The Academy. I had heard about it in Ryuji's memories, but seeing it in person was something else entirely.
The grand, towering gates loomed ahead, intricately designed with runes that pulsed faintly with mana. Beyond them, the sprawling grounds stretched as far as the eye could see, with gleaming towers and courtyards full of students bustling about in their pristine uniforms. It felt both majestic and intimidating—a place where the strong were forged, and the weak were left behind.
As I stepped through the gates, my mind buzzed with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. This would be my new reality. Here, I'd be tested—my knowledge, my skills, and my ability to blend in. Ryuji Hayashi was a known prodigy, after all, and the last thing I could afford was to raise suspicion by failing to meet those expectations.
"Ryuji!" a voice called out, pulling me from my thoughts.
Turning, I saw a familiar face—Shinzo Nakamura. He was another noble's son, someone Ryuji had been acquainted with for years. He was tall, with a lean build, and his short brown hair gave him a perpetually unbothered look. His smile, however, was genuine, and as he approached, I could sense an easy camaraderie between us, buried deep in Ryuji's memories.
"Long time no see!" he said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "I heard you've been training like crazy. Figures, with the exams coming up."
I forced a smile, playing along. "Yeah, trying to stay sharp."
Shinzo nodded. "We're all going to need it. The instructors won't go easy on us this year, especially with the incoming competition from the other noble families." His eyes gleamed with excitement, though there was a hint of nervousness behind it. "I've heard they're bringing in special examiners from the capital this time. Big names."
Special examiners? That was news to me, but I kept my expression neutral. "Guess we'll just have to rise to the challenge."
Shinzo grinned. "That's the spirit. Come on, let's head to the orientation."
The Academy's main hall was packed with students, all of them dressed in the same navy-blue uniforms with silver accents. The atmosphere was charged with tension and excitement—students talking in hushed voices about upcoming trials, rivalries, and, of course, the looming exams.
I kept my head down, doing my best to take in the surroundings without drawing too much attention. The hall itself was a masterpiece of architecture, with high, vaulted ceilings and walls lined with banners representing various noble houses. Statues of famous alumni and great warriors stood proudly along the sides, their stern expressions a reminder of the legacy we were expected to live up to.
A tall, stern-looking man stood at the podium at the front of the room. His sharp features and cold, calculating gaze commanded immediate respect. Ryuji's memories quickly filled in the blanks—this was Headmaster Kaneda, one of the most powerful mages in the kingdom and a former general in the royal army.
"Welcome, students," Kaneda's voice boomed through the hall, silencing the chatter instantly. "You stand at the threshold of greatness. The Academy has a long and proud history of producing the finest warriors and mages this world has ever seen. But make no mistake—this path is not for the weak."
His eyes swept over the room, and for a brief moment, I could've sworn they lingered on me.
"Your training here will be rigorous, and your resolve will be tested. Only those with the strength, skill, and determination to rise above the rest will find themselves standing among the elite."
The Headmaster paused, letting his words sink in. Then, he gestured toward the side, where a row of instructors stood in silence. "You will be divided into divisions, based on your aptitude. These instructors will oversee your progress and evaluate your performance throughout the year. Excellence will be rewarded. Failure will not be tolerated."
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of those words. This wasn't just about passing a few tests or making it through the year. This was survival. Every student here was competition, and the Academy didn't seem like a place that took mercy on those who couldn't keep up.
Shinzo nudged me. "No pressure, huh?"
I gave him a wry smile. "Yeah, no pressure at all."
After the orientation, we were directed to the testing grounds—a massive, open-air arena designed for combat evaluations. Rows of students lined up, waiting for their turn to be assessed. It was here, in the first days, that our rankings would be established, and where our standing among the nobles would begin to solidify.
"Next!" an instructor called, and I stepped forward.
The testing area was divided into two parts: one for physical combat and one for magical aptitude. I felt my pulse quicken as I approached, gripping the hilt of a practice sword that had been provided.
I wasn't just testing as Ryuji now. This was me—testing the limits of a body that wasn't mine, in a world I barely understood. But there was no turning back.
The first part of the test was simple enough: combat against a training golem. It was large, stone-faced, and designed to react to a variety of fighting styles. I'd seen it in Ryuji's memories, but experiencing it firsthand was something else. Its movements were mechanical yet fast, and each blow it delivered carried enough force to knock a normal person off their feet.
I focused, relying on the muscle memory embedded in Ryuji's body. My movements were smooth, and despite my lack of actual sword-fighting experience, I found myself dodging and countering with surprising ease. The blade felt like an extension of my arm, every swing precise, every block calculated.
After a few minutes of back-and-forth, I saw an opening and struck. The golem staggered, its chest sparking as my blade made contact. The instructor nodded, signaling the end of the test.
"You've been keeping up with your training," he remarked, scribbling something on his clipboard.
I gave a curt nod, not trusting myself to speak without betraying the nervousness coursing through me.
Next came the magic test. Mana control.
This was trickier. Ryuji's memories told me he was proficient in wind magic, but actually channeling mana was something I hadn't had time to practice. I stepped up to the platform, trying to recall how it was supposed to feel—how Ryuji had done it countless times before.
I took a deep breath, focusing inward. The mana was there, swirling around me, waiting to be called. Slowly, I extended my hand, feeling the energy gather at my fingertips. A gust of wind swirled around me, stronger than I expected, but not uncontrolled.
The instructor watched closely as I shaped the wind into a focused stream, directing it toward a set of targets. The sensation was strange, almost like flexing a muscle I hadn't known I had. But it worked. The wind struck each target with precision, and I let the mana dissipate, lowering my hand.
"Well done," the instructor said, marking down another note. "You'll be placed in the advanced division."
Advanced? I hadn't expected that. Relief and apprehension washed over me in equal measure. On one hand, it meant I wouldn't have to worry about being seen as weak. On the other, it meant I'd be surrounded by the best—those who would scrutinize my every move.
I stepped off the platform, feeling the weight of my new reality settle in.
The Academy had just begun, and I knew this was only the first of many challenges.