The Academy's huge Auditorium was packed with students. Hundreds of them sat in neat rows under a massive domed ceiling, painted with stars that moved like real constellations.
Suddenly, a loud voice silenced the crowd.
"Students!"
Everyone turned to look. A tall man with steel-gray hair. stepped onto the stage. Magical symbols glowed on his clothes, and he looked more like a general than a school principal.
"I am Principal Gregoras," he said. His voice was deep and powerful. "Thank you for coming. Out of thousands who applied, only you were chosen."
Ezren leaned over and whispered, "He sounds like the final boss of a video game."
Kagetsu didn't blink. "what is that."
"Never mind" Ezren replied with a dejected look
Gregoras went on, "Only sixty of you will be accepted this year. To earn your place... you must survive."
The room grew quiet.
"Your entrance exam will last three days. You'll be split into teams of two and dropped into a special wilderness zone. Your goal is to survive, and earn points."
Ezren tilted his head. "Points?"
Gregoras raised his hand. A glowing image appeared above the crowd, showing two floating crystals with score numbers next to them.
"Each team will get a crystal. If it's taken, you're eliminated. You earn points by beating magical creatures or other teams. Beasts are worth 5 to 25 points. Taking a team's crystal gives you 10 points."
A student raised his hand. "How do we know when someone's eliminated?"
Gregoras nodded. "Lose your crystal, and you're out. You can fight, trick people, form alliances, whatever works."
Ezren leaned toward Kagetsu. "Let's go with the 'trick people' plan. I'll act dumb. I've had practice."
"You already are," Kagetsu said with a straight face.
Gregoras looked over the crowd one last time. "If there are no more questions… your teams are waiting outside. Move out!"
The students rushed outside.
Ezren and Kagetsu walked together across the training field.
Ezren clapped Kagetsu on the back. "Alright, partner. Let's turn this island into our playground."
"More like a battlefield," Kagetsu muttered.
They stepped into a glowing portal, and the world spun.
In a flash, they stood on a giant island full of rivers, mountains, and dark forests. Everything looked peaceful... but also dangerous.
Ezren stretched. "Ah… smells like victory."
Then paused.
"…Also danger. And maybe lizard poop."
He looked at Kagetsu. "So… how do we get points? You don't have any magic, and I barely know how to use mine. Also, a squirrel just gave me the stink-eye."
Kagetsu stayed calm. "We'll be smart. Set traps, hide, wait for others to fight. Then grab the points when they're weak."
Ezren pointed behind Kagetsu. "Uh… buddy?"
Kagetsu frowned. "What?"
He turned.
ROOOAAAR.
They both screamed and ran for their lives.
Ezren didn't get far before slamming into someone.
"Gah!"
He fell on his butt. The guy he hit didn't even move. He just stood there, holding a bundle of sticks like he was out camping.
"What are you doing?" the boy asked calmly. "Who are you?"
Ezren rubbed his forehead. "I'm Ezren. That's Kagetsu. We're being chased by something very big and very angry."
The boy straightened. He had bright orange hair, and a serious look. He gave off a powerful vibe, like even the wind respected him.
"I'm Enjin," he said. "My partner is scouting. I don't have our crystal, so don't try anything."
Ezren held up his hands. "No worries. We're not crazy."
Then the forest exploded.
A massive wyvern burst through the trees, wings spread, fire dripping from its mouth.
"GET DOWN!" Enjin shouted, not loud, just firm. Like a command you had to obey.
He raised one hand, and a ball of fire appeared in his palm. The air around him grew hot.
"Fire Creation Magic: Solaris!"
He launched the fireball at the wyvern. It exploded on the beast's side, making it roar even louder.
Ezren dove behind a tree. "Nope. Nope. This is above my skill level."
Kagetsu, being Kagetsu, ran straight at the wyvern and punched it, twice, before getting kicked into a bush.
"…Ow," came his voice.
Enjin stepped forward, eyes glowing like tiny suns. His cloak fluttered from the heat around him.
He spoke softly, but with power.
"Final technique… Eternal Flame."
A beam of pure fire blasted from his hands. It was so bright and hot, Ezren had to shield his eyes.
When it was over…
The wyvern was gone. Only ash remained.
Ezren peeked out. "Note to self: never mess with a fire guy."
Kagetsu groaned from the bush. "Ow…"
Enjin brushed off his cloak and turned away from the smoldering ground.
"You two better toughen up. That was just one beast. Worse ones are out there."
He disappeared into the forest, leaving only silence, scorched dirt, and two very shocked students.
Ezren stared at the ashes. "…So. Orientation was the easy part."
Kagetsu sat up, still covered in leaves. "Do you think he gives lessons?"
Ezren laughed nervously.
Yeah.
The exam had definitely begun.