In snowy weather, a tall boy opened the door of a smithy as snow fell on his long gray hair. It was the winter season as the cold temperatures reigned upon the Divine Kingdom. The house roofs were bombarded with snow as the Divine Kingdom was living its seasonal cold frostbite winter.

“Hmm? It’s winter already, huh.”

Having just left the smithy, Welnir had opened the door outside to find that it was already winter. A season that was too familiar to Welnir as he had spent his days wandering the kingdom and training as he did so a long time ago in his past life. Prepared, Welnir took out an animal fur jacket as he wore for winter. No matter who it was, the winters of the Divine Kingdom were harsh as even strong mages were affected by the cold as it froze everything in its path.

Putting on the animal fur jacket, Welnir casually opened his status panel as he had always checked his status panel daily.

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[STATUS PANEL]

Name: Welnir Baudelaire

Race: Human/Demon Seedling [PURE 100% BOTH]

Rank: 0 Knight Mage

HEALTH: 2810/2110

STAMINA: 2400/2400

MANA: 10/10

[STATS]

Strength - 49.9 [Increases Physical Power]

Defense - 56.8 [Increases Health & Nullifies Damage]

Endurance - 46.8 [Increases Stamina]

Agility - 52.6 [Increases Speed]

Intelligence - 1 [Increases Mana & Ability Power]

[TRAITS/SPECIAL ATTRIBUTES]

Demon Circulation [Mage Talent] -> Intelligence Stat Increases 10x Faster

Demon Affinity [Mana Talent] -> Special Affinity Only Demons Possess (100% PURE)

Lightning Affinity [Mana Talent] -> Lightning (75%)

Demon Resilience [Physical Talent] -> Defense Stat Increases 10x Faster

Demon Transformation/Inheritance [Special Talent] -> LOCKED CONDITIONS MUST BE MET

Demon Speed [Physical Talent] -> Agility Stat Increases 5x Faster

Disciple of The Feeling [Special Trait - Attack Stage]

-> All Weapon Skills Are Learned Instantly

-> Prediction and Redirection Are Perceived 300x Faster

-> Senses Are 50x More Sensitive

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“Hah, I might have overdone it?”

Welnir thought as he laughed, he had laughed because most people couldn’t even handle a single punch with this much power. Most if not all beginner mages usually couldn’t use much defense abilities as they were restricted with low capacity of their mana. In theory, Welnir could casually punch a contestant which would result in instantly killing them. Though Welnir knew he couldn’t casually kill contestants as he would easily be convicted, and killed by the Divine Kingdom without providing a fair reason.

“Hmph, but who cares, I’ll tear this kingdom apart, pillar by pillar.”

Only power was in Welnir’s mind as he was satisfied with his progress. Unfocusing on his status panel Welnir started running as he headed towards a tall tower afar. Amongst the valleys of houses forward a tall tower stood. It was thousands of feet in height as it was the main base of the Mage Council. The Mage Council was a collective of mages that were split in many mage academies. The ones who hosted the Mage Selection were the leaders of these mage academies as they all picked from the lot of promising talents.

Welnir had once come here before when he had turned of age. Though Welnir didn’t even last the first test which was the Magic Pebbles. Regrettably that was the turning point as Welnir devoted his entire life to surpassing the human body with training alone. Though he had gained a trait that no one had ever achieved, it had not benefited him in the slightest.

Though this time was different, as Welnir ran towards the tall tower from afar with an arrogant smirk. Running in the cold harsh weather Welnir didn’t flinch as he was too used to the weather. Times like these, Welnir was reminiscent of how the times were once simple, a boy who wanted to be mage, a dream too simple, yet complicated for him. Determined Welnir turned to run faster as the winds blew stronger.

One might think the tower as a large structure making it closer, but as one looked closer the tower was under sea level as the high mountainous Divine Kingdom was diverse in its terrain. With this the illusion came as it looked close, but in truth it was far away from Welnir’s position as it was miles away. Though far, the tower was always protected as the visibility was clear as ice as it was protected by a mana barrier that worked as a light for direction.

