The dimly lit room buzzed with tension as shadows flickered across the walls. Inside, a group of figures stood huddled around a large table, their faces obscured by dark cloaks. The air was thick with the scent of anticipation and the promise of danger. In the center, a lone figure, their face barely visible beneath the hood, leaned over the table, hands steepled in thought.
"So, how are you planning to succeed this time?" a gruff voice broke the silence, its owner standing near the corner of the room, arms crossed. The man's posture was defensive, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Every time we try to infiltrate the Academy, that guy Kagea always shows up out of nowhere and ruins everything."
The figure at the table slowly raised their head, revealing a pair of piercing eyes. "He won't show up this time," they said, voice calm but carrying an unmistakable confidence.
A collective pause filled the room as the others exchanged skeptical glances. One of the figures, a slender woman with sharp features, stepped forward, "Eh? What do you mean by that?" she asked, voice dripping with skepticism. "Kagea's always there, watching from the shadows. How can you be so sure he won't interfere this time?"
The leader of the group smirked, a glint of mischief flickering in their eyes. "Because this time, we're not just going to charge in recklessly. We're going to use their own system against them." They tapped the table, a map of the Academy spreading out across its surface. "The entrance exam is coming up."
At the mention of the entrance exam, the room fell silent. The members of the group exchanged quick, sharp glances, a mix of surprise and understanding crossing their faces.
The entrance exam was the Academy's most secure event, a time when hundreds of hopeful students flocked to the gates, each one vying for a coveted spot in the prestigious institution. But more than that, it was a time when the security and surveillance at the Academy were relaxed under the guise of welcoming newcomers.
A thick tension filled the air as the leader leaned forward, voice low but clear. "We use that opportunity. We infiltrate during the exam. Once we're inside, we can carry out the mission without Kagea even knowing what hit him."
The man in the corner grunted in acknowledgment, "So, we're going in as students?" his suspicions easing slightly.
"Exactly, one of our comrade have power change an appeance of himself and others we use his ability to get inside the acadmey" the leader confirmed, a cold smile spreading across their lips.
"We'll slip in undetected, blend in, and wait for the perfect moment. By the time Kagea realizes what's happening, it'll be too late."
The woman who had spoken earlier tilted her head, considering the plan. "But Kagea is a genius, always a step ahead. Even if we infiltrate during the exam, he's bound to sense something's off. How do we deal with him?"
"That's the beauty of it," the leader said, their voice laced with a dangerous calm. "Kagea's power relies on his ability to control the situation. But when he's distracted by the chaos of the entrance exam, he won't have time to track all of us."
Another figure, a tall man with a long scar running down his face, spoke up. "But what if we don't make it inside? What if the secuirty is harder than we expect?"
"We will. We've prepared for this. You've all trained for so long. "
A dark silence followed, and then a low murmur spread through the group. The plan was audacious, reckless even. But there was no turning back now.
The leader's confidence was infectious, and for the first time in a long while, they felt a glimmer of hope—a real chance to succeed where they had failed before.
The woman smirked, her sharp eyes gleaming with excitement. "Alright, then. Let's make sure we don't let Kagea ruin it this time."
The leader turned, their voice quiet but filled with conviction. "This time, we win."
The entrance exam.
The sky was overcast, the morning light dull and washed out by a blanket of clouds that hung heavy above. It wasn't the kind of day Nehora had hoped for, but then again, nothing ever went according to plan in his life. Today, of all days, was important. The exam for Country No. 1 Academy was today—the place everyone talked about, the place everyone dreamed of.
My name is Nehora, and I'm going to start my new life. That was the thought that had been keeping him steady as he stood at the gates of the Academy, heart pounding.
Every year, thousands of students lined up to take the entrance exam for this prestigious institution, but only a hundred ever made the cut. It wasn't that the Academy didn't want more students—it was just that the exam was brutal. Only the truly elite could pass.
The written exam was the first hurdle. The questions were grueling, covering everything from power theory to tactics, survival skills, and knowledge of the wild creatures that roamed the dangerous forests surrounding the academy. But even that wasn't the hardest part. The real test came after.
