A few minutes later—
They stepped outside.
The shift was immediate.
The quiet warmth of the room gave way to the crisp breath of early morning. Cool air brushed gently against Renji's face, carrying with it a freshness that only existed at dawn.
For a moment—
He felt awake.
Truly awake.
The sky was still pale, tinted with soft shades of gold and blue as the sun slowly climbed higher. Long shadows stretched across the ground, fading gradually as light spread across the town.
Dew clung to the edges of grass along the roadside.
Tiny droplets—
Catching the sunlight—
Sparkling like scattered crystals.
The town hadn't fully awakened yet.
But it was close.
Shopkeepers lifted their wooden shutters one by one, the creaking sounds echoing faintly through the streets. Some swept the front of their stores, pushing away dust gathered overnight.
Others arranged goods carefully—
Fruits.
Cloth.
Simple tools.
From somewhere nearby—
A sharp crackling sound.
Oil hitting a hot pan.
The smell followed almost immediately.
Fried eggs.
Fresh bread.
Something warm.
Something comforting.
Renji's stomach growled.
Loud enough to be noticed.
Mizuki glanced at him, unimpressed.
"Didn't you just eat?"
Renji frowned slightly.
"I was force-fed. That doesn't count."
"Food is food."
"No, that was an attack."
Mizuki ignored him.
As usual.
The stone-paved roads still held the softness of early morning. Their footsteps echoed lightly as they walked, the sound blending with the distant hum of the waking town.
Only a few adventurers passed by.
Some returned from early quests—
Armor slightly scratched.
Capes dusted with dirt.
Their expressions told stories.
Tired—
But satisfied.
Others walked with quiet focus, heading toward the gates, preparing to leave for their own missions.
The usual chaos of the town hadn't started yet.
No crowds.
No noise.
Just a calm, steady rhythm.
Peaceful.
Alive.
Renji stretched his arms above his head as he walked, his body loosening slightly with the movement.
"...Feels nice."
Mizuki glanced at him.
"Hmm?"
He shook his head lightly.
"Nothing. Just… nice."
A simple answer.
But not untrue.
And even if he didn't fully realize it—
He appreciated them.
They continued walking.
The distance wasn't far.
And soon—
They reached their destination.
Rika's house.
She was already there.
Waiting.
Leaning casually against the wooden fence, she held her staff over her shoulder while polishing it with a small cloth. The motion was slow, almost rhythmic, as if she had done it countless times before.
Her long hair swayed gently with the breeze, catching the morning light.
She looked—
Way too energetic for this hour.
Renji stopped a few steps away.
Cracked his neck slightly.
A faint stiffness still lingered from yesterday's training.
"So…"
He exhaled.
"What do you ladies want me to do this early in the morning?"
Mizuki answered immediately.
No hesitation.
"Rika used to be an apprentice under one of the academy's instructors."
Renji blinked once.
"…Oh?"
"She knows almost everything about the entrance exam."
Rika straightened up slightly, a small, proud smile forming on her face.
"Yeah."
She tapped her staff lightly against the ground.
"And Mizuki asked me to give you a mock test today."
Renji's shoulders dropped instantly.
Like all his energy had just been drained.
"But there are still four days left…"
A weak protest.
Rika didn't even let it finish.
"Only four?"
Her response was immediate.
Sharp.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at him.
"Then we're already late!"
The way she said it—
Made it sound like he had already failed.
Before even starting.
She pushed herself off the fence, spinning her staff once before gripping it firmly.
A spark of excitement flashed in her eyes.
"We start now."
No warning.
No preparation time.
Just—
Start.
Renji stared at her for a second.
Then sighed.
"...Of course."
There was no escape.
Not from Mizuki.
Not from Rika.
And definitely not from this schedule.
The training ground wasn't far from Rika's house.
A wide, open space.
Flat ground.
Minimal obstacles.
Clearly used for practice.
As soon as they arrived—
Rika's entire demeanor changed.
The casual, slightly playful attitude disappeared.
Replaced by focus.
Sharp.
Professional.
She stepped forward, planting her staff firmly into the ground.
"Alright."
Her voice carried authority now.
"This isn't just practice."
Renji's attention sharpened slightly.
"It's a simulation."
A pause.
"Treat it like the real exam."
The atmosphere shifted.
Subtly.
But noticeably.
Even the air felt heavier.
Mizuki stepped aside, arms crossed, silently observing.
She didn't interfere.
But her presence alone—
Added pressure.
Rika raised her hand slightly.
"First—mana control."
Renji straightened his posture.
Instinctively.
"Show me how stable your flow is."
No further explanation.
No hints.
Just expectation.
Renji exhaled slowly.
Then—
Closed his eyes.
The world around him faded.
Sounds dulled.
Movement slowed.
His focus turned inward.
Mana.
Flowing.
Unstable at first.
Like always.
But he didn't let it scatter.
He guided it.
Carefully.
Compressed it.
Smoothed it.
The invisible current within him began to settle.
Like water calming after a storm.
Rika watched closely.
Her eyes didn't miss anything.
Even the smallest fluctuation.
Seconds passed.
Then—
More.
Renji maintained it.
Held it steady.
Didn't break.
Didn't lose control.
Finally—
He opened his eyes.
Rika didn't speak immediately.
She simply nodded once.
"Better than I expected."
Short.
But genuine.
Renji exhaled quietly.
One step—
Done.
But this was only the beginning.
Rika lifted her staff again.
"Next—spell execution."
Renji's grip tightened slightly.
The real test—
Had started.
The morning sun climbed higher.
The calm atmosphere of dawn—
Was gone.
Replaced by effort.
By pressure.
By expectation.
And Renji—
Stepped forward to meet it.