The strange encounter from the previous night remained a secret.
Only Leo, Rin, Ray, and their instructor knew that the cloaked mage had returned. The academy continued as if nothing had happened, but the instructor's expression had grown noticeably more serious.
The next morning, all first-year students gathered in the central arena.
Rows of stone seats surrounded a large circular battlefield, and hundreds of students filled the stands.
"What do you think this is about?" Ray asked, looking around.
"No idea," Rin answered, though even she seemed curious.
A tall elderly man walked onto the stage. His silver robes immediately silenced the crowd.
"The Headmaster..." someone whispered.
He looked over every student before speaking.
"Three days from now, the First-Year Academy Tournament will begin."
Excited voices erupted throughout the arena.
"The winner will receive permission to study in the Forbidden Library for one week."
Even Leo looked up.
The Forbidden Library.
Every mage in the kingdom knew about it. Ancient spell books, forgotten theories, and records that ordinary students were never allowed to read.
The Headmaster continued.
"This tournament is not simply to determine the strongest student."
"It is to determine who has the greatest potential."
Leo quietly thought to himself, *The Forbidden Library... Maybe I'll finally find answers there.*
Beside him, Rin clenched her fists.
"I'm winning," she said confidently.
Ray laughed. "Can both of you stop deciding the winner before the tournament even starts?"
The Headmaster raised his hand again.
"The first round will be decided by random draw."
A giant magic screen appeared above the arena as names rapidly flashed across it.
One by one, the matches appeared.
Students cheered whenever familiar names were called.
Then another name appeared.
**Leo vs. Eric**
Ray smiled. "That's not too bad."
But the smiles around them quickly disappeared.
"You mean Eric from the Sword Magic family?"
"Poor Leo..."
"Eric is one of the strongest students after Rin."
Leo simply memorized the name.
A few seconds later, another match appeared.
**Rin vs. Maya**
Finally, the Headmaster dismissed everyone.
As the students began leaving, someone blocked Leo's path.
A tall boy with short black hair looked down at him with a confident smile.
"So you're Leo."
"I've heard a lot about you."
Leo nodded once. "And you're Eric."
Eric crossed his arms.
"I don't care if people call you a genius."
"When we fight, I'll prove that theory means nothing against real strength."
Leo remained calm.
"We'll find out."
Eric smirked before turning away.
Ray let out a long sigh.
"He really loves dramatic entrances."
Rin walked over after Eric left.
"Don't underestimate him," she warned.
"He's arrogant..."
"...but he's strong."
Leo looked toward the tournament arena in the distance.
"I don't underestimate anyone."
"But I don't fear anyone either."
For the first time since entering the academy, Leo would face another student in a real battle.
And the entire academy would be watching.