After the director finished her announcement, she stepped back, giving room to a row of instructors who moved swiftly into position. Everything was clearly organized with strict precision. Still, the tension among the candidates only grew sharper as the real test approached.
One of the instructors—a broad-shouldered man with a trimmed beard and a voice powerful enough to silence the entire arena—lifted a glowing mana board.
He spoke firmly:
"Listen carefully! The point system is as follows."
He raised his first finger.
"Defeating an F-rank creature grants you 20 points."
Second finger.
"An E-rank monster is worth 60 points."
Third.
"A D-rank monster will give you 100 points."
He paused briefly before continuing with a heavier tone:
"And lastly… there are only two C-rank monsters inside the rift. Anyone who manages to kill one will earn 500 points instantly."
A wave of alarmed whispers spread immediately. Some eyes widened; others swallowed hard.
"C-rank…? Impossible!"
"This is insane…"
"I just want to survive—this isn't a joke!"
Even Nyx felt a slight shiver run down his spine.
He had never fought a creature at that level before.
He knew exactly what it meant:
Strength.
Speed.
Predatory instincts.
A completely different league.
But his expression remained the same—calm and unreadable.
The instructor continued:
"Important note—if you choose to form a team, points will be divided equally.
Also… you will be transported randomly throughout the rift. Do not expect to land near your friends."
Then, in a lighter yet ominous tone:
"Be ready for anything."
Those simple words only added fuel to the rising anxiety.
Some students clenched their hands.
Others inhaled deeply.
A few nobles stomped their feet in irritation.
Nyx simply took a long breath… and released it slowly.
This was it.
No turning back.
The magical seals carved into the ground began to glow, activating the teleportation array. A swirling vortex of blue and white light formed beneath their feet. Even the air grew heavier, charged with mana.
Candidates exchanged frightened looks.
"Please… no C-rank monsters…"
"Just F-ranks… that's all I'm asking."
"I'm not ready to die…"
Some hands trembled.
Others tried to act brave.
But in truth… they were all terrified.
With a blinding flash—
The ground vanished beneath them.
---
Nyx felt his body being pulled in every direction at once.
The world blurred into streaks of spinning color, and distant sounds stretched and twisted in his ears.
It was far from pleasant.
Then—just as suddenly—it stopped.
He landed on his feet and stabilized himself instantly.
Opening his eyes, he found himself surrounded by a dense forest. The trees towered like colossal pillars, their branches blocking most of the sunlight. Only thin, scattered rays reached the ground. The air was cold, filled with the scent of damp soil and moss.
The place wasn't frightening by itself…
but the silence pressing over it was unnerving.
This rift was different from any real forest.
The mana here… felt tense.
Nyx rested his hand on his sword's hilt.
No room for hesitation.
But before he could finish the thought, his senses flared.
Something was moving.
He turned sharply to the left just as a massive beast burst through the bushes.
A boar—but not an ordinary one.
Its hide was incredibly thick, covered in hardened plates like layers of stone. Its short tusks curved forward, and its glowing red eyes radiated hostility. Even its breathing made the ground beneath Nyx vibrate faintly.
A magical mana beast—D-rank.
The Armored Boar.
He recognized it instantly.
He had read about it dozens of times…
He had written about it himself.
He muttered with dry sarcasm:
"Of course… a D-rank right from the start."
The monster scraped the ground with its hoof—
and then launched forward with terrifying force.
The air split around it, bushes trembling violently from the pressure.
Nyx raised his sword and steadied his stance.
The entrance exam… had truly begun.