After the duel event,
everyone returned to their own business.
Baldwin and Athan also made their way
to the entrance exam area.
In the crowded plaza, people were parting like waves, making way for Baldwin and Athan as they walked through.
"I wonder why that girl didn't come with us?" Athan mumbled.
"Lilly? I think she had enough for one day," Baldwin replied with a chuckle.
Eventually, they reached the front of the line.
There was a stage, and standing atop it was a single man.
"Today, you are all here to learn—not to fight one another," the man declared, his voice calm yet commanding. "Even if your power leans toward the dark, use it for good. Remember, just because someone has dark power… doesn't mean they are dark."
He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, lifting his gaze to the sky, he continued.
"In this world, not everyone is born a mage. Not everyone carries the spark of magic from birth. But that doesn't matter. As long as you're willing to work hard—truly work for it—you can achieve it."
The entire crowd began clapping in unison, moved by his words.
"Nice speech," Baldwin thought to himself, arms crossed as he looked toward the stage.
After the speech, the students were led to the testing grounds.
Whispers echoed in every direction—but not about the test itself.
It was Baldwin and Athan that drew silent stares.
Whether out of fear or awe, most students instinctively kept their distance.
The participants were split into 49 groups.
Each group held between 50 to 70 students.
Every group had its own characteristics—ranging from bloodline prestige to magical aptitude.
Baldwin and Athan were assigned to Group VI, the nobles' division.
Yet strangely, even the noble heirs avoided them, shifting nervously when the two approached.
"We shall begin the test now," came the proctor's voice from the front.
"Athan," Baldwin said calmly, "what's your plan?"
"I don't plan on playing hero today," Athan replied, folding his arms. "I'll be using my blood powers. This world seems to lack vampires, so no one will recognize it."
"Don't tease me, Athan," Baldwin said with a smirk. "Remember—this is part of our grand plan."
"Grand plan?" Athan muttered, raising a brow. "I'm sure even the readers are confused by now."
"Let them be," Baldwin said, smiling faintly. "They should trust the author... and me."
"Fair enough," Athan muttered, shaking his head with a sigh.
Suddenly, a female voice echoed through the field, crisp and clear:
"Roll number 23456. Name: Baldwin."
"Here it comes," Baldwin whispered, stepping forward.
Athan leaned back, arms folded. "So what's your plan this time?"
Baldwin's boots echoed as he walked ahead.
"It's not just about this time, Athan," he said without turning back. "It's about every time."
From the shadow beneath his feet, Baldwin pulled forth a sword and a strange black tome—Inkbound—as the murmurs in the crowd grew louder.
—Is that a spellbook?
—Did he just summon it from his shadow?
—Who even is this guy?
Baldwin's eyes narrowed.
"Inkbound. You ready?" he said telepathically.
"Nah… I think I'm gonna mess this one up," Inkbound replied dryly inside his mind.
"Like you always do," Baldwin muttered to Inkbound through their link.
Hey, don't blame me if I actually mess up this time, the book replied lazily in his mind.
The instructor stepped forward and raised her hand.
"Your first task: use any form of magic. Just strike the wall. But only with magic," she added, glancing pointedly at Baldwin.
He gave a calm nod.
Raising Inkbound, he let it float just above his palm.
The ancient book responded with a resonant hum, flipping open midair. Its pages pulsed with radiant light—white brilliance outlined with a subtle crimson sheen. The glow cast strange shadows over Baldwin's face.
A single fireball emerged slowly from the center of the book. It didn't rush—it drifted forward gently, spinning once, then twice—delicate, like a child's toy dancing in slow motion.
Then—
Boom.
It vanished—launched with explosive speed, a comet across the sky.
Most students didn't even register the motion.
They saw only the aftermath: a deafening explosion, a shockwave of dust, and the remains of a shattered wall. What had once been solid stone now bore a perfect, clean hole—smooth, scorched, and gaping.
The murmurs came fast.
"What... what just happened?" "Was that fire? Or lightning?" "Did anyone see it move?"
The crowd buzzed like dry grass crackling under invisible wind.
Baldwin lowered his hand. "It's done," he said, voice calm, almost indifferent.
"Stand by the line. Your exam isn't over yet," the instructor said firmly, unfazed.
"Alright," Baldwin replied casually, turning away and walking toward the line of those who had passed.
Then came a voice. Curious. Cautious.
"Hey... you seem very strong."
A girl.
He didn't look back. "Strong? Hmm. Maybe I am," he said with a slight shrug in his tone.
"Are you alone here?" she asked, stepping closer.
"No," Baldwin said. He nodded toward the stage. "See that boy up there?"
Her eyes followed his gesture. "Yes. Black hair like yours… but his eyes—he doesn't have red eyes."
"I'm sure you saw what you saw," Baldwin said, tone quiet. "But that doesn't make you right... or wrong."
The girl tilted her head. "What does that even mean?"
Before Baldwin could reply, Athan raised a single finger toward the wall.
A cut opened along his fingertip, blood beginning to drip.
But the drops didn't fall.
They floated—spiraling upward, dancing in midair like threads of crimson silk. Athan's eyes changed, gleaming a deep, unnerving red.
Then—he fired.
The blood transformed in the blink of an eye, forming a colossal blade that hurled forward like a divine punishment.
Crash!
The wall exploded—twice as violently as Baldwin's. The ground trembled. Dust surged outward in a wave. Echoes of destruction bounced across the field.
More gasps. More chaos.
"Did he just—?" "Blood magic?" "What are these two?!"
The girl beside Baldwin exhaled slowly. Her voice had changed—quieter now, maybe impressed.
"I see what you mean," she murmured. "I'm Isabella."
"I'm Baldwin," he replied with a chuckle, glancing at Athan as he walked over.
"You've passed the first step," the instructor announced. "Stand in line."
Athan gave a casual nod and moved beside Baldwin.
"It seems we have company, Baldwin," he whispered.
"No," Baldwin replied, smiling faintly. "Just a visitor."