Chapter 12 - Entrance Test (2)

After Vice Principal Elva disappeared, the stadium buzzed with chatter.

Some students were visibly nervous at the mention of a written exam, anxiously whispering about what kind of questions might appear. Others brimmed with confidence, convinced they'd ace it.

And then there were those… whose minds were elsewhere.

A few boys stood huddled together, their eyes still filled with the lingering image of the seductive Vice Principal.

"Damn… she was unreal."

"I swear, she just smiled at me."

"Bro, she smiled at everyone."

"But it felt different with me."

Ash glanced at them, his expression flat.

'They're already disqualified.'

He sighed inwardly, shaking his head.

'She didn't leave. She just turned invisible. And now, she's listening to every single conversation.'

His gaze flickered toward a seemingly empty space in the air, where he could feel the lingering presence of the SS-rank mage.

'I'm glad I knew about this beforehand. Otherwise, I'd be out before even stepping foot in the academy.'

He tightened his grip on the strap of his bag.

"I need to get in at all costs," he murmured under his breath. "With my potential capped at A-rank, I can't afford to waste time. If I don't find another way to grow stronger…"

His voice trailed off as a soft sound came from behind him.

"Excuse me."

Ash turned.

Standing there was Elysia Moonglow.

'Oh. I totally forgot about her.'

The silver-haired girl stood in front of him, her crimson eyes peeking up at him with an unreadable expression.

'Should I keep an eye on her? Her personality is completely different from how she was in the novel…'

He was still lost in thought when she spoke again—this time a little louder.

"Excuse me."

Ash blinked, snapping out of it.

"Yes? How can I help you?" he kept his expression calm.

He was grateful to have returned to his usual self after the rune's effect, which had made him speak his inner feelings without thinking; otherwise, he might have blurted out something strange.

"C-Can y-you g-give me a water bottle?" Elysia asked, voice barely above a whisper. Her fingers twitched slightly. "I-I forgot to bring one."

Ash stared at her.

'…Why is she acting like this?'

She fidgeted. Her grip on the hem of her sleeve tightened as she bit her lip, seemingly gathering the courage to speak again.

"P-Please."

Ash exhaled.

"Yeah, sure." He reached into the bag slung over his shoulder and pulled out a bottle, handing it to her.

Yesterday, after filling out his application, he had bought food and stocked up on water. He didn't have enough money for potions or weapons, so he skipped them. Since he was registering as a mage, he didn't need a weapon anyway.

Elysia took the bottle with both hands and quickly unscrewed the cap. She drank in small, hurried sips, as if embarrassed by her own request.

Ash watched her out of the corner of his eye.

'Tsk. Why is she—'

Before he could finish the thought, a faint glow illuminated the ground.

A magic circle appeared beneath every student.

Elysia hesitated, still holding the bottle. She tried to return it, her delicate hands offering it back.

"You can keep it," Ash said casually, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. "I have extras."

Then, he turned to leave.

'I should stay away from her. Otherwise, she'll always remind me of her…'

"W-Wait!"

Elysia's voice trembled slightly, but Ash didn't stop.

He had no time to get caught up in someone else's story.

A second later—

The magic activated.

And just like every other child in the stadium—

Ash vanished.

***

Ash felt his vision distort as the scene around him shifted.

Even though he knew the magic circle was for teleportation, the sensation still left him nauseous.

It wasn't a simple relocation—it felt as if his body was stretched and compressed at the same time, like reality itself was reshaping him.

The nausea hit immediately.

When his vision cleared, he found himself in a small, sterile room, devoid of anything but a chair and a large, hovering holographic screen.

The cold, white walls gave no indication of direction—no doors, no windows.

'A completely enclosed space. Designed to cut off distractions and heighten tension.' he thought.

A mechanical voice echoed from the walls.

"Place all your belongings in the corner and be seated. The test will begin in five minutes."

Ash exhaled, setting his bag down before sitting. His fingers instinctively tapped against the chair's armrest as he waited.

