Rick walked along the winding mountain path leading up to the Royal National Magic Academy. Dozens of other children and teenagers were climbing as well, some arriving in lavish carriages bearing the crests of nobles and wealthy merchants.
But Rick kept to himself. He wasn't bothered by the noise or the crowds. His attention was buried in the handbook he had received at the mountain's entrance—an old, worn booklet explaining the Academy's rules and systems.
According to the book, students joined the Academy at fifteen years of age and studied for four years. There were many courses to choose from—Swordsman, Mage, Alchemist, Summoner, and dozens more. Anyone could choose any course that suited their talent, though some compulsory subjects like math, geography, and magic theory were required for all.
Classes were divided into four ranks: A, B, C, and D, and students were evaluated both by class rank and individual rank. To rise in either, one needed enough points earned through tests, duels, and the entrance exam itself.
Rick was so lost in the book that he didn't even notice he had arrived at the Academy gate—until he walked straight into someone.
He stumbled back.
"I'm sorry," Rick said, lowering his head and closing the book.
The boy he bumped into didn't respond. Instead, Rick noticed a large crowd gathered ahead. Dozens of students were clustered together, all staring at something in the center.
Curiosity tugged at him.
"What's going on?" Rick asked the boy beside him.
"You didn't hear?" the boy whispered, excitement in his voice. "Some idiot is picking a fight… with a noble lady."
Rick's eyes widened.
A noble? On the first day?
Curious to see what was happening, Rick tried everything he could—standing on his toes, leaning sideways, even squeezing between taller students—but the crowd was so thick he couldn't see a thing.
Then he had an idea.
Rick took a few steps back, inhaled deeply… and jumped.
And jumped again.
The boy standing beside him stared, confused.
"What… exactly are you doing?" he asked.
"I'm trying to see what's happening in front," Rick replied mid-jump.
"Oh—can you see it?"
"Barely," Rick said, still hopping. "A little."
Realizing this was the only way, the boy hesitated… then began jumping too.
Soon, students around them noticed and started whispering. Some snickered, calling them "jumping idiots," but Rick and the boy ignored them. Their attention was fixed on the scene ahead—a confrontation between a noble and a commoner. Even though they were too far to hear the words, both felt that the air was thick with tension.
Just as it seemed the fight would break out, a teacher arrived, pushing through the circle of students. The instructor quickly settled the argument and ordered everyone to stop the commotion and head inside for the exam.
The crowd dispersed reluctantly.
Rick and the boy who had been jumping with him remained standing there, the chaos fading around them.
"Ahh… I can't believe they didn't even fight," Rick sighed, scratching his head. He had been ready to witness something exciting.
Beside him, the other boy stood frozen, palm pressed dramatically to his forehead. He hadn't spoken a word since the crowd left.
"Hey," Rick said, tilting his head. "What's wrong with you? Did something happen?"
The boy groaned.
"It's over… Everyone is making fun of me. I was only jumping along with you to see the fight, but now they'll think I'm an idiot…"
He lowered his voice to a whisper, but Rick heard him anyway.
"HEY! Don't ignore me!" Rick shouted, loud enough to startle him.
"Ah! What's wrong with you? Why are you shouting?"
The boy clutched his ears dramatically.
"Well, you weren't listening to me," Rick said, crossing his arms.
The boy's expression hardened. "Anyway… I am ignoring you because I don't want to stay near you."
"What?" Rick blinked, confused.
The boy groaned in frustration. "People are calling me a jumping idiot because of you!"
Rick raised an eyebrow. "I didn't force you to jump along with me."
The boy gave him a death glare. "Well, anyway—stay away from me!"
With that, he hurried off toward the academy gate, disappearing into the entering crowd and leaving Rick standing alone.
Rick sighed deeply, shaking his head. "What a strange guy…"
Still, he followed the rest of the students and entered the academy grounds.
After passing through the gates, all examinees were instructed to undergo a basic inspection before the tests. Once the written exam concluded, the real challenge began—the practical assessments, the decisive factor for acceptance.
Rick was still replaying the earlier embarrassment in his head when a teacher stepped forward with several glowing stones floating beside him.
"Hello, students," the man announced, voice calm but firm. "My name is Wim Artex. I am in charge of your first test. It is simple. These stones here reacts to mana."
The stones pulsed faintly, reacting to his mana as he put the hand on stone.
"All you need to do," he continued, "is pour your mana into the stone so we can see your capability. Even those weak with mana can pass this if they meet the minimum."
After a few more instructions, the testing began—students stepping forward one by one. Rick finished his turn quickly and moved on to the second examination area.
Another teacher awaited them.
"This test," she explained, "is about sensing objects made of mana-stone. You will be blindfolded. A teacher will be standing there with these objects in the hand. All you must do is tell us how many mana-stone object is being held by the teacher. "
She held up a small orb.
"You must repeat this three times. Some objects are difficult to sense, but you only need to identify more than half correctly in each round to pass."
After that the second test began.
Rick took a steadying breath.
Alright… bring it on.
And of course, Rick passed the second test—barely missing a few objects, but still clearing the requirement with ease.
Before long, he headed to the third physical test: a hundred-meter sprint completed within ten seconds.
