Even though all my questions were answered, I wasn't satisfied with the story. It looked like a made-up story, but because I had no memory of the incident, I moved on from it.
The nurse told me to rest for 5 more days for full recovery and the girl who followed the nurse was a second-year student in the academy and the one who saved my life. She looks elegantly beautiful with her deep blue hair which reaches until her waist looking like an angel.
"You slept for five days straight, and the entrance exam was over in the due time. So, you will have an exam in a week, which is for late admissions. Be prepared for the exam." She told me what she was required to say about the exam and left the infirmary.
"You're quite lucky mate, the 'Ice Lady' herself is daily visiting you and she's even taking care of you. Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Zodwic Dooner from Sorida Town and a first year." he spoke as he was lying next to me on a bed with a bandage tied to his wrist.
"I'm Kex Tejowrath and I'm not a student here, I have an exam for the upcoming week which is for late admissions. Do you know anything about its pattern or how the exam would be conducted?" I asked him while drinking water.
"You're not a student then how come you are at the academy's infirmary." his eyes were filled with curiosity waiting for my reply.
"Actually, I woke up today after my accident and I was rescued by the girl who came to see me. That's how I ended up here." - Kex.
"I get it now, well LEE [Late Entries Exam] was originally made up for the noble or big family-named kids who couldn't perform better in the Entrance Exam. It accepts 100 applications and only 25 get admitted which 20 seats are already given or bought by the higher-ups for their children, so the remaining 80 students must fight for the 5 seats remaining. If you can't come out as top 5, your dream of studying here will need to end." he spoke out with his serious and stern facial expressions.
If I need to get to admitted in academy, I must defeat others and be in the top 5. If I get through it, I can proudly meet Lady Eve.
"If you don't mind, can I call you Zod?" - Kex
"Yeah sure, I don't mind you can call me anything you want." - Zod
"Umm Delly, what happened to your wrist?" - Kex
"Well, I got hurt during the training with a student. His attacks were too fast and strong for me to defend and in the process, I got hurt. It's not a big problem, the nurse said that it will be healed in a day." he removed the bandage and showed his swollen wrist.
A few days went by in the blink of an eye while I was resting on the bed, and I was fully recovered. So, I started exercising and training two days before the exam.
On Exam Day
As Zod said there were 80 participants present at the training ground for the LEE.
The air buzzed with tension and excitement as we stood in lines under the morning sun. On the stage, three instructors stood like statues, radiating power and composure. One of them stepped forward, his voice cutting through the chatter like a blade through silk.
He explained the structure: three categories — Magic, Swordsmanship, and Martial Arts. Passing even one could keep you in the running, but failing all meant immediate elimination. The first test would be the magic power check-up, and we'd be called by our token numbers. Mine was 50.
At first, it will be the magic power check-up. The threshold of the test is that all the participants need to use their magic and do some damage to the object. The participants were called by the token numbers they were given to; my number was 50. Most of the participants couldn't do much damage to the object which was a small rock golem.
Most participants couldn't do much damage to the golem, while a few managed to destroy it entirely. When my turn came, I focused on my uso and conjured a medium-sized fireball, blasting the golem and dealing significant damage. Though it wasn't completely destroyed, the golem was heavily damaged, and I passed the magic test.
A participant can make a comeback in the other two categories swordsmanship or martial arts, if they cannot be successful in any category they are gonna be eliminated from the test.
Next was the swordsmanship test where we needed to inflict some damage on the scarecrows but in a single blow if not use double or triple blows if needed but not more than three. Participant after participant stepped up. Some played it safe with a triple-blow combo. Others attempted single strikes with bravado but missed the target's weak point. A few elite contenders sliced the scarecrows in two like they were cutting paper.
When it was my turn, I walked toward the rack, selected a balanced longsword, and exhaled deeply. The arena quieted. I took my stance — grounded, focused, every muscle coiled like a drawn bow. The scarecrow stood ten meters ahead, stuffed and armoured at key joints.
I sprinted toward it, closing the distance with a burst of speed, then shifted mid-step and lunged. My blade struck with perfect precision at the neck joint. The scarecrow's head flew off cleanly, spinning through the air before landing with a soft thud.
The crowd stirred. I turned to face the instructors, and even they looked surprised.
At last, the martial arts test where we need to fight with the instructor. The instructor was sweeping the training ground with the participants, and some were able to give a good fight. When it was my turn, I tried the attacks I learned from the book which an old man gave me once, it was named 'Twin-Sun Style'.
As the match began, I rushed him, launching a barrage of punches, kicks, elbow strikes — every inch of me a weapon. My fists blurred in the air, a dance of aggression.He evaded with ease. His footwork was divine, almost lazy, but efficient. My blows struck nothing but air or grazed his clothes. Still, I kept pushing, my energy not fading, my tempo only rising. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
Finally, after what felt like minutes but was surely under one, he stepped back, raised a hand, and signaled the end.
"You've got fire," he said. "And instinct. Your execution just needs sharpening."
RESULTS
Evening fell, and the participants were gathered once more under the fading light. The instructors had spent hours reviewing performances. Finally, one of them stepped up to the podium, a list in hand.
They called out the top five, from fifth to first.
"Fifth place — Arven Sorell."
Applause.
"Fourth — Meera Valheim."
More claps.
"Third — Juno Calvas."
I felt my heartbeat slow, disappointment creeping in. I wasn't on the list. I clenched my fists. Was it not enough?
"Second place — Kex Tejowrath."
My head snapped up.
"Your swordsmanship and martial arts are top notch, with magic being better than most. Congratulations on your rank."
Stunned, I walked to the stage, my steps measured. The crowd murmured, some surprised, some impressed. I stood alongside the other top participants.
# uso - the energy present in this world like chakra or nen or reiastu.