The grand hall of the academy buzzed with nervous energy. Hundreds of young aspirants, a mix of humans, elves, dwarves, and even a few fairies, gathered in anticipation. The towering ceiling of the hall gleamed with intricate carvings of ancient battles and the heroes who fought them, casting a somber reminder of the trials that lay ahead. For many, this was the beginning of their dreams. For Caelum, it was just another tedious obstacle.
Standing near the edge of the crowd, Caelum exuded a calm detachment. His dark black hair fell neatly over his silver eyes, which observed the scene with mild interest. While others whispered and fretted, he stood silently, hands in his pockets, leaning against one of the ornate marble pillars.
A man stepped onto the raised platform at the front of the hall. His aura was imposing, instantly silencing the restless chatter. Dressed in a navy robe embroidered with golden symbols, he emanated the authority befitting an elder of the academy. He cleared his throat, and his voice boomed throughout the hall.
"Welcome, aspirants, to the entrance exam for the Academy of Unity," he began, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "This academy is the beacon of strength and cooperation among all races. To join its ranks, you must prove yourselves worthy. Today, your trial will determine your place—or if you even belong here at all."
His words sent ripples through the crowd. Some stiffened in determination, while others exchanged nervous glances.
"This year's examination will follow a battle royale format," the elder continued, his voice unwavering. "You will be transported to a vast forest arena, teeming with danger and challenges. Your task is simple: survive and prove your strength. Each of you will start with a token—your goal is to collect as many tokens as possible by the end of the examination. Strength, strategy, and resilience will decide your fate. Only those who demonstrate exceptional ability will earn their place at the academy."
Caelum's silver eyes narrowed slightly. A forest arena filled with both aspirants and other dangers? A predictable setting, considering the novel he had read. Yet, despite knowing the general flow of events, his indifference remained. His goal wasn't to shine but to get through this phase with as little trouble as possible.
"You will face no restrictions," the elder continued, his lips curling into a faint smirk. "Use your bloodlines, elements, and physiques to your fullest potential. This is not a trial for the faint-hearted. If you are too weak, you may as well leave now."
The weight of his words hung in the air like a blade. A few aspirants, trembling with uncertainty, shuffled out of the hall. Caelum's gaze flicked toward them briefly before returning to the elder.
"Good," the elder said, satisfied with the dwindling crowd. "For the rest of you, this is your chance to prove that you belong here. The battle begins at noon. Prepare yourselves."
With that, the elder stepped down, leaving the hall to erupt in a cacophony of voices.
Caelum pushed his way through the crowd, his steps deliberate but unhurried. Aspirants formed groups, whispering strategies and alliances. Others stood alone, their confidence radiating in their sharp glares.
"Hey, you!" a voice called.
Caelum turned slightly to see a young man with fiery red hair and a smug grin blocking his path. Behind him stood a small group, all wearing similar expressions of misplaced bravado. The red-haired boy puffed out his chest.
"You're Caelum, right? The guy who placed just below Leon in the entrance rankings?"
Caelum's silver eyes met his, cold and unreadable. "What of it?"
The boy faltered for a moment but quickly regained his composure. "I'm Loran. I've got a proposal for you. Join us during the battle. With your strength, we'll easily crush the competition and secure our spots."
Caelum's lips twitched into something that could barely be called a smile. "Not interested."
Loran's grin faded, replaced by a scowl. "You think you're too good for us?"
Caelum stepped closer, his tall, lean frame casting a shadow over the smaller boy. "I don't think. I know."
The words, delivered with icy finality, left Loran speechless. Without another glance, Caelum walked away, his indifference cutting deeper than any insult.
As the hour approached, aspirants gathered at the designated teleportation area. A glowing circle, inscribed with ancient runes, pulsed with energy. Academy staff stood at its edges, ensuring order and safety.
Caelum stood at the back, observing the crowd. His mind was calm, his strategy already clear. While others would rush to flaunt their power, he would hold back, doing just enough to pass. Drawing attention now was unnecessary and potentially troublesome.
The elder from before stepped forward again, his voice commanding attention. "The examination begins now. Step into the circle to be transported to the arena. Remember: only the strong survive."
One by one, aspirants entered the circle, disappearing in flashes of light. When Caelum's turn came, he stepped forward without hesitation. The familiar sensation of magic enveloped him, and the world blurred.
The forest arena was vast and sprawling, with towering trees and thick undergrowth creating a labyrinth of green. The air was alive with the hum of insects and the occasional rustle of hidden creatures.
Caelum emerged in a small clearing, his silver eyes immediately scanning his surroundings. The token in his hand glimmered faintly, a reminder of the prize that others would soon seek. He slipped it into his pocket, his expression unreadable.
He could hear distant sounds—branches snapping, voices shouting. The chaos had already begun.
"Time to find a quiet spot," he murmured to himself.
He moved through the forest with practiced ease, his Shadow Titan Physique allowing him to blend into the shadows cast by the dense foliage. His steps were silent, his presence almost nonexistent.
As he moved, his mind analyzed potential scenarios. He had no intention of using his full strength unless absolutely necessary. Displaying the power of the Endbringer Bloodline or Void element now would only draw unwanted attention, especially from Leon, the protagonist.
An hour passed. Caelum had avoided several skirmishes, watching from the shadows as others fought like cornered animals. He observed their strengths, their weaknesses, filing the information away for later.
But even his patience had limits.
A group of three aspirants stumbled into his path, their attention focused on a fourth, a young elf girl clutching her token tightly. They laughed cruelly as they surrounded her, their confidence boosted by their numbers.
Caelum sighed. He could have walked away—should have, by his original plan. But the girl's terrified expression triggered a flicker of annoyance in him.
"Leave her," he said, stepping into the open.
The three boys turned to him, their faces twisting in irritation.
"And who are you to tell us what to do?" one sneered.
Caelum's silver eyes glinted in the dappled sunlight. "Someone you don't want to fight."
The leader of the group scoffed. "Big talk. Let's see if you can back it up!"
He lunged forward, a fireball forming in his palm. Caelum didn't move until the last moment, his body sidestepping the attack with inhuman speed. Before the boy could react, Caelum's hand shot out, gripping his wrist.
"You're too slow," he said coldly.
With a flick of his arm, he sent the boy crashing into a tree, unconscious. The remaining two hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes.
"Take your friend and leave," Caelum said, his voice devoid of emotion.
They didn't need to be told twice. Grabbing their unconscious companion, they fled, leaving the elf girl staring at Caelum in awe.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Don't thank me," he replied, already walking away. "Stay hidden if you want to survive."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Caelum found a secluded spot to rest. The battle royale was far from over, but his strategy was working. He had avoided unnecessary attention, dealt with minor annoyances, and gathered a handful of tokens from those foolish enough to challenge him.
He leaned against a tree, his silver eyes watching the horizon. Somewhere in this arena, Leon was making his move. Caelum could feel it—the protagonist's rise was inevitable. But for now, Caelum had no intention of crossing paths with him.
"Just a few more hours," he murmured to himself, closing his eyes. "And this charade will be over."