[ Ding! ]
[ You have learned: Ice Wall ]
[ You have learned: Ice Lance ]
[ 6:45 PM ]
After packing the essentials for travel, I boarded the last train bound for Celestia.
I activated my heightened senses—a habit I'd developed while traveling. Survival always came first.
Two hours later, after a smooth ride, I arrived at a city neighboring Celestia.
"It's massive…" I muttered, gazing upward as the world's greatest marvel came into view.
Calling it "as big as a city" was an understatement. Even from a kilometer away, its towering silhouette is visible across the horizon.
I rented a nearby inn, dropped my belongings in the room, and set out to explore.
After trying some food from the street stalls and wandering through the attractions around the inn, I returned to my room to wash up and prepare for tomorrow.
...
Once dawn arrived, Casphian prepared himself and boarded one of the flying carriages bound for Celestia.
"It feels like I'm riding an airplane," he muttered. Technically, both were means of traveling through the sky—but this one was pulled by a winged horse.
"Peak fantasy experience." Casphian smiled as he glanced out the window. To his surprise, the ascent was smoother than he had imagined.
After a while, the carriage landed at one of the designated drop-off points. Casphian hopped out and made his way toward a nearby car pool.
"To the campus, please." he told the driver.
The taxi arrived near the academy's main entrance moments later. Casphian chose to walk the rest of the way, savoring the view until he reached the school gates.
"I'm looking for the Headmaster, sir," Casphian said to the guards stationed there.
He presented the letter entrusted to him by Ms. Carol. At once, the guard straightened and spoke respectfully. "We've been expecting your arrival. The Headmaster instructed us to escort you directly to his office."
'I should thank Ms. Carol when I get the chance.'
He was guided to the Headmaster's office, where the guard excused himself.
Casphian knocked on the door and announced his presence.
"I, Casphian Arcana, am here, Headmaster."
"Enter." came a soft yet commanding reply.
He stepped inside to find a small-framed man seated behind a massive oak desk. Despite his stature, the man's sharp eyes seemed to pierce through the air itself. His presence radiated an overwhelming strength that belied his size.
"Welcome, Casphian Arcana." The Headmaster gestured to the chair opposite him. "I am Vlad Veylon, Headmaster of Celestia Academy. Don't be deceived by appearances—I've lived more than three times your lifetime."
!
"I'm sorry for staring intently." Casphian apologized.
He bowed slightly before taking a seat. "It's an honor to meet you, Headmaster."
Vlad smiled faintly. "I've already reviewed your evaluation results and the recommendations from Carol and Jin. A special admission is no small matter… but I prefer to judge talent with my own eyes."
Vlad Veylon—one of the most brilliant talents of his generation, and among the rare SSS rank mages on the continent. A true master of space magic.
Casphian tilted his head. "Judge? Do you mean my abilities?"
"Precisely." Vlad leaned back, his eyes gleaming. "Wouldn't you be curious, too, about the talent praised by two of Stella's most influential figures?"
Casphian's expression tightened, though he remained composed. "What kind of test?"
Raising one hand, Vlad summoned layers of magic circles that overlapped like stars. "A simulated battlefield. You'll face projections of beasts and monsters. It won't be real, yet it will feel real. If you 'die' inside, you'll simply return here unharmed."
Casphian smirked faintly. "Sounds simple enough. When do I begin?"
"Now."
Before Casphian could blink, the world around him twisted. The floor shattered into fragments of light, and the Headmaster's office dissolved into a storm of glowing particles.
When his vision cleared, he found himself standing in the middle of a vast, lush plain.
"Survive for four hours." The Headmaster's voice echoed in Casphian's mind.
[ Ding! ]
[ Simulation Activated — Headmaster's Trial ]
[ Objective:
Survive until the trial ends— 03:59 ]
In the distance, shadowy figures emerged—beasts with glowing eyes, their horde numbering over a hundred as they charged toward him.
"Isn't this a bit much?" He had expected only a handful of beasts, but their sheer number was far beyond his expectations.
[ Stamina has increased by 7 ]
[ Agility has increased by 5 ]
[ Perception has increased by 3 ]
Casphian decided to allocate some of his SP, predicting he would need to reposition constantly with the sheer number of beasts rushing at him.
"I should've invested in a flying spell or something." he muttered. The Tier 5 spell
He decided to run toward the forest, hoping to take advantage of the terrain.
Facing the horde head on wasn't an option, especially since it was made up of beasts ranging from D- to C class danger.
...
"This will be fun to watch." Vlad leaned back in his chair as a screen lit up, displaying Casphian's movements inside the trial.
He nodded at the boy's quick decision-making, a hint of approval in his eyes—yet a sly smile tugged at his lips.
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