The morning sun gleamed through the grand marble gates of the Imperial Academy, casting golden light over the training grounds. Rows of students — nobles, prodigies, and even commoners — stood in formation, each one buzzing with anticipation.
Among them, Sho Rione, heir of House Rione, adjusted his uniform calmly. His silver-tinged black hair fluttered slightly in the wind, his calm eyes scanning the field. Beside him stood Liyana, who looked stunning even in the academy uniform, her long silver-white hair flowing softly, her crimson eyes half-lidded with boredom.
"Hey, Sho," Liyana whispered, stretching lazily. "Why did you choose the swordsman–mage course?"
Sho smirked. "Because it fits me. Why? Gonna copy me again?"
Liyana tilted her head and smiled faintly. "Maybe."
Before he could reply, Professor Elara Windcrest, one of the top instructors of the academy, stepped onto the stage. Her robe shimmered with embedded mana crystals, and her sharp tone instantly silenced the crowd.
"Welcome, new students. Today's entrance evaluation will determine your class placement — and your worth."
The crowd murmured nervously. Some noble sons puffed their chests, while others gulped.
Sho's expression didn't change — he just muttered, "Let's get this over with."
---
Evaluation – Magic and Mana Control
Students took turns channeling mana into crystal pillars to measure their control. Many struggled; the crystals either cracked or barely lit up.
When it was Sho Rione's turn, whispers spread among the crowd.
"Isn't that the son of Duke Rione?" "I heard he slew a monster alone..." "No way, that's just a rumor!"
Sho ignored them. He placed his hand on the crystal — a faint hum echoed, followed by an intense burst of light that nearly blinded the spectators. The crystal vibrated violently but didn't shatter — a sign of perfect mana stability.
Professor Elara's eyes widened slightly. Perfect balance… remarkable.
She noted something on her clipboard. "Next."
Sho stepped back quietly. Liyana was next.
She sighed softly, pressing her hand onto the crystal — and instantly, the pillar overflowed with pure mana light, a golden radiance that even outshone Sho's earlier attempt.
The crowd gasped.
"Who is that girl?!"
"She didn't even try!"
Liyana simply yawned. "Can we move to the next test already?"
---
Second Evaluation – Combat Skill
Each student had to spar against a summoned construct. The test wasn't meant to be won, just survived.
But Sho had other ideas.
When his name was called, the examiner read aloud,
> "Sho Rione, heir of House Rione. Swordsman–Mage candidate. Combat test: Begin!"
A mana golem appeared — nearly twice his height, made of enchanted steel.
Sho drew his practice sword, inhaled slowly, and entered a low stance. Let's see if my training paid off.
The golem swung its massive arm down — but Sho was already gone.
A flash of mana and dust — dash, pivot, slash! — his blade cut through the golem's weak joint, cracking it.
He spun low, gathered mana in his palm, and shouted,
> "Mana Burst!"
The explosion of controlled energy shattered the golem's chest, sending fragments flying. The crowd erupted in awe.
"Did he just destroy it!?" "He's not even using a real sword!" "That was insane!"
Professor Elara narrowed her eyes, impressed. That level of precision… he's not just strong — he's disciplined.
Sho exhaled, dusted his uniform, and sheathed his sword calmly. "Next."
---
Then came Liyana's turn.
She walked up slowly, eyes half-open, facing her summoned golem. The construct roared and charged forward — yet Liyana didn't even draw her sword.
She simply moved — one step, a tilt of her head, a small shift of her body.
Each strike missed her by inches, her movements fluid and almost playful. The crowd held their breath as she dodged effortlessly, not even breaking a sweat.
"Is she… yawning!?" "She hasn't attacked once!"
Then, as the golem prepared its final charge, Liyana raised her hand lazily. A faint red glow gathered at her fingertip.
> "Fire Lance," she murmured.
A massive sphere of flame materialized above her — heat rippled through the air. The instructors panicked.
"Stop— you'll destroy the arena!"
Liyana blinked and smiled. "Oops."
She snapped her fingers — and the fireball vanished harmlessly.
The audience was dead silent.
She turned to Sho with a teasing smile. "See? I can do both too."
Sho sighed. "Show-off."
---
System Notification
> [Quest Completed: Entrance Evaluation]
[Performance: EX Rank]
[Reward: Hidden Skill – Blink (Unlocked)]
[Blink] → Instantly teleport within a 5-meter range. Cooldown: 3 seconds. No mana cost.
Sho blinked at the screen, lips twitching. Well… that's convenient.
Professor Elara faced the crowd. "Students Sho Rione and Liyana will be placed in the Advanced Class — Swordmage Division."
Applause erupted. Some in admiration, others in envy.
As Sho walked beside Liyana, she smirked softly. "So, partner, looks like we're stuck together again."
Sho chuckled quietly. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The sun had already begun to set over the Imperial Academy, painting the courtyard in amber light.
Most students had gone back to their dorms, buzzing with excitement about the results.
Sho Rione stayed behind, standing in the empty training field. His uniform was slightly wrinkled, his sword resting at his side.
The blue holographic screen of his system window floated quietly before him.
> [Hidden Skill – Blink]
Type: Spatial / Movement
Description: Instantly teleport within 5 meters. No mana cost. Cooldown: 3 seconds.
He took a deep breath, focusing his mana. "Alright… let's see what this thing can do."
Sho stepped forward and whispered, "Blink."
In an instant — the world blurred.
The next moment, he was standing several meters away, the air rippling faintly where he had been.
It felt effortless — natural, even.
He tried again. Blink.
He vanished — then reappeared on top of a nearby stone fence, wind brushing his hair. A faint smile curved on his lips.
"This… this could change everything."
He didn't notice a figure standing beneath the tree nearby — Liyana.
Her crimson eyes followed him quietly, the faintest smile tugging at her lips.
"That guy…" she murmured softly, crossing her arms. "He's full of surprises."
The breeze lifted her silver hair, and for a brief moment, her draconic aura flickered — gentle, like a heartbeat.
"Maybe… this won't be so boring after all," she whispered before vanishing into the shadows with her own graceful step.
Sho looked around, feeling a strange warmth in the air, unaware she had been there all along.
He shrugged slightly and gazed at the glowing sky.
"Tomorrow's going to be interesting," he said quietly — then walked back toward the dorms, the setting sun behind him.