At the third toll, the air shimmered.
A massive mana screen flared into existence above the courtyard, stretching wide enough for even those in the farthest corner to see. Its surface rippled like disturbed water before resolving into the image of a bearded man.
The beard was so thick it nearly swallowed his features, giving the unsettling impression of a living mask. A hush rippled through the thousand-strong crowd as every head tilted upward.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" His voice boomed across the courtyard, rich with theatrical flourish. "Welcome to the seventy-third annual entrance examination for Soummara Academy!" The slight delay in his words confirmed the broadcast was being transmitted across the realm.
"I'm your commentator, Davy Noleman, and I'll be guiding you through today's events." His beard shifted with his smile. "This year marks a historic first—rebel candidates stand among you. Let's set aside old grudges and make this a fair competition, shall we?"
Vael's spine straightened, every muscle braced.
"The format is a battle royale—" Davy's eyes twinkled through his facial hair, "—with a twist. Hunt monsters for points, or hunt other participants for half their score. The arena? Our very own Academy Forest."
The grin widened. "And as a special consideration—you each get two lives. Good luck!"
The screen winked out.
And so did the world.
The courtyard vanished from beneath Vael's boots. His stomach lurched as he found himself kilometers aloft, the forest below rushing up with murderous intent. Wind tore past his ears in a high-pitched scream as gravity dragged him earthward.
Ten seconds. Maybe less.
Panic surged, but training shoved it aside. Think.
When Vael blinked, he didn't keep his momentum. Didn't carry his speed.
The answer was simple: blink to the side a few meters above the ground. Land at a crawl. Walk away without a scratch.
His pulse steadied. The wind's roar dulled in his head.
Around him, hundreds of other candidates plummeted. Some thrashed and flailed, mouths stretched in silent screams. Others wore the same calm mask he did—people who'd already solved their fall problem.
He scanned for Kiera, but the sky was chaos. Bodies and shadows and whirling fabric blurred together; if she was nearby, she was swallowed by the drop.
The treeline surged upward. Seconds left.
Vael's lungs seized as the wind ripped at his clothes—
He blinked.
The world twisted. He reappeared two meters sideways just before impact, hitting the forest floor stomach-first with a grunt. Untangling himself from the undergrowth, he rose unharmed.
"Could've been worse," he muttered.
As if answering him, the forest erupted with the sounds of less fortunate landings—splintering branches, startled curses, the thunderous crash of someone plowing through multiple tree limbs before hitting dirt.
*That's why we get two lives. Second chance if you botch the landing. But if you nail it...*
A feral grin split his face. He now held a brutal advantage over every candidate who'd just burned their first life.
No time to dwell. The hunt began now.
Kiera's stomach lurched harder than Vael's had. One moment grounded, the next—
Endless sky. No ground. Just rushing wind and the distant treetops swelling toward her.
No teleportation to save her. Only her wits and her upgraded third-stage core.
Her shadow magic and telekinesis magic had evolved dramatically—more tendrils, finer control, a weight limit now exceeding a hundred kilos. Enough to lift an armored knight.
Enough to lift herself? Surely. But was it possible?
No time for careful testing. Kiera reached deep, grasping for that well of power she knew so intimately. She flooded her body with mana—more than needed, far more, until her skin prickled with the excess energy.
*Work, damn you!*
The familiar tug of control snapped into place.
*Got it!*
The forest floor rushed up to meet her—now just meters away, now centimetres—
She wrenched herself to a dead stop, hovering a finger's width above the dirt.
But, her insides kept moving. The sudden stop of motion only applied to her body.
Her stomach slammed into her ribs. Blood crashed against unyielding veins. Her brain rattled against her skull.
Agony lit up every nerve.
Control shattered. She dropped like a stone, barely registering the impact as her vision whited out from the pain.
Kiera dug her nails into her palms, using the pain to anchor herself to consciousness. Warm blood trickled from her nose, her ears—even the corners of her eyes. The coppery scent would draw predators from miles around, both beast and human.
Her vision swam as she dragged herself toward the nearest oak, fingers clawing at roots to pull her broken body into the hollow beneath. Every movement sent fresh waves of nausea through her battered insides. Fighting was impossible. Seeing straight? Nearly as difficult.
Then—the bells.
Two resonant chimes rolled across the forest, reaching every candidate. Davy's voice followed, booming through the trees with grim amusement:
"Enjoy our little surprise? If your landing was... messy, don't worry! That's why we gave you two lives." The chuckle that followed was all teeth. "You've got forty-eight hours to gather points. Begin now. And may Goddess Natela smile upon you!"