Magic Test

From then on, Lin Tian's life became structured and immensely fulfilling. Whenever dawn broke and the first ray of sunlight pierced the heavy clouds above the palace like a veil of gauze, casting a faint chill over the Martial Arts Arena, Lin Tian was already dressed in light training clothes, practicing the Qi Gathering Stance with complete focus under the careful guidance of Kahn, the commander of the guards. Kahn's broad, powerful frame stood steadily beside Lin Tian like a towering mountain. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, watching Lin Tian's every subtle movement. The moment he spotted any deviation, he stepped forward to correct it precisely. With each steady, powerful breath, Lin Tian's body gradually grew stronger through day-after-day training and magical medicinal baths, like refined iron repeatedly tempered in blazing fire.

When night quietly descended and the bright moon hung high in the vast sky, spilling silver radiance across the land, Lin Tian entered the palace's tranquil and solemn Library Pavilion. An ancient atmosphere, as rich as aged wine, permeated every inch of the pavilion. Rows upon rows of bookshelves seemed to reach into the clouds, filled with precious books recording this world's rise and fall through history, its geography, the distribution of magical beasts, and mysterious magical knowledge. Holding a candlestick as its flame flickered gently in the breeze, Lin Tian moved between the shelves, his gaze eager and burning. Like a starving beast, he greedily swept his eyes over one ancient book after another, thirstily absorbing the nourishment of knowledge and silently accumulating immense strength.

During these seemingly uneventful days, Lin Tian's parents, Hubble Leo, Emperor of the Leo Empire, and Empress Nicole Rossi, kept a close watch on their son's growth.

One day, in the magnificent and spacious imperial study, soft sandalwood incense curled upward and drifted throughout the room, lending it an air of peace and serenity. The Leo Emperor sat upright at his desk in a fitted golden outfit, holding an exquisite quill as he carefully reviewed the mountain of memorials before him. Yet his thoughts did not seem entirely focused on state affairs. From time to time, he raised his head and gazed through the window into the distance, a faint trace of worry unconsciously appearing in his eyes.

Just then, Empress Nicole Rossi entered with graceful steps, dressed in a pale blue gown. She carried a steaming cup of black tea, its rising fragrance seemingly speaking of her concern. She gently placed the tea on the desk before Leo. "Have some tea. Relax for a while."

Leo nodded slightly, slowly set down his quill, and rubbed his tired temples. With a hint of concern on his face, he said, "Nicole, do you think our Lin Tian's path of cultivation has been going smoothly? Over the past year, I've watched his body grow stronger and stronger, but I still can't put my mind at ease."

Nicole Rossi smiled and sat gently beside Leo, her eyes filled with tenderness and resolve. She comforted him softly, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry so much. Lin Tian is exceptionally intelligent and diligent. He practices the Qi Gathering Stance every day without the slightest lapse. Besides, Commander Kahn has been teaching him wholeheartedly. Nothing should go wrong."

Leo furrowed his brow slightly and sighed softly. "That may be true, but the magic test is already close at hand. I know that for Lin Tian, this is an extremely crucial step. The level of his magical talent will, to a great extent, determine the course of his future."

Nicole Rossi gently took Leo's hand, the warmth in her palm seeming to convey endless strength. She said tenderly, "Your Majesty, don't you know our own child? No matter what his talent is like, Lin Tian has an unyielding heart. Even if his magical talent is ordinary, he will surely inherit our battle aura talent and carve out a path of his own in battle aura cultivation. Besides, we will always stand behind him as his strongest support and protect him."

Leo gazed deeply at Nicole Rossi, his eyes full of gratitude and love. "Nicole, having you by my side is the greatest fortune of my life. I hope Lin Tian will have outstanding magical talent, as we wish. Then perhaps his path ahead will be a smoother one."

As the day of the magic test drew nearer, the entire palace seemed to be shrouded in an atmosphere of tension and anticipation.

