Think of this as a magical world with swords, dragons, magic, and to be accepted by a prestigious academy, you'd need to have the greatest skill—
Bang! Bang!
"Eept—Ah!"
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
That's one way to interrupt someone's monologue—with a couple of gunshots. A man, suspiciously always lurking in the shadows, looked back with a hood covering his head, acting like he was the coolest person alive. His bloodstained hands held a modified flintlock, the barrel pointed down toward the ground as he stood over a pack of dead wolves.
And there I was, right beneath him—Chloe Valastine. Blood-smeared and exhausted after subjugating those wolves alongside this hunter. All I wanted was a cold drink of water. Just your average, eighteen-year-old girl doing her best to survive alongside a man people can him the hunter
"I'm trying to monologue here!" I yelled up at him.
He rolled his eyes. "Try saying that to the wolves."
"What? Oh, you've gotta be kidding me…" I muttered, turning to see yet another pack of wolves approaching. My shoulders slumped, and a look of dread washed over my face. Pale as a ghost, I fought back tears. How could a sweet, beautiful girl like me get stuck with such a terrifying, gloomy guy?
The sun shone over a small village, as beautiful as ever. Spring warmth lingered in the air, edging into fall.
A girl twisted and turned in her bed, whimpering softly. Another nightmare. The same one she'd had countless times, one that clung to her like a curse.
"No… not again…" she cried, jolting upright and wiping tears from her eyes.
That girl was me.
Today was my first day at Unicrest Academy—the entrance examination that would decide my future. Every kid dreamed of going, but only a few would pass. A while back, a professor from the academy had come down to the village to hold an evaluation for the local children. My best friend persuaded me to give it a shot, even though I wasn't confident. I was the only girl in the village obsessed with swordsmanship. Somehow, I impressed the professor.
"I think your skills are something this academy could use," he'd told me.
The first year was free—to give students a taste of what the academy expected. Grueling training, high expectations. One wrong step could ruin you. The next four years, though, cost a fortune. Thankfully, poor commoners like me could earn scholarships through good grades and recognition.
I glanced at the clock on my wall.
Half past noon.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
"Shit…"
This was not my day. I'd overslept. My dark lavender hair was a mess, my blue-mint eyes heavy with sleep, and I was still in my undergarments.
I bolted upright and screamed downstairs.
"MOM! You were supposed to wake me up!"
"You're seventeen now, sweetie. Time to learn some independence. I can't wake you up forever," she called back from the kitchen.
I groaned. I hated it when she was right. From sixteen to twenty, people at Unicrest were considered teenagers—old enough to drink and even marry. Folding a fist in frustration, I knew I didn't have time to fix my hair. I grabbed the academy uniform they'd sent me. (Still weird how they knew my size. Future-me would have to figure that one out.)
I pulled on the crisp white skirt with its seafoam-blue outline and a matching white-collared shirt with the Unicrest crest stitched over the heart. No time for breakfast. I sprinted past my mom, nearly forgetting my katana. Thankfully, she had realized I ran past without it.
"Don't forget your katana, honey!"
She tossed it to me. I caught it with a spin, slammed the door behind me, and took off toward the academy.
SLAM
Thirty minutes later, panting as I ran, I saw it: Unicrest Academy. A castle-like structure that shimmered beyond the horizon, its reflection dancing in the sparkling lake below. The only way to reach it was by crossing a long stone bridge.
The academy was home to over five hundred students, with shops, training grounds, and anything else a student could dream of. Guarded by knights and professors, it was nicknamed Citadel Academy, one of the most fortified places in Unicest.
To be honest, I wasn't here for prestige. I was here to support my mom. Poor commoners like us had to scrape by on anything. If I happened to find a good profession, I could financially support my mother.
"My only goal is to graduate and get a job!"
At the gate, I handed over my temporary identification card that came with the uniform.
"New Student."
"Clear. Go ahead," the guard said, handing it back.
I snatched it from his hand and rushed in, barely noticing his glare. I didn't have time for sightseeing. Second-years and upperclassmen wandered the grounds while I weaved through them like a lunatic. Some glared at me, others jumped aside as I bolted toward the front campus.
A crowd of first-years waited in front of the building, chatting or playing games.
"Chloe!"
A familiar voice.
I turned to see Lilia. Blue eyes, grass–green hair, and wearing the same uniform as me. Kind, gentle, and pure-hearted. We grew up together, often scolded for sneaking into the forest alone. She had a special connection with the spirits of the wild. She could sense them, see them, even befriend them. It was rare—most people couldn't even detect spirits without pouring mana into their eyes.
She'd made contracts with several lower spirits and a few middles ones. I wouldn't be surprised if they let her in without a test.
"You're a mess, Chloe… you overslept, didn't you?"
