The day had finally arrived-the most anticipated and feared event in Pollus Academy: the Entrance Exam. Known for its grueling challenges, this exam served as a crucible to forge the greatest heroes and eliminate those unworthy of the Academy's legacy.
The examinees crowded into the grand hall, their energy palpable. A low hum of chatter filled the air as hundreds of aspirants prepared themselves for what was to come. Among them was Arthas, a fifteen-year-old with bright blue hair that fell in sharp waves around his face, and piercing red eyes that seemed to see through everything. Though he stood quietly, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts.
This is my shot. I can't fail.
The magical lights lining the hall dimmed, leaving only the faint glow of ancient runes carved into the walls. A hush fell over the crowd.
Suddenly, a booming voice echoed through the chamber. "Welcome, future students of Pollus Academy!"
A man stepped onto the stage, his confident gait and commanding presence silencing any remaining whispers. His sharp features were illuminated by a beam of magical light, and his eyes gleamed with excitement.
"Many of you may know me," he began, a sly grin tugging at his lips, "though perhaps not as well as you'd like. Regardless, allow me to introduce myself! I am your examiner for this Entrance Exam. You may call me Professor Jun."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the sea of nervous and eager faces.
"Today, you stand on the precipice of greatness. This exam has forged the mightiest of heroes and crushed the dreams of countless others. Be prepared. Be steadfast. This is not just a test-it's a battle for your future."
Jun's smirk widened as he stepped back. "The professors eagerly await your arrival in our classrooms-if you make it there."
With a snap of his fingers, Professor Jun vanished in a burst of light.
Arthas blinked in surprise. Where did he go?
Before anyone could react, glowing magical circles formed beneath their feet. The intricate patterns pulsed with power, and the air vibrated with energy.
Gasps and murmurs broke out among the examinees. Some stepped back in shock, while others stood firm, their resolve unshaken. Arthas stared down at the circle beneath him, its glowing runes casting an eerie light on his crimson hair.
The magic activated in a flash of blinding light, and the world shifted.
When Arthas opened his eyes, he was falling. The sky stretched endlessly above him, and the ground was a dizzying blur of green and brown below.
"Shit!" he yelled, the wind roaring in his ears.
Instinctively, he glanced around. Other examinees were falling too-some screaming in panic, while others manipulated magic to stabilize themselves. A few even floated gracefully, as if they had done this a hundred times.
Arthas gritted his teeth and turned his gaze downward. The ground was rapidly approaching, and his heart raced.
"Focus, Arthas!" he muttered to himself.
"Flare: Burst!"
A fiery magic circle formed beneath his palm, and a controlled explosion erupted. The force slowed his descent, but it wasn't enough to ensure a smooth landing.
Thud!
"Ack!" Arthas groaned as he hit the ground, pain shooting through his back.
"Pretty sure I broke something," he muttered, wincing as he sat up.
The world around him was a rugged wilderness of jagged rocks, dense forests, and the distant roar of wild beasts. He forced himself to his feet, brushing dirt off his clothes.
So, this is the Entrance Exam, he thought, taking in his surroundings. They weren't kidding about the difficulty.
He recalled the exam's objective: defeat ten demons to pass. "Yeah, ten demons with my current stats... That's going to be a miracle."
Summoning his system interface, he called out, "System."
[System]
Arthas Bloomlyn [Lv. 7]
Age: 15
Magic: Flare
A weaker variant of fire magic.
Capable of minor healing.
Spells:
[Burst]: Creates an explosion to repel enemies.
[Ignite]: Acts as a light source or flame.
[Shot]: Fires a concentrated blast of Flare.
Status:
Strength: [7]
Defense: [5]
Endurance: [5]
Intelligence: [9]
Charisma: [2]
Available Status Points: 0
Before he could strategize, a deafening roar shattered the stillness. Arthas turned to see a monstrous bear-like creature emerging from the trees, its crimson eyes glowing with malevolence. Its massive claws scraped the ground as it snarled, saliva dripping from its fangs.
"Ah, crap," Arthas muttered, his blue eyes narrowing.
[Notice!]
Enemy detected:
Demon Bear [Lv. 30]
Warning:
Enemy is 5 levels or higher than the Host.
Total experience gain tripled.
The bear charged, its massive form shaking the ground. Arthas barely dodged its swipe, the claws grazing his shoulder.
"Flare: Shot!" he shouted, summoning a ball of fire that flew toward the beast. The attack hit its flank, but the bear barely flinched.
"Damn it," Arthas cursed, retreating to put some distance between them.
The bear roared again, lunging forward. Arthas dove to the side, narrowly avoiding its crushing blow.
"Appraisal!" he yelled, activating his skill.
Demon Bear [Lv. 30]
Strength: [40]
Defense: [40]
Endurance: [40]
Intelligence: [0]
Charisma: [0]
"You've got to be kidding me," Arthas muttered, sweat dripping down his face.
The bear swung again, and this time, its claws tore through his sleeve, leaving a shallow cut on his arm. Arthas winced but refused to back down.
He leapt onto a nearby rock, aiming his palm at the beast. "Flare: Burst!"
A fiery explosion erupted beneath the bear, staggering it. Arthas followed up with "Flare: Shot!" aiming for its face.
The fireball struck true, and to his surprise, the bear roared in agony. The flames spread unnaturally fast, engulfing the beast. Moments later, it collapsed, the fire consuming it.
[Notice!]
Demon Bear defeated!
Level up x4!
New information unlocked for Flare Magic.
Arthas stared at the notifications, his crimson hair disheveled and his blue eyes wide in disbelief.
"Four levels from one kill? This system is ridiculous," he muttered, opening his status panel to allocate his newfound points.
He adjusted his stats, feeling a surge of strength course through him.
"Not bad," he said, smirking. "Let's see what other demons this exam throws at me."
And with that, he ventured deeper into the wilderness, ready for the next battle.