The sun was beginning its descent as Hiroshi wandered through the kingdom of Eltoria, a place as majestic as it was mysterious. High stone walls encircled the city, and within, the architecture ranged from ancient stone buildings to elegant spires that reached for the sky. He walked along the bustling streets, feeling a mix of awe and disorientation.
He had no idea where he was or how this place worked. Everything was new—alien, even. Yet, he kept his expression calm, trying to absorb as much as he could without drawing attention to his ignorance.
As he walked, he marveled at the sights: merchants loudly advertising their wares, armored knights making their rounds, and people of various races—humans, elves, and even beastfolk—going about their lives. It was all overwhelming, but Hiroshi's analytical mind kept him focused. If he was to survive and thrive here, he needed information.
Just as he was considering asking someone for directions, Hiroshi's thoughts were interrupted when he accidentally bumped into a young woman carrying a stack of books. The collision sent her books tumbling to the ground.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Hiroshi apologized, quickly kneeling to help her pick up the scattered volumes.
The woman looked up, slightly startled but quickly composing herself. "No harm done," she replied with a warm smile. "I should've been more careful."
As they gathered the books, Hiroshi glanced at the titles—most were about history, magic, and something called "arcane theory." It was all unfamiliar to him, yet fascinating.
"I'm Hiroshi," he introduced himself, handing her the last book.
"Aria," she replied, accepting the book with a nod of thanks. "You seem new to Eltoria. Are you a traveler?"
Hiroshi hesitated for a moment. "You could say that. I'm still getting used to everything here."
Aria studied him for a second, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Eltoria is a grand place, but it can be overwhelming if you don't know your way around. If you're interested in learning more, you might want to visit the Crescent Academy. It's one of the most prestigious places of learning in the kingdom."
Hiroshi's interest was piqued, but he maintained a calm facade. "Crescent Academy, huh? What kind of subjects do they teach?"
"Oh, everything from combat training to magical arts, history, and even alchemy," Aria explained enthusiastically. "It's where the kingdom's best and brightest go to hone their skills."
Hiroshi nodded thoughtfully, though his mind was racing. An academy? That could be exactly what he needed—a place to gather knowledge and possibly find a way back home. But for now, he couldn't let on how little he knew.
"Sounds like a place worth visiting," Hiroshi said with a casual smile. "Do you think it's possible to join?"
Aria's eyes lit up. "Definitely! There's an entrance exam happening tomorrow. If you're interested, I could show you the way."
"That would be great," Hiroshi agreed, hiding his eagerness. "Lead the way."
As they walked through the city, Hiroshi listened closely to Aria's explanations, filing away every bit of information. She spoke of the kingdom's history, its rulers, and the importance of the Crescent Academy. Though it was all new to him, Hiroshi nodded along, occasionally asking questions that made it seem like he understood more than he actually did.
When they finally reached the academy, Hiroshi was struck by its grandeur. The Crescent Academy stood atop a hill, its towering spires and grand arches visible from almost anywhere in the city. Statues of legendary heroes lined the path to the entrance, and the entire place radiated an air of tradition and power.
Aria stopped at the entrance, turning to face Hiroshi. "This is it—the Crescent Academy. If you're serious about joining, you should definitely take the entrance exam. It's tough, but I think you'll do well."
Hiroshi nodded, though he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. "I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the guidance, Aria."
She smiled warmly. "Good luck, Hiroshi. I hope to see you around."
As Aria walked away, Hiroshi stood there for a moment, taking in the sight of the academy. This was a chance to learn, to grow stronger, and maybe even to find his way in this strange new world. He spent the rest of the day exploring the grounds, preparing himself for what was to come.
That night, as Hiroshi rested in a quiet corner of the academy's courtyard, he reflected on the day's events. He was stepping into the unknown, but he was ready to face whatever challenges awaited him. Tomorrow, he would take the entrance exam and begin a new chapter of his journey.
