The sleek black car glided smoothly along the elevated road toward the main portal connecting to the Island of Vias. Through the tinted windows, I could see Qara City sprawling below—a glittering metropolis that looked almost peaceful from this height.
Behind us, in a separate vehicle, Livia rode with visible displeasure. She'd wanted to accompany me directly, but I'd refused, using my fame as an excuse. The real reason was simpler: I needed space to think, to prepare mentally for what was coming.
Plus, I'd overheard her muttering something this morning that had chilled my blood.
"Riyan is mine. I should kill his fans so he could stay with me."
*Oh, no.* I'd momentarily forgotten that Livia also had a deep obsession toward me. The brother-complex yandere trait wasn't just flavor text—it was an active threat that I'd need to manage carefully.
*I'll have to coax her after returning home,* I thought with resignation. *Maybe buy her something nice. Do yanderes respond to gifts, or does that just encourage them?*
Today marked the beginning of Reyas Academy's entrance examination. I'd worn a mask again to hide my identity, planning a dramatic reveal that would serve multiple purposes—establishing dominance, making a statement, and most importantly, annoying the protagonist.
My plan was elegantly simple: achieve first place in the Ranking Battle, then reveal my identity at the peak moment for maximum impact.
Why? Because Alex Karots, the novel's beloved protagonist, would be competing. And I intended to crush his confidence before he even properly started his heroic journey.
The Academy's entrance process consisted of two distinct phases, each designed to filter candidates and establish hierarchy from day one.
The Qualification Test came first. Academy officials and instructors evaluated each applicant's talent, affinity, potential, and current capabilities. Requirements were straightforward but demanding: applicants had to be between eighteen and twenty-two years old, have reached at least E-rank, or possess rare skills, talents, or bloodlines that compensated for lower rank.
Those who passed became permanent students, protected from expulsion except by direct intervention from the Vice-Principal, Principal, or through specific disciplinary procedures outlined in Academy regulations.
The Ranking Battle followed the next day. Newly accepted students were paired for combat duels, with winners climbing the rankings. The top ten positions received various benefits and privileges among first-years, along with the status of "Exceptional Students."
The top three received even more significant advantages, with first and second place earning the coveted title of "Elite Students" and serving as representatives of their year.
These statuses could be challenged and claimed by other students through official duels—a system that encouraged constant competition and improvement. However, Student Council members were exempt from such challenges, their positions protected by different rules.
The Student Council President held supreme authority among students, with power to appoint council members and make decisions affecting Academy life. The current President was Raya Aero—eldest daughter of the Aero family, future Sword Saintess, and one of the novel's main heroines.
She hadn't appointed a Vice-President yet, which struck me as both unusual and potentially useful information.
The hierarchy of authority in the Academy was clearly defined:
Principal (Highest)
Vice-Principal (Second)
Student Council Members (Third)
Elite Students (Fourth)
Instructors (Medium)
Exceptional Students (Low)
Other Academic Staff (Lower)
Regular Students (Lowest)
Understanding these power structures would be crucial for navigating Academy politics.
I'd spent the past two months obsessively training in the Dark Spirit Spear Art, integrating it with my existing techniques until the combinations felt natural. My Spear Mastery had reached Master level, and combined with my B+ rank at age eighteen, I was confident in my abilities.
The car slowed as we approached the portal checkpoint. Through the window, I could see the massive examination building—a structure that managed to be both imposing and elegant, its architecture blending traditional Academy aesthetics with modern defensive enchantments.
The crowd outside was enormous. Hundreds of hopeful applicants, along with their families, friends, and supporters, created a sea of nervous energy. I could see all the main characters scattered through the crowd—protagonists, heroines, supporting cast members, even minor villains who'd play their roles in the story's grand narrative.
There, standing in a corner with crossed arms, was Livia. Her expression was still displeased from this morning's seating arrangements, and I made a mental note to apologize later. Profusely.
A female figure floated above the crowd, suspended in the air through what appeared to be effortless flight magic. She wore pristine white robes that marked her position, her presence commanding immediate attention.
Lev Aven. Vice-Principal of Reyas Academy and a supporting character in the novel. Her reputation as a strict but fair administrator was well-known, and her power was reportedly formidable enough to warrant her high position.
"Everyone, form orderly lines!" Her voice carried across the crowd without amplification, a neat trick of sound manipulation magic. "You will approach the Evaluation Stone one at a time. It will display your qualifications. Those who meet Academy standards will be accepted as students. Those who don't... there's always next year."
The crowd shuffled into something resembling organization, though the nervous energy remained palpable. One by one, applicants approached the massive crystal formation that served as the Evaluation Stone.
Many returned with expressions of crushing disappointment, their dreams of attending the continent's most prestigious academy shattered by the Stone's impartial judgment. A few emerged with relieved smiles, having barely met the requirements but passed nonetheless.
Then the main cast members began their evaluations.
Fera Starlight—my so-called fiancée—approached first among the story's important characters.
The Stone flared with light:
[Name: Fera Starlight
Affinity: Unique Rank Spirit Magic
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: D+]
The crowd's reaction was immediate.
"Miss Fera has affinity with Spirit Magic!"
"As expected from Young Lord Riyan's fiancée!"
