The sun rose over the Imperial Academy, shining on the wide training grounds. Dozens of new students stood in lines, waiting nervously for their first test.
Sho and Liyana stood together in the middle of the field. Sho looked excited but a little nervous too.
> "This is it," he thought. "My first real test at the Academy."
Liyana glanced at the other students, some from noble families, others from common backgrounds. She smiled faintly. "Looks like everyone wants to show off."
Sho smirked. "Then we'll just have to show them we're better."
---
A tall woman with long golden hair and calm eyes walked up to a platform in front of the students.
"I am Professor Elara Windcrest," she said clearly. "Today, you'll take the Entrance Evaluation. You will be tested in three areas: magic, combat, and strategy. Give it your best. The Academy only accepts the strong."
With a wave of her staff, several glowing orbs floated around the field.
"These are Assessment Orbs. Each one will test your skills differently. Activate one and show us your strength."
---
Sho walked toward a red orb that was glowing with fire. He raised his hand, focused his mana, and launched a small fireball. The orb split into three smaller orbs, forcing him to react fast. He shot them one by one, smiling as each one vanished.
Liyana walked to the next orb. She calmly raised her hand, and a silver light shimmered from her fingers. The orb shattered instantly.
Sho blinked. "She didn't even try…"
Liyana turned and smiled slightly. "You're staring."
Sho coughed. "Just… learning from the best."
---
The second test started. Magic constructs appeared—glowing, human-shaped dummies that attacked the students.
Sho dodged the first strike, countered with a burst of mana, and rolled to the side to avoid another hit.
Liyana moved smoothly beside him. Her sword flashed in clean arcs, slicing through each construct like paper. She moved gracefully, calm and elegant, never even breaking a sweat.
Sho watched her and muttered, "You make that look way too easy."
She looked at him, smiling teasingly. "Maybe it's because I'm better."
Sho chuckled. "We'll see about that."
---
After several tests, the orbs stopped glowing. Professor Elara floated to the center of the field again.
"Excellent work," she said. "Sho Rione. Liyana lufinze . Both of you show great promise. I expect great things from you."
Sho let out a breath of relief. "That… was intense."
Liyana giggled. "Intense? You were sweating the whole time."
Sho smiled. "I call it effort."
She tilted her head, amused. "Effort, huh? I like that about you."
---
Later, as everyone left the field, Sho quietly opened his System Window:
> [Quest: "Path of the Scholar"]
Status: In Progress
Reward: Hidden Skill – Blink (Locked)
Objective: Complete the Entrance Evaluation ✅
Sho smiled to himself. "So that's the next step… Blink, huh?"
Liyana looked over curiously. "You're looking at that strange window again."
Sho grinned. "Yeah, it's full of surprises… kinda like you."
Liyana blinked, slightly flustered. "W-What's that supposed to mean?"
Sho shrugged playfully. "You'll figure it out."
Liyana sighed, hiding her faint blush. "You're getting too confident for your own good."
Sho laughed softly. "Guess I learned from the best."
As the sun set over the Academy, the two of them walked side by side, their new life about to begin.