The sounds of the bustling city outside the academy, the wind, and Eunji's sobs were all that remained after the crowd's hushed chatter fell silent at Mujin's departure. As he turned, he carelessly threw the outer layer of the black hanbok over his shoulder and left without a glance back.
Returning through the metal gate that led to the brick room, he heard it swing shut behind him. A guard entered the room.
Seolmara Guard:
*Clears throat*
"Young man, please follow me."
guided Mujin back to the waiting room with the others. The guard occasionally glanced back at him until they reached the waiting room, where silence fell the moment he entered. Mujin lifted an eyebrow at his fellow student candidates, dismissing their stares. Hushed whispers ensued as he searched for an open spot in the room.
??? #1:
"I heard those two had a little fight earlier outside..."
??? #2:
"Damn, really? What happened?"
??? #3:
"Well, long story short; Joon-Ho humiliated the hell out of him, so it's no wonder he got an a##-beating that bad..."
??? #2:
"Woah..."
The room suddenly fell quiet, but then the hushed voice of Haneul Yoon was heard.
Haneul Yoon:
"Psst!"
Haneul signaled him to take a seat beside him, prompting Mujin to sigh before joining him. There was a moment of silence for a few seconds, before being broken.
Haneul Yoon:
"...Everyone saw what happened–"
Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):
"I know."
Haneul Yoon:
"To be honest, I was kind of expecting you to give him a bit of a beating, and then eventually force Joon-Ho to tap out..."
"But y'know... anyone would be mad enough to do that if someone like that did all of that to them."
From the observation room above the audience, overseeing the arena, Joon-Ho was escorted out of the arena field and toward the metal gates. Meanwhile, a few individuals entered to clean the blood and employ their magic to mend the damaged walls and grounds.
Jian Wu(Announcer):
*Clears throat*
"Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the inconvenience. Due to unforeseen circumstances. We're moving right along."
"Next up, please welcome Haneul Yoon and Xinhuo Liang! Let's continue the excitement of the entrance examinations!"
Haneul Yoon:
"Eh? Oh, I guess I'm up, good luck to me I guess."
He let out a soft and nervous chuckle.
Raising an eyebrow at Haneul, Mujin nodded. He observed as the guard escorted Haneul out of the room and guided him toward the arena field entrance.
Mujin Daeho(&INT):
"Hay-newls the only kid I least expected to be accepted into this academy, so I'm very interested to what this kid's got."
Haneul steps into the arena, resembling a lost child as he nervously waves at the crowd, an anxious grin on his face.
Haneul Yoon:
"Uh– uhm... hi!"
Following, Xinhuo Liang entered the arena, wearing an unamused and confused expression. He raised an eyebrow as he stared at Hanuel.
Xinhuo Liang(INT):
"Uhh, well... he doesn't look strong."
"But that doesn't mean I should underestimate him."
As the examinees enter the arena, the spirits in the crowd gradually rise. Many audience members chat loudly, and some respond to Haneul's waves with smiles on their faces.
Liang snaps out of his confused trance upon noticing Haneul waving to him.
Haneul Yoon:
"Hi, uhm... best of luck to you!"
Xinhuo Liang:
"..."
"Uhh, you too?"
Jian Wu(Announcer):
"Examinees! Ready yourselves!"
Hanuel began stretching his arms and legs, attempting to loosen up, but nearly stumbled when he extended his knee, appearing somewhat clumsy.
Meanwhile, Liang hopped a few times, cracked his neck and knuckles, assuming a fighting stance, while Hanuel maintained a relaxed guard.
Jian Wu(Announcer):
"Five! Four! Three! Two..."
"One–"
Haneul stepped forward slowly, reaching out with his arm, which quickly clenched into a fist. In blinding speed, he appeared in front of Liang, sending him flying backwards to crash and cave into the rocky walls, leaving him knocked out cold.
Everyone(INT):
"?!?"
"!?!"
Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a hushed silence. Soon, the cheers erupted for Haneul, though his concern was solely focused on Liang, whom he had punched way too hard.
