Was it envy? Jealousy? Contempt? Resentment?
Thousands upon thousands of eyes, thousands upon thousands of different emotions, countless hearts all focused on the same frail young boy.
Looking around and feeling everyone's gaze, Harry found the sensation of being the center of attention deeply unsettling. He was a little too excited, and a little nervous, and had no idea what expression to wear as he faced the crowd.
Just then, a noble-born young man who was clearly of high status stepped forward first and took Harry's hand. "Congratulations, Mr. Winston."
"You are..." Harry asked, somewhat confused. He didn't recognize the young man.
"Branco Lothar!" The fair-skinned boy flashed a set of pearly white teeth that seemed to shine in concert with his well-tailored white formal suit, trimmed in gold.
With him leading the way, more high-born candidates gathered around to congratulate Harry.
What a heartwarming scene.
Master Famit watched it with deep emotion. "As expected, even if they aren't the eldest sons, none of these noble youths are pushovers."
If they couldn't become apprentices, couldn't they at least get in good with a newcomer who was about to become a High-Level Mage?
The noble youths who realized their chances of advancement were gone immediately switched to Plan B.
But that was a story for later.
Ganis let out a long breath. "That lord really did see everything coming from the start!"
Master Famit asked, "What do you mean?"
"He could, of course, take on apprentices however he pleased. But if he did, he'd lose the support of the nobility and even the entire kingdom. Finding another apprentice of this caliber next time would be like searching for a needle in the sea. He held an impeccably fair examination. I can already imagine the crowds when he next takes on apprentices."