Winter had wrapped the White Forest in a thick, heavy blanket of snow. It was November, and the temperature had plunged to its lowest point of the year. But while the icy wind howled outside, the Academy remained cozy, thanks to the magical barrier that kept the cold at bay.
Dozens of students lined up around the oval, making the place heated in discussion. It was the day of the Trial for the Reconnaissance Corps, and around ninety eager first- and second-year students had lined up, hoping to earn a spot.
The fierce battles they had faced recently had sparked a fire within them—one they hadn't known they had. The thrill of the fight, the hunger to take down beasts, kept gnawing at them, pushing them forward.
"There's like a hundred students here. I don't think I'm gonna make the cut,"
"I heard a lot of geniuses are trying out too,"
"You mean that girl from the capital? They say she took down nearly a dozen beasts during the last tide. She's probably got experience."
"Yeah, but there's an even more amazing first-year this year. You all know who I'm talking about."
In the middle of the chatter, Ardiel stood with his eyes closed, oblivious to the buzz around him. He focused inward, meditating as he stood in place. Slowly, he began to stir the mana within his body, guiding it through every open circuit. The process warmed him from the inside out, keeping his system prepared and preventing his mana circuits from overheating or straining once the trial began. Ardiel had no intention of holding back today—he wasn't just here to make the cut. He was here to earn a good spot in the Corps.
Reno and Kristan were the same, both of them basically just got used to each other's presence by now, rather than friends, it's more like they're tolerating each other for Ardiel. While everyone was heated up, the two had been emitting cold chill from their bodies as they circulate their cold ice-attributed mana.
"Attention, everyone!" a third-year student called out.
"Let me explain the mechanics of the trials."
"There will be three stages. The Reconnaissance Corps is looking for specific skills in our recruits, so each stage will test different abilities."
The students listened intently as the tests were outlined. Anxiety swept through them as the details emerged. The first stage would filter applicants through three tests: Speed, Agility, and Evasion. The second stage would focus on long- to mid-range attacks—archery, dagger throwing, and for magisters, spellcasting. Those who advanced to the final stage would face a practical test: defeating low rank monsters.
The path to joining the Reconnaissance Corps was never easy. It demanded skill, bravery, and a readiness for dangerous operations. Not just anyone could join; it was a selective process designed to find the best of the best.
"We'll start with the first stage." a third year student stepped out, it was Lucas, as part of the committee, he was the one hosting the first stage of the trials.
The student's names were called one by one in random order, which made it more nerve-wracking for everyone.
"Kiera Ashborn," as soon as the familiar name was called, the students suddenly buzzed with noise and were intrigued, because this was the famous girl who had challenged her entire class and won every single one of them. She had also shown impressive results during the Admission Test so naturally, she will be one of the stars.
Five lanes of the track were quickly occupied, and the speed test has started. This time, the participants were allowed to use mana. When the signal was shot, Kiera shot past the starting line and ran at incredible speed.
Ardiel had previously set a 50 seconds record in the 400 meters run with just raw power and that was already impressive for a 10 year old. Kiera vividly remembered that day when she came second, so this time, as one of the first set of students to take part in the trial, she naturally wants to make a huge impression, even hoping to come out on top.
Her swift track ended with everyone's face in shock.
"38.32 seconds, 42.16 seconds, 44.23 seconds…" Lucas announced the times of the first five participants, with Kiera placing first.
"Did that first-year really just beat everyone? Keero, a second-year, came in second with a huge gap from her," students whispered in disbelief.
"Even 42 seconds is tough to beat."
The instructors watching the trials were equally amazed. It was expected for Keero to perform well, given his imminent promotion to Rank 2, but Kiera's lead by a 4-second gap was astounding.
"She's incredibly fast," Kristan said bitterly. He knew he wouldn't match Kiera's record but hoped to clear the first stage. While he wasn't the fastest among the first years, he was confident he'd be above average.
"She's frighteningly fast, but why is she staring at you?" Reno asked, noticing Kiera's sharp gaze fixed on Ardiel.
"I don't know," Ardiel just ignored it and continued with his own meditation.
Lucas continued calling students. When it was Reno and Kristan's turn, they approached the track with a mix of nerves and determination.
"Don't run too slow," Reno whispered to Kristan.
"I could say the same to you," Kristan replied.
As ice users, they weren't known for their speed, but they knew how to use their attributes to their advantage. With mana usage allowed, they covered their feet with ice mana, creating an icy sheet over their soles.
