Chapter 44: Entrance Exam (3)
Third Person POV:
On the other side of Arcana Academy, inside a large, semi-circular room, the blue light from dozens of magic screens reflected the silhouettes of the professors sitting in their respective chairs.
The air in the room felt heavy—not because of Mana pressure, but because of their concentration as they observed every movement of the participants.
In the center of the room, a woman with dark blonde hair and pointed ears, proving she was an Elf, stared at the largest screen showing the battle between Noah and another participant.
Her face was calm, but her eyes were sharp, as if they could penetrate the layers of the virtual world itself.
"He is the one called the Hero... Noah Raven, isn't he?" the woman asked softly.
Another professor, an old man with a white beard wearing a monocle, nodded while writing something on a crystal board in front of him.
"That's right. His Mana data is very stable, but... his Aura flow is strange."
The woman looked at him longer. "His Aura flow is strange?"
"Yes. It's like something is holding back his power from fully coming out," the old professor replied.
"Interesting. He's restraining himself even in the exam?" the Elf woman muttered flatly, "...or maybe he's hiding something."
Several professors in the back row turned to another screen, showing a girl with long black hair walking in the forest—Lira Tempest.
"That child…" one of the professors said, "the way she controls shadows is as if she is the shadow itself. Her magic circle pattern is not registered in the Academy archives."
"She's the child of the Marquess of the northern region of the Atlas continent, isn't she?" asked another.
"Yes, you are right... but truly, her mastery over shadows is terrifying."
"And look at this," the Elf professor cut in, pointing to another screen. "The girl named Abel Montain."
She crossed her arms with a serious face. "Her Mana reaction is almost like Light itself. I thought the rumors about her were exaggerated, but this..."
All eyes turned to that screen—where Abel was standing in the middle of a golden light explosion. She had done that several times since the exam began, blinding the magic cameras for a few seconds.
One of the young professors whistled softly. "If this is only the first stage, the virtual world might not last long."
The old professor with the monocle sighed, then put down his pen. "These children... No wonder they are called the Golden Generation, right, Lily?"
"Indeed," said the Elf woman, Professor Lily, while looking at the main screen which now showed Ren—sitting at an altar in the middle of a wide grassland, waiting for the test casually.
His white coat had been opened, leaving only the tight, long-sleeved black turtleneck shirt clinging to his slender yet muscular body.
That physique clearly made the men envious; some professors even looked away, clicking their tongues.
"Especially that one boy," she added softly, her tone slightly softening, "I don't even know if he can still be called a student."
"The Elf and Therian participants have started moving very quickly," said a supervisor sitting at one of the screens.
Lily ran her hand through her hair with a slow movement, "I hope they aren't too arrogant..." she said, looking at the screen showing the Elf and half-human races.
Then the sound of quiet footsteps was heard from the room's door. All the professors turned.
The figure of Principal Helena Eliz stepped in with her long robe glittering softly under the magic screen light.
"Have the initial reports come out?" she asked calmly.
The old professor handed her a glowing crystal board. "Yes, Principal. The exam is running smoothly, although... there are a few individuals whose scores have spiked too quickly."
Helena looked at the large screen where the faces of Maira, Abel, Noah, and Lira appeared alternately.
Her gaze was hard to read—a mixture of slight admiration, and perhaps... a deeper curiosity than anyone else in the room.
"It's alright," she finally said.
"Just let it be. They are like that because they can be."
The room was silent for a moment, only the faint humming sound from the magic screens, which continued to display the exam in the virtual world, could be heard.
POV: Ren Ozawa
It has been seventeen years since I lived in this world. During the six years of training with the old man, I learned many things.
First: This world consists of five large continents, each with its own ruler and race.
Second: When I read the book Grandfather gave me seven years ago, I learned that the proficiency levels of Arcanists and fighters have their own stages.
Arcanists: They are pure mages whose entire lives are dedicated to studying and perfecting magic.
An Arcanist doesn't rely much on physical body or strength but focuses on the depth of Mana, the structure of spells, and the concept of star formations inside their hearts.
Arcanists are usually divided into several ranks based on the number of Star Circles they successfully form:
Circle 1–3: Basic mages, can only control common elements like fire, water, or wind.
Circle 4–6: Intermediate mages, can already blend two elements and cast without a full chant.
Circle 7–8: High mages, capable of manipulating advanced natural laws such as gravity or limited time.
Circle 9: True Arcanists. They are called "Star Gazers," because only they can touch the source of magic directly from the night sky.
However, there is one more level that is not recorded in any academy because it is almost impossible—the Transcendent Arcanist level. These are those who not only master magic but create new concepts of magic itself.
And the most terrifying thing is that the person at that level is near me and is currently watching the exam broadcast outside: The Dean of the Academy, Helena Eliz.
But strangely, I am different from these Arcanists because I don't need to do that due to my imagination skill, which is still a question mark (???).
I just need to advance my star core to the next stage, and I will be increasingly free to use any magic without chanting.
Then there are the Fighter types: They also have several stages and levels of expertise, such as for the swordsman class, which consists of basic sword up to Holy Sword. Their stages are usually divided into five:
Beginner, Expert, Master, Grandmaster, and Mythic Blade—very few people can achieve this. It is said that a swordsman at the Mythic level can cut a mountain with a single swing.
Only four people have reached this level in the entire world.
And there is one more—Sword Emperor. That level has surpassed human limits and become a demigod. Only one person in this world has achieved it: The Holy Sword.
...
...
...
As I was engrossed in my thoughts, a rustling sound was heard inside the forest.
That made me immediately turn quickly. My perception felt someone. I immediately stood up, stretched my body slightly, then smirked.
"Alright, time to join the fun."
POV: Kyle Ohan
I walked a little faster as I tracked the path through the forest, my greatsword on my back.
My name is Kyle Ohan. I lived in an orphanage a few years ago with my sister. The orphanage's name was Stella, located in the small town of Lumen.
However, a few years ago, my sister and I decided to leave and see the outside world. Initially, Sister Milly forbade it, but because we insisted, she let us with a sad face.
Why did I insist? Because I couldn't become strong if I stayed in the orphanage and I couldn't catch up with the white-haired boy who disappeared seven years ago. The Holy Old Man said he was taken by someone strong and would train him.
But 1 hour ago I saw something surprising: Ren—the boy who was previously taken by someone—was here, studying and becoming the Vice Student Council President.
That shocked me, and not just me; Mia, my sister, was no better—tears came out when she saw Ren standing on the stage.
I clenched my fists while thinking about it but couldn't hide my wide and crazy smile.
"I... I want to fight him..." I muttered as I walked quickly.
And for some reason, my prayer was blessed by the goddess of fortune or whatever, I don't know, but a few minutes later,
I arrived at a wide expanse in the middle of the forest, and in the center of it was a large silver altar.
But I didn't pay attention to the altar, but the person standing on it—Ren looked towards me with a surprised and familiar yet slightly sad look.
His mouth opened and closed a few times, then he said in a small voice.
"Kyle? Is that you??"