Silence washed over the hall after the director's words.
She raised her hand lightly—yet the entire place fell into an almost perfect stillness. Even breathing became audible.
Standing tall, she swept her crimson eyes across the crowd. Those eyes carried more than one meaning… authority, power, and perhaps a subtle warning. That single look was enough to make several candidates straighten their backs as if under direct inspection.
She spoke clearly:
"Pay close attention… The entrance exam will consist of two main stages."
Some candidates exchanged anxious glances, while others clenched their fists with excitement.
She lifted two fingers and continued:
"First — the written examination.
Second — the practical trial."
A soft wave of whispers spread through the rows. Some felt confident about the practical part, others were relieved there was a written test at all, and a few looked confused—why would a world built on combat need a theoretical exam?
As for Nyx… he remained utterly unfazed.
He already knew this scenario.
The questions, the structure, even the results.
Yet his expression stayed calm, unreadable, barely showing interest.
---
A few minutes later…
A supervisor guided them into a large room lined with rows of long desks. The air was dense with tension. Some students were flipping through notes desperately, while others bounced their legs, unable to calm down.
Nyx sat in his seat as the supervisor placed the test sheet before him.
"You have one hour.
Any attempt at cheating… will lead to immediate expulsion."
His voice sliced through the room like a blade. Many students swallowed hard.
Nyx picked up the sheet and scanned the questions.
They were varied—neither too simple nor too difficult. Exactly as he remembered from the novel.
Examples of the questions included:
1. What is the fundamental difference between raw mana and refined mana?
2. According to modern studies, which elemental attribute is considered the rarest?
3. What natural limits in the human body determine the maximum mana capacity?
4. Briefly describe one method for stabilizing a mana network during consecutive spellcasting.
5. What causes mana vortexes to appear near spatial fissures?
6. Which class of monsters exhibits linear attack patterns instead of random ones, and why?
7. Define "internal mana pressure" and explain how it affects the user's health.
They were standard, foundational questions expected of anyone applying to Arcalion Academy.
While everyone else began writing frantically…
Nyx completed the entire exam in ten minutes.
The supervisor raised an eyebrow when Nyx handed in the sheet so early, but said nothing—there was no rule against finishing quickly.
Nyx left the room calmly while the others struggled inside… sweating, trembling, or stopping every few minutes to breathe.
His thoughts were simple:
Knowledge is the easy part.
The real test starts now.
---
After the written exam, all candidates were ushered back into the main hall where the director awaited them. She stood just as firmly as before—long black hair draping over her shoulders, crimson eyes sweeping over them as if she could see straight through each person.
Once everyone gathered, she said:
"The written exam tested your knowledge.
The practical exam… will test your skill, your courage, and your ability to adapt."
She paused.
Not a normal pause—a deliberate silence that made her earlier words sink deeply into everyone's mind.
Some shivered.
Others felt a surge of excitement.
Then she lowered her hand slightly and declared:
"The practical exam will take place… inside an artificial rift."
A wave of surprise rippled through the hall.
Not everyone had seen a rift before.
Whispers erupted:
"A rift? A real one?"
"No way… how are we supposed to deal with that?"
"If it's artificial, then it must be full of traps…"
"Are we fighting real monsters?"
The director raised her hand again. Silence returned instantly.
"This rift was created for one purpose—to test you in every possible way.
Inside, you will face monsters… and fellow candidates.
The rules are simple:
Gather as many points as possible."
She clarified further:
"You can earn points by defeating monsters…
or by defeating other candidates.
But don't worry—any injury that could be fatal will teleport you out immediately and safely."
Relief spread among many of them.
The thought of not actually dying allowed the tension in the room to ease—if only slightly.
But for others, that relief brought a different realization:
"If no one can die… then everyone will fight without hesitation."
Anxiety and excitement mixed together into a single electric atmosphere.
Nyx glanced around:
• Some candidates were psyching themselves up
• Some were sweating nervously
• Others were trying to hide their fear
• And only a rare few stayed calm
As for him…
Nothing changed.
A steady gaze, controlled breathing, no hint of tension.
Six hours… more than enough.
He remembered every detail he had written.
---
The director raised her hand once more. A faint wave of mana rippled across the hall, forming an invisible boundary.
She announced firmly:
"The practical exam will last… six full hours."
Many gasped.
It was far longer than anyone expected.
But she gave them no time to complain.
"Only the top one thousand candidates will earn a place at Arcalion Academy.
So—give it everything you have.
Show us what you truly are."
Her eyes swept across them again, silencing every thought of protest.
"And remember…"
She stepped forward, the air subtly trembling around her.
"This is not merely a test of strength.
It is a test of strategy, adaptability,
and your ability to think under pressure."
Her words struck like a final, decisive blow.
"So… use your wits as much as your magic."
A heavy silence fell before whispers slowly rose again—this time mixed with anticipation of the coming challenge.
Nyx stood still, and one thought crossed his mind:
"All right… time to do my best."