I laughed awkwardly. "Hehehe…" Busted.
We sat on a nearby bench. She brushed my hair gently and tied it into a ponytail.
"What would I do without you?"
"I wonder when they'll call us for the exam."
"Been about thirty minutes already…"
A loud screech pierced the air, followed by a booming male voice.
"ALL STUDENTS, REPORT TO THE FRONT GARDEN FOR MANA EXAMINATION."
Mana was the lifeblood of this world. Everyone had it. Depending on your resonance, you could use special techniques called Arts. Elemental Arts were the most common, each person resonating with one or more elemental attributes.
I had two: Pyro and Anemo.
Hundreds of students gathered at the entrance hall. Twenty students were called up at a time. I was ready to faint. I'd never seen this many people in one place. Way different from a tiny village.
"Deep breaths… in, out…"
I would be taking the basic elemental mana resonance test. If I failed… everything would be for nothing. I couldn't let that happen.
"CHLOE VALASTINE!"
I froze. My heart pounded in my chest. No turning back now.
The professor gestured toward the mana orb in the center of the room.
"Nice and simple," I muttered.
I placed my hand on the orb. Bright colors filled the room. Red, light green… and a strange, pale white glow in between.
I blinked. White?
Even the professor seemed surprised.
"Pass. Proceed to the ceremony room—down the hall, to your left."
I stood there, stunned for a moment.
Then it hit me.
I passed.
For the first time in my life… I felt hope.
The professor paused, his gaze lingering on the intriguing student as a thought crossed his mind. A resonance for anemo and pyro mana… and a strong connection to mantra as well? How rare.
I wandered down an ominous hall. After a while, a shed of light broke through the gloom, where Lilia stood aside, waving her hand to catch my attention. The loud babbling of students filled the air — some crying with joy at passing, others jumping around in excitement, a few shouting, "I'll be a legendary knight someday!" Might as well let them dream.
"Seems you passed, as expected, Lilia."
"You're giving me too much credit," she blushed.
A sudden, loud shout echoed through the hall, grabbing everyone's attention.
"EVERYONE, QUIET!"
A man dressed in a crisp black suit stepped onto the stage. He had light red hair and a curly mustache.
"Greetings, students, and welcome to Unicrest Academy. I am your principal, Iris Zoff, and I will be overseeing much of the academic faculty here. If you have any questions or complaints, please report them to the professors' faculty. We expect great results from you — or you will face failure… and possible death in the years you remain."
Ahem. "And now, a few words from the Author of the continent."
An older gentleman walked up to the stage — shiny bald head, long white beard, wearing a flowing white mage's robe and glasses. His gleaming smile shed a strange warmth over the new students, easing their nerves.
The Author was said to be the strongest sorcerer in the country, having mastered all forms of mana arts. Given the title The Author by His Majesty the King, he was the head of Unicrest Academy, outranking even the principal.
According to the World History book, there had been three previous Authors: Lucia Silva, Jacob Everharts, and Kira Hein. Lucia Silva, the first Author, founded the Academy alongside a great swordsman whose name was never made public. A statue of Author Lucia Silva stood proudly in the middle of the citadel square.
As the Author spoke, my vision blurred for a moment.
『Forced Partial Activation: Perfect Vision』
A faint glimmer sparked in my eyes. For a split second, no one noticed—not even me. In that instant, I saw something distant: a figure radiating black particles.
I rubbed my eyes. Was I seeing things? "Was that real?" I mumbled.
Lilia noticed my uneasiness and leaned closer. "Is everything alright?"
"Y-yeah..."
The Author raised his voice. "Now, I wish to acknowledge a few notable students of this academy with the highest evaluation scores: Crown Prince Lucas Crest, Saintess Aria Louisbarne, Candice Hart of the Absolute Noble House, Silena Slike… and most importantly, the newly appointed Hero, Kaioh Ryio."
Aside from the Authors, there were other legendary titles: Hero, Sage, Counsel, Runic, and Sentinel. It was common knowledge that those titles had been dormant for over two centuries. Only the continent's Arbiters could bestow them, and no one had been deemed worthy in all that time.
Except for the Hero title. Every two hundred years, a Hero is born to fight the reborn Demon Lord — humanity's greatest enemy. Fortunately, not my problem… and it better stay that way.
"I hope you'll all treat these individuals with the respect they deserve."
After the Author's speech, the students were dismissed to go home. Dormitory assignments and other information would be given the next day. I trudged through my bedroom door, slouched, set my katana against the shelf, and collapsed onto my bed, completely drained. After the Author was done, the principal droned on for another hour and a half — mentally exhausting. Hopefully, never again.
I stared at the ceiling, weighing the pros and cons. Sure, a risk of death… but good scholarships, money to support my mother — worth it. Even my life.
