Natural Affinity

“Five minutes until the exam begins. Candidates, prepare your identity tokens. They serve as your score tracker and lifeline in the Secret Realm. In five minutes, professional magic mentors will open the portal. Enter in an orderly manner,” announced a black-robed mentor, their voice amplified by magic to reach every candidate’s ears.

The candidates stirred, checking their gear and tokens, while the surrounding stands buzzed with excitement.

Current students, once in the candidates’ shoes, now watched eagerly, reminiscing about their own trials.

“Who knows if this batch will produce any monsters?” one student mused.

“Unlikely. Can anyone outshine Senior Felicia?” another replied.

“Don’t compare mortals to elves. She’s a divine descendant!”

“Divine descendant or not, this academy’s got others with godly bloodlines.”

The chatter among the spectators was lively, the upperclassmen watching the thousand-plus candidates with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

The pressure of being observed by such a crowd weighed on the freshmen, some visibly nervous—like a green-dressed girl whose delicate face paled with fear.

Others stood unfazed, like a red-clad noble boy near the front, radiating confidence. His magical aura was impressive, bolstered by the array of magical artifacts his noble status afforded.

His deep blue eyes gleamed with self-assurance, and he seemed to lead a small group of candidates.

Selina noted his occasional glances her way, though his noble pride likely kept him from approaching.

Another standout was Kaelis, a boy she’d noticed earlier for his speed. His tanned skin and brown eyes exuded resilience and determination, marking him as a self-reliant talent.

Selina, gripping her token, ignored the crowd. Her focus was on herself.

After yesterday’s talk with Hecate, she knew the exam would be projected magically for the entire academy to see.

Many of her skills couldn’t be revealed without risking exposure, but she had a plan.

With the mentor’s final command, four purple-robed archmages began chanting in unison, their staves glowing.

Powerful magic converged at the field’s center, silver runes dissolving spatial barriers. The portal to the Secret Realm opened slowly.

The final exam begins.

Candidates filed through the portal, clutching their tokens. When Selina’s turn came, she stepped forward, token in hand.

As it touched the portal, a wave of energy and spatial distortion enveloped her.

The world twisted, weightlessness overtaking her senses. When light returned, she opened her eyes to find herself plummeting from the sky.

Instinct kicked in. A golden magical glow flickered, and a gentle breeze accelerated around her.

Magic-infused airflow cushioned her descent, slowing her fall until she landed softly on the ground. Brushing off her hands, she surveyed her surroundings.

Though she rarely used magic, Selina wasn’t incapable. Simple elemental spells had often turned tricky situations in her favor during her thief days.

The Secret Realm’s terrain was a flat grassland, dotted with sparse trees—ideal for open combat but poor for stealth.

Open visibility favors direct fights but limits covert movement.

A faint ripple in the air drew her attention.

Looking up, she spotted a hawk circling overhead—an academy-trained Sky Eagle, equipped with vision-sharing magic to broadcast the exam.

Hecate had revealed this yesterday. Attacking it was out of the question, as it was Tianqi’s surveillance tool.

On the magical projection, Selina’s image drew gasps from the crowd.

Her graceful spellcasting and composed aura, even through a screen, captivated onlookers. Her beauty, strength, and poise made her an instant focal point.

Male students nodded in admiration, while female reactions varied—some awed, others envious.

As the crowd anticipated her next move, Selina glanced up at the eagle.

Her clear, dark eyes showed no panic, only calm serenity. A soft, melodic song rose from the grassland, its nameless tune carrying an enchanting power.

The grass swayed as if dancing, blackbirds chirped in harmony, and even the disciplined Sky Eagle succumbed, spiraling down to land gently on Selina’s outstretched arm.

“Good boy,”

she cooed, her gentle voice soothing as she stroked its feathers.

A fleeting emerald glint passed through her dark eyes. The eagle nuzzled her arm, and she responded with a warm smile.

Using nature’s creatures to monitor an elf? Selina had laughed when Hecate explained the surveillance method.

Ordinary elves could only prevent animals from attacking, but as a royal with Themis’s blood, her presence naturally drew creatures to her, taming them effortlessly.

With the eagle now her ally, the exam was hers to control.

Let’s see what I can do with this.