The main hall was incredibly grand, with a second floor occupied by second and third-year students. However, the grandeur seemed to be swallowed by the chaos that filled every corner of the room. The noisy chatter of students blended into a cacophony—until suddenly, a loud voice cut through the commotion.
"EVERYONE, SILENCE!" The command thundered like a clap of lightning, shaking the air. Instantly, the hall turned tense. The entire room fell silent, with only the sound of held breaths as every student's gaze fixated on the figure standing on the podium.
I swallowed hard, trying to process what had just happened. "Now that I think about it, this is strange... Even though he isn't using a microphone, his voice fills the entire hall," I thought, my eyes locked on the man on the podium.
"Some of you may already know who I am, while others may not," he said in a cold yet authoritative tone. He stood tall, his sharp gaze scanning the sea of students below.
His short black hair, with streaks of gray at the temples, gave him an air of dignity and wisdom. Every strand was neatly combed, enhancing the aura of professionalism and discipline that surrounded him. His presence alone commanded absolute attention.
But what caught my attention the most were his eyes—a piercing silver-gray that exuded both focus and expertise. When he looked at us, it felt like a predator surveying its prey. Like an eagle observing its target, his gaze was both intimidating and captivating. It held an intensity that made everyone feel scrutinized, even without a single word.
"Professor Ser Lucian Draegar. You may call me Professor Lucian. I am here to explain the mechanics of the entrance exams, and I will only say this once. So, listen carefully," he declared firmly. His tone left no room for argument, making all the first-year students tremble with anticipation.
"Before you officially become first-year students, you must undergo three rounds of examinations. The first is a written test covering history, science, and magic. The second is a physical assessment to evaluate your strength and endurance. And the third is a duel against me, your Professor of Duels and Defense," he announced, his voice echoing throughout the hall, sending a chill down my spine.
"The written exam will be held tomorrow morning in the west building of this hall. The physical exam will follow in the sports complex located southwest of the main hall. As for the duel, it will take place in the training arena. So, prepare your minds, bodies, and spirits for tomorrow's trials!" Professor Lucian declared sharply.
A heavy silence enveloped the hall, but the pressure wasn't over yet. Professor Lucian raised his hand slightly, and instantly, the air in the room grew dense. "And as a reminder," he continued in a softer yet chilling voice, "if you are caught cheating during the exams, be prepared to face the consequences."
The tension intensified, making some students shiver. "The academy does not care whether you come from a common background, a noble house, or even the Octagram." His words struck like a whip.
Suddenly, a suffocating pressure filled the hall. My body felt heavier, as if weighed down by an invisible force. Some students around me collapsed to their knees, unable to withstand the sheer mana radiating from Professor Lucian. Gasps and stifled breaths echoed from various corners of the room.
I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my knees from buckling. "Goodness... He's not joking around," I thought, realizing that the man before us was no ordinary professor—he was a force to be reckoned with.
Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the oppressive aura dissipated as Professor Lucian lowered his hand. Yet the tense atmosphere lingered, the gravity of his words still weighing heavily on everyone. I stood frozen, fully aware that my journey at this academy had just begun, and it already felt incredibly daunting.
A Bond Between Rivals
After the exam announcement, the hall erupted into motion. Some prospective students hurried out as if they had already planned their next steps, while others stood in place, lost in thought. Among them, one figure remained composed, seemingly unaffected by the pressure—Foerza, who stood beside me.
Foerza walked out of the hall with confident strides. Since I didn't know what else to do, I decided to follow him. We walked in awkward silence, my curiosity growing with each step. Finally, I mustered the courage to speak.
"Young Master Foerza, you seem so calm. Do you have a plan? What's your strategy? And… can I know what it is?" I blurted out, my voice unintentionally urgent. Foerza suddenly stopped and turned to face me.
He stared at me for a moment before letting out a long sigh. "Hahh… this is annoying," he muttered softly.
"Your name is Lucas Costa, right? If you really want to be my friend, drop the formalities when talking to me. And to answer your question, no, I don't have any plans for tomorrow's exams because I'm very confident in my intelligence. So, prepare yourself—academy exams are notoriously difficult. If you want to get a perfect score, you'll need to provide detailed and precise answers. Got it, Lucas Costa?" he said in a flat yet firm tone.
Though his tone was cold, I felt strangely happy. There was valuable advice hidden in his words. I smiled widely. "Is that so? Alright, I'll remember your advice," I replied enthusiastically.
Foerza didn't respond. He simply turned around and kept walking. But… wait a minute. Did I just see him smile faintly? Goodness, that slight smile made him look even more charming. Usually, his expression was so stiff.
As we neared the academy gates, an elegantly dressed woman stood waiting. She wore a classic maid uniform with modern accents, her long silver-gray hair neatly tied, and her sharp red eyes exuded professionalism. Her presence immediately drew the attention of several students.
"Welcome, Young Master Foerza. And… Young Master Foerza's friend?" she greeted, her tone slightly uncertain.
I quickly responded. "Ah, let me introduce myself. My name is Lucas Costa, and yes, I'm Foerza's friend."
The woman smiled slightly, then said in a teasing tone, "Oh my, it seems this is the first time the Young Master has someone he calls a friend."
Foerza looked uncomfortable. "Rina, enough with the pleasantries. Introduce yourself properly," he said firmly.
The woman gracefully covered her mouth, as if realizing her mistake. "Oh my, how rude of me. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alexandrina Seraphine. You may call me 'Rina,' Young Master Lucas Costa," she said politely.
Feeling awkward, I stammered, "Uh… Miss Rina, please don't call me 'Young Master.' I'm just a village boy from Telheim."
"It's fine. A friend of Young Master Foerza means I must respect you as I respect my Young Master," Rina replied with a graceful smile.
Before I could respond, Foerza interrupted. "Rina, do I have any schedule after this?" he asked flatly.
"Yes, Young Master. Tonight, you have a meeting with ArcaneTech Industries regarding the Avalon Project," Rina stated formally.
Foerza sighed. "Again? Why me? I'm still a kid."
"Because you are the heir of the Aldebaran family. You must get used to it," Rina replied.
Foerza turned to me. "Hey, Lucas. What's your plan?"
"I'll look for an inn," I answered.
Foerza tossed me a glowing obsidian medallion. "Show this at Zenith Crown Hotel. Lucille Aldebaran will take care of you."
Before I could thank him, he left. I watched him go, realizing that despite his cold demeanor, Foerza knew how to care for those around him.