The imperial capital grew even busier as the day of the Celestial Academy entrance examination approached.
Young nobles and talented commoners from across the empire gathered near the northern district where the academy stood.
The enormous gates of the academy towered above the crowd like the entrance to a fortress.
Massive stone pillars supported high walls carved with ancient runes.
The academy had existed for over five hundred years.
Throughout that time it had produced countless generals, scholars, and powerful mages.
For many young people, entering this place meant changing their entire future.
That morning, hundreds of applicants gathered in the plaza outside the academy.
Some wore elegant noble clothes.
Others wore simple travel gear.
But every single one of them carried the same goal.
Pass the exam.
Among the crowd—
A familiar black carriage stopped near the edge of the plaza.
The golden crest of the Aurelius Clan gleamed in the sunlight.
Several applicants immediately stepped aside.
Even in a place filled with nobles, the Aurelius name commanded respect.
The carriage door opened.
Lucien Aurelius stepped out calmly.
He wore a long black coat embroidered with silver threads that subtly displayed his noble status.
Several nearby applicants whispered quietly.
"That's him…"
"The third young master of the Aurelius Clan."
"I heard he's extremely arrogant."
Lucien ignored the whispers.
His eyes calmly scanned the crowd.
He wasn't here to worry about rumors.
He was searching for someone.
Just then—
The system interface appeared again.
Active Mission
Disrupt Hero's Destiny Encounter
Target: Elena Valtieri
Time Remaining: 46 Hours
Mission Status: In Progress
Lucien nodded slightly.
The first step had already been completed when he saved Elena in the plaza yesterday.
But the main event was still approaching.
In the original story, the academy entrance exam included several stages.
The most important one was the Trial Forest.
A dangerous testing ground filled with magical beasts.
It was inside that forest where the hero would save Elena and gain his first reputation.
But before that trial even began—
Lucien needed to locate the protagonist himself.
After all, interfering with the hero would be easier if he knew exactly who he was dealing with.
Lucien stepped forward into the crowd.
Students continued gathering in front of the academy gates.
Some practiced spells.
Others nervously discussed rumors about the exam.
Lucien quietly observed everyone.
Then suddenly—
His eyes stopped on one particular figure.
A young man standing near the back of the crowd.
Simple clothes.
Short dark hair.
Calm but determined expression.
Compared to the flashy noble heirs around him, the young man looked completely ordinary.
But something about his presence felt different.
Confident.
Unshaken.
As if he belonged here.
At that exact moment—
The system interface flashed.
Destiny Character Detected
Name: Adrian Solhart
Role: Chosen Hero
Threat Level: High
Lucien's lips slowly curved upward.
"So that's him."
The protagonist of the story.
The man destined to rise from nothing and eventually defeat countless enemies.
Including Lucien.
Adrian Solhart.
Lucien studied him carefully.
The hero stood quietly among the crowd, seemingly uninterested in the arrogant noble students arguing nearby.
Unlike most applicants, Adrian didn't appear nervous.
Instead, his gaze calmly examined the academy gates.
Lucien had to admit something.
The protagonist's aura really was impressive.
Even without fancy clothes or powerful family backing, Adrian naturally stood out.
No wonder the story revolved around him.
But that also made him dangerous.
Lucien crossed his arms thoughtfully.
"If the original story continues normally…"
Adrian would soon enter the academy trial.
Inside the forest he would encounter a powerful ice beast.
Elena Valtieri would also appear there.
Adrian would defeat the beast and save her.
That heroic act would immediately attract attention from instructors and students alike.
Lucien smirked slightly.
"But not this time."
Just as he finished thinking that—
A loud voice echoed from the academy gates.
"Silence!"
The crowd immediately quieted.
Several figures wearing long white robes stepped forward onto the elevated platform near the gate.
They were academy instructors.
One of them, an elderly man with sharp eyes, began speaking.
"Welcome, applicants."
"You have gathered here today to compete for entry into Celestial Academy."
His voice carried easily across the entire plaza.
"This institution accepts only the most talented individuals in the empire."
"Those who fail today will not be given a second chance."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
The instructor raised his hand slightly.
"The entrance exam will consist of two stages."
"First: a basic evaluation of your magical energy and physical ability."
"Second: the Trial Forest."
Many applicants stiffened slightly at those words.
The Trial Forest had a dangerous reputation.
Magical beasts lived inside.
Every year some applicants were forced to withdraw after suffering injuries.
But the academy believed true talent could only be proven through real challenges.
The instructor continued speaking.
"You will be divided into groups."
"Your objective in the forest is simple."
"Survive."
"And collect the magical tokens hidden throughout the area."
"The top fifty applicants will pass the exam."
Lucien listened quietly.
Everything matched the original story.
Which meant the crucial moment would occur during the second stage.
The instructor finished his announcement.
"The evaluation will begin shortly."
As assistants began organizing the applicants into groups, Lucien noticed Adrian moving forward with calm confidence.
The hero didn't appear worried at all.
Lucien chuckled softly.
"Confidence is good."
"But sometimes it leads to disappointment."
At that moment—
Another familiar figure entered the plaza.
Long silver hair.
Light blue cloak.
Cold expression.
Elena Valtieri had arrived.
Several students immediately whispered in excitement.
"That's Elena Valtieri!"
"The ice mage prodigy!"
"Her family is famous for their magic."
Lucien glanced between Elena and Adrian.
In the original story, their first meaningful interaction happened inside the Trial Forest.
But now something had already changed.
Elena had already met Lucien once.
Which meant her first impression had been altered.
A small difference.
But sometimes small differences created unexpected results.
Lucien's system interface appeared again.
Mission Reminder
Major Destiny Event Approaching.
Hero will encounter Elena Valtieri in Trial Forest.
Warning: If event completes normally, hero will gain powerful ally.
Lucien's smile widened slightly.
"So that's the real objective."
Prevent the hero from forming that bond.
The forest trial would begin soon.
And inside that forest…
Anything could happen.
Lucien glanced one last time at the protagonist.
Adrian Solhart stood quietly among the applicants, unaware that someone nearby already knew his entire future.
A future that was slowly beginning to change.
Lucien turned toward the academy gates as the instructors began calling the first groups forward.
His silver eyes gleamed faintly.
"Let the game begin."
Because in this story—
The villain was no longer following the script.