The first child, a 7 year old boy, stepped forth after being pushed forward by his father. The boy had a determined and confident face, just as his parent behind him.
"Please state your name before the testing." The burly old man said smilingly.
The boy straightened up and retorted: "I'm Edmund Duras, son of earl Theodore Duras."
Herbert nodded and let Edmund come near the stone. He moved besides the boy, grabbing his arm lightly and saying: "Now place your hand onto the stone in front of you."
Edmund did as he was told. After a few seconds the stone began to shine. First it was a light blue and then turned into a light green.
"Wow, you're at the beginner stage of the 2nd layer Body Tempering Realm. Congratulations." The man started to slowly clap. Everyone would soon rune in.
The confidence in the boy's face didn't waver as he returned to his place.
The next 5 children came, 2 boys and 3 girls, and held their hands onto the stone. They were all in the 1st layer Body Tempering Realm.
After that the daughter of one of the three dukes, that would reign over the city while the king was absent, stepped forward.
She stated her name: "My name's Lara Mitford."
That was all she said and placed her hand on the stone. It began ro shine in a dark green color. It was the first time Idris saw the light and the headmaster raised his eyebrow: "Not bad that's the advanced stage of 2nd layer Body Tempering Realm."
Everyone congratulated her as she went back.
Next was the king's daughter who said her name was Antonia Clifford.
It was the same surname as her father's, but he wished for the people to call him by king Ludwig, his first name.
Antonia touched the stone and it began to glow, quickly rising to a light red color.
Herbert nodded in satisfaction and stated: "As expected from the king's daughter. Beginner stage of the 3rd layer Body Tempering Realm."
He began applauding, the crowd toning in.
The next three children were all in the 1st layer Body Tempering Realm and not as noteworthy as the two in the 2nd layer.
The next person moved towards the stone and said: "I'm Yakov Ouston." It was the son of a baron, relatively unknown in the city, but still a noble.
His result was a red light. Herbert gasped and yelled: "Hahaha. It's middle stage 3rd layer Body Tempering Realm. That has almost never happened before!"
Everyone had their mouths wide open. It was a shock that a 7 year old boy had already broken through to the 3rd layer. They could just imagine what he would be able to achieve in a few years time.
Yakov had a proud expression and an arrogant smile on his face. He went ro his father that laughed: "Hahaha. That's my son."
Everyone could figure that they had seen the strongest child and now waited impatiently for the end of the event.
The next 6 activated the stone, all of them in the 1st or 2nd layer Body Tempering Realm.
At last only Idris was left. Everyone looked at him, without wanting to actually see his results. They knew that he wouldn't be able to surpass Yakov.
They had never even heard of him and didn't know who he was. If he really the child of one of the noble's, they would surely know him.
Idris stepped forward, stating his name: "Idris Asteria" He would just stand out if he didn't have the surname of a noble.
The people were startled. They didn't know marquis Asteria had a son. And the marquis hadn't had a wife.
They all had heard the recent news that marquis Asteria had been killed and so they felt pity for the boy. But they also knew that his killer was murdered 2 weeks before.
The people also thought that it just wasn't possible to Idris to be over the 3rd layer.
Idris moved forward, touching the stone. Suddenly his energy began to be pulled out of his body. It flowed into the stone and the suction stopped.
The light that was being emitted, was light blue. The people thought that was it and laughed inwardly. Herbert wanted to announce the result, but in the next moment the color changed.
It jumped from blue to green, from green ro red and from red ro pink.
Everyone stared at the scene as they couldn't believe what was just happening before them. But it still wasn't enough.
The color changed to violet, then to brown. Everyone's mouths were already wide open.
At last, the stone emitted a dark gray light. All the people in the room knew what that meant. They intently stared at Idris in shock.
'How could a mere child be at the 7th layer?' was what they all thought.
Herbert was the fastest to calm down again and retorted: "It's the advanced stage of the 7th layer Body Tempering Realm. Congratulations." His tone was still hesitant.
Even he couldn't believe the result and wanted to check if something was defective.But that couldn't be, because the stone had never been wrong before.
Some started applauding to congratulate him, some were still shocked, doing nothing but stare.
"Wow, I didn't know you were so strong." King Ludwig suddenly said and everything went quiet.
Idris had never lost his cold and calm face and retorted: "You've never asked, so I've never told you."
The king had to laugh: "Hahaha. It's just the same with the school, isn't it?"
Idris nodded and moved to the place he stood in before.
Herbert stepped in front of the group and raised his voice: "That's enough. Please, parents, go now. The first lesson will begin in a few minutes. And you kids, follow me."
The adults headed out the front door, as we began our way into the first floor again.
We followed a hallway until we ended up in front of a door. There was no sign whatsoever to tell what was inside. Herbert knocked and a female voice could be heard, allowing them in.
The room wasn't big and only 20 seats were placed in here. A blackboard hung on the far end of the classroom, behind a mediocre looking woman.
All 19 students sat on one of the chairs.
The woman straightened up and said in a loud tone: "Welcome to your first lesson in this school. My name is Mrs. Skar, your teacher for magic circles."