Three weeks later…
Silas stood inside the field, waiting for his turn to be examined. Papers were clutched tightly in his hands. He no longer looked like the boy he had been a month ago. His body was now balanced—neither too thin nor weak. There was a quiet strength in the way he stood.
On the other side, Aiden was speaking with his father, Commander Roy.
"So," Roy asked calmly, "how is the boy? Have you seen anything extraordinary?"
Aiden nodded without hesitation.
"Father… this boy is unbelievable. He learns at an insane speed. Can you believe he learned how to read and write in just one week—without any prior education?"
Roy raised an eyebrow.
"And that's not all," Aiden continued. "He even learned our family's secret technique. It took him only two days."
Roy laughed softly.
"This boy will carve a new history."
After a moment, Aiden asked, "Father… why did you allow someone outside our family to learn a technique only our bloodline uses?"
Roy looked at him seriously.
"My son, this boy will become a storm that shakes the world. He is your student now—so that makes him part of our family."
Aiden smiled.
"You're right."
---
Silas was called in.
He entered the examination hall and was seated alone on a chair. He was asked to submit his application papers.
One of the judges read aloud,
"This recommendation comes from Commander Roy. It says the boy must be tested fairly, like all other students."
Another judge looked up.
"It says here you are nineteen years old. We want to know about your ability."
Silas replied calmly,
"I use a sword. My ability isn't visible, but I can activate it during combat."
"Very well."
From the side of the hall, a testing robot emerged—designed specifically to examine new students.
Silas slowly drew his sword.
The entire room fell silent.
Everyone present could feel it—
It wasn't just the sword.
The atmosphere itself changed.
The air grew heavy.
In a single instant, Silas moved.
The robot was cleanly split apart.
Silas stood still, his eyes still carrying that distant, hollow gaze.
The examination committee was shaken. Fear spread across their faces.
An old man—who had been silent the entire time—finally spoke.
"You have passed. There is no need for further tests. You are assigned to the advanced class."
He handed Silas a paper.
"Read this before you leave. These are the rules of this place—how to live here, and how long you will stay."
Silas read carefully.
But one rule caught his attention.
After one year at the academy, students would be sent outside the city to fight monsters.
Silas looked up.
"What does this mean?"
The old man smiled slightly.
"This is not a place where you only study books and hold pens. This academy exists to build your power and experience. When you finish, you will be able to fight monsters without even feeling fear."
One of the judges whispered quietly,
"Manager… why is this boy ranked so high? He isn't from any great family. Commander Roy himself said to test him like the others."
The old man laughed.
"Do you really think Commander Roy would send this boy here if he wasn't exceptional? Or would order a fair test if the boy were ordinary?"
He glanced at the judge sharply.
"You've seen his energy. After witnessing that, do you still care about his background? Don't be foolish, Instructor Syrak."
Syrak lowered his head in embarrassment.
Silas understood what was happening.
"So… where do I go now?" he asked.
The manager replied,
"Go outside. Show this paper to the girl at the entrance. She'll take you where you need to be."
Silas nodded and left.
The moment he stepped out, the instructors inside let out a quiet breath.
"We must not speak of this," one whispered. "If this gets out, it will be a disgrace."
They all silently agreed.
The manager sighed inwardly.
This year… will be filled with surprises.
---
Silas approached the reception desk and handed the paper to the girl standing there. His sword was still in his hand.
Nearby students noticed him.
One of them scoffed,
"Does every country bumpkin get to enter Iron-Gate now?"
Silas looked at him briefly but said nothing. He simply asked the girl to read the paper—the one given by the Manager.
The surrounding students froze.
The girl's expression changed instantly. She lowered her head respectfully.
"Sir… please follow me."
The boy and his friends stood frozen in fear, realizing they may have offended someone from a powerful family.
Silas was led to a fairly large room and told to wait while his ID was being prepared.
He agreed calmly.
The girl left, sweating nervously—afraid she might get into trouble if she said the wrong thing.
Silas could feel it.
Everyone was afraid.
Because of one word.
Manager.
Moments later, his phone rang.
"Silas," Aiden's voice came through. "Did you pass the exam?"
"Yes," Silas answered. "It was easy."
Aiden laughed.
"A month ago it would've been difficult—because you were weak. Now, you've reached a level that takes some people half their lifetime to achieve."
"Rest for now. Once your ID is ready, we'll meet inside the academy."
Silas passed the examination effortlessly.
Everyone believed he came from a powerful family.
But no one knew the truth—
That just one month ago,
He was a boy living inside a metal pit,
Eating raw meat,
And struggling to survive.