The next morning, the students gathered in front of a colossal obsidian tower that pierced the clouds with its 101 floors.
Everyone assembled in the courtyard before the tower's massive entrance.
Around them, stalls selling potions, weapons, and all sorts of equipment filled the area.
A little farther away, several instructors stood together.
Kalistro – fencing instructor; tall, broad-shouldered, with a refined gray beard matching his short hair, and a large sword hanging at his waist.
Elizabeth – magic instructor; a tall High Elf with long blonde hair and ocean-blue eyes, wearing a blue dress that added a provocative charm to her fair and graceful figure.
Cainy – blacksmithing and rune instructor; a red-haired dwarf with a braided beard like an old Viking, his body solid and muscular.
And finally, the director's secretary, Ravina Boemhia — a beautiful blonde whose long hair reached her shapely hips. Her blood-red eyes paired perfectly with her oval glasses. She wore a white fitted blouse and a black skirt that clung tightly to her thighs.
– Secretary Ravina, how do you think the students will perform this year? – asked the elf.
– Well... – she adjusted her glasses. – This year is expected to be better than the last. We have some remarkable stars.
– First, there's Princess Blanche von Eldrath, a master of illusion and ice magic — she has tremendous potential.
– Second, her personal guard, Alfred — a swordsman trained from childhood to serve the princess; talented with a solid foundation.
– We also have the daughter of the Viscountess Sollares family, Livia Sollares, who wields a rapier empowered by fire magic; quite talented as well.
– And, of course, a few commoners who might surprise us.
– Honestly, Ravina, those are impressive names that'll greatly benefit our empire, but... – Kalistro paused for a moment, looking upward before letting out a deep sigh. – There's someone who makes those young elites look like newborns who've never held a sword or cast a spell.
Everyone turned with curiosity toward this mysterious person who could surpass even the prodigies.
– And who might that be, Instructor Kalistro? – asked Ravina, slightly tense as she adjusted her glasses. – If he sets his sights on the Eylam heir, the director might just kill him. Once she fixates on something, she doesn't give up until the end – she thought, recalling the young man in question.
– Isn't it obvious? My disciple, of course. Hahahahaha!
– Whew! – she sighed in relief.
– I have someone else in mind – said Elizabeth, raising her hand.
– Who would that be? – asked Instructor Cainy, who had been silent until now.
The tall elf pointed toward a distant spot. Everyone followed her gaze. There, sitting on a low wall, was a tall boy with brown hair and golden eyes. One leg was bent, his sword resting on his knee as he cleaned the blade with a cloth.
– Hiiiiiic! – Ravina hiccuped.
– What's wrong, Secretary? Are you feeling alright? – asked Cainy.
– Ha-hahaha, y-y-yes, I-I'm fine, just a little hiccup – she stammered, desperately wishing to change the subject.
– That boy... he's the most intriguing person I've ever seen. Usually, I can see beyond people — sometimes their personality, sometimes their character, even their strength, even if they're stronger than me. – She paused briefly. – Even those stronger than I am... I can still perceive something, however faint. But... I see nothing in him. It's as if some external, invisible force shields him from prying eyes or curious abilities.
– Hahaha, maybe it's just a concealment artifact or something like that. Don't mind him, hahahaha – said Ravina quickly, trying to divert her attention.
As they kept watching, the boy's golden eyes suddenly turned their way, meeting theirs with a cold, piercing gaze. The elf smiled at him — he gave her an apathetic look, then turned away, ignoring her completely.
– Did he just ignore me? – she asked in disbelief. – He really ignored me! – she repeated, a mischievous smile curling her lips.
– Hahahahahaha, your face is priceless, elf – laughed the dwarf with amusement.
– Hooo! He noticed our stares even from this distance? That boy definitely has something special. I already had my suspicions during the ceremony yesterday, when he cut the arm of that Vasquez kid. It was fast — even for my eyes.
– Damn it! – Ravina cursed before she could stop herself.
Everyone turned toward her at once.
– Hehehe, my bad, I'm just really excited about the students this year, heheh – she laughed nervously, wishing she could vanish right then and there; her cheeks were red as beets.
– Well, I have to go announce the start of the exam to the students. Excuse me. – She hurried off, almost running.