'Let's see if this test is anything like what I remember.'

**

After waiting for 5 minutes,

The holographic screen flickered to life, displaying the first question.

➤ "A mage has suffered severe mana deviation due to excessive overuse of a corrupted artifact. Which of the following actions is the safest first response?"

A. Apply a cleansing spell to purge corruption.

B. Stabilize the mana flow using an external medium.

C. Forcefully drain the excess mana.

D. Wait for natural recovery and monitor vitals.

Ash's eyes narrowed.

'…I think I read something about this in the novel.'

His memory flashed back to a scene where a supporting character nearly died after using a cursed artifact.

'The healer tried to purify the corruption with magic and—right, it made things worse. So option A is out.'

He skimmed the other options.

'Wait for recovery? That's just letting them die. And draining mana forcefully would kill them even faster. The only real answer left is… B.'

He selected the answer.

The next question appeared.

➤ "If a mana circuit experiences a sudden surge, causing instability in a conjured barrier, what should be done first?"

A. Strengthen the mana output to compensate for fluctuations.

B. Dispel the barrier entirely and reform it.

C. Redirect the excess energy into a ground.

D. Allow the barrier to shatter and focus on emergency shielding.

'Alright, let's think.'

This wasn't something he personally knew, but he had read enough magic battles to make an educated guess.

'Strengthening the output wouldn't fix the instability. Dispelling would take too long. Letting it shatter is stupid. So the only option left is… C, redirecting the energy into ground.

He clicked his answer.

As he went through more questions, he realized a pattern—none of them tested pure magical knowledge.

Instead, they tested how well someone could analyze a situation and make a decision.

And that was something Ash excelled at.

Until—

➤ "A village elder comes to you, begging for help. His people are dying due to an unknown magical disease. You only have enough resources to save either the elderly or the children. Which do you choose?"

A. Save the elderly, as they hold knowledge and leadership.

B. Save the children, as they are the future.

C. Divide resources equally, though it risks both groups.

D. Refuse to intervene, as a neutral party should not interfere.

Ash's fingers froze.

'What kind of question is this?'

There was no right answer.

No logical answer.

A or B meant condemning an entire group.

C meant gambling both groups' lives.

D meant turning away and letting them die.

He leaned back, rubbing his temple.

'They aren't testing knowledge here. They're testing how we think.'

The novel didn't even mention these question, It was a part that was skipped..

'Tsk. Fine. If there's no right answer, then I'll go with the most practical one.'

He selected—

***

The moment Ash submitted his last answer, the holographic screen vanished.

No confirmation.

No feedback.

Just pure silence.

Then—light swallowed him whole.

His stomach lurched as space twisted around him.

The moment his feet touched the ground, familiar chatter filled his ears.

Groups of students were talking—some with bright smiles, their eyes twinkling with relief, while others looked like they had just come back from war, their faces pale with despair.

He ignored the noise and sighed.

Ash ran a hand through his hair, letting out a small breath.

'That test was complete bullshit.'

It wasn't difficult in the traditional sense. The questions weren't about memorizing formulas or magic theories.

Instead, every scenario given had been deliberately twisted—designed to force a choice where every option was flawed.

No matter what you chose, something had to be sacrificed. There were no perfect answers, only the lesser evil.

He exhaled.

'At least I did well enough.'

Intelligence was his second-highest stat after Mana.

It had always been his edge—the one thing he could count on.

Numbers, logic, calculations—they never failed him.

People, emotions… that was another story.

"Talking about mana" he looked at his hand, a small lighting was flickering above his hands.

'I have come a long way'

Three weeks ago, he hadn't even known how to control mana. Now, it obeyed him—mostly.

The flickering lightning above his palm danced unpredictably, but it was progress.

Real progress.

He wasn't a master—not yet.

But given enough time, he would be.

Of course, the Rune of Stability had played a major role.

The rune's passive effect of improving mana flow had made the process much smoother. Without it, his progress would've been much slower.

