantastic. I'm officially the class idiot."
"Hey, it's not that bad," Lyra said, patting his shoulder. "Your project submission carried most of the weight. And you did okay in weapon handling and material magic."
"What about the rest?"
She winced. "Uh… straight zeroes in spell theory and potion-making. And theory overall was... let's just say it wasn't great."
Kalem slumped onto a nearby bench. "So I'm hopeless. Maybe I should've stayed in the valley."
Lyra shook her head, still grinning. "Come on, don't be dramatic. You got in, and that's what matters. Besides, no one's expecting you to be perfect. Arcathis is a place to grow, remember?"
Kalem sighed, managing a faint smile. "Thanks. I'll try to keep that in mind."
As they walked back to their temporary lodgings, Kalem's mind raced. The entrance exam had been a wake-up call, a reminder of how much he still had to learn. But it also reignited his determination. He had made it this far, and he wasn't about to give up now.
For better or worse, his journey at Arcathis Academy had officially begun.