Chapter 21: Rediscovering Potential (2)
The crystal chamber buzzed faintly with magical energy, its ambient hum a backdrop to the professors' hushed conversations. The test had undergone remarkable evolution over the decades. Fifty years ago, Hogwarts, Avalon, Stonehenge, Pendragon, and Fae Haven had collaborated to standardize this assessment, a pivotal move toward unifying magical education. In the past, each institution's crystal only tested students on subjects within their specialization. Now, the standardized crystal encompassed all domains, offering a comprehensive scorecard across various magical disciplines.
This change had opened the door for rare exchanges or transfers between schools in the past decade, though such moves were uncommon. Students typically joined schools chosen by their parents, leaving little room for personal preference. Still, the standardized test served as an excellent tool for uncovering untapped potential and encouraging cross-disciplinary exploration.
The crystal tested students in the following categories:
Pioneered by Hogwarts: Charms, Transfiguration, Potions, Herbology, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Astronomy, History of Magic, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, and Divination.
Pioneered by Stonehenge: Runic & Ward Mastery, Spell Magical Theory, Geomancy, Alchemy, and Ritual Studies.
Pioneered by Fae Haven: Magical Beast Lore, Advanced Herbology, Beast Mastery & Training, Advanced Potioneering, and Animal Empathy.
Pioneered by Pendragon: Battle Spells, Tactical Dueling, Magical Fitness, Defensive Magic & Barriers, and Illusion Magic.
Pioneered by Avalon: Elemental Magic (Fire, Air, Water, Earth, Light, Dark), Healing Arts, Weather Weaving, Druidic Studies, and Purification Magic.
Nero stepped forward again, his wand, Liss, resting lightly in his hand. This time, the crystal's glow grew almost blinding as he channeled his magic into it, his focus unwavering. The room seemed to hold its breath. A ripple of energy pulsed outward, creating a sense of pressure that made even seasoned professors shift uncomfortably.
The crystal vibrated, its core swirling with iridescent light. The professors exchanged wary glances as the crystal began to shake faintly. Then, with a final flash, it emitted a soft chime and produced a parchment. The glow dimmed, but the air still crackled with residual energy.
Professor Flitwick stepped forward, retrieving the parchment. As he read, his eyes widened, and his lips parted slightly in disbelief.