Inside the enormous exam grounds, ten thousand applicants stood waiting patiently, tension thickening the silence. The atmosphere shifted when Kael Vortan descended from the sky, floating above them like an executioner announcing final judgment.
"Today," Kael began, his amplified voice rumbling across the entire field, "is the final stage of the entrance exam. By the end of it, we will discover who will be crowned the Ace of the first years… along with the Elite Nine."
A ripple of excitement and fear passed through the examinees.
Kael's expression hardened.
"Be aware—Novacter Academy does not give second chances. Those who fail today will never be allowed to reapply. So give everything you have."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"For the third level, each of you will face a monster four ranks above you. Your task is simple—survive as long as possible. We do not expect you to defeat the creature. In fact, killing it should be nearly impossible for someone at your level."
A cold chuckle slipped from his lips.
"But do not worry—you won't die… probably. Hehe."
Some students flinched; others swallowed hard.
"Your score will depend on how long you last, whether you manage to push the monster back, and the state of your body when you finish. After my instructions end, all of you will be sent into separate spaces. Your opponent will be waiting for you."
He raised a hand.
"Good luck."
A blinding light engulfed the entire arena.
Ten thousand students vanished instantly.
Kael's lips curled into a grin as he muttered to himself:
"This is going to be fun."
The test had been designed to push candidates to the brink—to see how they thought, adapted, and survived when thrown against overwhelming odds.
But what the academy didn't know…
This year, the monsters would be the ones in real danger.
Kael turned to head toward the viewing chamber—where the principal and elite staff were monitoring the entire exam.
But then—
A sharp fluctuation rippled through space behind him.
He froze, eyes narrowing.
Someone had returned.
Already?
Impossible.
Only two ways existed to exit the testing space early:
Be critically injured by the monster and forcefully ejected.
Kill the monster.
Kael scoffed.
No one could kill an opponent four ranks higher. Naturally, he assumed the student had been struck the moment they teleported in.
But when he turned toward the fluctuation and saw who had arrived—his mind blanked.
A single young man stood calmly in the center of the platform.
A boy with snow-white hair that glimmered faintly under the light.
A presence far too composed.
A face far too divine.
Arthur von Vormir.
Kael's heartbeat stuttered.
He had watched Arthur's performance in the second test. Even the principal had leaned forward at the sight of this boy killing monsters two ranks above him… without lifting a finger. Their souls had simply collapsed.
SS-rank talent, they said.
Nothing about this boy felt like "just SS."
Everyone had expected Aldric Crestban to become the undisputed Ace of the first-year class. But now…
Now things were looking very different.
Before Kael could approach Arthur, more spatial distortions erupted. Students began returning one after another—many collapsing immediately due to severe injuries.
The medical teams rushed to work, healing them before their injuries turned fatal.
Kael glanced back toward the viewing chamber, tempted to go in and see the footage…
But more and more students kept appearing, and he remained where he was.
Within just five minutes, around eight thousand examinees had returned—every single one of them failed.
Then—
Another figure materialized.
This one still standing upright, only a few bruises visible.
Kael recognized him instantly.
Aldric Crestban.
Kael's eyes widened again.
For Aldric to return in such condition… there was only one explanation.
He must have killed his monster.
Even though Arthur returned first, Kael had still wondered whether Arthur was injured and thrown out. But seeing Aldric arrive this intact changed his assumptions entirely.
Aldric scanned the area, spotted Arthur, and walked over. The two exchanged a few words—strangely calm despite the chaos unfolding around them.
Shortly after, another surge of mana flared—and Elyndria appeared, Fang materializing at her side like a guardian spirit.