Chapter 11 — The Tests Begin
The hall buzzed like an overcharged mana core.
Dozens of students shifted, whispering behind hands as Vee approached the seating area.
"Is that really him…?"
"Looks too calm. Creepy."
"I heard he dismantled a noble heir last year—without magic."
Vee ignored them and sat beside a girl with bright amber eyes. She flinched, startled.
"O-Oh, um… hello," she said, straightening her uniform.
He nodded once. "Seat was empty."
"That's… true," she replied, unsure if she should be relieved or offended.
Before the awkwardness grew, the hall shook—a deep, rolling tremor like thunder caged beneath stone.
Mana pressure crashed down from above.
Gasps spread like wildfire.
"—He's here."
"No way…!"
"T-That's the Headmaster…?"
A tall, broad figure stepped onto the stage. His presence alone silenced the room.
The Headmaster.
The Academy's Powerhouse.
A man ranked so high that even royalty treated him with caution.
His voice boomed, unamplified yet shaking the air.
"Welcome, new students. I am Headmaster Draivos, and today marks the beginning of your path. Most of you will fail. Some of you will break. A handful may stand out."
Students gulped.
The girl beside Vee whispered, "He's terrifying…"
Vee agreed silently.
Not that he feared the headmaster — it was simply fact.
Kai Appears
The crowd parted near the back as a boy walked in late, steps steady, almost casual.
Vee's gaze flicked to him instinctively.
Kai.
Something in him set off alarms.
Not danger.
Not hostility.
Something… inconvenient.
A sense that trouble magnetized around this boy like lightning to metal.
Vee narrowed his eyes.
Note to self, he thought.
Avoid him.
The Headmaster Continues
"Today's entrance evaluation will be divided into three tests," Draivos announced. "Your ranks will determine which class you belong to."
A noble scoffed loudly, "Pfft, classes? As if any test could—"
Draivos looked at him.
Just looked.
The noble collapsed into his seat, drenched in sweat.
The hall remained dead silent.
"Good," the headmaster said. "Let us begin."
Test 1 — Agility & Endurance
"You will run the arena circuit until the instructors signal your completion," Draivos said. "Mana techniques allowed. Sabotage is not."
One student groaned, "This is going to kill me…"
Another: "Endurance? Seriously? I skipped breakfast!"
A third: "Look at Vee—he doesn't even look nervous."
They were right.
Vee wasn't nervous.
He was… assessing.
Then he remembered.
He could check his stats.
He whispered mentally:
Status.
A translucent screen appeared only he could see.
[Name: Vee]
[Race: Human]
[Rank: ???]
Strength: B+
Agility: A
Endurance: A-
Mana Aptitude: C
Soul Potential: ???
Luck: S (Upgradeable)
His eyes narrowed slightly.
S-Rank Luck… and upgradable?
That was absurd.
Luck wasn't something people improved — it was a divine joke or blessing.
"Huh…" he muttered.
The girl beside him peeked. "Did you say something?"
"Nothing," Vee replied.
Test 2 — Strength & Skill
Headmaster Draivos raised a hand.
"You will demonstrate raw power and combat technique. Weapons provided. No killing."
"...define killing?" one student whispered.
"Breathing," another replied dryly.
Students laughed nervously.
Test 3 — The Portal
Draivos pointed behind him, where a swirling vortex of violet and silver mana spun open.
"For the final test, you will enter this portal. What lies inside is not lethal… usually."
Panic spread.
"U-U-Usually?!"
"Why does he sound like he enjoys this?"
"I want to transfer to a florist academy…"
Draivos continued, ignoring the chaos.
"Inside, you will face creatures, illusions, puzzles—whatever the portal chooses. Survive and return. Those who cannot… will not proceed."
Vee rose from his seat, expression unreadable.
He glanced once more at Kai.
Kai smirked at nothing, as if he already knew something no one else did.
Avoid him, Vee reminded himself.
And then the headmaster shouted:
"Students! Follow me to the arena!"
The tests…
Had officially begun