Running as fast as he could, Welnir arrived near the entrance as it didn’t take him too long. Arriving, Welnir witnessed as 5 long lines were situated bearing thousands of people in them. Not surprised, Welnir lined up on the 3rd line as he looked at the front of the entrance from time to time waiting his turn to get in.

“Hey! Look, it's today, the Mage Selection!”

Welnir waited patiently as large groups of children and teens exited the tower as they were student mages. They wore mage robes which were in black and gold. As one looked at their shoulders a symbol was engraved on those robes as they represented which mage academy they were enrolled in.

“Hmm, are you stupid we already know. Anyway, did you hear? A person was picked by ‘that’ legendary mage as a disciple! I heard the person is mysterious and scored the highest in the combat test for the Hakan Academy!”

“Seriously?! You mean one of the top academies, Hakan Academy, known for their specialty in training talented mages into legends? Damn, that person sure is lucky!”

“I wish I was that talented, it’s so hard to advance and all these talented people are just too much of a monster.”

“Hehe wishing won’t get you anywhere, all we can do is just progress at our own pace.”

In the line Welnir ignored everyone as he heard the conversations of the students. As the contestants heard this they were in awe as they were curious of them and their experience in the mage academies.

“Ah, senior! Can you tell me how we can pass this test?”

“Hmph? What are you newbies asking for, just apply and wait for your results. If you want you can even become my slave when you get in, haha!”

“W-what did you just say to us?! This motherfucker really thinks he’s hot shit when he’s just a student!”

Hearing the response of the student mage, the contestant, who was around 13 years old clenched his fists as he rushed towards the student mage angrily.

“Hmph, you seriously think you can just punch me out in the open? A weakling like you should just act submissive and listen to what your seniors tell you! Hah!”

Expecting the attacker, the student mage who was heard from the crowd of students exiting the tower smirked as he jumped out before punching the contestant right on the nose. In the process a loud crackle resounded as the contestant’s nose broke as he staggered on the floor bleeding.

“Like, I said, a weakling can’t do shit.”

Smirking menacingly, the mage student had black hair standing 6 ft wearing a mage robe. As the student mage did this the other contestants were scared as they stopped in their tracks to ask the other mages questions. Though as everyone did this, Welnir looked at the student mage as he sized him up.

“Does this little student really think he’s that strong, must just be arrogant?”

As Welnir said this the student mage who had just beaten the contestant stopped in his tracks as he abruptly turned back facing Welnir straight in the face with a frown. Though as the other contestants saw this their faces were pale as they advised Welnir to stop.

“H-hey, man just stop, he's strong, we’re just regular people right now we can’t fight them even if we tried!”

“Yeah, we know you feel sorry for that guy that just got beaten, but that mage is right, he's just weak and he’s challenging him. Just stop or you’ll get beaten too.”

In truth Welnir didn’t stop because he cared for the guy that had just got beaten up, Welnir’s true intent was to test his power. He never really cared about getting beaten up as he knew he could beat the mage in front of him. The mage was too weak, Welnir could sense that the student's structure physically wasn’t too impressive, deducting that he was only an Archmage that didn’t even compare to his master.

“What did you just say you fucking say?! If you think you can just say that without consequences you’re wrong!”

“And what are you going to do? Kill me? I’d like to see you try, a scrawny archmage at that.”

Having said this the student mage blew up as he hastily sped up towards Welnir with a punch. Though as the student punched towards him, Welnir saw the move easily as he easily dodged repeatedly toying with the student mage.

“Seriously? Is this what mages can only do? Pathetic.”

Angering the student, Welnir leisurely dodged as the student blindly kept attacking him. Though as time went on the student started sweating as his body was getting exhausted. Seeing this the student became cautious as he realized what had just happened. The student had used his mana to increase his speed, but as much as he put his mana into it, the boy in front of him was always one step faster.

“Dammit, stop dodging and face me you weakling!”

Hearing this Welnir laughed as he kept dodging effortlessly even more as Welnir started to tap the student’s joints and muscles pushing him back whilst making the student shake. From the precise tapping on the student he inevitably shook as the student tripped.

