[POV: Caspian Arcwright]
The air crackled with energy, thick with tension and anticipation.
The Academy Entrance Exam wasn't just a test—it was a battlefield.
And judging by the sheer number of people crowding the teleportation gates, competition was going to be brutal.
"Oh, fuck it," Caspian muttered under his breath. "There are way too many people here."
Beside him, Lyrius stood with arms crossed, Calenthir Reyes, standing slightly ahead, maintained her usual composed expression.
Despite the strict rule barring parents from the exam site, a chaotic mix of retainers and lesser nobles sward the periter, shouting last-minute advice and encouragent.
"Can't believe they're this noisy when they're not even allowed past the checkpoint," Caspian said, exhaling sharply.
"There's always desperation in the air before an event like this," Lyrius replied. "For so of these people, this is their only shot at recognition."
Caspian shrugged and turned his gaze to the enormous teleportation gates.
There were thirty-two of them in total, each one leading to a different sector of the unknown dinsion where the exam would take place.
This world was monitored by the Academy, and the perfect testing ground—one where participants wouldn't actually die.
Instead, they would feel real pain, and when their bodies could no longer sustain damage, they would be forcefully ejected back into the real world.
"A battlefield without actual death…" Caspian murmured.
Bloodmoon humd in response.
The gates would scatter examinees across four vast landscapes, ensuring that no pre-ford groups could imdiately band together.
The test would last an entire week, with the zones gradually shrinking, forcing confrontations as ti progressed.
The Academy controlled this process, using powerful magic to manipulate the exam's boundaries.
A thin silver ring rested around Caspian's finger—a tracking device issued to all participants.
It would record kills, assists, and survival ti, all of which contributed to final rankings.
His strategy was simple: he wouldn't use UNLEASH
His true strength—the ability to summon and control monsters—would remain hidden.
There was no reason to broadcast his trump card to the entire world, especially when the competition was being aired globally.
Academy wouldn't help him strengthen his unique ability, there was no need to flaunt them.
anwhile, Lyrius had turned his full attention to Calenthir, who stood quietly, surveying the crowd.
Caspian could see it in his eyes—the way he leaned ever so slightly toward her, the way his usually sharp deanor softened.
"So, uh, Calenthir," Lyrius started,"You ready for the exam? Not that I'm worried about you or anything, but you know… just making sure."
Calenthir raised an eyebrow. "I'll be fine."
"Right, of course. I an, obviously. You're strong. Not that I ever doubted that. Just—uh—good luck."
Caspian smirked, barely holding back a chuckle. "Lyrius, I didn't know you had a supportive side."
Lyrius shot him a glare. "Shut up."
As the first batch of participants stepped into the portals, the humming of magic intensified.
Caspian.strode forward.
"See you all on the other side," he said before stepping into the portal.
As the world blurred around him, he muttered to himself, "Just don't let run into soone strong in early stages."
Bloodmoon's voice echoed in his mind, dripping with amusent.
{Oh, you just jinxed yourself.}
____________
[POV: Arianna Sylvalis]
The list of participants appeared on the pc display, Arianna leaned forward, fingers swiftly navigating the interface as she searched for one in particular.
Click.
The roster locked into place.
Her eyes scanned through it, and there it was—Caspian.
A satisfied smirk played on her lips. "Found you."
She stretched back in her chair, a confident glint in her eyes.
Betting was a reckless habit, but this ti, it was calculated recklessness.
She had poured her entire monthly earnings into a wager—half on Vynesaa, the other half on Caspian.
Vynesaa's odds were standard, 15-to-1. A safe bet, considering her lineage and strength.
Caspian's odds? **1,000,000-to-1.**
Arianna chuckled to herself. "Either I'm a genius… or I've just thrown my money into a pit."
The live broadcast flickered as one of the hosts shouted, the urgency in their voice snapping her out of her thoughts.
>
Her gaze shot upward to the massive screen suspended in the air.
Her smirk vanished.
Jaw, et floor.
"What?"
Her brain lagged. 'No, really. What?'
Had she misheard? Had the universe decided to play a cosmic joke on her?
No. There, on the crystal-clear display, standing across from one of the most terrifying prodigies in the entire exam—
Was Caspian.
________________
[POV: Eleana Arcwright]
The estate's grand hall, bathed in the soft glow of lamps, was silent save for the crackle of a television screen broadcasting the Academy Exam.
Eleana sat upright, idly swirling the glass of water in her hands.
Her one daughter, Aveline Arcwright, lounged beside her, only half paying attention to the program.
anwhile, her other daughter, Eirlys Arcwright, was engrossed in her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen as she played a ga.
Neither of them expected anything unusual—just another year's competition, filled with nobles and their ambitions.
Then ca the anchor's voice.
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