Melee Mage

Chapter 3: Astonishing Talent

Chapter 3: Astonishing Talent

Perform? Upon hearing the chief examiner's words, Adrian's eyes lit up with excitement. Since he could remember, he had been showing his abilities to his mother every day. And now, there was nothing that gave him more confidence than performing water manipulation. To Adrian, controlling water was as natural as breathing.

Confidently glancing at the examiners, Adrian gracefully executed several spins. With a casual wave of his right hand, a stream of water, as thick as an arm, instantly appeared in mid-air, forming a coiling water dragon that enveloped Adrian from head to toe!

"What!" Witnessing this scene, the three examiners stood up in astonishment, their faces wearing expressions of disbelief. What was this? An eight-year-old child actually controlling water to such a level? Was that even possible? It seemed too unreal...

To get a clearer view, the three examiners instinctively walked out from behind the table one by one and gathered beside Adrian, attentively enjoying the spectacle. Under their gaze, Adrian's hands danced gracefully, and the clear water dragon, propelled by Adrian, seemed to come alive, thrashing and wreaking havoc.

It was unclear how much time had passed, but Adrian's performance finally came to an end. As he watched the obedient water dragon retract back into his hands, it was only at this moment that the three examiners let out a long sigh, amazed. It was truly remarkable, absolutely incredible!

Exchanging glances, the chief examiner then decisively reached into his pocket and pulled out a red scroll. With a smile on his face, he handed it to Adrian and said, "Excellent, you were truly exceptional. There's no need for you to participate in the second round. Now... take this scroll and go back. Tell your mom and dad to prepare 1,000 gold coins and report to the Holy Light Academy in one month!"

Hearing the examiner's words, Adrian smiled with excitement as he accepted the red scroll. After hesitating for a moment, he tentatively asked the chief examiner, "Uncle, with this scroll, can I go learn warrior skills?"

Upon hearing Adrian's question, the examiner first froze, then burst into laughter. "Don't be silly, child. Someone who can control water so brilliantly wouldn't go and become a warrior! For a warrior, water manipulation isn't of much use. Go back quickly, believe in your mom and dad. They won't let you become a warrior."

Disappointed, Adrian closed his mouth silently and turned away. He left the testing room. Even though his mother had already told him it was impossible, when the news was confirmed, Adrian couldn't help but feel another blow to his spirits.

When Adrian walked out of the examination hall, the other parents and children had long since disappeared. Only his mother stood there, huddled in the cold wind, waiting silently for Adrian. Seeing his frail mother, Adrian let go of the regrets in his heart and hurriedly went to meet her.

Seeing Adrian seemingly downcast, the woman assumed he hadn't been accepted. Though she felt disappointed inside, she quickly embraced her son and gently reassured him, "It's okay, Adrian. If you didn't get in this year, we'll practice harder and try again next year. Mom believes that Adrian is the best and will eventually succeed."

Upon hearing his mother's words, Adrian blinked slightly and then shook his head, saying, "No, Mom, I got accepted." As he spoke, Adrian took out the red scroll from his pocket and handed it to his mother.

Ah!

Seeing the fiery red scroll, the woman's mouth dropped open in astonishment. Although she had been confident in her son beforehand, the selection process for the Holy Light Academy was extremely strict. She hadn't truly believed that her son would be accepted. Now, suddenly confronted with the qualification certificate, she found it somewhat hard to accept.

Looking at her mother's surprised expression, Adrian whispered, "The examiner uncle said to prepare 1,000 gold coins and report to the Holy Light Academy in one month."

"One thousand gold coins!" Upon hearing Adrian's words, the woman gasped in shock. She had hoped that her son would be able to enter the Holy Light Academy, but she had never imagined that the tuition would be so expensive, to the point where she couldn't afford it.

When Adrian's father left all those years ago, he did leave behind a sum of money. As the strongest warrior in the area, Soros had accumulated some wealth and left behind exactly 10,000 gold coins. However, nine years had passed, and that money had been nearly depleted. Coupled with her own bedridden state over the past three years, their financial situation had worsened.

Trembling, the woman held the fiery red acceptance letter in her hands. Now... they could scrape together 1,000 gold coins, but what would they eat then?

Sensing her mother's trembling body, Adrian realized something. He slightly raised his head, looking at his mother's bitter face, and softly asked, "Mom, do we not have any money left?"

This...

Faced with Adrian's question, the woman hesitated for a moment, then shook her head and said, "No, it's not that. Don't worry about it. We still have money. You don't need to concern yourself with that. Regardless of anything, the matter of money is Mom's responsibility. You just focus on your studies." As she spoke, the woman gently held Adrian and slowly walked toward their home.

The night had already grown late, but the woman couldn't find rest. Not allowing her son to attend school was impossible, but if they paid the tuition, what would they do for their daily living? Not to mention herself, Adrian still needed to eat and have clothes, right?

With her eyes wide open, the woman stared blankly at the luxurious ceiling. At this point, the only option seemed to be selling the house. This house had been left behind by Adrian's grandfather. It was spacious, splendid, and comfortable. But for Adrian's sake, did she have any other choice?

"Mom, are you asleep?" Adrian's soft voice came from outside the door.

Sitting up, the woman turned to face the door and said, "Mom hasn't slept yet. Come in, Adrian."

With the woman's voice, the door was gently pushed open, and Adrian, wearing his pajamas, silently entered the room. He stood in front of his mother's bed, remaining silent for a while before resolutely saying, "Mom, Adrian doesn't want to go to school. Let's not go."

Upon hearing Adrian's words, the woman couldn't help but moisten her eyes with regret. Shaking her head, she smiled and said, "Adrian, you don't need to worry about these things. Mom has already made arrangements. In a few days, Mom will go to the City of Holy Light with you. You don't need to worry about the tuition. Mom can handle it."

"What! Mom will go with me?" Adrian exclaimed excitedly.

Nodding, the woman affectionately said, "Yes, Mom can't bear to leave Adrian alone. I'm worried about you being alone out there, so Mom will accompany you. Go back to sleep with peace of mind. Everything will be alright."

Excitedly nodding, Adrian didn't say anything more. Right now... he just wanted to grow up quickly, become strong, and then he could help his mom.

"Mom... I want to sleep with you," Adrian coquettishly said.

Seeing her son's adorable appearance, the woman helplessly shook her head. She lifted the clean sheets while Adrian quickly climbed in. In the cold winter night, the mother and son felt infinite warmth in each other's embrace.

In the following days, the woman sold her house at an appropriate price. Then, with Adrian, she left the small town and headed toward the City of Holy Light.

The City of Holy Light was a bustling metropolis with a population of several million. Buying a residence in such a big city was extremely expensive, far beyond what the woman could afford, even the smallest one.

Helpless, the woman had to rent a small and dim room near the Holy Light Academy. This would be their home for the next few years, mother and son.

Looking at the pitch-black and simple room, Adrian understood everything. Clearly, their financial situation at home had become very bad. Seeing the dark and cramped space, it was probably not even 20 square meters, with only two rudimentary wooden beds and a dining table.

His beautiful and gentle mother busied herself in the dark and cramped room. Remembering their previous spacious, bright, and comfortable home, tears quickly welled up in Adrian's eyes. What kind of pressure was his mother enduring for his sake? For the first time in his life, Adrian began to resent his father. Where was he? Why didn't he care about their well-being?

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