Alfonsi: Chronicle of the Seven Realms

Yelrine is situated in the suburbs of Alfonsi, nestled among farm lands and bordering a long river that eventually lead to the salt water of the sea. The institute was a miniature town of its own; boasting shops, restaurants and places of entertainment mostly run by Yelrine's extensive work force.

The massive black steel gates that stretched high into the sky were wide open, welcoming the droves of people currently chattering excitedly as they entered the institute.

On the main road that lead up to the gates there was much higher tension as the carriages that transported passengers were piled closely together, causing traffic jams and irritated arguments among nobles and commoners alike.

Currently, inside a rather expensive carriage lined with red velvet seating and expensive glass windows sat Isabelle. She leaned to glance outside once more, the structure of the main Yelrine Institute building visible beyond the congestion of traffic and horses.

Next to her was her mother. Elena aggressively waved her delicate lace fan before her face in a fit of annoyance. As usual for the two ladies, not a hair was out of place and they were dressed in finery that blatantly displayed their status.

"Such incompetence, and before a prestigious place. It would be so much simpler if those of a low-born status were kept from taking these exams. Most of the commoners will fail before they even make it to the practical exams anyway. I'd be surprised if half of them knew how to spell their own name."

Isabelle blinked in disinterest. Her mother's obvious disdain for those of lower status was something she never hid. In fact, she reveled being in a higher position than them but as was usual for Elena Ashton, what she had was simply never enough.

Isabelle never had the same level of distaste for those of the lower class. Sure sometimes she felt bad that they weren't able to afford necessities but what could she do? It wasn't like she had asked to be born in a rich family with all the comforts money could buy. Besides, her life was no fairy tale dream compared to theirs.

"Oh For All Father's sake, Isabelle get out."

"M-Mother?"

"Get out! I'll make sure the coachman finds us a suitable location. You go to the designated meeting spot. Tardiness is unattractive and I doubt I need to remind you of the rumors of the Prince's presence here. Go and look pretty."

"Yes mother."

Needing no other words of command Isabelle was out and working through the maze of people and wheels when she finally came to the gate.

Knights in pale gray uniforms were stationed everywhere leading the masses in the correct direction. Isabelle was content to follow along with the group. Taking a moment to appreciate the well maintained cobble streets and neatly trimmed grass.

The entire place buzzed with the signature of magic, proving that almost everything was done with not just magic but high level spells and knowledge. It was everywhere, in the small shops she passed selling everything from fresh bread to imported potions. It was in the stones of the larger more important looking buildings not far in the distance. Most importantly it was in the plants, all of which were beautifully cared for and seemed to be in perpetual bloom.

As much as she wanted to stop and study them Isabelle kept going. It wasn't much longer that she noticed they were all going to a wide stadium with thousands of seats under a roof that was held up by large thick pillars.

As she found a seat near the bottom closest to the open area she decided to look through the other quickly filling seats to cast an eye on the potential students.

One of the unique things about Yelrine was it's lax entrance rules. Things like age, status and wealth were deemed insignificant. The one thing that was held in high standard was magical ability and talent, which lead to low entrance rates despite the plethora of people who applied. It would never stop many from trying their hardest to get into one of the most prestigious magical schools in the nation. Some even going as far as to use underhanded tactics.

Isabelle turned back to the front with a sigh of disappointment. She couldn't spot the Prince's pearlescent white hair. If he was here she doubted she'd even need to look, his presence was not one easily suppressed.

She didn't want to think about the wrath her mother would rage if it turned out that the rumors had been untrue.

Elena never intended for her daughter to take the entrance exams, this was just an excuse to see if she could once again gain the Prince's attention. Isabelle didn't care, while impressing Azra would be nice she wasn't averse to trying to enter the school. The prospect of a life dedicated to magic and plants certainly didn't sound too bad.

The noise in the wide open space only got louder as the seats were slowly filled. The air was filled with excitement and nervousness as a lone figure walking towards the open space the audience surrounded.

Bright orange hair standing out against the all black clothes, he walked leisurely drinking from the cup in his hand. Apprehensive whispers broke out, he certainly didn't look like someone who worked for Yelrine.

Assuming he was just anther person wanting to take the exams, everyone paid him no mind and continued to talk.

That is until he stopped at the center of the opening and raised his hand for quiet.

Instantly the area was dead silent. He might not look like he was in charge but no one wanted to risk being rude to a person who could be a professor just because he didn't exactly look like he fit the role.

"I assume you all know why you are here so let's not waste each other's time. My name is Professor Nile and I will be conducting the entrance exams this year."

Nile scanned through the crowd to make sure everyone was paying attention before he continued. He hated repeating himself.

"The entrance exams are split up into two sections, the written exam and the practical. The written exam is self-explanatory but the practical exam changes every year. Last year I believe it was a live maze in the cornfield."

The orange haired man blinked slowly, his tiredness making him more cranky than he usually was. With Nicholas gone Nile had taken on his group of senior students; explaining his annoyance with having to create an exam for the potential students. He wanted this done and over with as quickly as possible, even if he did have to fail some of them.

"I am a simple man, don't expect something as flashy and elaborate as that from me. Instead, I will give you all one chance to show your creativity and talent. After the written exams are over your magical aptitude will be tested. You will perform one spell and I will tell you what you will be graded on."

Nile spilled the remaining contents of his cup. The water splashed onto the ground, small waves turning bigger as it grew from the amount one could hold in their hands to the size of a tsunami. Despite the sound of rushing water Nile's voice could still be heard loud and clear.

"Talent."

The large tsunami rushed towards where everyone was seated, it's wave almost as high as the ceiling of the roof. Some people gasped in both awe and alarm.

"Creativity."

The tsunami stopped right before where the first row of people were seated, not even a drop wetting their clothes as the wave hovered frozen in time.

"And control."

The water that was just about to crash into the crowd suddenly evaporated into thin air, a warm humid wind brushing past everyone as the stone dried to its original state. Leaving Nile there with an empty cup and tired face.

Everyone was left in awe of the man, large scale spells like that usually took up large amounts of mana yet there he was looking unfazed. Not to mention the fact that he didn't even mutter out an incantation, speaking volumes of his expertise.

Finally done with his explanation Nile raised an eyebrow to the crowd.

"Any questions?"

After a long silence a hand hesitantly raised up from a few rows back. Nile glanced at the boy who looked like a teenager. Next to him was the teen with pink hair that he recognized, it sparked an interest as he remembered seeing him on the list of only three people who were accepted by recommendation.

The one who raised his hand looked to be a commoner, with purple hair and eyes he was dressed simply. Nile sighed inwardly, there was no shortage of people who took the exams despite their lacking magical capabilities just to get a glimpse at Yelrine. He hoped this child wasn't someone so disgraceful.

"Yes?"

"How much time will we be given to practice and when will the exams begin?"

Nile smiled a disturbingly bright and friendly smile.

"Right now of course."