Those Who Passed

"Next, Elder."

Elder rubbed his eyes, yawned deeply, and his dark gray-blue face was filled with drowsiness as he slowly swayed inside.

Serie had already sat back down by the pool, slowly and methodically combing her long, wet, golden hair with a small silver comb. Hearing footsteps, she lifted her eyelids and glanced over.

"The Demons."

She put down the silver comb, her tone casual and noncommittal.

"Demons also want to become First-Class Mages?"

Elder stopped, scratched his short black hair, and raised his hand to shake the ancient-looking Dominating Stone Ring on his wrist.

"Haha... So what?"

His voice was still muffled, as if he hadn't woken up properly.

"I've heard that First-Class Mages enjoy many privileges. And..."

He pointed to the stone ring on his wrist, his tone becoming even more self-righteous.

"I'm a 'good boy' now, aren't I? I have this."

Serie's gaze lingered for a moment on the stone ring on his wrist before shifting away, and she picked up the silver comb again to continue combing her long hair.

"Never mind."

She said it casually, her tone neither revealing helplessness nor indifference.

"You passed."

Elder's eyes lit up slightly, and his drowsiness seemed to dissipate a bit. He chuckled twice, said nothing more, turned and walked out, his steps much lighter than when he came in.

Thanks a lot!

"Next, Adonis."

Adonis entered the room with graceful steps.

Serie had already combed her hair and was standing beside a cluster of blue irises in full bloom, inhaling their fragrance. Hearing footsteps, she looked up.

"Elf."

Her gaze lingered for a moment on Adonis's pointed ears and perfect features, a faint, subtle look, like "seeing a fellow human," flashing in her golden eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"It's quite rare to see someone of the same race as me."

She straightened up, crossed her arms, and spoke with a hint of pure curiosity.

Why do you want to become First-Class Mage?

Adonis stopped, raised his hand, and gently smoothed his meticulously styled blond hair with his long, slender fingers, the movement natural and fluid, as if he had rehearsed it countless times. He looked at Serie, his expression serious, and stated his reasons in a calm tone.

"I've heard that there's an ancient 'Emperor's Wine' in the Northern Plateau, which is said to be the best-tasting wine in the world. I'd like to try it."

"Therefore, I must obtain the status of First-Class Mage."

Serie: "..."

She stood there, silently watching Adonis's handsome face, which seemed to say, "That's a perfectly valid reason, isn't it?"

A few seconds later, she raised her hand, rubbed her temples with her fingers, and let out a clear sigh that was a mixture of absurdity and helplessness.

"... Who are these people?"

She lowered her hand, shook her head, and her tone indicated that she had given up on investigating further.

"Fine, it's acceptable."

Adonis gave a flawless smile and bowed slightly.

Thank you for your understanding.

He turned gracefully and left the room.

"Next, Methode."

Methode gently pushed open the door and went inside.

The room was quiet. Serie stood barefoot on the edge of the pool with her back to the door. She had just lifted one foot out of the pool, and glistening water droplets rolled slowly down her slender ankle, fair arch, and rounded toes, dripping into the clear water with a soft, pleasant "tinkling" sound.

The afternoon sun slanted in through the high window, bathing her in its light. Water droplets refracted tiny sparkles on her feet, making her skin appear almost translucent with a healthy pink hue. Her feet were perfectly shaped, small and delicate, exuding an innocent purity.

She seemed to be preparing to wipe, but suddenly stopped, maintaining the raised foot position, and turned her head slightly to the side.

Her golden eyes met those of Methode, who had just walked in and whose gaze was fixed on her.

Their eyes met.

Methode stopped in her tracks.

She stood there, her mature and sophisticated face expressionless, her eyes quietly watching Serie, watching the foot dangling in mid-air, dripping with water, and the barefoot figure by the pool, appearing even smaller due to the backlighting.

Her gaze was calm and direct, without any evasion or impoliteness; she simply... looked.

I stared at it for several seconds.

Serie frowned slightly.

A very subtle unease, like being watched by something strange, flashed in his golden eyes.

She put her foot down, her bare feet touching the cold stone floor, turned around to face Methode, and spoke with a hint of wariness in her voice.

"... Hello."

She squinted at Methode.

"What were you thinking about just now, you idiot?"

Upon hearing this, Methode raised her hand and gently tapped her cheek with her fingertip, tilting her head slightly. Her voice was gentle and her tone natural, as if she were simply stating an observed fact.

"Ah..."

"I think you're so cute, especially when you're small and barefoot..."

Serie: "..."

She stood there, arms crossed, looking at Methode's gentle and frank face, which seemed to say, "I'm just telling the truth."

Silence filled the room in the flower field.

Only the faint sound of flowing water in the distance and the soft rustling of petals in the wind could be heard.

A few seconds later, Serie took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

She raised her hand and rubbed her temples again, this time with a larger motion. Then, she lowered her hand, turned her face away, and looked at the blooming flowers beside her. Her profile looked somewhat awkward and impatient in the light and shadow.

"... never mind."

Her voice was muffled, carrying a sense of "I can't be bothered to argue with you."

"Qualified."

She waved her hand, as if shooing something away.

"Get out of here right now."

Methode's smile deepened slightly, but she remained gentle and courteous. She bowed slightly in greeting.

"Yes, Serie, Lady Celia."

She didn't look any further, nor did she say anything more. With graceful movements, she turned and left the room.

The door closed gently.

Serie stood alone in the middle of the empty flower field, staring at the closed door for a long while before slowly exhaling, her small toes involuntarily curling up.

"Honestly, what strange people are taking the exams this year?"

Finally, the last candidate left the hall.

Falsh stood by the door, watching everyone leave, then gently closed the door.

The spacious hall returned to silence, with only the light and shadows cast by the stained-glass windows slowly moving across the floor.

Deep within the Continental Magic Association, in a spacious and tranquil room.

Serie sipped her black tea.

Sense stood a few steps away from her, her long, light brown hair cascading down to her ankles like a still waterfall.

The room was quiet, with only the occasional soft click of teacups and saucers, and the faint murmur of the lake breeze blowing through the windowpanes in the distance.

Serie put down her teacup, the porcelain making a clear, soft sound as it touched the wooden tabletop.

"Sense."

"Yes, Lady Serie."

Serie paused for a few seconds, as if choosing her words carefully, or perhaps recalling the interview that had just ended, filled with all sorts of "weirdos".

Then, she let out a soft breath, leaned back in the soft chair, and unconsciously rubbed her bare feet against the plush cushion.

"This year's candidates are indeed significantly better than those of previous years."

"Although the proportion of strange individuals is ridiculously high."

Sense listened quietly, his long, light brown hair remaining perfectly still in the gentle breeze that passed through the window.

She didn't respond, but beneath her drooping eyelids, in her deep blue eyes, there seemed to be a very subtle, calm ripple, as if she had "already expected" it, spreading silently before quickly returning to the stillness of a deep pool.

As the sun continued to sink, it bathed the room in a deeper, warmer gold.

The lake reflected the last glimmers of light, and occasionally a waterbird returning home would fly by, leaving behind a long, drawn-out cry.

In addition, an unknown wail could be heard coming from the room of the Great Mage Serie tonight.