The Physical Test.
All the students who passed the written exam would face the three-stage physical challenge. The first stage was a 5km race. A test of speed and endurance, the course would push every student to their limit. But that wasn't the worst part.
Stage two came next: a 3km course while carrying a 10kg weight on their back. It was designed to test strength and stamina, and for many, it was the point where their bodies gave out.
But the final stage? The living hell.
All the remaining students would be dropped into a massive forest, one known for its deadly creatures and the wild dangers that lurked beneath its dense trees.
There, scattered throughout the forest, were badges that each student needed to steal. The badges were guarded by some of the most dangerous animals in the world—each creature stronger, faster, and deadlier than the last. It was a test of survival, wit, and strength.
If you could make it out of that forest, if you could steal the badge and make it back to the starting point, you could finally call yourself a student of Country No. 1 Academy.
Nehora took a deep breath as he stood before the towering gates of the Academy, a massive structure of glass and steel that reflected the looming gray skies.
It was an intimidating sight, but not as much as the thousands of students standing in the courtyard around him, all with the same goal in mind.
To get in.
"Today's the day," he murmured to himself.
The gates opened with a low groan, and the sea of students surged forward, eager and nervous.
Nehora stepped in line, his bag slung over his shoulder, his expression calm but his mind racing. His first test would be a written exam.
The exam hall was suffocating with silence.
Nehora murmured under his breath, holding the crumpled piece of paper up to eye level. "Hm, seat number 13, huh? Where is that?"
He scanned the room, his eyes narrowing as he took in the vast hall around him.
The exam hall was immense, the kind of space reserved for important events or large-scale tests. Rows of identical wooden desks stretched endlessly in neat lines, each paired with a slightly worn chair. The polished floor reflected the cold, white light from above, making the room feel both sterile and intimidating.
Students sat scattered across the hall, each at their assigned desks, their faces a mixture of focus and nervous energy. The faint sounds of shifting papers and nervous coughs filled the air, a quiet symphony of pre-exam jitters.
Nehora spotted his seat near the middle of the hall and made his way down the aisle. He slid into the chair, its surface uncomfortably firm, and placed his pencil on the desk.
The desk was small, just enough for a single sheet of paper and his hands, which were already clammy. He wiped them on his trousers, glancing at the students around him as tension built in his chest.
The whispers faded as the examiner entered.
A tall figure in a crisp suit strode to the front of the hall, their clipboard tucked under one arm. Their sharp gaze swept over the room, silencing even the most restless students.
"Good morning, students," the examiner began, their voice echoing through the vast space. "I am your examiner for today, and I'll be administering your written exam. I trust that you've all come prepared."
Nehora's heart thudded as the examiner continued, their voice calm but firm.
"Let me make one thing abundantly clear." The examiner paused, letting the tension settle. "Hidden surveillance cameras are monitoring every single one of you. Any attempt at dishonesty will result in immediate disqualification. No exceptions."
The room fell silent, the weight of their words pressing down like an invisible force.
"With that said," the examiner added, a faint smile tugging at the corners of their lips, "best of luck to all of you."
As the sound of papers being distributed echoed across the room, Nehora gripped his pencil tightly. His mind raced as he stared down at the blank desk in front of him, readying himself for what was to come.
His eyes flicked over the paper, scanning the questions.
Q1. You're being chased by a wild animal. What's the smartest escape strategy?
1. Challenge it to a dance battle.
2. Climb a tree and post about it on Instagram.
3. Throw your shoe and yell, "Fetch!"
4. Politely explain that you're not on the menu.
He rubbed his temples, groaning audibly. "What kind of question is this? Seriously, is this really the entrance exam for the country's number one academy? A wild animal—are they testing survival skills or a sense of humor?"
The murmurs of confusion echoed across the hall as other students flipped through their papers. Nehora leaned back, giving the options one last skeptical glance. "I mean... challenge it to a dance battle? Who comes up with this stuff?"
