(5 days ago- Principal's office)
At that time Principal Sherman and Vice Principal Fiona were watching Kryuger who was interested in one of the student forms he was holding
Wim
A young man who came from a commoner background, and could not use magic and attributes
A boy without attributes. Without magic. Without background. But somehow... he was here, at the Unio Magic Academy, where only those with above average magical talent could enter
That was what was on Kryuger's mind, but everything had been answered because he found out that there was a special note under the form
"Registered directly by Principal Sherman, at the request of the previous Principal, Venditus"
Venditus?
It was a name that had been lost without a trace for 20 years and now, Kryuger had heard his name from Wim's form
Even Principal Sherman also approved the proposal
Kryuger who couldn't hold back his curiosity started asking Sherman
Kryuger:" Why did you accept this boy just like that?" he asked Sherman directly
Sherman just smiled faintly behind his desk
Sherman:" Because there's something unique about him"
Kryuger:" Something he has" Kryuger frowned
Kryuger:" Don't tell me that you accepted this kid who can't do magic just because of a hunch"
Sherman chuckled
Sherman:" Venditus isn't a man who talks without reason. He said this boy... is unique. And after seeing him in person, I understand what he meant."
Meanwhile, Fiona who had been listening while sipping tea, finally chimed in
Fiona:" Sherman and Venditus are always like that. They have a habit of recruiting 'unusual' students, even without the approval of the Academy Council."
Kryuger, who heard Fiona's words, began to sigh
Kryuger:" A habit that has never changed since the past, huh?"
Fiona:" Not without reason " Fiona continued calmly
Fiona:" That has become part of the legacy of the philosophy of the first Principal of Unio Academy. This place was not built for nobles only, but for anyone who wants to learn... regardless of origin, strength, or status. What the two of them did was their way of honoring that legacy"
Kryuger fell silent hearing that.
He knew that. He knew the history of Unio's founding.
But still...
Accepting a child who can't even activate basic magic?
Kryuger still couldn't accept this, but because this had been explained by Sherman and Fiona, Kryuger had no choice but to accept it
Looking at the form, Kryuger muttered
Kryuger:" Okay, strange child, let's see how unique you are."
****
(Present Time)
Kryuger:"The last candidate, Wim Elgran. Prepare yourself"
Kryuger's voice began to echo across the field, accompanied by the sound of illusion magic flowing like the wind, creating a new world in the middle of the training field. The ground changed, the grass disappeared, and in an instant a special test arena was formed
Wrizzzt
The illusion magic transformed the flat space into an obstacle course—swinging wooden hammers, high cliffs, and floating stone steps above the magic abyss. But what stood out the most was an artificial tower at the end of the arena, where a bright blue magic stone radiated light, the final target of the test.
At the edge of the arena, Kryuger stood with his hands behind his back as he faced Wim
Kryuger:"You only have one minute. Get through all the obstacles, take the stone. But don't relax, defense magic will activate when you get close." that's what he said
Whispers from other students began to be heard on the field by Wim
Student 1:" I'm sure he won't succeed"
Student 2:" He should just retreat, he can't even use magic"
Meanwhile Wim nodded slightly, staring at the illusion field in front of him
Wim:* Somehow this obstacle is like the one on the television show 'Ninja Warrior'* he thought
Without much time he started to get ready in place
Kryuger:" Start! " He exclaimed
Wim immediately ran to the first obstacle—a balancing wooden beam with a giant wooden hammer swinging left and right
Whoosh, Bam
The wind from the hammer swing felt strong. But Wim didn't panic. He focused his breath and also his mind
[Mana Detection Skill has been activated]
In his view, the world changed. Every magical object emitted a pulse of energy. The hammers... had a rhythm. He could 'feel' where they were going to hit.
Wim:*This way I can avoid their attacks*
Zwoosh
He jumped, rolled, and then quickly balanced his body. The first hammer—missed. The second hammer—almost touched his front hair.
Tap tap tap!
His steps were steady, and finally… thump! he landed on the edge of the wooden arena.
