Raven POV
Do you know where I am right now? Or what I'm doing?
Well, of course you don't. What a stupid question.
The days passed quickly, and before I knew it, I found myself heading to Arthena Academy.
I honestly had no idea how I completed the written exam—or even how I managed to register in the first place. Everything had happened so fast.
But whatever.
That didn't really matter.
What mattered was where I was now.
Inside a massive grand hall, where dozens... no, hundreds of applicants had gathered, all hoping to earn a place in the greatest academy on the continent.
I stood near one side of the hall, quietly observing the people around me.
I don't see them.
I looked around carefully, searching for the main heroes of the novel, yet I couldn't spot any of them.
Well, I'll probably see them after the exam... hm?
My train of thought was cut short when I noticed someone walking toward me.
Her hair was pink—though at times it seemed silver, and at others a darker shade of rose. A single purple strand decorated it beautifully. Her eyes sparkled like jewels as she smiled.
"Renee?"
She walked straight toward me, drawing the attention of nearby people because of her beauty alone.
"Hello, Raven. It seems we'll be taking the exam together."
She stopped in front of me and spoke gently.
She wore black combat clothes, yet they were modest and elegant.
Her crescent-shaped eyes curved as she smiled.
"Yes."
I nodded lightly and returned a faint smile.
For some reason, I always felt that my cold expression disappeared whenever I was around this girl.
"Ray, would you like to take the exam together?"
Renee looked directly into my eyes as she spoke again.
"Ray?"
I didn't understand the nickname, yet it stirred a strange familiar feeling inside me.
Still, I ignored it and nodded.
Having a partner for the upcoming test wasn't against the rules.
"Hehe... and Ray, you can call me Rin from now on."
Suddenly, she leaned close to my face, stopping only a few inches away.
"Y-Yes."
I answered awkwardly as I stepped back.
A slight warmth spread near the base of my ears.
Renee said nothing more, but her smile only deepened when she looked at me.
"Attention... all applicants, attention."
A lively male voice interrupted the small embarrassing moment.
At least embarrassing for me.
So both Renee and I turned toward the speaker.
I felt as though she clicked her tongue softly... but perhaps I imagined it.
The moment my eyes landed on the man, all my thoughts stopped.
He radiated calmness, elegance...
And sunlight.
Yes.
Sunlight.
To my eyes, he looked like the sun itself.
His short white hair was neatly styled, emphasizing his handsome features and the beauty of his golden eyes.
But that wasn't what caught my attention.
It was what I could see.
The Eye of Truth showed me only one thing.
Terrifying mana flowed within his perfectly balanced body.
It shone like a sun burning inside him.
"Ray?"
Renee's voice pulled me from my thoughts as she reached out and placed her hand against my cheek.
"You're sweating."
A trace of concern entered her voice.
"Oh... it's nothing."
Her touch snapped me back to reality, and my voice came out slightly flustered.
"Hmm."
She reached into her clothes and pulled out a thin white cloth before gently wiping my face.
"Better now."
She smiled as she looked at me.
"Ahem... thank you."
I nodded awkwardly before turning my eyes back to the man.
I already knew his identity.
The Silver Saint.
One of the individuals who had reached the rank of Ruler and protected humanity from disaster.
He was also the closest friend of the Demon of Mercy.
The vice principal of this academy.
And he carried another title as well.
The Prince of Flame.
Clayman Kailant.
His golden eyes swept across the applicants with interest, and every now and then, a faint smile formed on his face.
When his gaze landed on me and Renee beside me, that smile widened and brightened his handsome features.
He's evaluating the students.
I thought so as I met his gaze.
"Hmmm... to all applicants gathered here."
His deep, cool voice rang out slowly.
As he spoke, golden streams like threads spread around him, and his golden eyes shone brighter than ever.
"I ask all of you to give your very best in the coming examination."
His voice echoed throughout the hall, and silence ruled the room.
None of the applicants spoke.
Whether from fear of his aura or respect for his identity, all they could do was stare seriously.
"I'm not very fond of long speeches, so I won't drag this out."
This time, his tone sounded strangely casual.
"I'm not exactly gifted socially."
Clayman suddenly smiled playfully while glancing around.
A few laughs escaped from among the applicants, though they quickly silenced themselves.
"Ahem."
He coughed lightly and rubbed the back of his head.
"Well then, I believe everyone is excited now. Since my role is finished, Professor Maria will explain the upcoming tests."
As he spoke, a beautiful woman slowly stepped out of the shadow behind him.
Her long black hair reached her waist, swaying gracefully as she moved.
She wore light black clothing that was modest, yet only added to her beauty and dignity.
Her purple eyes stared ahead with complete indifference.
Professor Maria stopped beside Clayman and turned her gaze toward everyone in the hall.
"Thank you, Lord Clayman."
Her voice was like beautiful, frozen music, causing several students to swallow nervously.
"You're welcome."
Clayman smiled.
Then his white robe fluttered slightly.
It transformed into flame.
Golden flame.
And he vanished.
The hall remained silent as the applicants stared wide-eyed at the place where he had disappeared.
The Silver Saint.
I smiled faintly beside Renee.
I wanted to activate the Eye of Truth to see how he had done it, but I already knew one thing... I felt it instinctively.
If I tried, I would die