Taking a deep breath, he decided to move on. But as he flipped the page, his stomach sank.
His once puzzled expression froze, morphing into a deadpan stare. The next page wasn't filled with quirky, ridiculous questions. It was math. Endless columns of equations, graphs, and variables that seemed to glare back at him menacingly.
His pencil slipped from his fingers. "Oh no… It's math. Why does it have to be math?"
Nehora slumped forward, his forehead hitting the desk with a thud. "Forget wild animals. These equations are the real predators."
From somewhere in the hall, a muffled laugh broke the silence, and Nehora let out a defeated sigh. "I just had to apply to the number one academy, didn't I?"
The room was tense. The students around him sat like statues, their pens moving with mechanical precision, the only sound the faint rustle of paper and the steady ticking of the clock. The air felt thick with the weight of the exam.
Nehora's gaze shifted toward the front of the room where the invigilators stood, watching. No one was allowed to speak, to glance at each other for comfort. No one dared break the silence. The pressure felt almost suffocating.
He glanced down at the next page first question. What's the primary function of arcane energy in combat situations?
His mind blanked. He had studied it. He was sure he had, but now it all seemed irrelevant. Panic flared, and his hand shook.
Focus, focus!
The other students were in a rhythm now, scribbling away, some even flipping through pages with ease. Nehora tried to steady his breathing, but his head spun. He wasn't prepared for this. Not like this.
Taro was sitting to his right, the boy who always seemed so confident, so sure of himself. Taro's pencil moved like a storm—fast, sure, and unyielding.
Nehora couldn't help but glance at him. Taro didn't even seem to pause. Nehora swallowed hard and glanced back down at his paper. Stop looking around. Don't think about him. Think about the questions.
But it was no use. The words on the page refused to make sense. His mind was racing. His eyes darted to the clock—twenty minutes gone already, and he had barely filled out the first question.
Then, a sudden sound broke the silence—a soft, audible thud echoed from the back of the room. Nehora's heart skipped. One of the students, Ryo, had slammed his pencil down, his face contorted in frustration. He shot a glance at the invigilator, who was already moving toward him. The tension thickened.
Nehora's heart pounded harder. I can't be like that. I can't fail. Not here. Not now.
He looked back at his paper.
Yes!
But that moment of triumph was fleeting. The next question was about tactical formations in battle—something Nehora had struggled with. He stared at it, his hand hovering over the paper, knowing that the clock was ticking. He had to write something. Anything.
The room seemed to close in on him, the quiet pressing harder against his chest. Nehora looked up again, his eyes scanning the room.
What if I fail?
But as he turned his gaze across the room, he noticed something: the others weren't perfect. Some were pausing, glancing nervously at their papers, their brows furrowed in concentration.
No one was flawless. Even Taro, the one he had envied earlier, was taking long moments to think, his pen tapping against the desk in deep thought.
For the first time since the exam started, Nehora allowed himself to breathe. It wasn't just him. Everyone was struggling. This was hard for everyone.
Nehora shook off the last of his panic, refocusing. He looked back at the page, moving past the impossible questions and focusing on what he did know. Survival tactics. Arcane energy. Wild creatures.
The clock ticked on. The pressure was unrelenting, but Nehora wasn't frozen anymore. He was moving forward.
As the final minute approached, Nehora took one last deep breath, then hurriedly filled in the last few blanks. His hands were trembling, but his mind was clearer than it had been since the exam started.
He wasn't finished. Not perfect, but he had done what he could. He looked down at his paper one last time, and for the first time in what felt like hours, a small sense of calm washed over him.
The sun hung low outside the grand exam hall, casting long shadows across the anxious crowd of students gathered on the stone steps. Conversations buzzed like static, a mix of nervous energy and hopeful speculation.
In the middle of it all, Nehora sat slumped against a pillar, tears streaming down his face like twin waterfalls. His exaggerated wails drew stares from every direction.
"Waaahaaa!" he cried, his hands clutching at the air like a melodramatic hero in a tragic play. "I just randomly checked all the blanks! There's no way I passed! I'm going to fail! Waaaahaaa!"