The morning sun bathed the Crescent Academy in a soft, golden light as Hiroshi stood among the other examinees. The atmosphere was tense, with many students nervously whispering to each other, but Hiroshi maintained his calm. He hadn't prepared for this exam, yet he felt an odd sense of confidence. He reminded himself to rely on his wits and any knowledge he could muster from his previous life.
As they were ushered into a grand hall, rows of desks awaited them, each with a blank exam paper and a quill. Hiroshi took his seat, scanning the room. The ceilings were high, adorned with intricate carvings and glowing crystals that provided a warm illumination. He couldn't help but admire the craftsmanship, but soon his attention returned to the task at hand.
An instructor, dressed in flowing robes, stepped forward and addressed the group. "Welcome, examinees. This is the first of three tests you will face today: the written exam. You have two hours to complete it. Begin."
At the sound of the gong, Hiroshi flipped over his exam paper, expecting a barrage of questions he'd have no hope of answering. His heart pounded as his eyes moved to the first problem. But then, his anxiety evaporated.
"... Basic math?" Hiroshi muttered under his breath.
The first question was a simple arithmetic problem—addition, subtraction, multiplication. He blinked, wondering if this was some sort of trick. But no, the next questions were just as elementary. Hiroshi couldn't help but feel a bit relieved, if not a little confused.
"They really weren't kidding about the basics..." he thought, quickly jotting down his answers.
As he worked through the math problems, his attention was drawn to another section of the exam—a series of questions about ancient languages. At first, the characters were foreign to him, but then his eyes fell upon an example answer.
"Flame: Api."
His mind flashed back to his high school days, when he had dabbled in learning a few languages for fun. "Isn't that... Malay? I know a bit of it!"
Hiroshi's confidence grew. The questions were asking for translations of various words from one language to another, and with the Malay language as a reference, he found himself able to decipher the meanings with surprising ease.
"Who would have thought this would come in handy here," he mused as he worked through the translations.
As he continued, the questions became slightly more complex, delving into the origins of certain words and their cultural significance. Yet, with his knack for analysis and his previous knowledge, Hiroshi found himself breezing through these sections as well.
He finished the entire exam long before the allotted time was up. Glancing around, he noticed other students still scribbling furiously, some of them looking quite stressed. Hiroshi leaned back in his chair, resisting the urge to smirk. He wasn't about to draw unnecessary attention to himself, so he quietly double-checked his answers before placing his quill down.
One of the instructors noticed him and approached. "Finished already?"
Hiroshi nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "Yes, sir."
The instructor raised an eyebrow, but after a brief glance at Hiroshi's completed paper, he simply nodded. "Very well. You may leave the hall early. Proceed to the courtyard for the next part of the exam."
As Hiroshi stepped out into the fresh air, he felt a sense of accomplishment, tempered by the realization that this was just the beginning. He had cleared the first hurdle, but the day was far from over. The practical and combat exams were still to come, and for those, he couldn't rely on basic knowledge alone.
But for now, he allowed himself a small moment of pride. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was determined to face them head-on, just as he had today. As he walked toward the courtyard, the whispers of the other students still inside the exam hall faded away, leaving him alone with his thoughts and the bright future that awaited.
As Hiroshi stepped out into the training ground for the practical exam, the atmosphere shifted. Unlike the calm of the written exam, the air here was charged with anticipation. Other examinees stood around him, some nervously adjusting their gear, while others brandished their weapons with confidence.
The examiner, a stern-looking man with a long scar running across his cheek, stepped forward. "For this exam, you will be demonstrating your combat abilities," he announced. "Each of you will face a magical construct. Your task is to subdue it using any means necessary."
Hiroshi's heart pounded in his chest. While he had gained some combat experience traveling with Elysia, he knew his skills were still rough. The system had been a great help, but he couldn't rely on it alone. He had to stay sharp.
He was led to his designated area, a circular arena surrounded by a barrier. Standing at the center was a large, humanoid construct made of stone and metal, its eyes glowing with a faint blue light.