BANG!
As the signal was shot, the five students strode along the lanes with incredible speed, Reno and Kristan to be exact streamlined smoothly at the front, competing with each other, they couldn't care less with the other three, their goal was to prove which is a better ice user.
Their ice covered soles significantly reduced the friction and enabled them with quicker acceleration and smoother running.
"43.51 seconds, 43.92 seconds…" Lucas read off the times.
"Reno Dragonheart came .41 seconds faster," he declared, noting the intense gaze from the two competitors, who seemed ready to pounce if he delayed the announcement any longer.
"See?" Reno grinned but Kristan only rolled his eyes, clearly dissatisfied.
"It's just .51 seconds, nothing big of a deal."
"Oh sure it is, Look at your rankings, you're 4 places lower," Reno pointed at the floating translucent monitor made up of magic, it shows the overall standings of the student.
1st: Kiera Ashborn, 38.32 seconds
2nd: Anton Maximillian, 39.11 seconds
.
10th: Reno Dragonheart, 43.51 seconds
14th: Kristan Evans, 43.92 seconds
Then as if it was intended, Ardiel's name was called on for the last set. It wasn't a problem for him since it gave him more time to prepare himself, and he wasn't nervous one bit so the nerves that last applicants usually feel weren't applied to him.
"Ace it," Reno patted his shoulder before pushing him lightly. He just nodded at him, he intends to ace this one even when no one has said it to him.
Lucas paid special attention to Ardiel, he knew the first day he saw him, when he guided him to his dorm, that this boy would be amazing, he just couldn't tell how much surprise he would bring to this lone fortress in the northwest.
"On your mark.." he signaled.
BANG!
Ardiel applied a Light Step on his body, and Gravity Well just enough to cover the width of his lane so the other participants won't be affected. With this, he could boost his speed to an unimaginable extent.
His strides were a blur of motion, and he sped down the track with a ferocity that left the crowd and instructors in stunned silence. His pace was so rapid that even a Rank 3 Beast would struggle to keep up, and he was still accelerating as he approached the halfway point.
The instructors all stood up from their seats with their fists clenched tightly.
"That was a ten-year-old?" Albert, the Sparring Exercises instructor, exclaimed, incredulous. He couldn't fathom such speed from someone so young. Even Rank 2 students couldn't match it.
"Do you think his mana core and mana ring had something to do with it?" Rodan asked, glancing at Albert. "Maybe. Does anyone know his mana attribute?" he added.
None of the instructors answered. Normally, students revealed their mana attributes through their abilities, but Ardiel's display had left them guessing. There was no obvious clue—unlike Reno's ice mana or Kiera's black fire magic.
So the instructors were left wondering: What was Ardiel's mana attribute?
"25.78 seconds," Lucas announced, his voice almost faltering. The time was nearly that of a Rank 4 Auror.
If Kiera's performance had shocked everyone, Ardiel's turn made everyone shell-shocked and dumbfounded.
The instructors all have the same thoughts.
"That is a monster, not even Erick could reach that speed when he was still Rank 1."
"Didn't Erick hold the record for first-years with a time around 33 seconds during his first Annual Tournament participation?"
The instructors had expected Erick to be the top performer due to his Lightning attribute, inherited from his father. But now, they couldn't even determine what magic Ardiel had used.
But this time, they couldn't even see what type of magic Ardiel had used.
"We'll ask him later," Rodan said, his curiosity piqued. He had been the evaluator during Ardiel's Admission Test and hadn't discovered the boy's secrets.
Meanwhile, the students were still processing the incredible display.
"He must be using a cheat."
"Seriously? With all those instructors watching?" someone smacked the boy's head who had made the ridiculous accusation.
They all knew Ardiel would somehow surprise them yet again. It's been three months and during those months, he has shown quite impressive results whether it'd be theoretical or practical.
"Then how did he do it?" the boy asked, bewildered.
They all looked at Reno, who they knew was Ardiel's older brother, expecting a good answer from him.
"I don't know, he's just that amazing, isn't he?" he chuckled, brimming with pride. He's definitely proud of Ardiel.
Kiera, sitting at the edge of the crowd, let out a sigh of disbelief.
"I wonder what Auntie Thesia fed him to make him achieve this. Was it skewers?" Her curiosity shifted to Ardiel's diet, humorously fixated on the idea of skewers.