"T-thank you for coming?"

Merlin repeated as if unable to believe what he just heard from Clyne.

They couldn't comprehend how did it end like this. First of all, how did Wallace managed to reach the Natural state of the breathing method in just a day and even created a Sixth Gen Mana Artifact in the remaining time?

They glanced towards the silent Wallace as if to look into his secrets.

'Was he aware of the breathing method even before the start of the competition?'

'Maybe he had something similar?... No, Secret Arts isn't something that can be found without an Arcanist or Grand Arcanist backing them.'

'Wait, this guy also didn't have a recommendation from an Arcane Artificer registered in Congress. He was probably like me who wanted to climb up the ranks through his own efforts. He probably has a prominent background I'm not aware of.'

'Sigh~ It seems that the Grand Arcanist was serious to have an apprentice capable of completing the task. But that was too tough, they should make some considerations. I can't imagine that others would be capable of finishing the task. This Wallace is just a deviant.'

After calming their minds, Merlin asked Clyne while gritting his teeth.

"Excuse me, but based on what you've previously said, you needed to find five apprentices, right?"

It was followed by Jared's pleading voice. They don't have time to think about how Wallace managed to finish the test. Their memories about the new forging method and AOTL were about to fade away.

"Mhm... That's right, you still haven't reached the quota. Would you consider testing us differently? I believe that we have a chance if we were tested in a different manner."

A few moments of silence passed as they stared at the Grand Arcanist waiting for his final verdict.

But the butler spoke first...

"That's true. I also believed that all the top unaffiliated 13-18 years old magician of the country were all present here. So it would be tough looking for another good seedling." Clyne looked at Slaine Allusia hinting that the Grand Arcanist now have the chance to clear things up.

Slaine's eyes lit up and speak.

***

Half an hour ago after Clyne collected the Progress Indicator Crystals within the rooms of the examinees.

He together with Slaine evaluated their results.

Clyne actually kept silent about Wallace's progress to surprise the Grand Arcanist.

"They should've learned the Natural state at the very least, correct?" Slaine asks after Clyne placed the six indicator crystals on the table.

They were currently in Slaine's study room where the Grand Arcanist frequently stayed at. He was sipping a cup of tea at the time Clyne arrived.

"Yes, all of them learned the breathing method at Natural state." Clyne replied.

He was aware of it even though he didn't ask the six and only met them briefly. After all, he felt the same aura from the current four apprentices of the Grand Arcanist. He was very familiar to the AOTL's breathing method although he hadn't fully learned it yet.

"Mhm..." Slaine nodded since this indicates that the six were truly talented. It was to be expected to reach this stage.

"Now, let's see their progress..."

Slaine said and just like that, they checked each content of the crystals. He was actually satisfied with the first five examinees and felt that they already qualified to be his apprentices. Only Wallace's Progress Indicator Crystal was left.

"They were much better than Clark and Farah when they started to become my apprentice." Slaine commented remembering his current 3rd and 4th apprentice.

"For you to praise them like that, they must be really talented." Clyne nodded as a realization came to him. The two apprentices that Clyne mentioned were recruited in a special way and not from this kind of open examination. But one thing is for sure, Slaine will not accept average talents. Their overall potential rating must reach 85 or even higher. This meant that Rhine, Jared, Merlin, Tristan, and Ren's talent weren't easily found.

'Then what about Wallace's talent? Is it comparable to Miss Lacus Minerva?' Clyne thought for a moment as he waited for Slaine to check the last crystal.

Slaine placed his hands and a link or connection from the indicator crystal to the Grand Arcanist occurred. There, he learned Wallace's progress.

Although, he couldn't see real visual events about what was Wallace doing during the three days, he noticed from the information how the young magician had failed multiple times in practicing the breathing method but suddenly increased his progress and reached a natural state.

Clyne and Slaine had also noticed something even more surprising from the recorded information.

'Wallace's mana seems to be too pure based on the information. How pure was it? He possesses Mana Body, then it should be the same 93% purity.' This is what Clyne thought but Slaine seems to be lost in his thought. He didn't disturb his master.

The Grand Arcanist wasn't saying any more words as they validated all the information. His eyes were also showing amazement about Wallace's decisive action and attitude in completing the task.

He ignored other spells included in the new forging method and only used the appropriate spells.

'But how did he manage to remove that energy in the materials? Haaa~ Sir Slaine's recruit this time seems to be very interesting...' Clyne had this sudden thought upon realizing just how talented this Wallace was.

This time, Slaine's mouth twitched after Clyne brought out the knife that Wallace made.

"This guy... just what kind of talent is this. His very suitable to be my--" Slaine stopped as he realized that it's not appropriate. "No, he's too young. Sigh~"

Everyone was aware that this Grand Arcanist plans to visit the northern continent after teaching his new five apprentices. But he couldn't go there alone and needed some powerful guards and assistants or retainers.

That's right, this third examination was meant for retainers. He needed some capable and talented retainers and normally, their age was about 30-40 years of old. They must be Arcane Artificers at that age.

Their aim for this last exam for apprenticeship was only for them to learn the breathing method and for them to have a glance at the new forging method so they could have a hopeful dream to be stronger than their current self.

But they were surprised by this result.

"He really did it, huh. This man doesn't even have his official license yet." Slaine said while holding the Light Daedric Knife. He closed his eyes and again, his mouth twitched upon confirming something.

'Is this 95% or 96%? It shouldn't be higher than that.' Slaine scratched his head upon realizing this.

'It looks like this child's situation wasn't simple. Wallace Ravencroft, huh... Eh? is it that Ravencroft?'

"Clyne, this guy is a descendant of the Ravencroft Clan?"

"Yes, master. I've confirmed all their background..." Clyne paused for a bit before continuing. "...and Wallace's mother was from Mavis Clan."

Slaine was surprised upon hearing this. Luckily, he wasn't sipping a cup of tea.

'What a troublesome situation.' Slaine remembered that two clan's problematic situation even for him as a Grand Arcanist.

"But don't worry, Sir Slaine. Wallace's family wasn't caught by the clan's stigma. Their family was isolated in a small town in Star Region."

"Hmm... That's good to hear."

After pondering for a while, he decided.

"Very well. Looking at this result, only Wallace passed as the task given was to produce this knife. It would've been easier to accept five apprentices if all of them failed..."

It would tarnish his reputation if he accepted the other four when none of them completed the task. Also, this Wallace might feel that it would be too unfair for him since he perfectly finished the examination.

After thinking about it, they could only adjust.

"How about this..." Clyne made a suggestion.

***

"Mhm... I understand. How about this, the five of you will be students in this Cloud Hawk Manor to better your skills. I'll give you a week and Clyne will retest your skills at the time."

As soon as Slaine was done speaking, the others except Tristan thanked the Grand Arcanist.

Some of them were confused about seeing Tristan's lack of gratitude.

"Er... I'm also thankful for the offer. But I guess, I would give up at this point." Tristan politely announced.

He then further explained how he just really wanted to gain experience and his father was not aware that he was present here.

Wallace doubted that. 'His father must be fully aware but he just didn't find it necessary to stop you.'

They were all thinking the same as they remembered Tristan's background.

Soon, the five of them except Tristan consumed another purple crystal to stop the memories of the AOTL and new forging method to fade away.

They were then instructed to return to their rooms as they will meet again in the evening.

As they were sent away, for now, Tristan approached Wallace and he seemed to be planning to talk about something important.

"Alright... I'll just pack up my things and meet you in your room." Tristan said after Wallace agreed to meet with him later.