The academy grounds were alive in a way I hadn't quite seen before. Students darted through the halls with stacks of textbooks that teetered precariously, racing from class to study groups as if their lives depended on it—which, given the stakes of the upcoming exams, might not have been far from the truth. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement, desperation, and caffeine-induced panic, the kind of cocktail that only a group of magically-gifted teenagers facing an academic doomsday could produce.
Out in the training fields, the tension was practically tangible. Every clang of swords, crackle of magic, and grunt of exertion echoed across the grounds, mixing with the constant murmur of students quizzing each other on obscure spell theories and elemental equations. Even the F Rank Class students—normally content to hover in the background—were hitting the training dummies like they'd personally insulted them. And considering that Order scouts would be watching, it made sense; this was a rare shot at greatness, a chance to claw their way out of the shadows and into something prestigious.
Meanwhile, I was trying to strike a delicate balance somewhere between "responsible student" and "effortlessly cool." I wasn't about to turn into one of those jittery, sleep-deprived wrecks mumbling spell incantations in their sleep. But I wasn't fool enough to ignore the work, either. Exams here weren't just about memorizing theories and formulas; they'd be throwing us headfirst into both academic and combat tests, where everything we'd learned would be put to the test.
And, of course, the pressure on me was sky-high. S Rank Class wasn't exactly forgiving when it came to mediocre performances.
I spent every morning in the training field before most of the others even thought about dragging themselves out of bed. Swordsmanship drills, stamina exercises, refining my mana circulation—you name it, I was doing it. After upgrading my mana core recently, I could keep my mana blade going longer, which was a small victory, but it didn't mean I could relax. My sword hissed with dark energy as I cut through the air, each swing sharpening the edge of my focus. I'd learned to channel the dark mana around my sword, creating an aura that rippled with each strike, the edge of black magic glinting in the morning light.
Sweat dripped down my face as I finished a particularly grueling set, letting the mana blade fade with a sharp exhale. I scanned the field, taking in the scene around me. Everyone was on edge, locked in their own private worlds of focus, anxiety, and the occasional moment of panic. Groups practiced spells, sparks flashing as fire met water in controlled duels, while others worked solo, muttering incantations under their breath with the intensity of someone cramming for the final exam of their life. Which, given how brutal this place could be, wasn't entirely a metaphor.
The academy had transformed into a restless hive of training dummies, sparring rings, and more than a few close calls as spells went flying just a little too close to people's heads. The clang of steel and hum of magic filled the air, an endless symphony of preparation. The combat training areas were especially chaotic. I passed one pair of students who were locked in a fierce sword duel, their footwork sharp and precise as they danced back and forth. A few yards away, someone yelled as their summoned fireball veered wildly off course, sending a cluster of students scattering in all directions.
And yet, beneath all this frenzy, there was a shared understanding. We all knew that things could go sideways at any moment. There was something ominous about these exams, something that hung in the air like a storm cloud just waiting to burst.
It wasn't just the typical student panic over grades, either. The scouts from the Spellblade Orders were a big deal. Usually, they only showed up for graduation events, but this year, they'd decided to start picking out promising students early. Rumor had it that if you impressed them, you might score a spot in an Order, regardless of your rank or background. Even the F Rank students, normally resigned to scraping by, had latched onto that hope like a lifeline. It was like the academy had lit a fire under everyone, and we were all scrambling to avoid getting burned.
So, here I was, keeping my head down, trying to avoid the usual dramatics while still doing everything I could to ensure I didn't crash and burn. The last thing I wanted was to lose my footing right when everything mattered most.
Between bouts of studying, training, and convincing myself I had it all covered, there was an unsettling absence I couldn't ignore: my "system." It had been weeks since it last responded. No sarcastic remarks, no game-breaking upgrades, not even a cryptic warning to keep me on edge. Every few days, I'd try calling it up just to make sure it wasn't hiding on me, but… nothing. It was like it had vanished completely.
Did it abandon me? Is this some kind of test? I ran through every possibility. I'd almost convinced myself that maybe I'd just imagined it all—except for the fact that its power was real, very real. Yet here I was, completely in the dark about what "Episode Three" had in store, knowing only that the stakes were high and the unknown could pounce at any moment. And with no system guidance, I'd have to survive the combat exam the old-fashioned way—hard work and sheer grit.
