Chapter 13: The Academy Exam
After a good night's rest in the rented house, Sky stepped out into the morning sun, his mind sharp and focused.
The streets were buzzing with life as he made his way toward the towering building that marked the entrance to the Royal Academy.
As he approached the academy gates, he noticed a massive crowd of young people gathered outside, all around his age, dressed in their best clothes, their eyes filled with nervous excitement.
A stern-looking teacher stood on a raised platform near the entrance, shouting over the murmuring students.
"If you're eighteen or above, step forward! You're eligible for the Academy exam. If you're underage, head to the Adventurer's Guild. Try again next year!"
A portion of the hopefuls groaned in frustration and turned away, heading toward the guild instead. The rest surged forward, including Sky, blending into the crowd like just another face in the sea.
"Next!" the teacher shouted.
"Write your name, touch the ball, and move on to the next test."
The line moved slowly. Sky watched as each person stepped up, wrote their name in a large dusty ledger, and placed their hand on a glowing orb. The orb would reveal their elemental affinity, bloodline status, and talent grade.
Soon, it was Sky's turn.
He stepped up calmly, grabbed the quill, and scribbled his name with smooth, practiced strokes: Sky.
Then he placed his hand on the orb.
A soft hum filled the air. Flames flickered inside the crystal, and glowing letters formed above it:
[Element: Fire]
[Bloodline: Level 2 Diabolos]
[Grade: Low]
A murmur rippled through the nearby students.
But Sky just blinked, keeping his face neutral. The truth was, the orb's reading was… fake. He had altered it using the system, keeping his real strength and rare bloodline hidden.
[That weak-sounding grade… it's perfect. Let them underestimate me.]
"[Tch. You're welcome, by the way.]"the System grumbled in his head."[Without me masking your status, that thing would've exploded.]"
Sky smirked inwardly and moved to the next room.
It wasn't long before the room filled with approximately 400 students, all of whom had passed the initial check. The tension in the air was thick. Then, the doors slammed shut.
An old man with long white hair and a robe that shimmered with runes stepped forward. His eyes were sharp like blades, and his presence silenced the entire room.
"Good morning," he said in a dry, gravelly voice.
"I'm Instructor Ivin, and I don't have time for this nonsense."
He looked out across the sea of young faces, his expression one of visible boredom.
"So here's the deal. This is your first and only test."
Without warning, a wave of crushing pressure erupted from his body.
BOOM.
It was like a mountain had dropped on the students. Dozens fell to their knees immediately, gasping for air. Some collapsed entirely, trembling on the floor.
"Survive for two minutes," he said calmly, taking a seat."If you can endure it, you're a student of the academy. If not… well, better luck next year."
Sky stood perfectly still.
He blinked once.
Then yawned.
"That's it?" he thought."Feels like standing in a light breeze."
"[That's because I am shielding you, idiot,]"the system snapped."[Do you want your body crushed like the rest? Show some gratitude. I'm the one doing the heavy lifting here.]"
Sky just smirked.
All around him, students were sweating, gritting their teeth, their knees wobbling. A few vomited. But Sky… looked like he was on vacation.
Two minutes passed.
Out of the original 400, only about 200 students remained standing—barely. Their clothes were drenched in sweat. Their legs shook. Some were breathing heavily through clenched teeth.
Instructor Ivin stood up again, looking over the group with a faint trace of approval.
"Hmph. Not completely hopeless after all."
He pointed toward a door at the back of the room.
"Congratulations. You may collect your academy uniforms from there. Drop your registration fees in the box—no money, no uniform. You'll also be issued an identity card."
He stretched his arms and walked away.
"Class starts tomorrow morning. If you're late… don't bother showing up again."
With that, he vanished behind a curtain, leaving the students stunned and still recovering from the pressure.
Sky walked toward the uniform room at a relaxed pace, hands in his pockets.
"Well, that was easy enough," he thought.