"Begin!" the examiner's voice echoed through the arena.
The construct immediately lurched toward Hiroshi, its heavy footsteps sending vibrations through the ground. Hiroshi dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow from its massive fist.
He quickly opened the system interface in his mind, scanning through his skills. "Flicker," he thought, and in an instant, he teleported behind the construct, delivering a swift strike with his Mystical Katana.
The blade connected, and wind energy burst forth, slicing into the construct's back. It staggered but didn't fall. Instead, it whirled around, swinging its arm in a wide arc. Hiroshi ducked, barely avoiding the blow, but he felt the wind pressure against his skin.
"I need to be more precise," he muttered to himself, feeling the adrenaline rush coursing through his veins.
The construct raised both arms, preparing to slam them down on Hiroshi. He took a deep breath, focusing his energy. At the last moment, he activated "Adrenaline Rush," feeling a surge of power and speed. He dashed forward, slipping between the construct's legs.
As he emerged behind it, Hiroshi saw an opening. With a fluid motion, he swung his katana upward, slicing through the joints of its left leg. The construct stumbled, losing its balance.
"Now!" he thought, gathering his strength for one final strike. He flickered in front of the construct's chest, driving his katana straight into its core. The wind element surged, and the blade sank deep, causing the construct to emit a low, grinding noise before it crumbled to the ground, defeated.
Hiroshi stood over the remains, panting slightly. His heart was still racing, but a small smile played on his lips. He had done it.
The barrier surrounding the arena dissipated, and the examiner approached. "Impressive," he said, nodding in approval. "You showed great control and adaptability."
Hiroshi gave a slight bow. "Thank you," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
As he walked away from the arena, Hiroshi couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. The system interface appeared in his vision, showing a notification:
**Quest Completed: Entrance Exam Practical**
**Rewards: Experience Points +1000, Skill Points +2**
He dismissed the interface and allowed himself a small sigh of relief. The first hurdle was cleared, but he knew there would be more challenges ahead. For now, he had to focus on what came next.
Hiroshi gathered with the other candidates in the academy's main courtyard after the practical exam, his heart still racing from the battle. The examiner had told them to wait for further instructions, and now a different instructor, a tall woman with sharp eyes and a commanding presence, stepped forward.
"Congratulations to those who passed the practical exam," she began, her voice carrying authority. "However, your trials are far from over."
The crowd of examinees fell silent, all eyes focused on her. Hiroshi noticed the tension in the air, the nervous energy of those around him who were still coming down from the adrenaline of their fights.
"Tomorrow, you will face the final part of the entrance exam: the combat exam. This will not be like the battles you just fought. You will be pitted against one another in duels, testing not only your strength and skill but also your strategy and adaptability."
Murmurs rippled through the group. Hiroshi swallowed hard. Duels against other candidates? This was different from fighting a magical construct. He glanced around, wondering who he might have to face. Some of the candidates looked fierce and battle-hardened, while others, like him, seemed more unsure.
The instructor's sharp gaze silenced the murmurs. "Remember, this is a test of your potential as students of our esteemed academy, not a death match. You are expected to push your limits, but do not forget the value of restraint and respect for your opponents."
She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "You have the rest of the day to prepare. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. Tomorrow's exam will determine your place in this academy."
With that, the instructor dismissed them, and the candidates began to disperse, some heading off to train, others to rest. Hiroshi remained for a moment, deep in thought. The prospect of facing off against another person was daunting, especially in a world where he was still learning the rules.
As he turned to leave, the system interface flashed before him:
[New Quest: Prepare for the Combat Exam.
Objective: Formulate a strategy, review your skills, and prepare for tomorrow's challenge.]
He dismissed the notification and took a deep breath. The challenges were growing, but he was determined to rise to the occasion. With the weight of tomorrow's exam on his mind, Hiroshi made his way back to his quarters, ready to prepare for whatever awaited him.
Tomorrow would be a true test of everything he had learned so far.