Julien POV
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The line was long.
Painfully long.
The kind of long that makes you question your life choices, your breakfast decisions, and whether becoming a genius academy student was really worth standing still for this many minutes.
Daniel stood beside me, arms crossed, looking way too calm for someone whose existence apparently loved shocking people.
In front of us floated the orb.
A smooth, crystal sphere about the size of a watermelon, glowing softly with layered runes—dwarven tech mixed with human awakening research. It hovered above a stone pedestal, occasionally flashing symbols as students placed their hands on it.
One by one, names, classes, potential ranks, and current ranks appeared in the air.
An instructor stood beside it, clipboard in hand, voice flat but loud enough to crush dreams efficiently.
"Combat classes, proceed to Room A-1 after verification."
"Non-combat classes, Room B-1."
"No exceptions unless approved."
I already knew that was a lie.
Daniel leaned closer. "You look bored."
"I am bored," I whispered back. "Also people-watching."
"Anyone interesting?"
"Oh, very."
I subtly tilted my head.
A boy a few steps ahead—black hair, black eyes, posture sharp like a blade kept half-drawn.
Kevin Blackveil.
He looked… irritated.
No, irritated was an understatement.
He was radiating please let this be over before I stab something energy. His foot tapped against the floor in an impatient rhythm, eyes half-lidded like sleepwalking while awake.
Behind him—
A broad-shouldered guy with brown hair and eyes, grinning so wide it looked borderline illegal.
Michael Velmor.
He cracked his knuckles, bouncing slightly on his heels like he was already imagining punching a monster through three walls.
"This is taking too long," Michael muttered loudly. "Hope the test hits back."
The instructor shot him a look.
Michael grinned wider.
Then there was a girl leaning against a pillar, pink hair spilling messily over her shoulders, pink eyes half-closed.
Yelena Hallmark.
She yawned.
Not politely.
A full, soul-leaving-the-body yawn.
"…Wake me when it's my turn," she murmured.
And standing together a little further up—
White hair.
Ocean-blue eyes.
Perfect posture.
The Frostbane twins.
Isaac and Selena.
Their expressions were neutral. Completely neutral. Like statues that might start swinging swords if you blinked wrong.
Daniel followed my gaze. "You know them?"
"Not personally," I said. "But they scream 'important side characters'."
"…That's oddly specific."
The line moved.
Finally, Daniel stepped forward.
He placed his hand on the orb.
The crystal flared.
Letters formed in the air.
Name: Daniel Mangrave
Class: Martial Artist
Potential Rank: SSS
Current Rank: A
Affinity: Fire, Lightning.
The hall went quiet.
Like someone had pressed mute on reality.
"…A?" someone whispered.
"At seventeen?"
"Isn't he a Mangrave…?"
The instructor blinked once.
Then twice.
"…Combat class. Room A-1," he said stiffly, quickly scribbling something down like he wanted this moment erased from history.
Daniel stepped back beside me, expression calm.
Too calm.
"You could've warned me," I muttered.
"I didn't think it was that shocking."
"People are reconsidering their life paths."
Michael stared openly.
Kevin clicked his tongue.
The twins glanced once—just once—then looked away.
Yelena blinked slowly. "…Huh."
My turn.
I stepped up, smiling politely.
Hand on the orb.
The glow pulsed differently this time—lighter, sharper.
Name: Julien Morvain
Class: Jester
Potential Rank: SS
Current Rank: C
Affinity: Wind, Water
Murmurs broke out.
"…Morvain?"
"The duke's grandson?"
"only SS rank?"
I cleared my throat. "I'd like to request something."
The instructor looked tired already. "State it."
"Put me in the combat class."
Silence.
"…You're a non-combat class by classification," he said.
"I know," I replied cheerfully. "I still want combat."
Someone behind me choked.
Michael burst out laughing. "I like him!"
Kevin finally looked interested.
The instructor hesitated, then glanced at another official.
After a moment—
"…Very well. Combat class. Room A-1."
The whispers exploded.
"A duke heir choosing combat?"
"With a Jester class?"
"Is he insane?"
Daniel leaned in. "You're smiling."
"I am thrilled."
As we stepped aside, I caught sight of the others getting verified.
Kevin Blackveil—Combat.
Michael Velmor—Combat.
Yelena Hallmark—Non-combat (she nearly fell asleep mid-scan).
Isaac and Selena Frostbane—Combat.
Perfect.
I remembered the original novel.
Combat class: defeat a mutant monster.
Non-combat: survive until time runs out.
I stretched my fingers.
This was where everything started going wrong.
Or right.
Probably both.
Daniel glanced at me. "Ready?"
I grinned. "Oh, absolutely."
Inside, my heart beat fast.
Not fear.
Anticipation.
The academy wasn't just a school.
It was the beginning of fixing broken stories.
And I was finally standing on the stage.