Nix woke slowly, opening his eyes to the quiet calm of morning drifting in through the window. He sat up, instinctively checking his body… no pain. No lingering wounds. No stiffness in his muscles. Nothing that hinted at last night's battle.
He touched his shoulder—where one of Nazagul's strikes had hit him.
The skin was smooth, unblemished.
"…Fully healed?"
After a moment of processing, he exhaled softly.
It was probably the effect of his Rapid Recovery trait.
There was no other reasonable explanation.
He got up and went about his morning. He made a simple breakfast—warm bread, some fruit, and a cup of mild herbal tea—then sat down with his sword, practicing a few basic movements he had been training over the past two days. After that, he shifted into a meditative posture and began circulating mana through his body.
The mana wasn't difficult to control… but it was dense—strong in a way unexpected for someone supposedly at the beginning of their journey. So he focused on keeping the flow stable: not explosive, not erratic.
Half an hour later, he opened his eyes feeling lighter.
"…Good enough for now."
He took a warm shower, more out of routine than necessity, then dried his white hair, put on comfortable yet presentable clothing, and strapped his sword to his waist.
Before leaving, he glanced around the room for a brief second.
Today was the beginning of everything.
He stepped outside—into the streets of Meracil.
---
The City of Meracil – Heart of the Continent of Valsern
The streets pulsed with life. The morning air was crisp, filled with the sounds of a bustling city—a blend of modern charm and magical vibrance.
Vendors called out as they displayed their goods:
monster hides, softly glowing mana herbs, small elemental crystals, even lightweight weapons laid out openly.
Above him, sky-trains glided across suspended mana rails, leaving faint blue trails behind them like luminous ribbons. On the ground, enchanted horses pulled sleek carriages—old meeting new in perfect harmony.
Buildings towered overhead, forged from carved stone etched with ancient script, merged seamlessly with metal and glass designs.
"A strange world…" Nix murmured. "But a beautiful one."
He continued walking, watching mages perform small spells. A child lit a small orb of light; another swirled wind around their hand excitedly.
On the other side of the street, a man shouted:
"Highland wolf pelts! Genuine Daywolf fangs! Best prices you'll ever find!"
Nix chuckled under his breath.
There was something about this lively chaos that made him want to experience more of this world.
After nearly an hour of walking, he noticed the crowd thickening as they moved in the same direction.
Soon… he saw it.
---
Arcaleon Academy
Nix stood on a small hill overlooking the colossal structure—an enormous, modernized fortress. Arcaleon stretched so wide that his eyes needed several seconds just to take it all in.
Its walls were built from refined gray stone, streaked with glowing blue mana lines that pulsed like living veins through the structure. Towering spires rose high, crowned by a massive carved mana bird glinting under the sun.
The gate itself was gigantic, wrapped in a faint shifting shield—appearing and disappearing like a soft magical ripple. Dozens of instructors and guards stood there, wearing golden emblems symbolizing the academy.
Yes… this was undeniably the greatest academy on the continent.
Thousands of youths were gathered outside the entrance. Their voices, hopes, and nerves blended into a single storm of anticipation.
Some were dressed plainly like Nix; others wore luxurious robes marking them as nobility. To the right, gilded carriages bearing the crests of famous capital families waited with servants and guards.
Nix noticed the class differences immediately, but he didn't care.
He simply watched with quiet focus.
Most of them will be my rivals today… but that's fine. I came here for what I want.
Nearby, a group of applicants chatted excitedly.
"I heard the Royal Valis Hero is taking the exam this year!"
"You're crazy—Leander?!"
"Yes! Imagine competing against someone chosen by the Light Goddess!"
Nix recognized the name instantly.
Leander… so he really is here. Just like in the story.
A faint smile—barely visible—touched his lips.
"…This might be fun."
He stepped forward, raising his gaze to the academy gates once more.
The grandeur, the power, the history, the mana saturating the air—all of it made this place feel unlike anything else.
He took a deep breath.
"All right… shall we begin?"
A subtle smile formed—half excitement, half caution.
It was time to discover his true place in this world.
And so… he took his first step toward the exam.