The grand hall of the royal palace slowly emptied after the meeting ended.
Nobles and advisors whispered among themselves as they walked out.
The story of the battle in the northern mountains had already begun spreading across the entire capital.
A young mage defeating a Void Apostle.
It sounded almost unbelievable.
Yet Captain Leon himself had confirmed it before the king.
Near the center of the hall, Saksham stood quietly.
He still wasn't completely used to the attention.
Orion walked toward him with his usual calm expression.
"You handled that well."
Saksham scratched the back of his head.
"I didn't expect the king to be so… direct."
Orion chuckled.
"Kings rarely waste time."
Just then, a palace servant approached them while carrying a small silver tray.
On the tray rested a sealed letter with the royal crest stamped into the wax.
The servant bowed respectfully.
"This is for you."
Saksham carefully picked up the letter.
The royal seal confirmed exactly what it was.
"The Royal Academy invitation."
Orion nodded slightly.
"Open it."
Saksham broke the wax seal and unfolded the letter.
The parchment was written in elegant handwriting.
ROYAL ACADEMY OFFICIAL NOTICE
By order of the Royal Council and His Majesty King Aldren,
Saksham is hereby invited to participate in the upcoming Royal Academy Entrance Examination.
Date of Examination: Two Weeks from Today
Location: Royal Academy Grounds
All invited candidates must pass the entrance trials in order to officially enroll.
Failure to pass the examination will result in the cancellation of the invitation.
We look forward to witnessing your potential.
Headmaster of the Royal Academy
Saksham read the final line again.
"So even with the invitation… I still have to pass the exam."
Orion crossed his arms.
"That is how the academy maintains its reputation."
Saksham smiled slightly.
"Good."
"I wouldn't want special treatment anyway."
Orion raised an eyebrow.
"You say that now."
"Wait until you meet the noble students."
Saksham laughed.
"I'll manage."
Just then, Captain Leon approached them again.
"The king has prepared temporary accommodations for you in the capital."
Saksham nodded.
"Thank you."
Leon looked at the letter in Saksham's hand.
"So the academy invitation arrived already."
Orion nodded.
"The exam is in two weeks."
Leon smiled.
"That academy produces the kingdom's strongest mages."
"But it is not an easy place to survive."
Saksham raised an eyebrow.
"Survive?"
Leon shrugged.
"Nobles compete fiercely inside those walls."
"Power, status, talent…"
"Everyone wants to prove they are the best."
Orion added quietly.
"And many of them will not appreciate someone rising faster than them."
Saksham folded the letter and placed it in his pocket.
"Sounds fun."
The three of them walked out of the palace together.
Outside—
the capital city was alive with activity.
Merchants filled the streets.
Carriages moved along the stone roads.
Tall buildings surrounded the city square.
But far above the rooftops—
one structure stood out.
The Royal Academy.
Its massive towers could be seen even from the palace district.
White stone walls surrounded the academy grounds.
Several tall spires rose toward the sky.
Even from a distance, Saksham could feel faint magical energy coming from that place.
"That's the academy…"
Orion followed his gaze.
"Yes."
"The most prestigious magic institution in the kingdom."
Saksham stared at it for a moment.
Inside those walls would be hundreds of talented students.
Future knights.
Future mages.
Future nobles.
And maybe even future enemies.
But Saksham felt no fear.
Instead—
he felt excitement.
Two weeks later—
the Royal Academy Entrance Examination would begin.
And he intended to pass it.
No matter what.
Inside his mind, the system interface appeared again.
SYSTEM NOTICE
New Objective Received
Objective: Pass Royal Academy Entrance Examination
Reward: Unknown
Saksham smirked slightly.
"Alright then."
"Let's see what this academy is really like."
Far away—
inside the towering buildings of the Royal Academy—
several powerful figures were already discussing the upcoming examination.
One of them looked out the window toward the royal capital.
"A new candidate defeated the Void Apostle…"
The old mage smiled slightly.
"This year's entrance exam might become very interesting."
To be continued…