[Time until the start of the entrance exams: 20 minutes.]
It was already almost time.
I wasn't sure how to feel, honestly.
On one end, I had reached the start of the game without dying like an idiot.
But then, what I had to experience made me ponder if all of it was worth it.
Shaking my head, I finished the remainder of my steak, and as I was prepared to leave, I remembered something.
"I know we haven't talked yet, but I kind of forgot your lunch this time," I said, pulling out a tray of food from my dimensional ring.
As I placed it down on the table, I gave a thumbs up in a random direction.
"Have this instead."
With those words, I left my room and got dressed in light clothes. Since the entrance exam was going to be 90% practical, 10% theoretical, I didn't want to run around in ten of my coats.
So a simple shirt and a jacket, followed by stretchy pants, were enough for me.
I left my home and slightly sped up my pace, knowing that if I was late, I wouldn't even be allowed on the academy grounds.
At first, I thought of paying Evelyn a visit, but then I changed my mind. I was sure she already knew I was back, and if that were the case, she most likely started selling clothes made of wolf fur.
I also didn't have any important information to give her.
So, as I straddled through the snow-filled streets, a warm sensation welled up in my chest.
Seeing all these people I didn't even know exchanging presents and playing in the snow reminded me of my old world.
There were even snowball launchers.
Speaking of, right as a snowball was about to hit my face, I swatted it away with my Telekinesis.
As much as I had hoped it was an accident, another snowball came soon after. Then another.
"He's the demon child!"
"Come on, throw it!"
"I missed!"
Right...
How could I ever have a nice holiday if I was Amon Everness.
My gaze turned cold as I created a small forcefield around me with Telekinesis. Every time a snowball or a rock got near, it bounced back.
It seemed like I had zoned out for a while, since before I knew it, I found myself standing in front of the iron gates of an old castle, which just so happened to be the academy.
As corny as it was, the name of the academy was the Future Academy.
Just thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.
Despite how old it was, the snow made it look a lot better. Even so, I wasn't the only one standing here.
Beside me were a good fifty people, waiting their turn in line.
Most of them were panicking because there were only a few minutes left before the gates closed.
Though, I wasn't as stupid as them. I simply walked to the front of the line where a guard sat in his booth.
Right as the next person was about to step forward and fill in his information, I cut in line, startling not only the applicants but also the academy's guard.
"What do you think you're doing!? Move!"
I ignored the blabbering applicant behind me and stared at the guard.
"Give me the paper slip."
"Uh..."
The guard wasn't sure how to react for a moment, but when he glanced at his watch, he swiftly acted.
He pulled out a piece of special paper from his desk and scribbled a few letters. After that, he glanced back at me.
"What's your name, age, and gift?"
"Amon Everness, eighteen, Telekinesis."
When he heard that, his eyes widened for a moment.
I could see that trace of disdain that I had grown so accustomed to.
"Is there a problem?" I asked.
The guard didn't reply. He only passed the paper slip along.
When I took it, I walked through the iron gates. I glanced behind me and saw that same look of disdain on the faces of every applicant.
"..."
I continued on ahead until I spotted an instructor dressed in a white uniform embroidered in gold.
When our eyes met, the instructor wagged his finger at me and told me to follow, which I did.
He led me into the castle through the main entrance.
Despite how it looked on the outside, the inside was like a casual school from modern days.
There was a reception, several classrooms around, and even a massive staircase at the far end of the castle.
But when I neared the auditorium, I saw something that definitely didn't belong in a normal school.
There were isolated training rooms, dummies made out of magic which could withstand a lot of hits.
As for the one thing that I found the most exciting, a floating courtyard out in the center of the castle.
It was an artifact.
A really, really powerful artifact that only the top ten of all students could enter and train in.
Sadly, I didn't know what was inside it, but I did know that every time the main character entered, he came out at least twice as strong as before.
So of course, it had to be good.
Eventually, I arrived in front of the auditorium.
"Go inside and sit down. You'll start with the theory exam, and if you pass it, you'll move on to the next stage," the instructor said absentmindedly.
I thought he would say more, but he just walked away, probably to bring the last batch of applicants.
Not paying it any mind, I entered the auditorium.
It was a large room, fitting hundreds of applicants. It was very quiet since everyone here was taking their theory exams.
When another instructor spotted me, he gestured for me to approach.
As I went through the boring procedure of retelling my name and waiting for the exam sheet, I glanced around the auditorium.
But I was left disappointed.
The main character, as well as the main heroines, were nowhere to be seen.
The exam could've been taken any time throughout the week, so they must've started Monday or so. Still, they would have to wait until next week for the practical exams.
I saw a few supporting characters, some of whom I sympathized with. It was a little disappointing they would all die by the time the practical exam ended.
Shaking my head, I eventually got my exam sheet.
There were five hundred questions in total.
I didn't study even one bit, but I might or might not have memorized every single question and answer back when I played the game.
So, like the humble applicant that I am, I sat down in my seat and decided to get a perfect score.