The morning air was cold.
But the streets… were full.
People from all over the region gathered in one place.
Young fighters.
Nobles in elegant clothes.
Commoners with determined eyes.
Ren walked silently among them.
The sword rested on his back.
"I'm definitely going to lose…"
But he kept walking.
---
A massive gate stood before them.
Tall… heavy… covered in strange symbols.
"The Royal Army Entrance Exam…"
Thousands stood before it.
Then—
*BOOOOM*
The gate opened.
A man stepped forward.
"This exam is not a game."
"If you are weak… leave."
Some stepped back.
"Four stages will decide your fate."
---
Stage One:
"Release your Aether."
Power exploded everywhere.
Fire. Wind. Earth.
Everyone showed their strength.
Ren raised his hand…
Nothing.
He tried again…
Still nothing.
Laughter spread.
"Is he serious?"
"He has no power? 😂"
Ren lowered his hand.
"…I failed."
---
Stage Two:
"Those who failed… stay."
Shock spread.
"Second chance?"
"Test of endurance."
*BOOOOM*
A heavy pressure crushed everyone.
Many fell.
Ren trembled…
but didn't fall.
Time passed…
and he remained standing.
"…I passed?"
---
Stage Three:
"Remaining… 234."
"Matches. One vs one."
"Winner advances."
"Ren Kazuki."
His opponent smiled.
"Easy win."
The fight began.
Ren tried to use his sword…
but failed.
*BOOM*
He was defeated easily.
Laughter.
"Too weak."
He stood up silently.
His friends… didn't laugh.
A girl… watched him quietly.
---
After all matches—
"Losers… will get one more chance."
Shock.
Ren looked up.
"…another chance."
---
Stage Four:
"Form teams of four."
234 people.
58 full teams… and 2 left without teams.
Chaos began.
"No, not him."
"He's weak."
Ren stood alone.
He walked to his friends.
"Can I join?"
"…Sorry."
"We want to pass."
He froze.
"…I understand."
He turned away.
Alone.
---
"Do you want to team up?"
A girl stood before him.
Ren was shocked.
"…Okay."
She said:
"We need two more."
A boy stepped forward.
"I saw your fight… you didn't give up."
Another joined.
"I already lost… doesn't matter."
Now they were four.
---
"Names?" one asked.
Silence.
😂
Ren said:
"I'm Ren."
No one else answered.
The boy said:
"Don't trust anyone, idiot."
Ren: "We just became a team…"
The girl sighed:
"You name yourselves."
"Should I call you one, two, three?"
"Shut up."
---
Suddenly—
A commander appeared.
*WHOOSH*
Aether light covered the area.
They were teleported.
A massive battlefield.
---
"Rules are simple."
"If three members fall… the team loses."
"Fight however you want."
"We have healers."
"No restrictions."
---
A line was drawn on the ground.
"Anyone who leaves this line… loses."
"Only the last 8 teams…"
"…will pass."
---
Ren looked at his team.
Strangers.
Weak.
But—
"…at least I'm not alone."
---
The real battle…
was about to begin.
End of Chapter 2 🔥