'Anyways, Now two tests are over The third one is a real hell' he thought.

First Test was the test about will power.

Second test was the test about Decision making.

Third test will be-

"Hellooooo, my adorable little future prodigies! Did you miss me? No? Too bad, I missed you~!"

A familiar playful voice echoed through the air, sending a chill down some students' spines.

Ash looked up, eyes narrowing.

Elva giggled, appearing once again out of nowhere, floating above the stadium with her signature mischievous smile.

The real challenge was about to begin.

***

The vast stadium, once alive with murmurs and scattered whispers, had fallen into an eerie silence.

Tension hung thick in the air—palpable, suffocating. The weight of the test still pressed down on the twelve-year-old students like an invisible force.

And then—

"So, how was the test? Did you all enjoy it?"

Elva's voice rang out, smooth as silk yet carrying a playful lilt.

Her crimson lips curled into a teasing smile as she swept her gaze over the young examinees.

Silence.

Not a single response.

The students stood frozen, their minds still tangled in the moral dilemmas they had just faced.

The test had been nothing like they had prepared for. It wasn't an academic evaluation. It wasn't a test of strength. It demanded something far more profound—judgment.

For the first time, many had been forced to question their beliefs, their morals, and the very essence of what was right and wrong. And as the unsettling realization dawned upon them, doubt crept in.

Elva chuckled, amused by their reactions.

"No response? Hmm, I suppose it was a bit difficult." Her tone dripped with amusement, though her violet eyes glimmered with something deeper—expectation.

Ash, standing amidst the crowd, let out a quiet sigh, his gaze sweeping over the students.

'What else can you expect from a bunch of kids?'

Starlight Academy was renowned for admitting only the most prodigious talents—children born from bloodlines of SS and SSS-ranked powerhouses. Geniuses, prodigies, heirs of prestigious legacies.

Yet, even genius couldn't replace experience.

'They haven't lived long enough to know there's no absolute right or wrong in this world.'

Ash had seen the test for what it was—an evaluation of conviction. Those who clung to simplistic ideals would struggle.

And struggle they did.

Elva's voice interrupted his musings.

"Well then, let's see the results."

With a flick of her wrist, a holographic screen materialized behind her, shimmering with a soft glow.

Names began to appear, ranking the students based on their performance.

---

Entrance Exam - Second Test Results:

1. Ash Burn

2. Ray Dawson

3. Melissa Ravencroft

4. Ethan Nightshade

5. Elysia Moonglow

6. Irvin Earthrend

7. Lyra Evergrove

8. Grace Starhaven

9. Damien Blackthorn

10. Felix Stormrider

11. ..

12. ..

13. ...

14. ..

**

As the rankings flashed across the screen, the entire continent erupted.

**

Across the World…

In bustling cities, on towering screens, in elite hunter academies—millions watched the live broadcast in stunned silence before chaos broke loose.

"WHAT?!"

Inside opulent mansions, powerful hunters and guild leaders leaned forward, eyes narrowing in disbelief.

Two unknown names.

No lineage.

No elite family backing.

Yet, ranked first and second.

Ash Burn and Ray Dawson.

In bars, drinks were raised in celebration. In homes, families clapped. In training halls, aspiring hunters pumped their fists in excitement.

"Finally! A normal kid taking first place!"

"Not just one—two! Ray Dawson isn't from a big family either!"

"They actually beat the children of high-ranking hunters? That's insane!"

A grizzled man chuckled, shaking his head. "That just means someone truly exceptional has appeared."

---

Back in the Stadium…

Ash's eyes flickered across the glowing rankings before he pulled up his hood, clicking his tongue in mild irritation.

'Tsk. First place, huh? Didn't see that coming.'

In the original novel, Ray Dawson had taken first place. Yet, now, Ash had unknowingly altered fate.

His lips curled slightly—not in pride, but in quiet amusement.

'Then again, it's easy to ace an exam when you're a twenty-year-old competing against twelve-year-old kids.'

The murmurs among the students grew louder.

