Today is the day.
The day when all the main and side characters gather for the entrance exam at Laigaurd Academy (LGA).
I stand before the massive gates, the morning air thick with tension.
This is where it all begins.
LGA, the greatest academy in the world, the place that produced the TOP 8—those heroes who reached the seventh floor of the tower, farther than anyone else.
The academy's campus is enormous, with top-notch facilities funded by powerful corporations and guilds.
Getting in here is nearly impossible if you aren't exceptionally skilled.
The entrance exam is divided into two parts.
The first part is basic testing, where applicants demonstrate their skills.
There's a cutline that cuts out anyone who doesn't meet the academy's standards.
However, the second part is the true test.
Since the academy's main goal is training students to clear the tower, it makes sense that the entrance exam is designed to reflect that.
With their abundant resources, LGA has constructed an artificial tower with ten floors, designed to simulate the actual tower.
Of course, the difficulty is significantly toned down, but it still will be difficult.
As I waited, a man approached me.
"Entrant 1928, Shiro. Please proceed to the first testing room."
I followed him into a large room with a table at its center, covered with an array of weapons.
Swords, axes, arrows… even firearms.
"Please choose a weapon to proceed."
Without hesitation, I walked over to the weapon I'd had in mind ever since I arrived. A scythe.
"I'll go with this."
The man nodded. "Please proceed to the next room."
I crossed to the door on the opposite side and stepped into the next room.
Inside, five judges sat in a row behind a table along one wall. Their faces were serious, scrutinizing me as I took my place before them.
"Mr. Shiro," one of them began, his gaze sharp.
"Your first test is to demonstrate your physical and combat abilities. Show us any skill of your choice."
I give a small smirk, tapping my fingers against the scythe's handle.
They want any skill of my choice?
Fine. I'll give them something unforgettable.
An image flashes in my mind.
A magic.
My hands twitch with anticipation, my breath slow and steady.
Black Hole, an 8-circle spell.
It's powerful, draining… and highly destructive.
I was able to use it thanks to my AllMagic.Mod skill.
I glanced around the room, noting the protective wards inscribed in the walls.
Hopefully, those will hold up. If not... well, they'll be getting a new testing room soon.
Closing my eyes, I begin to channel my mana, feeling it swell and ripple as I guide it into shape.
The room is silent, the judges watching with curious expressions.
They have no idea what's coming.
"Black Hole."
The air around me grew dense, almost as if it's being sucked toward a single point.
A small black sphere appears in front of me, swirling with an unnatural, crushing darkness.
It expands slowly, pulling everything in the room toward it with a force that's barely contained.
I hear the sharp intake of breath from one of the judges, but I keep my focus, concentrating on maintaining control.
It feels as if the whole world is pressing down on that single point of magic, a relentless, consuming force.
My arms feel like lead, the mana draining from me faster than I anticipated, but I hold steady.
All around, the room darkens, and the sphere pulses, hungry.