After the intense journey through the forest, surviving monsters and barely fending off a bandit attack, Kain and Aidan finally reached the capital gates. Kain's body ached, and his clothes were torn, but his eyes carried a fire that hadn't been there before.
The capital gates were wide open. A tall guard in silver armor stood at the entrance, but he didn't give the two much attention. Travelers, adventurers, and young participants were flowing into the city one after another.
"Everyone's here for the selection exams," Aidan said, looking at the crowd. "They don't even bother checking."
The moment they stepped inside the capital, Kain's eyes widened. Unlike his quiet village, this city was loud, fast, and full of energy. Vendors shouted from both sides of the street.
"Great quality equipment for aspiring knights!" one yelled.
"Magic scrolls! Mana books for beginner mages!" another called out.
Kain followed Aidan through the noisy streets, trying to take it all in. The buildings were taller, the roads were cleaner, and people wore different kinds of clothes—some elegant, some practical, and some strange.
They stopped near a large plaza, where a stone path led uphill.
"That path leads to the academy training grounds," Aidan explained. "We'll be tested there tomorrow."
Kain nodded.
"I'll take my leave now. Good luck," Aidan said with a smile and walked away, disappearing into the crowd.
Kain looked around, found a small inn not too far from the training ground, and decided to stay the night. The room was simple, but it had a bed and a window that let in the moonlight. He lay down, exhausted.
That night, Kain had a dream.
An ominous yet familiar voice echoed through the darkness.
"Kain."
It was the voice of Inventor.
Kain looked around. "Inventor? Is that you? What's happening?"
"You are the chosen," Inventor said, his tone serious yet calm. "You have to be strong."
"Why? Why me?" Kain asked.
"Because if you stay weak... they will destroy your world."
Suddenly, Kain saw visions—his village in flames, people screaming, the sky dark, his mother collapsing. Everything was crumbling. And he was powerless.
"No... stop!" Kain shouted, tears in his dream.
"You must become strong," Inventor repeated.
Kain jolted awake, drenched in sweat. His chest rose and fell quickly as he sat up on the bed.
He couldn't shake the images from his head.
"They will destroy my world…?" he whispered.
With a deep breath, he got ready and left the inn. The sun was rising. Today was the day of the selection exam.
The academy grounds were vast. Marble buildings and wide fields stretched far into the distance. Hundreds of participants stood in lines, some chatting, others training or meditating.
After some time, a tall man in black robes walked to the center of the field.
"I am your main teacher from the first year for the elite class," he said in a loud, commanding voice. "I'll keep introductions short."
He raised his hand.
"The selection exam has three stages:
First stage – Mana Aptitude Test. Your capability to wield mana will be measured.
Second stage – Physical and Willpower Test. Your strength and mental resolve will be tested.
Third stage – Survival Test. You will be placed in a monster-inhabited forest. Survive for three days using your own abilities and blessings."
He paused.
"Only 2,000 will pass. The rest will be sent for compulsory training outside the academy. Trust me, it is many folds worse than what you would receive here."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd.
Kain clenched his fists.
"I don't want to go through something worse than this. I have to pass."
The first stage began. Each participant was called by number. They were asked to touch a crystal orb that glowed based on their mana capacity.
When Kain's turn came, he walked up nervously.
He placed his hand on the orb. A soft blue glow appeared, but it was weak compared to others.
"Hmm," the examiner nodded. "You have just enough to be considered a low-rank mage."
Kain stepped back quietly. He hadn't expected to be a strong mage, and he wasn't even that interested in magic. Still, the result was acceptable.
From the noble side, many participants had strong glows. The highest among them was a girl named Anna from the Morgan family. Her orb lit up with a bright violet hue.
Kain noticed someone his age watching him. A quiet boy standing with the noble group—he had an insignia of the Jomi family. Their eyes met for a second before the boy looked away.
Kain returned to training, avoiding the mana practice. He focused on basic physical movements—push-ups, balance, breathing. He didn't know complex magic theory, and honestly, he wasn't interested. He wanted to be stronger physically.
He remembered Inventor's words. "You must become strong."
The next day, the second test began.
It was a combination of tasks: lifting heavy stones, sprinting distances, and withstanding physical pressure. Kain didn't perform well in most of them. His stamina wasn't great, and he lacked raw strength.
But then came the Willpower Test.
They placed a strange circular relic on each participant's head that triggered illusions of fear and despair.
Kain's body trembled. He saw images of loss again—his mother dying, his village burning. His hands shook. But then…
Battle Instinct triggered.
His mind calmed. His breathing became steady. His fear didn't vanish, but it became manageable.
The instructor marked his results. "Impressive mental fortitude."
Kain ranked 9th in willpower. Despite being below average physically, his mental strength shone.
As others finished, Kain noticed again that the best performers were mostly from noble families—like the Dawn family, known for their precision and magic, and the Jomi family, who were famous for their strategic minds and quiet strength. Each of these families had a specific divine being contracted with them—granting blessings unique to their bloodline.
For example, the Dawn family's god was known to manipulate light-based magic, while the Jomi family's god was said to govern clarity and insight—perfect for those who relied on observation and control.
Kain couldn't help but feel different. He had Inventor, but even now, he didn't fully understand what kind of god Inventor was. Unlike the divine beings of nobles, Inventor remained distant, speaking only when needed.
Still, something inside him was changing. His instincts were sharpening. He began recognizing patterns in how others moved and reacted. Maybe he wasn't that far behind after all.
Just before they left the training grounds, the teacher turned to them once more.
"Rest tonight. Eat well. The 3rd exam is starting."