Now, let's begin with the aura test first.
It was a simple procedure—Nevalis would inject a bit of aura into their bodies. If they were able to sense it, or feel warmth and tingling in their flesh, then the test was considered successful. If all they felt was a faint pain, it meant they lacked the talent to use aura and would remain stuck at the warrior level.
Of course, this wasn't an absolute rule. There were rare cases where people awakened their aura even after failing the test. But those were anomalies.
The entire test took more than two and a half hours. Each person took, at most, four minutes. The issue, however, was Nevalis himself. After all, he still couldn't use real aura properly. What he was doing was mimicking it using pure mana—a technique that, while effective, consumed an immense amount of time, mental focus, and energy.
When the test was finally done, Nevalis sat back in silence. He was... mildly shocked.
Seven individuals had shown potential to use aura.
"By hell... what are they doing rotting in a place like this?" he muttered under his breath. Any noble house would welcome this many potential knights with open arms. Even the Dukes would fight to have this many under their banner.
After a few minutes, Nevalis moved past his surprise. After all, not everyone with potential ends up becoming a knight.
Now came the easier test—mana.
"So, who wants to go first?"
Immediately, everyone wanted to volunteer. But Ivan stepped forward quickly and declared,
"I'll go first!"
He looked visibly excited, and no one objected. He climbed up with Nevalis and became the first to undergo the magic test.
Half an hour later, once everyone had been tested, Nevalis slumped into a chair, visibly stunned.
He muttered to himself in disbelief,
"Five... five mages."
The magical circle had revealed four mages. Adding old Elias, Nevalis now had five mages under his command. That far exceeded his expectations. Even the strongest baron families had, at most, three mages. Of course, there was a difference between mages—most of them never advanced beyond the third circle.
Nevalis assumed it was either because of orders from the four duchies and the imperial family... or due to the natural limits of their talents... or maybe both. Or perhaps even due to the endless wars between the baron houses.
Even the most powerful mage in the imperial family was a mere Fifth Circle Mage.
And now, in front of him, were five. Technically, four of them hadn't even begun their path in magic, but the potential alone was staggering.
Nevalis processed his earlier surprise with the aura test. Seven candidates for knighthood—that alone was impressive. But the path of a knight isn't determined just by potential. It requires experience, talent, and determination.
Likewise, the path of a mage comes with many layers—especially the depth of their understanding of their magic. Even if two mages wielded the same magic at the same level, their power would differ drastically based on how deeply they understood it. Not to mention the innate talent to regenerate mana.
Nevalis rubbed his forehead and focused on the matter at hand. In front of him were twelve individuals: five mages and seven potential knights.
He decided to start with the faster process: the knights.
Nevalis looked at them and said,
"Congratulations. You are all potential knights, and now you have three paths ahead of you."
"First: join a baron under the Duke of Lankros. That house is known to be the strongest and most honorable when it comes to knights on the continent. I personally recommend this."
"Second: join the military. A solid path that will offer training, experience, and income. There are even ranks and promotions."
"Third: which I do not recommend—join an adventurers' or mercenaries'
guild. While this will give you experience, it lacks proper training. And the death rate for rookies like you is terrifyingly high."
"So... what will you choose?"
After a brief pause, a boy around Rayan's age stepped forward. His features were sharp, and while he wasn't muscular, his body showed lean strength.
"My name's Kaylen. I'll join the military."
Behind him, two others stepped forward, choosing the same path.
"Good," Nevalis said. He then turned to the remaining four.
The oldest among them stepped forward hesitantly.
"My name is Corin," he said, "I'll go to a noble house."
Nevalis raised an eyebrow. "It's obvious you don't want to. Why choose that path, then?"
Everyone turned toward Corin, curious. They all knew how much he hated nobles.
After a moment of silence, Corin raised his head, his eyes blazing with unwavering determination.
"I don't want to," he said coldly. "I don't want to associate with those scum. But eventually, we'll have to bring them down. So I'll go among them.
When the time comes, I'll strike. I'll kill them all—without mercy. I won't leave a single one alive."
His hatred was so intense, it felt like his eyes alone could kill.
The room fell silent. Everyone could feel the seething rage boiling in Corin's soul.
Nevalis nodded slowly, then turned to the last two. After hearing Corin, they made their decision.
"We'll also go to noble houses," they said, determination in their eyes.
Nevalis nodded in approval. He liked their resolve.
Now, only one remained—but Nevalis had set him aside for the mage group.
This was someone with a body like his—capable of using both aura and magic.
It was Rayan.
Nevalis said,
"So, it's settled. Three of you will join the army, three will go to noble houses. Now let's move on to our second treasure—those walking the path of magic."
"First, you, old man Elias. Tell me about your magic."
Old Elias went quiet for a moment, then said,
"Don't get your hopes up. I don't have any useful or offensive magic."
Nevalis replied, "Speak, old man. There is no such thing as useless magic."
Elias finally explained,
"Wood magic. Metal magic—barely usable. And enhancement magic. But not general enhancement—just enhancement of my own magic."
One might think having multiple types of magic is a blessing. Wood, metal, and enhancement magic—it sounds impressive.
But what's the use?
"Where the hell would I ever use wood magic? It's utterly useless. Metal magic? I barely use it well enough to work as an average blacksmith.
Enhancement magic? All it does is make my spells a little better. At best, I'm just a slightly better blacksmith."
The room fell silent. No one could argue. It didn't sound impressive at all.
But Nevalis suddenly stood up, eyes wide.
Elias frowned. "Didn't I tell you not to get excited? My magic isn't combat-type. I only use enhancement on myself."
But Nevalis wasn't listening. He was thinking something else entirely.
"What madness is this? How incompetent is the imperial family to let such jewels rot here?" he muttered.
He smiled and said aloud,
"My luck is on the rise."
Elias looked confused. That was the last reaction he expected.
Before Elias could say anything, Nevalis added,
"How blind was the family you were part of to not see the value of a magical enhancer like you? But hey, lucky me."
Elias didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Still, he asked,
"How is my magic special?"
Nevalis grinned. "Do you know the types of enhancers?"
Elias raised a brow. "Aren't there only two? The type like me, who enhances their own magic... and those who enhance their physical body with enhancement magic."
Nevalis replied calmly,
"That's just commoner talk."
People in the room stifled their laughter.
"Listen, old man. Enhancement magic is divided into two main categories: person enhancement and object enhancement. Person enhancement is the common one—you empower your allies or yourself. But object enhancement? That splits into two: enhancing your own magic, or enhancing items around you. That's the rare type—and it's considered special-class magic."
"And that... is your magic."