Chapter 17: Lynn might be a legend!

The train sped along the tracks.

Half a day slipped quietly by.

After crossing a third of the continent, Lynn finally arrived at the Central Royal City.

Unlike Atz Royal City, the moment he stepped out of the station, a unique sense of grandeur and gravitas belonging only to the royal capital rushed over him.

Dozens of kingdoms were scattered across the continent, yet without exception, all accepted the rule of the Central Royal City.

Therefore, the Central Royal City was also known as “The Capital of Capitals.”

Lynn hired a spacious carriage and headed toward Strekale Magic Academy.

The carriage raced along granite-paved streets, displaying the royal capital’s prosperity in full view of its passengers.

“What a big city—so clean and beautiful…”

Sophie leaned against the window, poking her head out.

Her smooth golden hair fluttered ceaselessly in the wind, her eyes sparkling as she gazed outside.

Ever since she was born, she had followed her master in secluded training deep in the mountains and forests, never witnessing such grand scenes.

All the elegant and luxurious buildings along the street dazzled her, leaving her nearly overwhelmed.

“Sigh.”

Livia looked at the ever-energetic Sophie and sighed helplessly.

How did this girl always have an endless supply of energy?

“By the way, Mr. Lynn, did you bring all the materials for the entrance exam?”

Livia asked.

Lynn nodded.

“I heard the entrance exam for Strekale Magic Academy is always difficult. If it’s too much, please don’t force yourself. Don’t get hurt,” Livia said, holding Lynn’s hand with some concern.

“Eh? Lynn, you’re here for the entrance exam?”

Sophie said, suddenly bouncing to Lynn’s side.

“What a coincidence!”

Sophie’s face was full of excitement.

She’d been worried that after Mr. Lynn finished his business, she would be separated from him.

Turns out he was here as an exam candidate!

Sophie was overjoyed.

If Lynn was admitted, wouldn’t she be able to secretly follow him around, carefully noting his every move, strengths and weaknesses?

She might even uncover Miss Livia’s hobbies and interests.

Then, she could correct her own flaws and magnify her strengths.

With such a combination, how could Miss Livia not eventually fall for her?

Thinking this, an evil smile crept up on Sophie’s lips.

Livia noticed Sophie’s smirk and couldn’t help her right eyelid twitching a few times.

She had a strong feeling Sophie was up to something especially troublesome…

…

By the time they reached their destination, dusk had already arrived.

The last rays of sunset slanted across the exquisite, art-like buildings, draping the ancient architecture in a golden veil.

Livia went off by herself to find an inn and take care of everyone’s luggage.

Sophie also seemed to have things to do, and after greeting Lynn, she hurried off.

Only Lynn remained.

He actually felt much more relaxed alone.

Stretching lazily, Lynn took out a map and, following its directions, arrived at the student service desk.

“Are you here for the entrance exam?”

A gentle voice came from behind the counter.

A female teacher in crisp professional attire slowly stood up.

On her chest hung a small silver nameplate.

Engraved on it were four characters: Lucy Linda.

“Yes,” Lynn nodded.

“This is the letter of recommendation from my father, Duke Reina Carlet.”

“I see.”

Lucy nodded, accepting the letter and briefly checking the authenticity of the wax seal and stamp.

Indeed, it was from Duke Reina.

She then gave Lynn a quick once-over.

Hmm… His magical strength was rather poor—about average for a First Rank Mage.

As for physical fitness, Even the old ladies who swept the academy floors could outmatch him.

Lucy felt a bit embarrassed.

She had been teaching students for five or six years, and could judge someone’s aptitude at a glance.

She was rarely wrong.

But talent as poor as this…

This was the first time she’d ever seen it.

She honestly didn’t think this young master in front of her could pass the exam.

But looking at Lynn’s confident expression, Lucy found it difficult to say anything too blunt.

She’d just have to find an excuse to turn him down…

With that in mind, Lucy cleared her throat lightly.

“May I ask which institute you plan to apply for?”

Lucy had already made up her mind—no matter where Lynn wanted to go, she would say the exam slots were full.

After all, he had indeed come late.

“Chesscraft Institute,” Lynn replied.

“I’m sorry, the slots for—”

“Eh?”

Lucy was stunned for a moment.

“W-What did you say?”

“Chesscraft Institute.”

Lynn repeated loudly.

The world knew Strekale Magic Academy only had the Martial Arts Academy and the Academy of Magic.

But in fact, within the Academy of Magic, there was a separate subdivision: the Chesscraft Institute.

Because so few could craft chess, the Chesscraft Institute was small and almost nonexistent in the public eye.

Yet it was the core of the entire Academy of Magic.

Every mage graduating from the Chesscraft Institute would become the focus of fierce competition among major magical institutions, and could even enter the royal court as an imperial chesscrafter—a limitless future!

“You… know Chesscraft?”

Lucy looked at the boy before her, her eyes full of doubt.

After all, history had seen plenty of noble sons who thought they could bluff their way in just because they’d somehow gotten their hands on a few chess pieces.

“Of course,” Lynn nodded.

He then flipped his right hand, and a pure black queen chess piece appeared before Lucy’s eyes.

A black dragon curled atop it, lifelike and vivid.

“This is…”

The moment she saw the chess piece, Lucy’s pupils shrank.

An unprecedented sense of oppression swept over her.

That endlessly overflowing aura…

It felt as if she was facing a real dragon.

In all honesty, Lucy had seen plenty of chess pieces before.

She even owned a “Violet Epic” grade piece.

But she could feel clearly that the piece she’d always been so proud of was as weak as an ant compared to the one in Lynn’s hand.

Could it be…

Lucy didn’t dare delay.

She immediately brought out a specialized appraisal device.

She put it up to her eye, and within moments, a blue light swept across the chess piece in Lynn’s hand.

Normally, the chess piece’s properties and detailed information would be displayed completely before her.

But this time was different.

It was as if everything was blocked; all the chess piece’s properties were garbled text.

Cold sweat trickled down Lucy’s temple.

This device could only measure up to “Violet Epic” grade chess pieces.

That meant the piece in Lynn’s hand was obviously above that.

“Orange Legend…”

It must be known, Orange Legend grade chess pieces were deeply bound to the chesscrafter’s soul.

They could not possibly be circulating on the market!

In other words…

This guy was likely a once-in-a-millennium genius!

Realizing this, Lucy no longer dared to be careless.

She immediately registered Lynn’s information and handed him his admission ticket.

“The exam is at nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Please don’t be late.”

“Of course, I won’t,” Lynn nodded, then left the academy.

As Lynn walked away, that stifling sense of oppression finally faded.

Lucy let out a long breath.

Chess pieces above the “Violet Epic” grade possessed a “Chess Spirit.”

To fully unleash a piece’s power, one had to not only bind it, but also win its recognition.

Normally, this meant fighting the Chess Spirit in battle, subduing it so that it obeyed completely.

The higher the grade of the Chess Spirit, the stronger its power.

Thus, in the world of chesscrafters, it was generally agreed that only Mages of Sixth Rank or above could fully control and wield the full power of an “Orange Legend” grade chess piece.

But this boy named Lynn had shattered that well-established truth.

How did he do it?

Lucy shook her head.

No matter what, tomorrow’s test would reveal all the answers.

If Lynn had truly mastered an Orange Legend chess piece…

He would be a legend.