A group of students nearby exchanged amused glances.
"Did he really just admit to guessing everything?" one girl whispered, trying to stifle her laughter.
"Guessing? That's better than me," another student chimed in, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't even finish half the questions. The math section looked like an alien language!"
A boy with glasses pushed them up the bridge of his nose, shaking his head in mock disapproval. "You amateurs. I didn't just guess—I made my guesses into art. I drew patterns in the answer sheet. It's modern expressionism."
The girl blinked at him. "So... you failed creatively?"
"Exactly."
Meanwhile, Nehora's wailing continued unabated. "The math questions weren't even real math! Who needs to know the angle of a tree's shadow when you're being chased by a wild animal?! WHO?!"
From somewhere in the crowd, someone yelled, "The wild animal question was multiple choice, bro! You didn't have to calculate its hunting radius!"
"Still unfair!" Nehora sniffled dramatically, hugging his knees. "I thought this was the top academy, not Maths of Doom Academy!"
A tall boy leaned against the pillar beside him, chewing a piece of gum. "Relax, dude. If you fail, you can always try out for that reality survival show. You'd ace the dance battle question for sure."
The group erupted in laughter, and even Nehora couldn't help but crack a small, reluctant grin through his tears.
As the chatter continued, the large double doors of the exam hall creaked open. A hush fell over the crowd.
"Results will be posted in five minutes," an instructor announced.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Nervous whispers turned into frantic prayers. Nehora stood up, wiping his face but still sniffling. "If I fail," he muttered, "I'll just... join a traveling circus or something. Maybe they'll need someone who can guess answers at lightning speed."
The girl next to him patted his shoulder, suppressing a grin. "Good luck, circus boy. Let's see if we all survive this."
The results board stood tall in the center of the courtyard, students crowding around it like moths to a flame. Cheers and groans echoed through the air as names were read, but Nehora remained frozen, staring at the board from a distance.
He clutched his admission slip tightly, his knuckles white. His heart thudded in his chest as if trying to escape.
"I passed... I actually passed?" His voice was barely a whisper. The realization hit him like a lightning bolt, his eyes widening as he saw his name listed in the top 10.
But his joy was short-lived. As the crowd began to thin, Nehora's gaze fell on a group of students quietly packing their things, heads hung low, the weight of failure dragging them down.
One boy sighed, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Guess this place wasn't meant for us. Back to the drawing board."
"Yeah," another muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness. "I bet the ones who passed are geniuses or freaks. Who even gets into the top 10 anyway?"
Nehora felt a chill run down his spine. Watching them leave felt like staring into a mirror of what could have been. "I can't end up like that," he muttered under his breath, panic creeping into his voice.
He turned to look at the notice again, this time focusing on the next line of text:
"Practical exams begin tomorrow. All passing students must report at 7:00 AM sharp."
His stomach dropped. "Practical exams?!" he blurted, earning curious glances from nearby students.
"Yeah," a voice piped up behind him. Nehora turned to see the gum-chewing boy from earlier, now leaning lazily against a tree. "Top 10 or not, you're still just one step closer to failing. They say the practical exam's where they weed out the wannabes."
"Wannabes?!" Nehora squeaked, his voice rising a pitch.
The boy smirked. "Oh, didn't you hear? They're throwing us into simulated combat situations. You know, to see if we can actually survive. Hope you're better at dodging than guessing."
Nehora's knees nearly buckled. "Simulated combat? Like... fighting?"
"Mm-hmm. With actual weapons. And maybe some explosions," the boy teased, his grin widening.
Nehora grabbed his head, groaning dramatically. "Why can't they just give me a nice multiple-choice test about wild animals again?!"
The boy chuckled, walking away with a casual wave. "See you tomorrow, genius. Try not to die."
Nehora stood rooted to the spot, staring after him as the realization set in. Passing the written exam wasn't the end. It was just the beginning of what could be his ultimate nightmare.
"I really should've joined that circus…" he muttered, trudging toward the dorms with a defeated sigh.
To be continue...