“W-what the fuck? What the hell did you just do to me?!”

Stopping the student, Welnir smiled as he used a technique that went well with his quick and strong attacks. The art of acupuncture, using pressure points around the body and in succession can result in paralyzing your opponent. Welnir knew he could do this as he knew the student before him could do nothing as mages were forbidden to use their mana affinities against regular people.

“I just paralyzed you a little, I’m sure a little student like yourself can handle this, right? Hehe…”

Though as Welnir said this, something unexpected happened as Welnir felt a sudden change in the environment. The student in front of him was suddenly enveloped in water as the body of water surprisingly jumped in a spike towards Welnir. But sensing it beforehand Welnir, backed off instantly afar.

“Don’t fuck with me you bastard! If you think a regular person like you can beat me, an archmage you’re fucking dead!”

The student yelled loudly, as he chased after Welnir with a large body of water targeting his head. Though this caught Welnir off guard, Welnir knew he could still beat the mage as he vanished in a blurred movement before smashing his fist towards the water. Smashing his fist into the water, Welnir’s fist sank deeply before destroying the protection and going towards the student’s stomach.

“What?!”

In a smooth move Welnir easily passed all of the mage’s defense before once again a loud crackle resounded as it came from the mage this time. The student flew as the water dropped entirely making a splashing sound as it spilt on the ground. As a result the student was thrown into a nearby stone wall as it cracked into rubble. From a distance many contestants were in awe once again as they saw the young boy easily defeated the mage.

“H-how are you still alive? How did you touch my mana?!”

In shock the student was confused as Welnir didn’t die from touching the exertion of his mana affinity. Trying to compose himself, the student angrily tried once more even though his ribs were broken and potentially had internal bleeding.

Though before the student could do anymore a loud voice resounded as it shook everyone around the tower.

“Stop before I completely cripple you! You disgrace of a student to think you would exert your mana against a regular person!”

A man appeared floating above as everyone’s attention went towards the floating figure. He was tall at around 6 ft and wore a mage robe which had an embroidery with 14 stars around the left chest area of his robe.

“Ah, Master Povlin, I...that boy insulted me and so I had to-”

“Silence! Even if someone were to insult you wouldn’t need to use mana to teach them a lesson! Any mana used to harm a non-registered mage citizen is severely punishable!”

Having said this loudly Povlin went down as he went towards Welnir. Seeing this Welnir calmly stood as he stood his ground. Though as Welnir tried to stand still a force beyond his control suddenly weighed against him as his body suddenly started to be pushed down by gravity.

“Hmm, interesting. It seems you’re quite strong for a regular person? To withstand the exertion of the concentration of my mana. Young boy, you’ve already awakened your mana affinity?”

Knowing the situation Welnir nodded as he realized how powerful the man in front of him was. This was the second time an aura this large exerted such forces against him as this was beyond his master’s own power.

“Interesting, it seems we’ll have some more batches of talented folks coming in. Well young boy, I wouldn’t try doing what you just did here again. What you did here is valiant, but pity and defending someone is dangerous.”

Though as Povlin advised Welnir, Welnir scuffed as he laughed in his thoughts.

‘Me defend such a dumbass? If you think I actually defended that weakling you’re stupid, the one that needs to be defended in the future is you.’

After discussing this to Welnir, Povlin walked towards the heavily injured student as he examined the injuries. To Povlin’s surprise as he examined the student’s body, the student had his organs almost destroyed as his insides were bleeding heavily.

‘This boy…is dangerous, he's not afraid to fight against mages in his birth kingdom…’

Thinking in his head Povlin looked towards Welnir with a look of confusion and wariness. Though as Povlin had matters to handle and coincidentally found these two fighting, Povlin decided to call in the medical unit within the tower. Afterward, Povlin left with a wariness in his heart as he looked back once more before disappearing completely.

Seeing this, Welnir looked in his position on the line as he came back where he was before. The day went as noon struck. After so, the line became shorter and shorter as it was finally Welnir’s turn for the selection as he was given a badge to enter.

‘It’s time…’