Kane, Zumi, and Athera reached the gathering point. It was crowded, full of participants and adults wearing the same ivory mage robe with a blue mantle. It was the academy teacher’s uniform. In this broad field, many tents were erected to treat any remaining participants, regardless of whether they had failed or passed the test. The people in the camp were staring because of their grave injuries. Even the nearby examiner cleared the way for them to be treated with utmost priority.

Inside the modest tent, a priest and an herbalist combined their expertise to heal them. In just a short amount of time, they were all healed, albeit not completely. Kane had to use the shoulder pad because his shoulder was still broken. The three went outside and looked for the core submission booths.

---

The breeze shook the tent a little. The sky shone a dim light, hidden within the sparse clouds. As all people had already submitted their cores, they gathered everyone into the center.. A short young woman stood facing the tired and anxious crowd. She was dressed in a Niflenia mage’s uniform.

“Attention everyone! The second and the last exam is officially over!” she shouted.

Everyone was cheering. To those who gathered enough cores, they couldn’t wait to go home, sleep, and wait for the entrance day. The rest stayed silent as they were too tired to express their voice.

“The results will be posted outside of Niflenia Academy entrance tomorrow morning. If you pass the test, your name alongside the class will be written there. At 9 a.m, all the passed children must bring the identity card and gather in the lobby once more. Don’t try to trick us because we have recorded all the passed groups.”

She drew a deep breath and said, “That’s all, children. We will escort you back to the academy and you may all go home. Also, don’t forget to take your aptitude test certificate before you go home.”

“What about the prize?” One of the participants raised his hand.

“The lucky group will receive them anonymously today and be placed at the top of the result. Any more questions?”

The crowd was quiet. Seeing this, she then clapped her hands and said, “Let’s go back to the academy, shall we?”

---

Back in the building, the children were reunited with their parents or guardians. The entire lobby was filled with chatter and bickering. Some of the parents looked around as they became more anxious as time went by. Little did they know that their children had died during the exam. The reunited families slowly dispersed and exited the building.

Meanwhile, Kane’s group was separated from the rest and escorted by one of the examiners personally. When other people reached the lobby filled with parents, Kane’s group instead ascended upstairs to the third floor per the examiner’s guidance. They traveled straight through the narrow hallway in front of the stairs.

The group followed the examiner’s lead. White floor tiles and walls made the hall seem brighter despite the few lit torches. Doors with name signs appeared every 20 steps. When they stumbled upon the three-way passage, Athera and Zumi turned to the left while Kane went to the right because the examiner told him to find the vice headmaster.

He knocked on the ivory door with a golden sign that said, “Vice Headmaster’s Office”.

“Please enter,” a baritone voice called from inside.

Kane pushed open the door. He saw Reynar sitting behind the large porcelain desk. Two leather couches facing each other were placed in the middle of the spacious room. On his right, a shelf was filled with dusty trophies. The small ones were all gold, but the bigger ones were either silver or bronze. Two rays of light passed through the two large windows behind him.

“You may take a seat,” said Reynar. He rested his chin on his hands.

Kane plopped on the couch, facing Reynar. “Why did you call me?” He folded his arms. Despite asking the question, he already suspected that it had something to do with his talent.

“Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Reynar Mistfarer, the vice headmaster of this school. You may call me Sir Reynar. As of now, I have several questions for you; however, before we begin, congratulations on your success in the entrance exam,” he applauded.

“It’s nothing,” Kane dismissed the praise. “What are your questions?”

Reynar curved his lips a little. “From what I have gathered, you possess a rank 10 talent. Do you know the reason behind it?”

“I don’t know. My father always refused to tell me anything about it,” said Kane. He must know this person’s motive first before telling the truth.

Reynar nodded. “Next, why did you decide to enroll in this particular academy?”

“Because... I’ve heard this academy is one of the best in this country. I want to unleash my full potential, and I think it will be harder to get into worse academies,” he replied. Another reason was that its location was the closest to Deven, but he chose to leave this one out.

“Hm, a logical answer. I absolutely appreciate your decision to enroll here. In fact, I, as the 18th vice headmaster, could not be more grateful. This academy is in dire need of fresh talent.” He stood up and bowed.

Kane stayed silent and did nothing, waiting for Reynar to continue.

“Regardless, I must request one thing to you, for the sake of this academy and yourself.” Reynar put his hands behind his back, walked, and finally sat on the couch, sitting face-to-face against the half-oni.

“Which is?”

Reynar leaned forward and said, “Do not flaunt your aptitude certificate to anybody, both inside or outside this academy.”

“That goes without saying… sir. I don’t like to brag anyway,” Kane replied.

