The day went by since Hayato's rampage at the market. This morning, Rafe and Hayato had put on their new clothes to go to Elexia Academy. Exactly today, on the 27th day of the 7th month of the year 1000 Superbia, the entrance test for the Elexia Academy would be held. All teenagers between the ages of 15 and 20 who wanted to become adventurers would attend the only academy in the Ruttera Kingdom.
Rafe and Hayato started walking through the wilderness that separated the city from the academy, the towering spires of the academy could already be seen from the forest area. The river that flowed down from the mountain could also be seen flowing through the Academy area.
The academy was like a large village with a fence around its perimeter. The royal palace was located at the foot of Mount Ruttera, and could be seen more clearly because it ran parallel to the academy building.
"Looks like a lot of other teenagers are on their way to Elexia Academy too," Rafe said as he sensed the Mana grouping in the forest area.
"They also don't want to miss this once a year opportunity, if they fail this year they have to wait another year to take the test. But judging by the numbers, it looks like we got here too early," Hayato said.
"Besides, the academy only accepts 20-year-olds at the most, so it's hard to be an adventurer in this era. Whereas in the past, even grandfathers could start a life as an adventurer without having to take all the tests at a place called the Academy," Rafe said.
Rafe and Hayato finally reached the open area where the Academy building was now fully visible. A high fence had been erected at the boundary of the academy area, and many teenagers could be seen approaching the gate area in the distance.
"This building must have taken a long time to build," Rafe said in amazement as he looked at the buildings in the academy area.
"This academy was founded about eight hundred years ago, the construction originally started during the time of the holy heroes who defeated Luminer," Hayato explained.
"It's not for nothing that you like to read books," Rafe said with a smile.
"Books are the key to knowledge and knowledge is the key to power, don't underestimate a book," Hayato grumbled.
"I'm obviously complimenting you," Rafe said irritated.
The two of them soon joined the other group of teenagers heading for the gate of Elexia Academy. Among the group of teenagers, there seemed to be teenagers wearing the same uniform, and the uniformed teenagers were immediately let in by the eight soldiers guarding the gate.
"Their uniform, similar to the girl who attacked me at the market," Rafe muttered softly, remembering the uniform of the teenager who had attacked him at the market.
The teenagers in different clothes seemed to be forced to line up at the gate, and eight heavily armed soldiers began questioning them one by one, along with a middle-aged man in a different uniform.
"That uniform, it looks like the middle-aged class fighter who attacked me in the market," Rafe said, remembering the clothes of the Bara who had attacked him.
"What were you saying, hurry up and get in line while you're at the front of the line," Hayato grumbled as he pulled Rafe in front of him.
"What's your name?" the soldier on duty asked when it was Rafe's turn.
"Rafe Lostfield," Rafe replied.
"Here's your number. Don't lose it! From here you must go into the hall and wait with the others until someone calls your number," the soldier said as he pinned a numbered pin on Rafe's shirt.
"Number 027?" said Rafe as he grabbed the number on his shirt.
"Number 028, looks like we got here first," Hayato said as he followed the other teenagers away.
Rafe walked after Hayato. In the distance, several teenagers in uniforms stood to direct the arriving teenagers.
"This way!" said a man in uniform as he directed the teenagers.
"You shouldn't stop anywhere until the test is over!" said a girl in uniform nearby.
"That's too bad. I wanted to see this place," Rafe said as he looked around at the Academy's multi-story building.
"You can do that later," Hayato said, also looking at the academy building.
Rafe couldn't stop marveling at the Elexia Academy building. This time, the group of teenagers who were going to take the test began to walk down the hallway of the academy building.
The breeze began to hit Rafe's body as he enjoyed looking at the scenery around the hallway, but his steps stopped when he saw a familiar figure. His pupils dilated along with the smile that graced his face. His heart beat faster than before.
Rafe's gaze was now fixed on a beautiful blonde girl wearing an academy uniform. The girl seemed to be with two other girls who were leading the teenagers to another corridor. Hayato also stopped his steps and looked back, confused by Rafe's current expression.
The teenagers who passed the blonde girl seemed to bow their heads respectfully while smiling happily. They also looked at the girl with admiring glances. The sweet smile that adorned the blonde girl's face added to her graceful figure. The girl also seemed to be very friendly, directing the teenagers who were about to take the test.
"Hey Rafe, do you need to relieve yourself?" asked Hayato when he saw that Rafe still hadn't moved.
"Lyn!" Rafe suddenly shouted as he ran towards the beautiful blonde girl.
"Huh?" Hayato said in surprise when he heard Rafe.
Suddenly, all the teenagers there were surprised and turned their attention to Rafe, the beautiful blonde girl seemed to stare at Rafe who was running towards her. Rafe immediately smiled as he opened his arms as if to hug the beautiful girl in front of him.
"What are you doing, asshole?" snapped another girl who was with the blonde girl.
Rafe's body fell to the floor after being punched in the face by the blonde girl's friend, and everyone there looked shocked. The blonde girl just stood there in shock when she saw Rafe.
"What are you going to do to the princess, huh?" snapped a red-haired youth who immediately approached the scene.
"Tch. He's always stirring up trouble," Hayato grumbled as he approached Rafe.
"Lyn. You're here," Rafe said as he stood up.
"Who are you calling Lyn?" snapped the uniformed youth as he shook his fist at Rafe's face.
Rafe quickly ducked his head so that the red-haired boy's punch only hit the wind. The kid looked shocked and tried to attack again with his right leg kick, but Rafe deflected the kid's attack and hooked his leg. The red-haired youth fell to the ground, grimacing in pain, and the two girls who had been near the blonde girl immediately stepped forward to block Rafe.
"What are you going to do to Princess Mia, huh?" the blonde girl's friend asked.
"Mia? What do you mean?" asked Rafe as he looked at the blonde girl.
"Lyn, I've been looking for you in this kingdom for a long time," Rafe said with a smile.
"Who are you? Have we met before?" the blonde girl named Mia asked.
At that moment, Rafe's heartbeat seemed to stop, and his face, which had looked very happy, changed drastically. The blonde girl's short question seemed to pierce his heart.
"You're not kidding Lyn, at a time like this you still want to tease me. I can't possibly forget you and your mana aura," Rafe said, trying to smile.
"Lyn? Who is she? My name is Mia," the blonde girl replied with a confused look on her face.
Continued...