Lean, who was standing not far from the confrontation, quietly observed the tension between Alon and Brain.
Watching the scene unfold before his eyes was surreal, knowing that this moment was straight out of the novel.
It was eerie how everything had lined up so far—the way events, characters, and even dialogue were exactly as he remembered.
Still, despite his sense of control, a part of him remained on edge.
He thought he knew the future, but in the back of his mind, the uncertainty gnawed at him.
•
•
•
Finally, the check-in process was completed.
The last number called went unanswered, indicating the absence of a participant.
Out of the three hundred or so who had gathered for the exam, only two hundred and fifteen were officially approved to take part.
The rest had either failed to meet the qualifications of the check in process or had simply come in hopes of securing a spot by chance, without going through the proper registration channels.
A risky and often futile move.
The examinees who had been approved were led away from the entrance hall.
The path took them through a dimly lit alleyway, casting long shadows as they passed between tall stone walls.
The air was thick with anticipation, and nervous whispers filled the corridor.
Everyone knew that beyond this passage lay the main arena, where the entrance examination would begin.
The exam was divided into three stages.
The first and second stages were scheduled for today, while the third—the most anticipated stage—would take place tomorrow.
Unlike the earlier tests, the final stage wasn't just an exam; it was a spectacle for the people of Vornithar, a grand event designed to showcase the might and talent of the mages vying for a place in the academy.
"Right this way," a sub-mage instructed, leading the group through a set of wide iron doors.
The creak of the hinges echoed through the passage as the doors swung open to reveal a large arena.
This was where the first two stages of the exam would be held.
As the examinees filed into the arena, they noticed that most of the seating was empty, save for a few low-ranking mages and academy staff sitting in the first two rows.
These individuals were here on a scouting mission, tasked with observing the candidates and reporting back to their respective houses within the academy.
Each mage house had its own unique specialties, and they all vied for the brightest talents to strengthen their ranks.
Some of the staff had the authority to directly recruit promising students, unlike the lower-class mages, who could only send reports.
The term "House" referred to the academy's four main divisions, each serving as a kind of dormitory where mages lived, trained, and learned together.
Each house had its own distinct culture and focused on different types of magic, ranging from elemental control to complex enchantments.
Once all the participants were inside the arena, something unusual happened.
A swirling mass of flames appeared at the center of the arena floor, and from the vortex, a man emerged, unscathed and composed.
His sudden entrance caused gasps of surprise from the crowd.
The man stood tall, about six feet in height, with sharp yellow hair streaked with black.
His piercing blue eyes scanned the arena, and his presence commanded attention.
He wore a dark red cloak, a dragon emblem emblazoned on the back, that swayed as he moved.
Standing confidently at the forefront, he greeted the examinees.
"My name is Fredrick Sciatis, and I will be overseeing today's entrance examination. The pleasure is all mine."
"F-Fredrick Sciatis!" someone among the crowd exclaimed.
"Who is he?" another participant asked, wide-eyed.
"He's known as the—"
Lean, uninterested in the chatter, completed the thought in his head. Fredrick Sciatis, he mused.
"A second-year student at the academy and a member of the Crimson Dragon House.
He's one of the top three recruits from the last entrance exam. In just two months, he was promoted from a C-rank mage to a B-rank mage after mastering high-level magic."
Fredrick was a legend among the students, and his presence at the exam only added to the pressure weighing on the examinees.
Many of them looked awed by his achievements, but Lean already knew the full story.
As Fredrick allowed the murmurs to die down, Lean noticed Alon staring intently at the mage.
Alon's eyes were fixed on Fredrick, sizing him up, as if absorbing every detail of his appearance and reputation.
'So, he's a big shot at the academy, huh?: Lean thought, reading Alon's expression, knowing this was the first time Alon had truly taken in the competition he was up against.
Fredrick's face remained composed, but Lean could sense a hint of amusement in the way he allowed the participants to murmur and gossip.
He had likely seen this reaction dozens of times before.
"Alright, that's enough," Fredrick finally said, raising his voice slightly. His tone was sharp but not unkind.
"Let me explain how this exam will be conducted before we begin."
The arena went silent. Every candidate was now fully focused on him.
"The entrance examination consists of three stages," Fredrick began.
"The first stage is the Enchantment Magic Stage. In this stage, you will be evaluated on your ability to control and manipulate magic energy.
You will be presented with a series of objects that require enchantment. Your task is to show us what you can create and how well you can do it."
Fredrick let the weight of his words sink in. "Be aware that improper control or reckless use of magic will lead to immediate disqualification."
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd as some of the participants exchanged nervous glances.
Clearly, not everyone was confident in their magical control.
Fredrick continued. "The second stage is the Elemental Control Test. You will be tasked with demonstrating mastery over at least one elemental type—fire, water, air, earth, or others.
Your performance in this test will be a key factor in determining your suitability for the academy."
Lean's excitement grew. He already knew the structure of the exam, but hearing it directly from Fredrick made it feel real in a way that simply reading about it never had.
This was the moment where the candidates would begin to separate themselves.
"And finally," Fredrick announced with a grin, "the third stage: The Combat Stage. This final test, which will take place tomorrow, is not only an examination but also a spectacle for the people of Vornithar. It's your chance to show what you're made of, in front of an audience."
A hum of excitement ran through the crowd at the mention of the combat test.
Everyone knew the final stage was more than just an exam—it was an opportunity to make a name for themselves in the eyes of the academy, and perhaps even the city.
Fredrick let the excitement hang in the air for a moment before he stepped back, motioning to the sub-mages to begin the preparations for the first stage.
"Now!"
Fredrick declared, his voice echoing throughout the arena.
"Let the entrance examination begin!"