It was 7:30 a.m. when Tia arrived at school.
Calmly, he made his way toward the field where hundreds of students had already gathered.
Some were seated inside the buses.
Others stood outside chatting nervously.
Tia stepped onto one of the buses and quietly took a seat near the back.
Today was the day.
His chest tightened slightly.
There's still time.
A voice whispered softly in the back of his mind.
You can still leave.
His fingers curled tightly into the sleeves of his uniform.
Is this really the right path?
Will I regret this again?
The bus rumbled forward slowly.
Tia lowered his head slightly.
Maybe I should just give up.
The thought lingered briefly—
Before he bit the inside of his lip hard.
"…Stop it."
He muttered under his breath.
"Stop overthinking."
His trembling hands slowly tightened together.
Then—
He exhaled.
And forced himself to look outside the window.
Blue sky.
Clear clouds.
Peaceful.
"The sky is blue…"
His voice came out quietly.
A pause.
"…The sky is still blue."
Slowly—
His shoulders loosened slightly.
Breathe.
Just do your best.
******
The drive to the Central Stadium took hours.
By the time they arrived—
It was already 12:30 p.m.
Only thirty minutes before the examination.
Students poured out of the buses one after another before moving toward the massive stadium entrance.
Tia followed silently behind them.
The stadium was enormous.
Students from countless schools filled the area completely.
Some talked excitedly with their friends.
Others hid quietly in corners, unable to hide their nervousness.
Only a few stood confidently.
Eyes sharp.
Posture firm.
Confidence radiating naturally from them.
Tia's gaze swept calmly across the stadium.
…Exactly the same.
Nothing had changed.
Then—
Two figures dressed in long black coats lined with silver silk stepped onto the stage.
The noise gradually died down.
"Good afternoon."
One of them stepped forward.
"Welcome to the Second Evolution Examination."
His voice echoed throughout the massive stadium clearly.
"This examination will determine your classification, rank, and future placement."
A large screen flickered to life above the stage.
SECOND EVOLUTION EXAMINATION
This examination determines dormant abilities and hidden traits.
Any unauthorized item will be treated as malpractice.
Artifacts used to artificially increase power will be detected immediately.
Only qualified candidates will advance.
Soon—
A medium-sized table was wheeled onto the stage.
Resting atop it—
Was a large transparent orb.
"Hope everyone has read and understood the instructions."
The officer's eyes swept across the crowd.
"This exam is simple."
"One at a time, you will place your hand on the orb."
"It will reveal your rank… and the hidden trait you possess."
A brief pause followed.
"First candidate."
Silence.
Thousands of students froze instantly.
A boy near the front shifted nervously.
Someone swallowed loudly.
Another student quietly stepped backward.
But no one moved forward.
One second passed.
Then two.
Then five.
The atmosphere inside the stadium gradually became heavier.
Tia stood quietly among them.
Calm.
Watching.
Everyone dreams of entering the Academy.
The fame.
The glory.
The chance to become a hero.
But they never accept the reality that follows.
Only a handful would rise.
The rest—
Would disappear into the crowd.
And me…
Tia lowered his eyes slightly.
Where exactly do I stand?
A quiet breath escaped his lips.
Well…
Life rarely goes the way you expect.
If memory served him right—
The first person to step forward would be—
Mu Liani.
And right about now—
5.
4.
3.