Manaless Mage

The affinity test hall was also separated from the academy just like the Training centre, both buildings were located on either sides of the academy.

Harry's eyes lingered on the black gate for a few seconds before he finally walked in.

A long and wide building came into his sight, the building was painted orange and brown. This was none other than the affinity hall.

Just like the name implied, the affinity hall was where the affinty test was annually conducted.

Although the test was said to be conducted annually, that was only for those seeking to gain admission into the academy.

Students in the academy were free to check their affinities anytime, all they had to do was to visit the affinity test hall.

As Harry walked towards the double door that led to the hall, he felt a slight sense of nostalgia.

The memories of his past tests started replaying in his mind, the only difference was there were no bustling noise in the building surroundings and he was alone.

He paused at the door before raising his hand to knock. Unlike the doors at the academy which were automatic and simply opened for any registered student or personnel in the academy, this one was manual.

He expected the door to be locked, however to his surprise it was unlocked as it opened wide with a tap of his hand.

A large hall came into his view, a high platform was located in the middle of the hall which was where the tests would be taken. Chairs were also arranged neatly around the hall, there were pathways wide enough to fit four people between each chair rows and column.

For a moment, Harry felt like he could see people seated on the chairs, staring at him with expectant expressions. He even remembered where his mother sat back then.

A low chuckle left his lips as he subconsciously noted the difference between now and the last time, to think he would come back to the hall, except this time, things would be different.

"Hey, what are you doing here?" A gruff voice broke him off his thoughts. Although it wasn't loud but rather calm, Harry could still hear it clearly.

A tall man with short black hair slowly approached Harry. His eyes looked tired and distant and his face was rugged.

He suddenly bent slightly to Harry's eye level as he hummed. "A student? Were you sent here by the principal or what?" He said nonchalantly.

Harry subconsciously took a step back due to the sudden glare, although the man's eyes looked lazy and tired, it didn't stop his senses from tingling like crazy. If anything, he knew this man was powerful.

There were a lot of rumours surrounding Troy Yen, the man who conducted the affinity test. His main job was to conduct the test yearly and also watch over and maintain the hall. He was hardly seen outside the hall, and some rumours even said he slept there.

Unlike the other academy staffs, he didn't discriminate against the students. A few students who managed to get close to him said he was nice and easy to get along with, even though his appearance and spaced-out eyes made it seem otherwise.

Even Harry respected the man. Back then, when his mana core was revealed to be shattered and broken, Troy didn't insult him or anything. He even advised Harry by letting him know there were still some things he could do as a 'normal person'.

"I want to re-take the affinity test." Harry said.

Troy straightened his posture as he stared at Harry weirdly. "Re-take the affinity test?" He asked.

He was surprised by this student's request. Students hardly came to the affinity hall, unless they wanted to deliver an important message to him.

Although the academy rules stated that students could re-take the affinity test, none of them bothered to do so—it was pointless after all since their affinity would never change overnight.

Harry nodded his head in affirmation.

Troy kept his gaze on Harry for a few seconds before he finally turned around. "I remember you now… the student with a broken mana core foundation." He said as he waved his hand nonchalantly.

Harry's brows raised slightly, he didn't think the man would still recognise him. About five years had passed since he was tested to be Manaless, most people would simply forget about an insignificant person like him.

"However, it's strange…" Troy muttered as he slowly turned around, his gaze drilled into Harry as he continued, "…that I can actually sense a foundation from you."

Elementalists could naturally sense the mana around them without much effort, Troy was even different as his mana sense was always active. He didn't limit it to his surroundings alone but had always stretched it to its limit. He used it like a second pair of eyes and ears.

From the moment he set his eyes on Harry, he had already scanned him using his mana sense.

Although checking a person's mana core foundation without using any form of contact was very difficult for most Elementalists, it was different for Troy whose mana sense was extraordinary, even for a mage.

Harry inwardly sighed in relief, he had already activated mana core illusion before coming to the academy.

He knew the mana sense of Troy was really acute and powerful—if it wasn't, he wouldn't be the one conducting the tests, so he knew better than to activate the skill when he was close to the man, it was nothing short of stupidity as it would make him seem suspicious.

There was no way Troy would be stupid enough to believe his mana core foundation just seemed to suddenly activate when he was close to him.

A puzzled expression appeared on Troy's face as he tried to make sense out of the situation. No matter how much he thought about it, he just couldn't understand it.

Harry's foundation used to be broken, but now it was 'perfect', not only did he have a mana core foundation but it was also an extremely solid one.

In fact, it was safe to say that out of all the students in the academy, Harry's foundation was the most solid—he had never a foundation that solid.

'I don't understand how this happened… I've never heard of someone born with a broken mana core foundation too.' Troy thought. He then released a little bit of his pressure, he glared at Harry as he said, "What… really made you come to this hall?"

*****

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