“Excellent.” Reynar straightened his back. “Unless you possess powerful support, of which I am doubtful, your very being will be in grave danger. This academy won’t be able to provide enough protection for many reasons—”

“I get all of that. The point is, being famous attracts envy. Envious people are trouble, right?” Kane interrupted. He didn’t mind being famous, though, because it did have various benefits.

“That is quite correct. You catch my meaning quickly in spite of… your appearance and weapon preference. Here I had assumed that you would be more naive, wilder, and hot-tempered,” Reynar chuckled.

“I'll take that as a compliment. So… are there any more requests or advice?” Kane knitted his brows and started drumming his foot.

“I have finished what I wished to say. Perhaps you have some questions in mind? I would gladly answer them,” said Reynar.

“Right, I do have some. Why is the test just for entering the academy very dangerous? It feels not right for… us children.” Kane bit his tongue, trying not to say ‘the children’.

“The risk and reward are equivalent to the cheap fee. Moreover, the agreement paper had explicitly stated the dangers of the exam,” Reynar replied.

“Apart from you and the receptionist, does anybody else know of my rank 10 talent?” asked Kane.

“Nobody except Teresa. According to her, she has not told anyone else regarding this matter.”

Kane doubted Reynar’s answer. How could he be so sure that she was keeping the secret? Anyhow, he didn’t care too much whether his talent leaked or not. “Did you do something with the monsters? They seemed to be stronger than usual despite the rank.”

Reynar arched his brows. “I did not. To be frank, I had not noticed this before. If your report is true, I will investigate this unusual occurrence later,” he assured.

Kane squinted his eyes, checking whether Reynar was lying or not. Based on his observation, the vice headmaster was telling the truth. He then asked again, “Whose decision was it to interrupt my fight with Calypso? And what was the reason?”

“Hah, I suppose the announcement was not very subtle.” Reynar sighed. “It was Teresa’s. She witnessed your breakthrough. Inquisitive of your newfound magic ability, she begged my advice to develop a way to prevent you from finishing the duel without… violent approach. I too was intrigued and thus, I accepted and helped to implement a new rule. It’s a shame that I could not watch your fight.”

“So it was her, huh? Oh well, it’s not like I didn’t gain any benefit from the sudden rule.” He disliked being manipulated, but he decided not to pursue this matter further. “Is the first exam going to be important?”

“Definitely. It determines your class placement once you have passed the second exam. Are you concerned about your test result, Kane?”

“Not really. I’m alright with any class as long as I pass.” Kane shook his head.

“You may pick the best class considering your talent,” said Reynar.

“That would defeat the purpose of hiding my talent. I think people will be suspicious. So, I want to enter the worst class and have the advantages of the best class… wait, what’s the difference between them?” asked Kane. He had heard about the classes from Zumi.

“Better equipment and facilities, exclusive for the top students. Additionally, they are granted access to the royal library and will be given more resources. For more information, contact our receptionist,” Reynar explained. “Great decision. I will arrange it per your request.”

“Thanks,” said Kane. However, he sensed something wasn’t right. Why was Reynar being nice or rather, too nice? He seemed to place high hopes despite Kane having no background or experience in magic. Whatever his intention, it was natural to take advantage of this and so he asked, “Can I not pay tuition fee because, you know, my talent? What’s that thing called again, er-” he snapped his fingers upon recalling the word “-oh yeah, scholarship.”

“Unfortunately, there are no scholarships for new elementary students, no exception. To determine whether you’ve met the requirements, all of the academy’s teachers would hold a special meeting to discuss the matter. While your rank 10 talent is exceptional, it is not adequate unless you have proven yourself to be an outstanding student in the future.”

“That’s too bad. So, if I can’t pay the tuition fee, I must drop out, then?” Kane asked for confirmation.

“I’m afraid that would be the case.” Reynar nodded. “Are you financially troubled, Kane? I could lend my—”

“No, thanks for the offer. I can pay without any problem, really,” said Kane. He didn’t want to be indebted to anybody, especially to a stranger with a hidden motive. “I’m done with the questions.”

“I understand. We can conclude this conversation.” Reynar stood up. “Ah, before you leave, would you show me the spell that defeated the prodigious prince?”

Kane too stood up. “Sure, but where should I point my magic?”

“I shall receive it. Do not hold back.” Reynar pointed at himself.

Kane began to chant the spell for [Lesser Firebomb]. When the magic circle appeared, Reynar gaped, gawking at the half-oni.

He extended his left arm and shouted, “Unranked fire spell: [Lesser Firebomb]!”

The small flaming ball shot out from his palm. When entering Reynar’s vicinity, the firebomb hit a transparent barrier. It disappeared without a trace as if it was absorbed.

“Your ability to cast a spell is indeed true. However, are you certain that this particular spell defeated him? Do you perhaps have other spells?”