At last, on a bright, sunny morning, the important day of the magic test arrived as scheduled. The palace's main hall had been carefully arranged to appear solemn and dignified. Rare gemstones were inlaid across the floor, refracting brilliant, dreamlike colors beneath the sunlight. At the center of the hall stood an enormous crystal ball—the Magic Crystal used to test magical affinity.

Lin Tian wore a brand-new fitted red outfit, looking valiant and spirited as he walked forward with steady, powerful steps. Under the expectant gazes of his parents, as well as his sister Fanny Leo and brother Mickey Leo, who had specifically hurried back, he slowly approached the Magic Crystal, his eyes carrying a trace of nervousness and hope for the future.

Standing before the Magic Crystal, Lin Tian took a deep breath and calmed his slightly nervous emotions. Then he slowly extended both hands and gently placed them on the crystal ball. In an instant, the crystal ball shone brilliantly, its dazzling radiance as eye-catching as the rising sun. Red light burst forth from within like surging waves, and the entire Magic Crystal became like a dazzling ruby, bathing the whole hall in magnificent crimson.

Looking at the pure red light, Lin Tian could not help sighing inwardly. Is my affinity only for fire? It seems I'm not some protagonist blessed by fate after all.

The palace's chief mage in charge of the test was an elderly man named Roland. Though his hair was entirely white, he remained vigorous and alert. He stared fixedly at the crystal ball, and an unmistakable flash of shock suddenly crossed his eyes. Then he announced loudly, "Elemental affinity: Fire Super Grade!"

The moment those words were spoken, waves of astonished exclamations rang through the main hall. Fire Super Grade affinity undoubtedly meant that Lin Tian possessed an extraordinary sensitivity to fire elements and tremendous control over them. On his future path of fire magic cultivation, he would enjoy an unparalleled advantage.

The Leo Emperor and Empress Nicole Rossi exchanged a glance, their eyes instantly overflowing with surprise and relief. The corners of Leo's lips lifted slightly as he unconsciously clenched his fists, the joy in his heart like floodwaters breaking through a dam, impossible to put into words. Nicole Rossi was even more moved, her eyes reddening as tears shimmered within them.

However, the surprise did not end there.

Mage Roland looked at Lin Tian with a focused expression and said, "Your Highness, please concentrate fully. Next, I will test your spiritual power. Remember, stand straight and endure for as long as possible. Do not kneel or collapse easily. The longer you last, the better."

As soon as he finished speaking, a warm white light enveloped Lin Tian. As the chief court mage of the Leo Empire, Roland was a powerful light-element Saint Domain Mage. Without the aid of a magic array, he could instantly cast the Intimidation spell.

Lin Tian felt an invisible yet powerful pressure descend directly upon his soul like a heavy hammer. However, since he had already lived a previous life, his spiritual power had always exceeded that of children his age by a great deal. Furthermore, after a year of practicing the Qi Gathering Stance and enduring medicinal baths, his physical strength had already reached the level of a Second-rank Warrior. This allowed his spiritual power to be exerted more effectively. Therefore, this pressure did not trouble him much at first; it even felt less exhausting than staying up late in his previous life.

However, as time passed, the spell's intensity continued to rise, and Lin Tian gradually felt the pressure becoming heavier and heavier. Noticing the astonished looks of those around him, Lin Tian considered his future and decided to hold something back. When the next wave of pressure struck, he went with the flow and dropped to one knee, bracing both hands against the floor.

Seeing this, Roland quickly stopped the spell. Empress Nicole instantly displayed the formidable strength of an eighth-rank warrior, shooting forward like a streak of blue lightning. She steadily supported Lin Tian and anxiously checked his condition.

Roland seemed unsurprised by this. He immediately announced, "His spiritual power is seventy times that of his peers. Spirit Super Grade!"

This news was like a massive bomb, instantly setting off a storm of shock among the crowd. Spirit Super Grade was an extraordinarily rare talent. In the field of magical cultivation, spiritual power played a pivotal role. It not only determined the power and complexity of the magic a mage could cast, but also concerned the depth of a mage's understanding of magic and their capacity for innovation.