Ghewar Royal Academy
In the Ghewar Kingdom, there exists the Ghewar Royal Academy—an esteemed institution that produces mages, knights, and alchemists for the kingdom.
Both nobles and commoners are allowed to enroll. However, while noble children are compulsorily admitted, commoners must pass a rigorous entrance examination. Even nobles must take an exam—not to determine their admission but to assess their abilities and remind them that they are not inherently superior.
Today, the academy is conducting its entrance exams for both nobles and commoners.
The Commoner Section
In the academy's commoner examination hall, a large group of aspiring students had gathered, each filled with varied emotions.
Some were confident, having received education from their parents or being the children of adventurers, merchants, or skilled craftsmen. Others were nervous, lacking self-confidence—after all, the world was unfair, and talent dictated one's potential. Hard work could take someone far, but there were limits that mere effort could not surpass.
The air buzzed with chatter.
"Hey, hey! Who do you think will be the examiner this time?" an excited boy asked his friend.
"I don't know," the other boy replied casually. He seemed confident, showing no concern about the test.
"I think it'll be that Hawkins guy—you know, the shady-looking one," another boy suggested, flipping through a book in his hands.
"Huh?! Professor Hawkins?!" the excited boy yelped. "Shit! Do you know he's the strictest instructor in the academy? If he's the examiner, we're screwed!"
Similar discussions were happening all across the venue. However, amidst the crowd, there was a calm-looking boy with brown hair and a gentle smile, speaking to a nervous girl beside him.
Their names were Kevin and Emma—childhood friends.
Emma's fingers trembled slightly, but Kevin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Don't be nervous," he said with a confident grin. "This is just a test. We've been preparing for years. This is the time to prove our efforts—not to be scared. We can do this."
Emma exhaled slowly. Kevin's words eased her nerves a little—but only slightly.
To her, this exam wasn't just about entering the academy.
If she failed, she would have to return home… leaving Kevin behind.
Leaving the boy she loved behind.
She clenched her fists. That was something she couldn't accept.
Suddenly, a side door beside the stage swung open, and two instructors entered.
One was a tall man with blond hair, dressed in a black coat, his stern expression sending a wave of tension through the hall. The other was a woman with glasses, dressed in a white coat, following behind him like an assistant. She had brown hair and held a notebook in her hands.
The man stepped onto the podium, surveyed the crowd, and in a low but commanding voice, said:
"Shut up."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it echoed throughout the hall.
Instantly, all conversations ceased.
The once noisy room fell into a deathly silence, as every participant straightened up, facing forward with rigid posture.
"One by one, step forward," the blond-haired man instructed. "Touch the two crystal balls placed before you. Then move to the left side of the hall and wait for your results."
All eyes turned toward the table at the center of the podium, where two white crystals were placed. Beside the table, the glasses-wearing woman adjusted her notebook and spoke.
"Number One, come forward."
The First Test Begins
Every participant had been given a badge with a unique number upon registration. Now, Number One stepped forward hesitantly.
"Place your hands on both crystals simultaneously," the woman instructed.
The boy obeyed. The moment his palms touched the cold surfaces, he felt a slight suction force—a sensation that wasn't painful but strange.
He had expected this, as everyone had been informed about the procedure beforehand.
Suddenly, the two crystals glowed.
One crystal shone red.
The other displayed: D-
The glasses-wearing woman jotted something down and announced:
"Red—Fire Affinity."
"D-—Mana Affinity."
The boy's face paled.
"H-huh?! D-?! This… This can't be happening!" He staggered, his breath quickening. "I… I was supposed to have at least C-rank affinity!"
The woman remained unfazed. "D- is above average for commoners. At least it's not E-rank, which most commoners have."
Her voice was completely indifferent.
"Now move. Don't waste our time."
The boy clenched his fists, but he had no choice but to silently walk toward the designated area, frustration written all over his face.
One test down. Many more to go.