The Academy Trials weren't exams.
They were culling grounds.
Every year, dozens failed. Some were injured. A few died. The fortress guards always called it "necessary selection."
Aren stood with the other students at the entrance to the Trial Grounds—a massive gate of steel and bone, reinforced with glowing blue seals. The air smelled of dust, mana, and faint traces of blood.
Kale stood ahead, surrounded by admirers.
"Try not to get crushed," he called back casually. "Unique rank or not, accidents happen."
Aren ignored him.
His hand tightened around the bow he just received—standard academy equipment, plain wood, nothing like the strange energy humming within his veins.
Kane stepped onto a raised platform, voice cutting through the noise.
"Listen well! This Trial is simple: Survive for ten minutes inside the training zone. Monsters inside are F to E rank. They're real. They can kill you. We will intervene only if you are seconds from death."
Students swallowed hard.
Kane continued:
"Your score is based on survival time, kill count, and combat efficiency."
He paused.
"Enter."
The gates groaned open.
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Aren stepped inside.
The Trial Grounds looked like a broken forest—a maze of shattered stone, cracked trees, and dense mist that clung to the ground like breathing smoke.
The moment the gates sealed shut behind them—
ROOOAAAAARRR!!
Dozens of shadow-wolves burst from the mist, their bodies made of dark smoke and bone-like claws. Students screamed and scattered.
Aren didn't move.
He watched.
Analyzed.
Spatial Awareness (F) — Activated.
Lines of distorted air shimmered around each wolf, marking their movement patterns, attack angles, and weak spots.
"…Useful."
One wolf lunged at him.
Aren raised his bow.
No arrow.
He pulled the string.
Dark energy gathered—thin at first, then swirling into a sharp violet streak.
Void Flicker Arrow (F).
He released.
FWIPP.
The arrow didn't fly—it flickered in and out of existence, appearing at the wolf's skull with a soft pop.
BOOM.
The beast's head exploded into black mist.
Aren blinked.
That was stronger than he expected.
Two more wolves charged.
He sidestepped a bite, pivoting with precise, almost instinctual movement. His perception felt enhanced—twenty points wasn't normal for Level 1.
He fired again.
FWIPP—BOOM.
FWIPP—BOOM.
The wolves dissolved.
Far across the field, Kale was smashing wolves with golden fists, laughing loudly.
"This is too easy! Come on!"
Other students struggled, many barely keeping the wolves at bay.
Aren walked deeper into the mist, each step calm, breaths steady.
Level Up!
Level: 2 → 3
Free Stat Points: +10
He paused.
"Should I allocate them now…?"
His fingers brushed the status screen.
A new line flashed:
Limitless Evolution detects inefficiency.
Recommended Allocation: Perception + Agility.
Aren blinked.
"…It gives recommendations?"
He accepted.
Energy surged through him—vision sharpening, limbs lighter, instincts sharper than steel.
Something moved.
A heavy presence.
Not a wolf.
Aren turned slowly.
A towering figure emerged from the mist—three meters tall, sword-like arms, bone mask covering its face.
An E-rank Reaver
Stronger than anything allowed this early in the trial.
The instructors watching from outside noticed immediately.
"That's not supposed to spawn yet!"
"Did the mana fluctuations attract it?"
"Who's closest—? Oh no. It's the Unique-ranked boy."
Kane leaned closer, eyes narrowing.
"…Show me what you are, Aren."
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The Reaver charged.
The ground cracked beneath its steps.
Aren didn't run.
He lifted his bow.
The Reaver's blade-arm swung—faster than the wolves, fast enough to split him in half—
But Aren felt it before it moved.
Spatial Awareness lit the world in distorted lines, predicting the attack before it formed.
Aren ducked.
The blade carved through empty air.
He drew the string.
Void energy gathered—but thicker this time. He pushed harder, instinct guiding him, evolution urging him forward.
The arrow turned black-violet, swirling like a tiny vortex.
Void Flicker Arrow (E)
Skill Evolution: Early Trigger Condition Met
"What—?"
He fired.
The arrow vanished.
And reappeared inside the Reaver's skull.
BOOOOOOM!!!
The monster's head detonated in a burst of void energy.
Its massive body collapsed in a heap of dissolving dark flesh.
Silence.
Aren breathed out slowly.
Behind him, students stared.
"What the hell was that…?"
"He killed an E-rank alone…"
"That wasn't F-rank skill power…"
"Is Unique… actually strong?"
Outside the gate, instructors whispered furiously.
"This kid—what is he?"
"That skill shouldn't evolve this fast!"
"Spatial prediction? Void-type mana?"
"His growth is unnatural."
Kane didn't speak.
He simply watched Aren walk deeper into the Trial Grounds, calm as ever, bow in hand, eyes sharp.
And a small, satisfied smile tugged at the corner of the veteran's lips.
"…Good. Very good."
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Deep beneath the city, the chained dragon stirred again.
Its massive violet eye narrowed.
"That power… that distortion… evolving already?"
A low chuckle rumbled through the ancient cavern.
"Grow, boy. Grow fast."
The chains cracked.
"When you fall… your void will be mine."