Evo's Perspective
– Phew, that was close!
– I felt their gazes on me... the professors. That elf teacher practically devoured me with her eyes. I had to look away before dying of embarrassment – Evo muttered, sighing heavily.
– Well, sword's maintained, and I'm ready. I'll just aim for the middle ranks this time.
He jumped off the wall and walked toward the tower gate.
From a higher platform near the students, Ravina raised her voice, drawing everyone's attention.
– Students, today you'll only climb up to the twentieth floor. Your rankings will be based on the time it takes you to reach it. Good luck to everyone!
– Now, on your marks... three... two... one... start! – The gates opened, and the students shot forward like rockets.
The four prodigies immediately dashed ahead, fighting for every inch of space.
– Ohhh, Princess, forgive me, but I'll have to be a little rude and pass you! – Livia smirked coldly at Blanche, who clenched her teeth with a fierce glare.
– Don't even think about it, Livia! – Blanche shouted, pushing forward toward the first floor.
– Man, women are competitive, don't you think? – asked Alfred to a short boy with dark green hair carrying two short swords on his back. The boy shrugged and sped up.
– Ahhhhffff, hahaha, completely ignored me. Well, nothing to do but try my best too – he laughed, chasing after them until they disappeared from sight, leaving the other participants in the dust.
Meanwhile, Evo moved at a steady pace through the crowd — fast, but controlled, precise in every movement.
Reaching a circular pillar inside the tower, he stepped onto it along with several students.
In an instant, they were teleported to the first floor — a vast forest filled with Trents.
– So, these are private rooms for each student? How do they even do that? There are hundreds of us... Do they really have all that space? Is it magic? – he wondered aloud.
– Maybe it's the work of that stalker director, Freya – he muttered. – Anyway, focus.
High above the forest, a floating screen displayed the student rankings:
1 – Livia Sollares
2 – Alfred
3 – Tallier
4 – Blanche von Eldrath
5 – Jullie Rafelli
6 – Brendon Molttres
– Ohhh, the Sollares heiress is in first. My mother said she's a great rapier user — if she says so, it must be true... Hm? Blanche von Eldrath? The princess is studying here this year?
– Fiuuuuuuuu, damn, there's a lot of big names this time – he whistled, impressed.
– Well, that's perfect for me. The more famous they are, the less attention I draw. Time to kill some monsters; I'm a bit rusty – he said, cracking his neck and glaring at the Trents as they roared and lashed vines toward him.
– Alright, let's see... – he activated [Eyes of Pride].
[Target detected]
[Analyzing...] – [Confirmed]
Name: Trents
Race: Living Tree
Weaknesses: Fire > Fatal — Close Combat > Effective
– Fire magic would be nice...
– No, no, no. I'll fight with what I have. Let's get closer.
Evo dashed forward, sword in hand, dodging the flying vines with his skill [Future Prediction].
He moved like lightning, appearing beside the Trents that were still searching for him. Drawing back his sword, he channeled mana to amplify his strike — golden and silver energy coiled around the blade, trembling with power.
With a swift motion, he swung — a golden arc cut through the air, slicing the nearby Trents clean in half.
Swisssshhhh... Bummmmmm!
Dust, stones, and shards of wood exploded through the forest.
– Damn, a few escaped the attack! – A vine shot toward him. – Zhunnn!
He leapt high, flipping backward. – That was close! – he muttered.
Clinging to a branch, he launched himself downward, plunging his sword into a Trent's head. – Dishhhhhhh!
Pulling the blade free, he rolled forward, stopping in front of the last two.
He slashed one in half with a swift lateral cut; the other fired its vines, which Evo grabbed midair.
With a sharp twist of his body, he swung the creature violently into a pile of rocks.
Boommm, blorrkkkk! – the sound of stone shattering and debris scattering echoed across the forest.
– Grrrrrrrrr – groaned the crushed Trent, trying to rise from the rubble.
Pwsssssh – a sword pierced its head, turning it into particles of light.
– Phew! Ahhhh – that was the last one. Time to pick up the pace.
Rirrrrrrr – a wicked smile curled across his lips.
– The others must already be on the third floor.
– Good. I'll enjoy myself with the monsters while they fight for the top ranks.