"She's the one engaged to the Young Master..."
Many girls in the crowd looked at Fera with obvious envy and jealousy, their expressions suggesting they'd trade places with her in a heartbeat.
I watched Fera scan the crowd, her eyes searching for something—or someone. Even from this distance, I could tell she was looking for me, though I wasn't sure why. We'd had minimal interaction since I'd stopped my pathetic pursuit of her attention.
Strange, I thought. In the novel, she barely acknowledged the original Riyan's existence.
The other main characters followed in succession:
[Name: Iris Aero
Affinity: S Rank Blood
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: E+]
"That's the Student Council President's sister!"
"Expected from the royal vampire bloodline..."
"But her rank is so low compared to her sister's..."
Iris's expression tightened at the whispered comparisons, and I recognized the inferiority complex that would drive much of her character arc. Being constantly measured against an exceptional older sibling had clearly taken its toll.
[Name: Jessica Aven
Affinity: S Rank Light
Talent: Unique Rank Soul's Eyes
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: D-]
"The daughter of the Vice-Principal with Light affinity and a Unique talent!"
Lev's proud expression was visible even from ground level, though I noticed her trying to suppress a smug smile.
Angel bloodline showing through, I thought. And that Soul's Eyes talent will be problematic later.
[Name: Ava Mairis
Affinity: S+ Rank Fire
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: C+]
My cousin. We'd had minimal interaction, but her capabilities were undeniable.
[Name: Livia Descartes
Affinity: S Rank Ice
Energy Source: Aura
Current Rank: C+]
Livia's evaluation drew appreciative murmurs, though I noticed several male applicants eyeing her with interest that made my protective instincts flare. Touch her and die, I thought reflexively, then paused. Wait, when did I start thinking like an overprotective brother?
[Name: Noha Kai
Talent: S Rank Martial Prodigy
Energy Source: Aura
Current Rank: D-]
[Name: Roy Mark
Talent: S Rank Forging
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: E+]
[Name: Yanel Gates
Talent: S Rank Close Combat
Energy Source: Aura
Current Rank: D-]
The supporting cast members all passed with varying degrees of impressive qualifications. But I was waiting for the main event.
A boy with blue hair and bluish-white eyes approached the Stone. Alex Karots. The protagonist. Destiny's chosen one.
The Stone blazed with light:
[Name: Alex Karots
Affinity: S+ Rank Water, S- Rank Holy
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: C]
The crowd exploded with noise.
"His rank is C!"
"How is that possible for an orphan?!"
"Two S-rank affinities!"
"Holy affinity—that's incredibly rare!"
Even Lev's composure cracked, her eyes widening slightly at the display. An orphan with those qualifications was unprecedented, the kind of anomaly that drew attention from powerful families and organizations.
Plot armor in action, I thought cynically. Of course the protagonist gets blessed with absurd talents.
A girl with grayish-white hair and golden eyes approached next. Raven Zeus—my childhood friend and one of the main heroines. She'd been waiting, scanning the crowd with increasing impatience before finally deciding to proceed without finding whoever she'd been looking for.
She was waiting for me, I realized. In the novel, she and Riyan took the test together.
[Name: Raven Zeus
Affinity: S Rank Black Thunder
Energy Source: Mana
Current Rank: C+]
"How the hell is that possible!"
"The Principal's daughter!"
"Black Thunder affinity—that's so rare!"
The crowd's excitement reached new peaks. Raven's qualifications were exceptional even by the Academy's high standards, befitting the daughter of the most powerful person in the institution.
Lev had to call for silence multiple times to restore order.
Finally, it was my turn.
I approached the Stone, aware of every eye tracking my masked and goggled figure. The suspicious outfit had drawn plenty of attention, and whispers followed my path.
I placed my hand on the Stone's surface.
The crystal erupted with light more intense than any previous evaluation:
[Name: Unknown
Affinity: S+ Rank Fire, SS+ Rank Darkness
Energy Source: Mana and Aura
Current Rank: B+]
For a moment, there was absolute silence.
Then chaos.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT RANK?!"
"IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?!"
"TWO ENERGY SOURCES?!"
"SS-RANK AFFINITY?!"
"THAT'S THE HIGHEST RANK IN ACADEMY HISTORY!"
"WHO THE HELL IS HE?!"
Even Lev couldn't maintain her composure, her eyes wide with genuine shock. "Quiet down!" she commanded, but her voice lacked its usual authority.
I could feel the weight of hundreds of stares, the mixture of awe, envy, fear, and curiosity that my display had generated.
Perfect, I thought with satisfaction. Now they'll all be watching when I reveal myself tomorrow.
I moved away from the Stone, heading toward where Raven stood with an expression of complete disbelief. As I passed her, I leaned in close enough that only she could hear.
"Well, Rev, I'm sorry for covering my face. It has its reasons."
Then I continued walking, leaving her standing there with an expression that slowly transformed from shock to something that looked suspiciously like manic excitement.
"Riyan... hehehe," she muttered to herself, her eyes tracking my retreating form.
From her elevated position, Lev watched the entire exchange with an expression that mixed amusement and exasperation.
"This guy is quite a lady-killer," she murmured to herself.
Tomorrow's Ranking Battle was going to be very interesting indeed.