I hugged my pillow. Yet those dark particles lingered in my mind. I knew I saw someone in those shadows.
Next morning
The sun's glare pried my eyes open. I groaned. "I hate mornings."
I sat up, hair a complete mess, as usual. Glancing at my clock: Still got time. I threw on my collared shirt, straightened the tie, and zipped my skirt. The smell of breakfast wafted up.
"Morning," I yawned, shuffling downstairs.
"Morning, honey," my mother greeted, noticing I was already dressed and armed with my katana at my waist. "Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Don't want a repeat of yesterday."
She smirked mischievously. "Have fun, then."
I stepped outside, stretching as the sun beamed down. The crisp aroma of morning grass — my favorite. Signs of fall creeping in. The locals were going about their routines.
I showed my ID card to the front guards. One gave me a strange look, whispering to the other.
"Isn't that the crazy girl from the other day?"
"Shut up," hissed the other guard.
I pretended not to hear them, waiting patiently.
"You're clear to go, ma'am."
As I passed through town, I expected to see other students, but the streets were barren. Only local patrol knights and a couple of upperclassmen were around. Same with the academy building — completely deserted. Tick tock, tick tock. Time crawled by.
Where the hell is everyone?
Growing restless, I tried the academy doors. Locked.
Only if I could see a way in…
『Forced Partial Activation: Perfect Vision』
Runes shimmered across the door's surface. I placed my hand on them. Instantly, a wave of dizziness struck as mana drained from my body — not just mana… something else. After a minute that felt like a lifetime, I yanked my hand away.
The huge door groaned open.
I smirked weakly. "I don't think anyone'll mind if I take a look around. Not like anyone's here to stop me."
Twenty minutes later
"WHERE THE HELL AM I?!"
This place was a damn maze. Every hall led to either a random classroom or a dead end. No signs. No professors. No students. Did I come at the wrong time? Too early?
A soft thud behind me. I tensed.
Please don't be a ghost.
"EEP!"
A boy lay unconscious on the floor. Shadowy black hair fell just above his ears. Bloodshot red eyes. His skin had a light tan. Black hair was a bad omen in this country — extremely rare. First time I'd seen anyone with it.
Was I cursed just standing near him? Why was he here? Did he fall from the ceiling?
I crouched and poked his cheek.
"Uhhh… you alive?"
He stirred, mumbling incoherently.
"Hey, do you know where the office is?"
More groaning.
"…You're completely useless," I sighed.
『Partial Activation: Perfect Vision』
My eyes glowed again without me noticing. A faint trace of the same black particles flickered from his body, followed by a cold, uncomfortable presence. I rubbed my eyes. Gone again.
Ignore it. Just a kid.
Sighing, I grabbed him under the arms and dragged him along.
"You're coming with me now."
Surprisingly light for someone his size.
After what felt like ages
A golden glow caught my attention from a nearby door. A powerful mana presence leaked from behind it. The boy's muscles tensed — almost like a warning.
"Oh? Maybe this is it. What do you think?"
I shook him like a ragdoll. His head bobbled.
"Hehehe."
Curiosity winning out, I reached for the knob. On the other side was a stunning room — golden light, paintings, artifacts behind glass.
And a bald, bearded old man behind a desk.
"Oh… shit."
It was the Author.
I froze, ready to bolt.
"Excuse me, sir, I'll just—"
"No, wait—"
He raised his hand. A key materialized, floating toward me.
"I think you'll be needing this. I'll trade you the key… for the boy."
I nodded quickly, dropped the boy onto a couch. He groaned — slightly more distressed than before. I shrugged it off, grabbed the key, and dashed out.
The pressure radiating from the Author was unreal. Just looking at him made my eyes ache.
After I left
The Author's warm facade vanished, his expression dark. "Sit up and stop pretending."
The boy sat up, a grim look in his dark eyes.
"You weren't supposed to show yourself yet, and you let a commoner notice you. I had no choice but to give her your dorm key!"
His silence only enraged the Author. He clenched his fist and clocked the boy across the face.
"Keuk!"
Blood dripped to the floor, but the boy's gaze didn't waver.
"Pathetic," the Author sneered. "Nothing but a tool."
I left through the front door. Ironically, I had to go back to the Author's room and ask if he could lead me out. I didn't see the boy that time, and, for some reason, my gut twisted with worry about where he'd gone. The Author teleported me out. A rather odd feeling materialized in a different place.
Just then, the professor and students showed up.
"WHAT THE FUCK!" I blurted, on the verge of a full-on mental breakdown. Everyone stared at me like I was insane as I ran a hand through my hair
Conveniently, Lilia appeared.
"Chloe!"
I paused, raising a hand to stop her mid-sentence. I probably looked like hell.
"Don't wanna hear it. I'm leaving and going to bed."