Time remaining: 49 seconds
Second obstacle: artificial cliff
Wim grabbed a magic rope hanging from above, and started climbing
Every pull felt heavy, maybe because Wim never exercised enough while on earth
But just as he started to climb ten meters, he felt something coming through his Mana Detection Skill
Wim:" Huh? "
BOOOOOOO!!
A lump of magic stone fell from above, hurtling like a mini meteor towards him
Wim:" F*ck! Is this an academy for learning or is it for killing other people's children?!" He shouted
He started to slide sideways, his body swinging on the rope to avoid the rock fragments. He almost slipped, but quickly pulled himself back up
Tap! Tap! Tap!
His hands and feet worked quickly. A few seconds later, he managed to reach the top. But his breathing began to become heavy, indicating that he was starting to get tired. But his eyes still stared forward
Time remaining: 23 seconds
The last obstacle: floating rock steps.
This last obstacle was very difficult, because Wim had to balance each of the stone steps correctly
He started jumping from one step to another
Tap!
Tap!
Tap!
The wind from below blew strongly, his body swayed—and then…
Zaaap
A lightning bolt shot from the sky
Crack
The stepping stones behind him started to crumble
Wim:" What the hell is this!" He shouted
His eyes started to glance down, he saw that Kryuger had just cast a lightning magic spell towards him, Kryuger himself who released it.
Wim:" Damn this old man" While gritting his teeth
Without wasting any time, Wim activated his Teleport Skill
Fwip
His body disappeared accompanied by a green light all over his body and began to be seen again on the next stone
Fwip!
Again
Fwip!
Lightning struck the spot where he was standing before it was too late to strike him for a second
The students who saw it started screaming
Students:" Wait, he used Blink, I thought he couldn't do magic"
Students:" It's almost like Blink, only the color is different"
Wim didn't hear them. His gaze was still focused on the tower in front of him. The last stone was in front, while the magic stone shone brightly on top of the tower
Wim:" One more step"
Fwisssh
Lightning started to shoot towards him, while Wim jumped-- using all his strength, then....
Fwip!
His body disappeared in the air, then reappeared right in front of the stone. He started to stretch out his hand and....
GRAAP!!!
His hand was holding the magic stone
Ding! Ding! Ding!
The bell rang
Time left: 1 second
Wim rolled over and fell on his back at the top of the artificial tower. His breath was short. His eyes stared at the sky
Wim:" Huh... Huh.... What... Already... Done...? "
Automaton:" The exam is over, Subject.... Passed"
The voice of the supervisor automaton sounded flat.
Applause was heard. Followed by cheers from the students, although not all, but quite a lot of them acknowledged what they had just seen.
From the edge of the arena, Kryuger stood with his arms crossed. His expression was still calm, but there was a thin smile tucked into the corner of his lips.
Kryuger:" One second, huh. But that's enough"
Meanwhile from behind the academy window, more precisely in the principal's room, Sherman and Fiona watched in silence.
Fiona:" That kid, he was able to clear the last hurdle. Even though it was a hurdle that claimed so many victims, but he. He managed to get through it" while pushing his glasses
Sherman:" I told you, there's something unique about that kid" He just smiled
****
(The next morning - At Unio Academy)
Win and Art were on their way to the main hall of the academy, along with the other students
Students:" Hey, the class list is already posted "
Students:" I got into class A"
Students:" Well, I only got class D..."
Shouts and chatter filled with hope and disappointment filled almost the entire room. One by one, the students searched for their names on the transparent magic board that displayed the class placement list
Wim, who walked slowly in his student uniform and his hair still a little messy from sleeping soundly, finally approached the list
Wim: "Let's see..."
He started with class F
Scroll... Scroll...
Wim: "Not here..."
Class E. Nothing.
Class D. Still nothing.
Class C... B... A... Still nothing
Wim: "Seriously? Why isn't my name there? Was I expelled?" His eyebrows began to furrow
He rubbed the magic screen again, rechecking one by one.
And finally... His name appeared
Wim- Class S
Wim:" Huh? WHAT THE F*CK? " His eyes widened and his mouth opened wide in surprise
Suddenly a message appeared
[Quest Episode 1: Enrolling in Unio Academy - COMPLETE]
[Exp gained]
[Status increased significantly]
[You have unlocked the access rights of the new Blank attribute with the help of the Art system]