"You are already at Second Class Wizard Apprentice level in this barren continent. Not bad. It seems you have some special physique, kid. Your qualification is truly top-notch for practicing Wizardry."
After complimenting him, Ron began to warn.
"However, although qualifications are indispensable when practicing wizardry, knowledge, and resources play a major role too. So, don't be complacent; it is not like there aren't more talented people in the Calvora Continent."
Although Ron was surprised, he wasn't overly enthusiastic, as this Keystone could only detect normal qualifications, not special physiques. And from what he knew, many people in his organization had such qualifications, so he was simply surprised that this barren land could produce such seedlings.
"Yeah!"
Carl was very happy after getting praised and seeing the look of awe in the crowd as any teenager would.
This was what he wanted—a look of awe and respect, not the ridicule he received in the Imperial Academy. Finally, he felt like he had regained his place.
"Okay, go wait at the side. I will call for you later."
Ron was more friendly to him than to any other person since his qualifications were truly worthy.
Carl nodded, bowed respectfully, and slowly made his way to the side amid the crowd's chatter and admiration.
While walking, he couldn't help but look at Ian since he wanted to know what Ian's reaction would be when he realized he would lose.
Would his face look as bad as Carl's did when he lost at the academy?
"Interesting!"
Ian wasn't too surprised that Carl scored ten points in all the criteria since he knew Carl possessed an incredible physique, just as Ron guessed. After all, he was the protagonist of the Arcane Passage, so he must have something to rely on, right?
However, just as he was paying attention, he noticed Carl looking in his direction with a faint mocking smile, as if he wanted to see his failure.
"Tch... Isn't this guy too bloated? Why is he looking at you like that?"
But before Ian could do anything, Lyra, at his side, couldn't help but comment after seeing Carl's provocative look. If the venue wasn't right, she would have smacked the smugness out of him with her Crimson Chains.
Did you think anyone could look at her love like that?
"However, his talent is indeed good. Ian, what do you think we should do?"
Although Lyra didn't want to admit it, she still didn't want Ian to lose to that hateful bastard. After all, which girl wouldn't want their other half to triumph over everyone and stand at the top?
Seeing Lyra pouting in complaint and asking him what to do while snuggling into his arm, Ian laughed and grabbed her by the waist.
"What to do? Of course, we'll also test our qualifications. Let me beat him at his own game. Or do you think your man will lose?"
"No, I didn't say that."
Lyra quickly denied his accusations, smiling sweetly in his arms.
"Haha, okay, let's go and test then. I'm already bored from all the wait."
Ian said this while heading directly to the platform without waiting in line. He was a villain, and it didn't make sense for him to follow the rules, right?
"Bastard!"
While Ian was talking with Lyra, Carl, who was in a good mood, saw their intimacy and sweet laughter instead of the ugly look he had envisioned and cursed under his breath.
Did he really get happy for nothing? Why did it feel like he was the one who lost?
'Must be an act.'
Just as he was doubting what went wrong, and finding reasons, he saw Ian heading directly to the platform, completely ignoring the line.
"What is he trying to do?"
Carl was confused and couldn't understand Ian's strange behavior. After all, disrupting the wizard's arrangement so blatantly at this time—wasn't it bad?
Just as he was puzzled, Ian grabbed Lyra by the waist and jumped onto the platform right beside the crystal. His smooth actions without taking anyone in his eyes bewildered everyone in the crowd, including Carl, who stood frozen on the spot.
"Hey, why are you cutting the line?"
"Yeah, it's not your turn."
"Is he stupid?"
Seeing Ian appear out of nowhere and cut the line blatantly, the crowd was enraged and cursed. But still, no one dared to stop him since there was a wizard for that anyway.
However, contrary to their expectations, Wizard Ron waved his hand and scolded them instead.
"Okay, stop chattering and be silent. There's no need to make a mountain out of a molehill."
After his loud voice interrupted them, the crowd finally fell silent, though confusion was evident on their faces. They didn't understand why Wizard Ron allowed Ian to break the rules so blatantly.
"Okay, place the token inside and put your hand on the crystal."
After ensuring everyone quieted down, Ron instructed as usual, as if nothing had happened.
What could he do? Scold Ian and throw him out? He couldn't, and he didn't dare even more.
After all, one of the conditions of the pact was that he couldn't harm Ian or his loved ones in any way. Moreover, he also needed Ian to arrive at the Calvora Continent to release the pact.
Besides, whether he could really do that was another question.
So, although it was a little disrespectful to ignore the rules and appear so blatantly, he could only swallow his pride and let it slide.
When needed, a wizard could bend and stretch as well. In fact, that was his forte, wasn't it?
"Why don't you test first? I'll go after you."
While the crowd was in a complicated mood and mixed emotions, Ian ignored everyone, including Ron, and asked Lyra to test her qualifications first. He was also curious to see her results after awakening her half-succubus bloodline.
"Okay."
Lyra agreed with a smile, left his arm, and took out the circular medallion forged from a radiant metal alloy that glowed faintly with an internal amber light resembling molten lava.
She then inserted it into the circular groove, softly placed her hand on the crystal ball, and relaxed her posture, waiting for her qualification to be tested.