Emberflame Province – special test plaza.
As the energy tower rose into activation, a brilliant silver emblem of the Star Federation emerged across the central projection screen.
This was not a local trial. It was a unified entrance exam held across the entire Star Federation.
Every awakened candidate would be evaluated under the same scoring system, within the same trial structure. And in the end—there would be only one first place.
At the examination podium, two figures from the Federation's central authority stood silently behind the lineup of senior officials.
—Eldric Moonspell, Level 70 mage, arch-elder of the Federation's Arcane Council and master of mental domains.
—Harker Graves, Level 70 warrior, former commander of the Empire's Iron Axe Legion, known for his legendary unbreakable defense.
They were here not just to observe, but to judge—personally overseeing the trials of the most promising talents across the nation.
Principal Hope stepped forward, his voice calm but clear.
"This practical exam consists of three rounds: Ambush, Siege, and Survival. Scores will be totaled to determine the final ranking."
"Each category—Completion Time, Kill Efficiency, Damage Taken, and Tactical Execution—is worth 100 points."
"Bonus Points: First to finish earns +300. Second place, +200. Third, +100."
"External items are strictly prohibited. Only personal skills and class-based summons are permitted."
The moment his words fell, dozens of magic arrays lit up across the plaza.
One by one, the candidates were transferred into the simulated projection system—a full-immersion virtual combat replica connected via spiritual synchronization. Pain feedback was real. Death was not.
[System Notification: Round One – Ambush Trial Begins]
[Scoring Parameters: Completion Time / Kill Efficiency / Damage Taken / Tactical Execution + Bonus Placement Score]
[Current Environment Loaded: Duskmire Woodland]
Ryan opened his eyes.
He stood at the edge of a mist-covered forest, damp air clinging to his cloak. Ahead, wooden walls wrapped in vines. Dilapidated watchtowers. Orc sentries patrolling in silence.
[Target: Corrupted Scout Captain, located deep within the central encampment.]
No hesitation.
Ryan raised his hand.
From the shadows behind him, fifteen Nightmare Imps and five Flame Imps emerged, like a silent demon army stepping out from another world.
At the monitor station above, Eldric narrowed his eyes.
"That's the forbidden-class summoner, isn't it?"
Harker grunted. "I heard the reports… Demon Summoner. But this is the first time I've seen him in action."
On the projection feed, Ryan's Imps spread out into the woods with near-military precision. Fifteen Nightmare Imps infiltrated the perimeter, eliminating five sentries in total silence. No alarms triggered.
Meanwhile, the five Flame Imps hovered above the treeline, aligned in a perfect firing arc, awaiting their command.
"Summon control… it's near combat-unit calibration," Eldric murmured. "And this scale of coordination…"
"It's not just numbers," Harker added. "The strength of his summons—those stats rival elite-tier units."
Ryan hadn't moved.
He was calmly switching vision across his summon network, mentally absorbing real-time intel from all fifteen Imps.
In seconds, the target was confirmed.
An armored orc sat by the central campfire, issuing orders.
System feed pulled up the data:
[Target Identified: Corrupted Scout Captain]
[Level: 12]
[Race: Orc (Elite Type)]
[Strength: 160]
[Agility: 140]
[Intelligence: 80]
[Spirit: 60]
[Endurance: 700]
[Skills: None]
[Trait – Tactical Commander]
[Commander Effect: Grants coordination bonus to surrounding units]
[Evaluation: Moderate group tactics. Low solo threat. Standard exam target.]
Ryan gave it a glance. No emotion surfaced—just a cold thought rising in his mind:
"Other than the endurance stat, the rest are too low."
"A fat target with too much health. That's it."
He knew why. The enemy was designed that way—for fairness. For accessibility.
To make sure the majority of candidates wouldn't be crushed.
"But for me…" Ryan exhaled slightly, eyes narrowing. "This is like watching a grandma cross the street."
"Target locked."
His voice was almost a whisper.
"Flame Imps. Execute fire coverage."
The five Flame Imps raised their arms, crimson magic converging in their palms like miniature stars.
[Flame Barrage – Volley Cast]
BOOM!!!
Five fireballs launched at once, trailing through the trees like meteor fire. They slammed into the orc's tent from five angles.
The entire camp detonated in an instant. Flames surged, shockwaves ripping through wood and bone.
No one even screamed. The scout captain died on the spot, vaporized by pure overkill.
[System Notification: Target Eliminated]
[You are the First to Complete the Task – Bonus +300]
[Score Summary]
[Completion Time: 0m 20s]
[Time Score: 100]
[Kill Efficiency: 100]
[Damage Taken: 100]
[Tactical Execution: 100]
[First-Place Bonus: +300]
[Total Score: 700 ]
Ryan silently recalled all of his summons. Not a trace of satisfaction appeared on his face.
A beam of white light engulfed him—transferring him out of the trial.
Back at the command deck, silence lingered.
Eldric spoke first.
"He doesn't move like a student. He operates like… a complete combat unit."
Harker nodded slowly. "To the average examinee, this trial is an Ambush."
"For him?"
"It was an execution."
Principal Hope smiled faintly. "Now you see why I reported him early."
Not long after, the second candidate arrived.
Emily Windwhisper. Sweat streaked her cheek, but her stride remained proud.
[Completion Time: 20m 40s]
[Final Score: 320]
She scanned the area—and saw the number 700 glowing on the overhead board.
"…Figures."
Her voice was low, not bitter, but respectful.
"That kind of summon rhythm… we can't replicate it."
Roughly four minutes later, Gavin stumbled in, shield dragging behind him, breathing hard.
"My patrol units had radar or something… I swear they were cheating!"
As he tried to steady himself, the system chimed again.
[Completion Time: Incomplete / Eliminated]
[Final Score: 205]