The massive gates of the Holy Empire Academy creaked open, revealing the sprawling Secular Oak Forest beyond—an ancient expanse of towering trees, rocky hills, winding streams, and enough wild beasts to make the entrance exam far more dangerous than it seemed.
Hundreds of seven-year-old applicants stood at the forest's edge, some buzzing with excitement, others tense with nerves. Among them was Silva, his wooden staff strapped across his back. The principal's voice rang out over the crowd: the first test began the moment they stepped inside.
They had until sunset to retrieve a piece of FOR Ore, with the first four earning custom-forged weapons from the academy's blacksmith. Whispers rippled through the group until the principal silenced them, reminding everyone that the trial was about more than finding ore—it would measure judgment, courage, resourcefulness, and adaptability. Instructors were hidden throughout, ready to save lives if truly needed, but doing so meant failure.
With a final "Good luck," his hand dropped, and the children surged forward, vanishing into the forest. Silva entered too, but unlike most, he didn't rush. Instead, he paused, scanning his surroundings, recalling Cornelius's lesson:
Don't follow the crowd. Watch first. Move later.
Silva noticed most of the applicants sticking to the wider paths.
Some had already formed groups, while others sprinted ahead alone, eager to be among the first four to claim the ore. Instead, he veered onto a narrow trail beside a stream.
"If FOR Ore forms where mana is concentrated…" He crouched to touch the cool water. "…then following the stream might be smarter than searching at random."
Confident in his choice, he ventured deeper into the forest, checking under rocks, in shallow caves, and along the riverbank for the next hour—nothing.
Then, a faint metallic glint caught his eye beneath the roots of a massive oak. Brushing aside dirt, he revealed a dark metallic stone streaked with thin golden lines. His eyes lit up. "Found one." It was exactly like the ore the principal had shown them. FOR Ore. Silva smiled. "That wasn't too hard."
All that was left for him to do was head back to the academy.
At least…
That had been the plan.
"HELP!"
Silva froze.
A girl's scream rang out through the forest.
"Please! Leave us alone!"
Another voice followed.
Silva instantly turned toward the sound. Someone was in trouble.
He tightened the straps of his bag and gripped his staff.
I already have the ore.
The smartest move would be to head back.
He didn't know who was screaming.
He didn't know how many people were involved.
And this was an exam where every applicant was technically his competitor.
Silva hesitated.
Then another frightened scream echoed through the trees.
"...Grandpa would never let me hear the end of it."
He ran toward the noise.
A few minutes later, Silva reached a small clearing and stopped behind a tree. Four boys had cornered two girls.
Silva recognized one instantly—Marcus, the principal's son—standing at the front while his three friends blocked every escape route. The girls were twins, both in red travel clothes with striking crimson eyes.
June stood slightly behind, nervously clutching her hands to her chest, while Julie stood protectively in front. Despite her fearful expression, there was a strange calm in her eyes—something Silva didn't notice.
Marcus pointed to the small pouch at Julie's waist.
"We saw you find it."
Julie stepped back.
"Find what?"
"Don't play dumb,"
Marcus sneered. "The FOR Ore."
One friend laughed. "You got lucky finding it before us."
Another cracked his knuckles. "So hand it over."
June lowered her head. "P-Please…"
Marcus grinned at her trembling. "Don't worry. We don't want to hurt you. Just give us the ore."
Julie tightened her grip on the pouch. "And if we don't?"
Marcus's smile widened. "Then we'll take it."
One boy chuckled. "Hand it over… or we'll mess up those pretty little faces."
June grabbed Julie's sleeve. "S-Sister…" Julie glanced at her.
To Marcus and his gang, the twins seemed terrified and utterly defenseless.
Just as they'd planned.
Beneath June's mask of fear, another thought simmered.
These weaklings think they can threaten us…
Julie was finding it even harder to keep up her act. Four Mana Gathering rookies. Master would be livid if they accidentally hurt them too much.
June's eyes flicked toward the trees. He's here. Julie felt it too, a mischievous spark lighting her gaze. Their cries were never for the academy instructors—they were for one boy in particular. Silva.
They had spotted him earlier in the exam and knew exactly who he was. Now they wanted to see how he would react.
Marcus reached for Julie. "Last chance. Hand it over."
Before his fingers could touch her—Thud!
A wooden staff slammed into the ground between them, making Marcus jump back.
"What the—?!"
Silva stepped out from the trees.
"Four against two?" he said, resting the staff across his shoulder. "Doesn't seem very fair."
Julie's eyes went wide, while June ducked behind her sister. Their act was flawless or so they thought
Marcus scowled. "Who asked you?"
"Nobody."
"Then keep walking."
Silva glanced at the sisters, then back at Marcus. "I heard them asking for help. So I'm not going anywhere."
Marcus let out a short laugh. "Do you even know who I am?"
Silva paused. "No."
Marcus's eye twitched. "My father is the principal of the Holy Empire Academy!"
Silva blinked. "Oh."
Marcus grinned smugly—until Silva added, "And what does that have to do with you threatening them?"
June lowered her head, shoulders shaking. Marcus assumed she was crying. In truth, she was barely holding back her laughter.
Julie bit the inside of her cheek.
I like him already.
Marcus's face reddened.
"You're asking for trouble." He motioned to his companions. "Teach him a lesson."
The first boy charged, but Silva dropped into a low stance, Cornelius's training kicking in. The wild swing missed as Silva sidestepped and snapped his staff forward—Thwack! The weapon flew from the boy's hand, and before he knew it, Silva swept his legs out, sending him crashing to the ground.
The second came in from the left. Silva pivoted, the staff's tip stopping just under his chin. The boy froze. Silva smirked. "You're out." A light tap sent him stumbling back.
The third rushed from behind, his footsteps loud enough for Silva to hear. Silva spun—Bang!—the staff slammed into his chest, sending him rolling through the grass.
Marcus gaped. "You..."
Silva pointed his staff at him. "Still want more?"
Marcus clenched his fists. "This isn't over! This is an entrance exam—you'll have to fight us eventually!"
"Maybe," Silva shrugged. "But not like this."
Humiliated, Marcus glared at the twins, then at Silva, before turning away. "Let's go!" The four vanished into the forest.
Silva waited until the sound of their retreat faded before lowering his staff. "You two alright?"
The twins exchanged a glance. June's frightened look vanished. Julie grinned. "We're perfectly fine."
Silva blinked. That was quick
June's cheeks flushed. "T-Thank you for helping us."
Julie stepped closer. "Yes. Very heroic."
Silva narrowed his eyes. "You don't seem nearly as scared as you were five seconds ago."
Julie batted her lashes. "Maybe your heroic appearance gave us courage."
They locked eyes, while June quietly looked on.
...
High above the clearing, hidden among the branches of an ancient oak, a pair of glowing yellow eyes watched the three children disappear into the distance.
A quiet laugh drifted through the leaves.
"Hahaha..."
A white-haired man reclined comfortably against the tree trunk, an amused smile playing across his face.
He had witnessed everything.
The twins' helpless little performance.
And Silva charging in to rescue them.
Nero covered his mouth, barely suppressing another laugh.
"Those two..."
His golden-yellow eyes gleamed with mischief.
"What terrible little actresses."
His smile widened.
"But..."
He looked toward the path Silva had taken.
"...this could be entertaining."