The arena for the Hosekai entrance exam was enormous.
A circular field surrounded by towering stone walls, glowing with magical runes.
Students filled the space, each with their marks shining proudly on their hands.
Ryonai stood among them, the only one with nothing.
No mark.
No magic.
But his eyes remained firm.
Edward stayed by his side, acting as if the stares and whispers didn't exist.
Suddenly, a voice echoed above them:
— "Welcome, young candidates! This exam will determine if you have what it takes to enter our academy!"
The crowd murmured.
Then, the instructor added:
— "This first test will be… survival."
A heavy silence settled.
And that's when three students approached Ryonai and Edward.
Ganda – The Cursed Boy
A tall boy with pale skin and piercing purple eyes stepped forward.
Four marks glowed on his hand — an extremely rare number.
— "Name's Ganda."
His voice was calm, but carried a strange intensity.
— "I use poison magic. People call me 'The Cursed Boy'… but you can call me whatever you want."
Ryonai nodded quietly.
Parry – The Strategist
The next was a shorter boy with brown hair and sharp eyes.
Three marks glowed on his hand.
— "Parry. Gravity magic."
He smirked slightly.
— "Don't underestimate me. I'm not the strongest physically, but strategy-wise… I'm unbeatable."
Edward laughed.
— "We'll need someone like you."
Diro – The One Destined for Greatness
The last boy had silver hair and a nervous expression.
Four marks shined on his hand — incredibly powerful.
— "I-I'm Diro… I use space manipulation magic, but—"
He rubbed the back of his head.
— "I'm not very good at controlling it yet…"
Ryonai smiled.
— "Nice to meet you."
The four boys seemed surprised by his calm tone — especially toward the strongest of them.
For a moment… they felt something in him.
Not magic.
But presence.
The Test Begins
The floor trembled.
Magical circles lit up beneath them.
— "Summon the beast." — the instructor commanded.
From the center of the arena, the stone cracked open — and a massive creature emerged, roaring with fury:
Gorath, the Labyrinth Beast.
A monstrous creature used to test survival and teamwork.
Students screamed.
Some ran.
Others froze.
But Ryonai didn't move.
Edward formed water blades.
Ganda summoned poison clouds.
Parry increased everyone's agility using controlled gravity fields.
Diro warped space to create distance.
And Ryonai?
He charged.
Straight at the monster.
Everyone stared in shock.
— "Is he crazy?!"
— "He doesn't even have magic!"
But his fist slammed into Gorath's jaw with enough force to shake the ground.
The monster retaliated, slashing Ryonai across the chest and throwing him into the walls.
Blood dripped.
Pain burned.
But he stood up.
Again.
Again.
Again.
— "Ryonai, stop!" Edward shouted.
But the boy wiped the blood off his chin, eyes blazing.
— "I'm fine."
The beast roared and rushed at him—
And suddenly Ganda, Parry, Edward and Diro stepped forward, all injured, all shaking, but united.
— "We're not letting you fight alone."
— Edward
— Ganda
— Parry
— Diro
All together.
And with combined strength — magic, strategy, courage, and pure physical power —
they defeated the monster.
The arena fell silent.
Even the instructors watched in disbelief.
Ryonai, covered in blood but standing tall, whispered:
— "This is only the beginning."