“That’s my first and only spell. I learned it from a spellbook. You can ask Teresa for more details because I’m too tired to tell you,” said Kane.

“I wonder how in the world you were able to triumph against him by utilizing this… abysmal spell.” Reynar returned to his office seat. “Nonetheless, I’ve been keeping you here long enough. It was a pleasure to converse with you, Kane Foxsnove.”

“Same here. Goodbye, Sir Reynar.” Kane turned his back and left the office.

As he closed the door gently, a familiar voice rang nearby. “Kane, how did it go?” Athera asked, standing beside Zumi who was leaning against the wall. The two were carrying a small wooden stick. They emitted a faint blue aura.

“Nothing much. The vice headmaster just wanted to see my spell,” lied Kane. He must keep the conversation secret after all. Noticing the things that the two girls were holding, he asked, “Where did you two get those?”

“We got this rank 1 wand from the previous examiner. She gave one for you too.” Zumi put her hand behind her back and gave the identical wand to Kane.

“Is this the special prize?” asked Kane as he examined the wand.

“Yup!” Zumi answered with excitement.

“This is so lame…” Kane dejected. A low-ranked item like this seemed not worth the trouble he’d been through. Moreover, he’d rather hold a cheap ax than a wand.

“Come on, it’s not that bad. A rank 1 wand costs more than 5,000 gold! Don’t you think so, Thera?”

“Sorry, Zumi,” said Athera suddenly. “I agree with Kane. I-I have many wands like this. Ah, s-sorry, I didn’t mean to brag…”

Zumi pouted and folded her arms. “Hmph! You two can give your wands to me.”

“Did you say 5,000 gold? Alright, I’m keeping this thing then,” said Kane. He probably could sell it in case he ran out of money.

“I shouldn’t have told him the price…” Zumi grumbled albeit loud enough for Kane to hear it. “Anyway, can I keep yours, Thera?”

When Athera gave a nod, Zumi smiled eye to eye and said, “Thank you so much!” She hugged tight the elf.

“Can I get a hug too?” asked Kane nonchalantly.

“No!” Zumi glared, then she darted her gaze away from Kane’s eyes.

“Well, that’s fine. Even though I’m literally the sole reason that we could get the special prize,” Kane gave a sardonic reply.

“Wait!” Zumi shouted. She bit her lower lip, “I-I guess you deserve one.”

Hearing this, Kane raised his brows. He didn’t think it would work, nor did he want the hug. Zumi moved forward, stretched her arms, and wrapped around his neck. After five seconds, she stepped back, released the hug, and scurried away. “Done! Let’s head back to our home.”

“Why are you blushing? It’s just a hug,” said Kane, tilting his head.

Zumi kept walking without letting out any sound until she stopped abruptly. “I’m not! Anyway, let’s get out of here.”

Kane replied with a shrug and followed her. Athera was too tagged along with them. Together, the three went to the receptionist to receive their aptitude certificates. Fortunately, Kane managed to fool the girls that he had an ordinary paper by quickly hiding it underneath his tribal wear.

In front of the academy’s enormous opened gate, they stood, staring at the white structure.

“I still can’t believe I’m going to be a student at the most prestigious magic school in this country,” said Zumi out of the blue.

“Yeah, it’s… surreal,” Athera agreed.

“I wonder what my family’s reaction would be if they saw me wearing the uniform. If only they lived in this city…” Zumi uttered a sigh.

“Wouldn’t their reaction be obvious?” asked Kane.

“I just want to imagine them, okay?” Zumi rolled her eyes.

Kane’s eyes darted at both girls and said, “I must get going. I want to rest as soon as possible.”

“Aren’t we all?” Zumi put on a wry smile. “Before any of us go, let’s make a promise.”

“What promise?” Kane raised a brow. Athera too showed a similar expression.

“Let’s be friends not just during the test, but also the rest of our school days.”

“Friends, huh?” muttered Kane. He remembered that he had no people who could be called a friend. Most of them were acquaintances. He never considered them as one anyway. Not even Gako and Xiirag, the two oni children who were glued to his presence.

“O-of course!” Athera shouted in an unusual high-pitched tone.

Zumi then looked at the half-oni. “What about you, Kane?”

“Sure, I don’t mind,” he replied. As long as you’re not in my way.

“That settles it!” Zumi beamed. “From now on, we are the number 333 group.”

Kane twitched upon hearing the group’s name. He couldn’t stand it, but then again, it didn’t matter. At the same time, Athera was smiling even wider, almost creepily. He didn’t understand why they were so excited. Was having a friend that fun? At what point could a person be considered a friend? Kane had no idea of the answers to those questions nor did he have the interest to find out.

Later, they bid goodbye and went separate ways. Before resting at the inn, Kane had the plan to visit a certain shop called Evelyn’s Apothecary.