"Who the hell is Ash Burn and Ray Dawson?"

"Never heard of him. A hidden genius, maybe?"

"I thought Melissa Ravencroft or Ethan Nightshade would take first place…"

Melissa clenched her fists, her red eyes blazing.

'That bastard disappeared without a word, and now he's first place? I'll crush him next time!'

Elva, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying the chaos.

"This year's batch is… quite something," she mused, resting a delicate finger on her chin.

"Oh? No celebration? No despair? How boring~" she teased, her voice laced with a singsong tone, as if relishing their muted reactions.

Then, in an instant, the playful air vanished. Her expression sharpened, and a cold authority settled in her gaze.

"Remember, these rankings are not final."

The weight of her words hung in the air for a moment before she continued, unfazed.

"Now, those who have not been ranked are disqualified."

With a mere flick of her fingers, space twisted. A surge of mana rippled through the arena as every Unranked student was teleported out in an instant, leaving behind only those who had made the cut.

Ash scanned his surroundings. What had once been a crowd of thousands had now thinned drastically.

'Only about 2,000 or so remain... But after the third test, that number will drop to at least 1,000.'

His fingers twitched slightly, anticipation stirring within him.

Elva's lips curled into a small, knowing smile.

"Alright, let's move on to the real challenge."

With a flick of her wrist, a massive holographic screen materialized behind her, displaying a sprawling island veiled in dense forests, jagged mountains, and winding rivers. The image flickered slightly, but the sheer scale of the terrain was enough to send a ripple of unease through the remaining students.

"This, my dear children," she said, her voice dripping with something between amusement and cruelty, "is where your next test will take place."

Murmurs spread among the students.

An entire island?

Elva tilted her head, her tone shifting into something more playful—yet undeniably authoritative.

"Now, listen closely because I hate repeating myself."

"This is a survival test."

"You will be teleported to a deserted island, but don't worry, it won't be deserted for long."

A mischievous smirk danced on her lips.

"Your task? Survive for 24 hours and collect black flags scattered all over the island."

"The more flags you collect, the higher your ranking."

"Simple enough, right?"

Silence.

No one was naive enough to believe it would be that easy.

Elva grinned, loving their nervous expressions.

"Well, since you're all so clever, I'll give you a little spoiler."

Her eyes gleamed with mischief.

"There will be monsters on the island."

This time, the reactions were immediate.

"What kind of monsters?"

"How strong are they?"

Elva lazily examined her nails. "Oh, nothing too dangerous. Just monsters around Novice Rank, since most of you are at that level."

A few students visibly relaxed.

But then, her smirk widened.

"Of course, some of you are Apprentice Rank, right?"

A chill ran down the spines of those who understood her implication.

"So naturally, there will be some Apprentice Rank monsters as well."

A wave of tension spread across the stadium.

Ash's expression didn't change. But inwardly, he clicked his tongue.

'With my current stamina, I can't fight for more than ten minutes. And while I can take on Novice Rank monsters… Apprentice Rank ones will be a problem.'

Elva continued, ignoring the murmurs of concern.

"And let's not forget the most exciting part—"

Her voice dropped slightly, just enough to make the students lean forward in anticipation.

"You can fight each other."

A heavy silence fell. Some students visibly flinched.

Some grinned in excitement.

And some, like Ash, simply narrowed their eyes.

"Of course," Elva continued with a fake pout, "no fatal injuries or killing allowed~"

"But if you want to steal someone's flags, be my guest~"

Her smile was the kind that sent shivers down spines.

It was clear—she was enjoying this.

**

Elva raised her hand, her fingers poised as if about to snap.

"Well, now that we've covered everything—"

Her violet eyes gleamed.

"Let's not waste time."

"You will be teleported in—"

"THREE."

The magic circle glowed beneath their feet.

Bright.

Overpowering.

"TWO."

Ash pulled his hood lower, thoughts racing as he prepared for the inevitable chaos to come.

"ONE."

And then—

They vanished.

***