Rick wasn't a trained External-Art user, but thanks to years of self-discipline and daily physical training, he passed effortlessly.
And then… it was time for the final test.
This time the test was unlike any before. It wasn't about strength, accuracy, or speed.
It was about survival.
"The longer you last," an instructor explained, "the higher your class ranking will be. You will be placed inside a barrier with a monster. You do not need to defeat it—only survive."
The instructors continued:
1 minute = D-Rank Class
10 minutes = C-Rank Class
20 minutes = B-Rank Class
30 minutes or more = A-Rank Class
Rick swallowed hard. A C-Rank monster wasn't a joke. Even External-Art Masters sometimes struggled against them.
Naturally, panic spread among the students.
Some begged the teachers not to make them fight a real monster. Others trembled, unable to move.
Rick himself felt a cold shiver run down his spine.
He knew exactly how dangerous a C-Rank beast was.
Some students refused entirely and backed out of the arena, unwilling to risk their lives.
But the barrier test was mandatory—either face the monster or give up on the academy altogether.
One by one, terrified students stepped forward.
The atmosphere tightened like a bowstring ready to snap.
Rick's heartbeat pounded in his ears.
Calm down, Rick… calm down. It's alright.
You don't have to defeat it. Just survive. Watch how others handle it first. Observe… think… endure.
Taking a deep breath, he forced the fear down and focused his gaze sharply.
He was ready.
And after several long minutes, it was finally Rick's turn.
He stood before the barrier, heart pounding but expression steady.
"Do you know the rules?" the instructor asked.
Rick simply nodded.
"Good. You only need to survive two minutes to pass. The test will end the moment you surrender. If you sense any danger, shout immediately. I will pull you out." The instructor explained calmly, though his eyes warned Rick of the seriousness of the trial. "Any questions?"
"No, sir," Rick replied, though his voice trembled slightly.
"Then step inside. The test begins the moment your foot crosses the barrier."
The instructor gestured toward the glowing dome.
Rick took a deep breath and walked toward it.
The monster is a C-Rank python, specialized in speed and close-range strikes. Not easy to escape… Damn it. It looks like they aren't holding back for new students.
He muttered to himself, growing more anxious with each step.
The moment his foot entered the barrier, the translucent dome flickered shut—and the heavy chains restraining the monster snapped open.
The test had begun.
The monster shot toward Rick like a fired arrow.
Rick barely rolled to the side in time.
It wasn't an attack he could have blocked—only dodged.
He didn't waste another second. He dashed toward the back of the arena, keeping the monster in his line of sight.
Seconds passed… then a full minute… then two.
Rick was still standing.
Students watching from outside gasped. Even the instructors exchanged surprised looks.
"He's the first one to survive past two minutes," a teacher remarked.
"He's doing better than expected," the head instructor added, reviewing his clipboard. "Even though he can't wrap mana around his body to block hits, he's using mana to stabilize his breathing. That keeps him from tiring quickly."
Another instructor nodded.
"And look at his positioning—back always facing the barrier so the monster can't ambush him from behind. He's analyzing the arena while dodging. Clever kid."
Inside the barrier, Rick continued to move, breathing hard but steady, his eyes locked onto the predator circling him.
He wasn't fighting.
He was surviving—and doing it better than anyone expected.
But it was not easy for Rick.
It had already taken everything he had just to dodge the monster's attacks, and now he was growing tired. Each strike became faster—harder to evade. He had survived countless close calls, slipping away by inches, but eventually even Rick couldn't avoid the inevitable.
A heavy blow from the monster sent him crashing to his knees.
His vision blurred. His breath trembled.
I can't… continue like this…
He knew he had reached his limit. The moment he decided to surrender, the monster lunged again—giving him no time to act. Rick barely dodged, stumbling back until he found a tiny opening.
The monster slammed into the barrier behind him.
Rick shouted with the last of his strength:
"I surrender!"
The barrier instantly deactivated.
Magic chains shot from the arena floor, binding the monster in mid-air. Several instructors sprinted inside; two rushed to restrain the creature while the Head Instructor went straight to Rick.
"How's the injury?" the Head Instructor asked, kneeling beside him.
One instructor inspected the wound. "It's not too deep. We can heal this easily."
"Good. Do it," the Head Instructor ordered.
Within moments, warm magic enveloped Rick's side, closing the wound completely. Relief washed over him.
"You okay, kid?" the Head Instructor asked.
Rick nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good. Then go back. You were impressive."
The man placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Really impressive."
Rick's face warmed with embarrassment, and he silently walked off the stage.
On the way down, several students approached him, praising his performance. Rick only turned redder, muttering nothing in return. He wasn't used to attention—especially not praise.
Then he watched the remaining tests… and what he saw stunned him.
Many students survived longer than he did.
Some even defeated their monsters outright.
It was shocking—because Rick had never seen anyone his age handle power like that. It truly was a new world.
At first, the realization frustrated him.
He felt small—far too weak compared to the students around him.
But as time passed, something inside him hardened.
A resolve.
He would surpass them.
And with that determination burning quietly in his chest, the entrance exam for the Royal National Magic Academy finally came to an end.
Now all that remained…
was the result.
Which would be announced the next day.