Haneul Yoon:
"B– by the Goddess! H– hey! Are you alright?!"
With a worried expression, Haneul gently pulled Liang's battered body away from the wall.
Cut to Sun-Hee Baek(same time).
Sun-Hee Baek:
"Mizuki, use your magic to read what magic this boy uses."
Yozora Mizuki:
"On it, Headmistress Baek."
She pulled out Haneuls student file from the folder.
Yozora Mizuki:
"Wow, no wonder he's lightning fast!"
"According to his student file, Haneul Yoons Innate Magic is known as—"
"Acceleration. It enables him to effortlessly speed up or slow down his own movements at will."
Sun-Hee Baek:
"...We've got quite the powerhouse of new students this year..."
"How exhilarating."
"Although, some of them don't appear to be the friendliest bunch, especially for Daeho and..."
"Wu..."
Timeskip(3 Hours later).
Time: Near Sunfall.
After three hours of intense competition, the entrance exam concluded. The 12 remaining candidates gathered in the arena's center, receiving loud cheers from the audience.
Jian Wu(Announcer):
"Seolmara Academy! I'd like you all to loudly welcome your twelve first-years!"
"Hei'an Wu, Huo Hao, Kang Daewon, Kagetsuki Aya, Sato Ren, Kaimana Kuro, Chiara Ricci, Haeun Ara, Yan Shi, Ayumi Tokiko, Haneul Yoon, and Mujin Daeho!"
The 12 students received a loud cheer from the crowd—some displayed excitement, others showed weariness, and a few simply yearned for the celebration to end. Some of the 12 students students whispered amongst themselves.
Sato Ren:
"Will this just end, please...?"
Ayumi Tokiko:
"I'm feeling the same emotion you're feeling."
"I just wanna go sleep..."
Hei'an Wu:
"Stop looking down at me, piss-ants."
Kagetsuki Aya & Kang Daewon:
"Ah! Yes! Praise me!/ Keep the applaud going!
Kaimana Kuro:
*Yawn*
"Oh please let this just stop, I wanna go sleep..."
Yan Shi:
"..."
Huo Hao:
"ALRIGHTOOO!!!! I FEEL MAGNIFICENTO!"
Haeun Ara:
"Hao, please shut up, you're making yourself look like a fool..."
Chiara Ricci & Haneul Yoon:
"I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine I feel fine–"
Mujin Daeho(Kade&INT):
"I have this feeling that's making me think I'm missing something..."
"..."
"Wait a minute... awwww–"
Timeskip(An hour later).
As night-rise settled in, students, including the first-years, headed to their dorms. While most carried bags, Mujin, having forgotten about the academy's boarding school aspect, moved freely without any luggage, realizing it was a magical boarding school.
Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):
"–Sh##..."
Haneul Yoon:
"..."
"Is that how you normally react when you realize you're sharing a room with a person?"
"Because I can definitely relate, but that's only because I've known you abit longer than everyone here."
Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):
"No, I didn't bring... anything..."
Haneul Yoon:
"...What?–"
Mujin Daeho(Kade Northwood):
"I don't have any clothes to sport for bed... so I'm going to ask if you have any clothes I can wear?"
Haneul Yoon:
"...Well, since you're the first person I've met in this school."
*Sigh*
"Yes, you can wear some of my clothes, but I can't promise that some of them will fit you since you're so tall."
Timeskip(Another half an hour later).
Half an hour passed, and Haneul had already drifted into a deep sleep, while Mujin lingered on the balcony, absorbing the chilly night breeze, leaning against the railings.
Mujin Daeho(Kade&INT):
"All of the preparations have been accomplished, and the infiltration has proven to be successful."
"There's only a limited amount of time for how long I'm staying here until the academy finds out."
"So, no matter who or what I have to use to achieve it, I will do whatever it takes to move forward on my path."
"A path that leads to an end for one thing and one thing only..."
"The True Essence of Power."