The day was bright and bustling in Alacrum, the heart of progress and magic, with its intricate blend of high technology and ethereal enchantments that drew citizens from across the nation. The streets brimmed with people, each with their own hopes, complaints, and dreams in tow.
Teenagers gathered near the neon-lit train station, some lamenting their inability to gain entry into the prestigious Valtherion Academy. They spoke in low voices, huddled together under the gleaming holographic signs.
"Just missed it by a few points," grumbled one, kicking a pebble across the polished pavement.
Another shrugged, "It's not like we're doomed. There's always next year, or maybe we could apply for an internship."
"Still, missing the chance to train there? It's not just school—it's practically a promise of success."
The group nodded in agreement, looking on as an academy-bound train zoomed past, its silver exterior glinting in the morning sun. As they watched, determination rekindled in some, while others felt the sting of regret.
…..
Elsewhere, adults in business attire moved through a well-known café, discussing trade, politics, and news that rippled through Alacrum. At one corner table, two company executives sat across from one another, nursing cups of rich coffee. Their low voices carried the weight of confidentiality.
"We need to reestablish our connection with Eastern Ridge Trading if we want to keep up with the demand in the west. Those resource allocations aren't cheap, and the last shipment was sabotaged by rogue magic beasts."
The other nodded, frowning, "We can't risk more losses. I've heard rumors about increased sightings over by the east coast. Something's agitating those creatures, and we'd better secure our investments or find someone to investigate."
Meanwhile, in another part of the city, a group of parents strolled along the shopping district, each with children in tow. They stopped frequently, eyes darting between toy displays, enchanted gadgets, and shimmering artifacts in store windows. Among the parents, friends exchanged gossip and news of Valtherion's admission tournament, eagerly comparing notes on each hero who made an impact on their own worlds.
….
Around them, other groups buzzed with excitement about the Hero World Rankings, the latest release sparking discussions throughout Alacrum. At a nearby newsstand, holographic screens showcased the top heroes, each bearing the title of their country's protector. Their images hovered like guardians above the cityscape, with news anchors announcing each hero's feats.
Astrid Valkyr of Valoria – Ranked 1st, she's known as the "Celestial Knight." Her white mana shines with protective energy, making her the foremost defense against magical beasts in Valoria.
Xavier Kael of Tyrith – Ranked 2nd, "The Shadow Blade," a master assassin who works behind the scenes in high-stakes political conflicts.
Rael Seraph of Syndara – Ranked 3rd, called the "Wind Alchemist," known for his elemental manipulations and crucial role in controlling Syndara's volatile weather patterns.
Leona Merell of Eldoria – Ranked 4th, "The Sun's Heir," with abilities tied to solar energy, giving her unmatched power in bright daylight.
Aiden Lore of Ignus – Ranked 5th, also known as "The Burning Fist," famous for incinerating entire enemy lines in seconds.
Celeste Gale of Terranis – Ranked 6th, "The Spirit Druid," able to communicate with and command magical beasts in her homeland's wild forests.
Theron Aegis of Argoss – Ranked 7th, "The Shield Of Argoss," using ancient protection spells and shielding techniques.
Isaac Thorne of Freylis – Ranked 8th, known as "The Earth Reaver," able to manipulate earth and stone to create formidable defenses.
Helena Roark of Alacrum – Ranked 9th, known as "The Crystal Queen," a celebrated figure in her own country, with expertise in gem-based magic.
Finn Yarrow of Merrow – Ranked 10th, "The Ocean's Wrath," specializing in water-based combat and deep-sea explorations.
And the list went on, with heroes from various countries taking up ranks from 11 to 30, each with a unique set of abilities that made them invaluable to their homelands.
"Look at that, number nine!" exclaimed one onlooker, pointing out Helena Roark of Alacrum.
"Well, of course. Alacrum doesn't slack when it comes to hero training. Our standards are as high as Valoria's, after all."
"I've heard that students from Valtherion Academy have gone on to become heroes in nearly every country represented here. Imagine what those kids will achieve."
Their words drifted off into the city noise, just as a group of children burst into a cheer, gazing up at the holographic rankings with awe.
Inside Alacrum's largest shopping center, groups of women strolled leisurely between stores, their arms loaded with bags of the latest fashion. They paused now and then, peering into shop windows filled with enchanted accessories and the latest technological gadgets.
"I heard she's seeing someone from Valoria—one of the Academy graduates," murmured one woman, nodding toward a friend as they passed a jewelry store.
"Good for her," replied her companion. "And her son's actually trying out for Valtherion's next exam."
"Really? She must be proud."
The two exchanged looks as children tugged on their arms, pointing to sparkling toys and asking to go to the food court. The chatter continued, each corner of the mall filled with the sounds of Alacrum's vibrant community.
....
Back at Valtherion Academy, a different energy buzzed through the halls. In the common areas, groups of students discussed their experiences from the Admission Tournament, many of them still reeling from the second phase's trials and the strange dark mana incident.
A first-year student with a thick book of notes said, "I still don't understand what that was all about. Dark mana mist? How can they let that happen?"
Another student shook his head, "This is Valtherion. They push us for a reason. The hero rankings show the best of the best, and that's the goal."
Further down the hall, another group of students talked about the upcoming third phase with wary expressions. Some were confident, practically boasting of the grades they had scored so far, while others wore worried frowns.
One student grumbled, "It's as if some professors already have their favorites."
A friend nudged him, "And are you surprised? We're training for hero roles, after all."
Across the hall, two others debated the admission tournament's value. One, frustrated by the tournament's rigor, complained, "If they're going to throw us into chaos, they could at least keep us safe."
His friend replied, "This tournament isn't about safety; it's about making the strongest survive. Our seniors went through this too."
A murmur of agreement swept through the group, though some students' faces showed unease as they wondered what the third phase held.
...
Meanwhile, Lucius was in his dorm room, studying on a sleek, high-tech laptop known as the IrisNet Linkpad. He used it to document everything he remembered from the novel's plot, as well as his own notes on the events that had unfolded. His desk was neatly organized, a stark contrast to the chaos that had been his life since transmigrating.
"Can't believe I'm here," he muttered, fingers scrolling through his notes. He still found it surreal, but the physical reality of the world around him was a sharp reminder that none of this was a dream. As much as he hated it, he had to accept that this was his life now.
He leaned back in his chair, eyeing the list of main characters he had encountered: Ash, Seraphina, Kallus, Elena… He'd been trying to avoid them, to stay in the background. But like a magnet, they kept pulling him into the story's core. Every attempt to stay out of the way ended up throwing him right back into the plot's wild twists.
Did I do things according to the novel? he wondered. Sure, some details matched, but other events had veered sharply off course. The plotline now felt like an unpredictable game, with Lucius having only vague knowledge to rely on.
He thought back to the creature they'd defeated in the forest, his mind returning to the dark mana mist and to Elandrialith's fading form. A sigh escaped him, his gaze lingering on the screen before drifting to the Aetheris on his wrist. A message glowed across the surface, informing him of the upcoming third phase and an apology from Grandmaster Veridane.
Lucius rested his face on his palm, smirking at the subtle apology hidden in the message. Valtherion may have been caught off-guard during the second phase, but he doubted they'd let the same happen again.
His gaze shifted to his bedside, where the delicate, ethereal white lily from Elandrialith's lake floated serenely in its enchanted casing. It glowed with a soft, otherworldly light, a reminder of the strange, simulated world he had braved. Lucius tilted his head, musing to himself, "Maybe this time, I'll actually try."