The combat exam was a unique beast, too, designed to push us to our limits, especially with Spellblade scouts attending. Knowing I'd be evaluated by these elite Order mages had somehow made the stakes feel even higher. To take the edge off, I found a secluded corner in the library and buried myself in some last-minute reading on mana circulation.
Then, like she had a sixth sense for it, Claire appeared, dropping into the seat across from me with a grin. "Thought I'd find you here, Mr. Academic. Deep in study, huh?"
I gave her a casual shrug, trying to play it cool. "Just brushing up on the basics. Figured I should look like I know what I'm doing when the scouts show up."
"Oh, please." She rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed. "Like you need to cram. Everyone's talking about this exam; they say we'll face a beast simulation. Think you're ready for that?"
My stomach twisted, but I smirked. "Beast simulation? I could use the warm-up."
Her eyes sparkled as she leaned forward, clearly enjoying my bravado. "Big talk from the guy who hates unnecessary injuries. I figured you'd be hiding out, practicing some secret technique to wow the scouts."
Wouldn't that be nice, I thought. "Secret techniques? Wouldn't dream of it. I'm saving those for a real audience."
She laughed. "Good. Because I'm definitely not clapping if you end up flat on your back."
"Oh, you'd clap," I replied, throwing her a wink. "I'd make it look spectacular."
She shook her head, laughing again. "Confidence really isn't an issue for you, is it?"
"Hey, one of us has to balance out the rest of the class," I shot back. "I can't let Dorian hog all the glory, now can I?"
"Speaking of which, he's already parading around, convinced he'll come out on top," she said, rolling her eyes. "You two are definitely going to end up clashing again."
"Wouldn't have it any other way," I said with a grin, picturing Dorian charging in, fully expecting everyone to step aside for his glorious victory. As impressive as his ego was, I knew better. If I wanted to stay on top, I'd need to play it smarter, keep a low profile—and conserve my mana when it counted.
Just before she left, Claire gave me a rare, serious look. "Just… don't get yourself into anything reckless, okay?"
I blinked, a bit thrown by the genuine concern in her voice. "Who, me? Reckless? Never."
She laughed, shaking her head. "Right, I'll believe that when I see it. I expect a show, Lucius. But don't expect a standing ovation if you're unconscious at the end."
With that, she gave me a mock salute and sauntered away, leaving me both amused and weirdly reassured. For all the unknowns in this world, it was nice to have someone who'd watch my back—even if it was just to make sure I didn't do anything stupid.
As we parted ways, I returned to my room, a familiar blend of excitement and dread swirling in my stomach. The exam was going to be challenging, no doubt, but I knew the real threat was that elusive twist lurking around the corner—the one I could feel creeping up on me, right on schedule for Episode Three.
I tossed my things on the bed and began my pre-exam ritual, running through my spells and maneuvers. But as I moved around the room, straightening things up, my eyes landed on something in the corner. There, half-buried under a stack of old notes and training gear, was a sword I barely remembered.
It hit me—this was the one I'd picked up back on the market in the city when I was still fresh at the academy, back when everything felt simpler. I remembered the rush of excitement when I'd seen those runes carved along its blade, how it had felt like destiny or something equally overdramatic. But the sword had decided to introduce itself by flying around my room in a frenzy before the runes flickered out and I… promptly fainted. After that, I hadn't given it a second thought.
Now it sat there, silent and—dare I say—almost humble. I picked it up, expecting another show, but it stayed calm, the runes along its blade glowing with a steady pulse of energy. My grip tightened around the hilt, and I felt a surge of raw power, like the sword itself was waiting for this moment.
"Oh, now you're all quiet and composed, huh?" I muttered. "Trying to redeem yourself before the big day?"
The sword, of course, said nothing. But the energy resonating through it was unmistakable; it felt stable, powerful, almost as if it had been holding back until I was ready. I smirked. This blade would definitely come in handy—assuming it didn't decide to go rogue mid-exam.
I glanced out the window, watching as the sky deepened to dusk. "Alright, Episode Three," I said to the quiet room, gripping the sword a bit tighter. "Let's see what you've got."
And though there was only silence, I felt ready—maybe for the first time in weeks—for whatever awaited me in the exam arena.