The morning sun cast a golden hue over the inn as Ray woke early, feeling unusually refreshed. He donned his light training attire and stepped outside for a quick run. The crisp air and the rhythmic sound of his footsteps brought him a sense of clarity. After finishing his routine, he returned to the inn, washed up, and sat down to a hearty breakfast. The second day of the entrance exams awaited him, a written test that was sure to challenge even the brightest minds but not to someone who carries a memory holder which has stored knowledge with him..
Arriving at the academy thirty minutes early, Ray found his assigned seat in the examination hall. Unlike the others around him, who were frantically flipping through books and notes, Ray leaned back on the bench and closed his eyes. Within moments, he seemed to drift into a calm sleep.
Clea entered the room shortly after and noticed the unusual sight of Ray, the warlock who had dominated the tests thus far, fast asleep. She walked to her designated seat, which happened to be next to his. As she sat down, her gaze lingered on his face. For the first time in a long while, she found herself smiling, a genuine expression born from the rare sight of Ray's serene, almost childlike demeanor.
'He's letting his guard down in a place like this?' Clea thought, but as she extended her senses, she realized the truth. Around Ray, she could detect multiple layered barriers and a faint yet formidable energy, indicating his ever-active death sense.
Soon, Instructor Myra entered the room. She looked composed, though there was an undercurrent of unease, likely lingering from the previous day's spectacle. Her sharp eyes scanned the room before settling briefly on Ray, who opened his eyes at that exact moment. Their gazes met for a fleeting second before she broke eye contact and began distributing test papers.
---
Ray glanced at the questions after jotting down his name on the paper. A range of topics sprawled across the sheet, magic theory, history, elemental application, and Spirit arts. As he began writing, Luna's soft, ever-supportive voice echoed in his mind. She was the partner in crime helping his lazy mind clear certain topics.
"Question three is tricky," Ray whispered internally.
'Name the three theorists responsible for the modern understanding of the mana cycle.'
Luna answered smoothly.
"Ansel Radek, Liora Fenwick, and Veras Hightower. Their combined research created the standard theory. Don't forget to mention Veras's discovery of the mana-node synchronization process."
Ray scribbled the answer without hesitation, his handwriting neat and efficient.
A few minutes later, he frowned slightly.
'What's the primary distinction between primal energy and standard mana in terms of stabilization?'
Luna answered.
"Easy. Primal energy is inherently unstable due to its connection to life force and emotions. Standard mana, on the other hand, stabilizes through external conduits like wands, staffs, or runes and even its absorption to mana core through nature, Write about how primal energy bypasses conventional mana circuits."
Ray finished the section and moved on to the history portion. One particular question caught his eye:
'What event marked the beginning of the Era of Ash?'
"The Great Calamity," Luna said, her voice tinged with somberness.
"The destruction of the World Tree and the collapse of Realm Order. Write about the aftermath, the wars, and the birth of the current Eastern Continent."*
Ray's answers flowed effortlessly, and within an hour, he completed the entire paper. Rising from his seat, he handed his test to Myra, who watched him leave with a curious expression.
---
Stepping out into the cool mid-morning air, Ray decided to explore the academy. He wandered the halls, taking in the grand architecture and intricate details of the building. His eyes fell on a board marked Library, and curiosity drew him toward it.
As he approached the entrance, a stern-faced guard stopped him.
"ID, please," the guard demanded.
Ray sighed and shook his head.
"I haven't officially joined the academy yet."
"Then you're not allowed inside," the guard replied curtly.
Unbothered, Ray continued down the hallway, admiring the academy's sprawling infrastructure. Eventually, he found himself near a training ground marked with a sign:
"For Student Council Members Only."
He paused for a moment, debating whether to turn back.
Just as he decided to leave, a sudden burst of mana flared from the other side of the wall. Intrigued, Ray leapt effortlessly over the barrier and perched atop it, his sharp eyes scanning the scene below.
There stood an elf, tall, with fierce emerald eyes and raven-black hair. The elf radiated an aura of immense power, and in a single glance, Ray could tell that despite her youthful appearance, this individual had experience in combat and powerful.
Ray's attention was abruptly drawn to a sharp movement. A dagger flew toward him with deadly precision, aimed at his shoulder. Before it could connect, a barrier activated five meters out, deflecting the weapon harmlessly.
The thrower stepped forward, her black hair swaying in the wind. Her piercing gaze locked onto Ray as she spoke, her voice sharp yet composed.
"Isn't it rude to stare at a woman from behind her back?"
Ray for some reason remembered Katherine, this lady in front of him had the exact appearance as the princess of elves...he muttered,
"You are pretty..." he was interrupted by the lady saying,
"What? Who are you anyway?"
Ray continued his sentence,
"Strong... will you fight me?" as he had a calm look in his eyes
He added,
"My name is Ray, an Examinee, and....as for this, take it back," he said as he threw the dagger towards her to which she couldn't react as it passed by her hair and crashed into the ground making a crater.
Before he got his answers to his question, he sensed some instructors coming towards him, as it was a restricted area where he was not allowed let alone for a non-student of the academy yet.... he didn't want to cause any trouble as he left telling her,
"Can't help it...Goodbye for now."
The member of the student council and royalty of the elven kingdom, she just couldn't mutter anything in return seeing all this crazy happenings. She continued her training thinking the remaining time in the academy is going to be not so boring anymore.