Melee Mage

Chapter 2: Becoming a Mage

Children are the most innocent and intelligent. They are like a blank sheet of paper, becoming whatever is written on them. If one wants to achieve success in martial arts, they must start training from a young age. If they miss the time before the age of eight, they can never reach the state of unity between heaven and man, where they can control everything as they wish.

However, children are also mischievous and playful. How much of this precious time can they truly utilize? If there were ten units of such time, even utilizing one or two units would make them a clever child.

The woman watched her son with satisfaction. She knew that three years ago, when she fell ill, her son was still too young to play on his own. The flowing water had always been his only companion, his only toy.

Looking at her son with a remorseful expression, she realized how much she owed him. Over the past three years, her son had become distant from others, avoiding social interactions. Every day, he either sat on the side playing with water or nestled in her arms, listening to her stories about his father.

At this time every day, the woman would ask her son to perform water control techniques and constantly encourage and praise him. Therefore, even though it had only been three years, her son had become a master of water control, akin to a grand magician.

However, the ability to control water did not equate to having magical abilities. Water control was like basic arithmetic operations, while water magic was like advanced mathematics. Currently, it could only be said that Adrian had an unparalleled foundation compared to others.

Letting out a sigh, the woman looked at her son with a troubled expression. "Adrian, listen to Mom. Mom knows you want to become a powerful warrior, but in reality, the academy doesn't accept water control fighters. If you don't go to the academy, you'll never be able to become strong!"

Ah! Upon hearing his mother's words, Adrian became nervous and sat up eagerly. He exclaimed, "That can't be, Mom! How can they not accept me? I must become strong and find Dad for you!"

With a knowing smile, the woman gently reached out and tenderly stroked her son's hair. "I appreciate your intentions, my child, but the facts are already in front of us. If you want to become strong and find Dad for Mom, you can only become a water mage in the academy."

Adrian stubbornly stared at his mother, hoping that she could come up with a solution to this predicament. However, after a prolonged silence, his mother didn't say a word. She could only look at him helplessly. Adrian knew that some things might be impossible to change.

Unable to bear seeing her son in such distress, with a mix of pain and love, she hugged him tightly and softly said, "My child, no matter what, become a water mage. Without doing so, you won't be able to become strong. Forget about your wish to become the strongest warrior."

"Is it necessary to enter the academy to become powerful?" Adrian focused on his mother, making one last effort.

With a difficult nod, the woman helplessly said, "Yes, only by going to the academy can you receive the most systematic and comprehensive education. Without it, you won't be able to become strong."

Taking a deep breath, Adrian firmly declared, "Alright, Mom. Since that's the case, I'll become a water mage in order to become stronger. However... I will never give up on my dreams and aspirations. One day, I will become the strongest warrior and show you!" With those words, Adrian decisively jumped off the bed and left the room with determined strides.

Watching her son's stubborn figure, the woman's face was filled with bitterness. A child's wish might be naive and irrational, but at the same time, it could be the most tenacious and resolute.

Back in his room, Adrian sat on the bed feeling frustrated. He extended his hands, and once again, a thumb-sized stream of water flowed out, skillfully controlled by his movements.

As he looked at the clear and sparkling stream of water in his hands, Adrian contemplated silently. Why couldn't a water manipulator become a powerful warrior? Why were they limited to being mages? It was unfair.

Observing the flowing water in his hands, for the first time, Adrian felt a sense of helplessness. No matter how proficient he was in controlling water, what was the point if he couldn't become a strong warrior?

Hmph! After playing with it for a while, Adrian abruptly withdrew the water stream and muttered stubbornly to himself, "I don't care. Regardless, Adrian still wants to become a great warrior like Dad. Even if I enter the academy as a mage, I will strive to become the strongest warrior!"

With those self-directed words, Adrian finally found balance. He smiled happily, letting go of his worries. He extended his hands again, effortlessly controlling the sparkling water, maneuvering it between his hands and around his body. In just a short moment, the sound of joyful laughter filled the room.

Five days later, in the early morning, accompanied by his mother, Adrian arrived at the branch examination venue of the Holy Light Academy for the preliminary entrance exam. Only by successfully passing this exam would he have the opportunity to proceed to the main campus of the Holy Light Academy for the official entrance exam.

The weather was cold. Although the snow had stopped, the temperature had dropped even further. It was still early dawn, yet the examination venue was already crowded with people. They huddled together in groups, seeking sheltered corners, silently waiting for the start of the exam.

When the sun emerged from the mist, appearing red on the horizon, the examiners of the Holy Light Academy gradually arrived at the well-prepared examination venue. All the children bid farewell to their parents and entered the exam venue.

The examination venue was set in a large building in the local area. Since it was only a small city, there weren't many children participating in the exam, probably around two to three hundred. Adrian felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable as he observed his well-dressed peers joking and playing with each other. No one spoke to him, and he didn't speak to anyone either.

Fortunately, Adrian didn't feel awkward for long as the exam started quickly. One by one, the children entered the testing rooms and began their exams. Each exam only took about a minute, so the process was quite fast.

Due to his fear of interacting with people, Adrian had lined up towards the end. It wasn't until almost all the children had finished their tests that he finally had the opportunity to enter the testing room. At this point, there were only a few children, including Adrian, who hadn't been tested yet.

"Oh... this city doesn't even have a child with good talent. Moreover, the parents have no idea how to encourage them to practice more. Don't they know that spoiling children can ruin their lives!" As soon as he entered the room, a heavy voice reached Adrian's ears.

Startled, Adrian looked up and saw a wooden table placed directly in front of the entrance of the testing room. Three examiners sat behind the table, whispering and discussing.

While observing, another voice interjected, "Don't expect too much. This is just a small city. If it weren't for super warriors like Soros who emerged from here, there wouldn't even be a need to come. Our selection process is extremely strict!"

Upon hearing the examiner's words, Adrian's eyes lit up. Soros, that was his dad! For the first time in his life, Adrian heard someone else's evaluation of his father. A super warrior? That sounded really cool.

"Alright, enough talking. Let's wait until the selection is over to discuss. There aren't many people left anyway. Let's finish the selection early and go have a few drinks together. It's freezing cold, and the taste here isn't great." The chief examiner noticed Adrian and spoke seriously.

Waving at Adrian, the chief examiner said, "Come over here, little one. This is just an exam. Uncle won't eat you. You don't have to stay so far away."

Hearing the chief examiner's words, Adrian's face blushed slightly. Then, obediently, he took a small step forward but immediately stopped. Seeing this scene, the three examiners couldn't help but smile wryly. It was too far of a distance for him to be assessed.

However, after experiencing multiple disappointments in a row, the three examiners didn't expect any miracles from the remaining few children. Let him stay far away, let him show whatever skills he had, and then they could let him leave. Essentially, the three examiners had already concluded that they had wasted their time once again.

The chief examiner smiled and said, "Alright, now it's your turn to perform. Show us your best skills, let us evaluate you."