And so, the fourth day of the week began—the day where we would all be tested on our survival skills, as well as our ability to steal an important object from our targets.
Because the test would take place over a single day, the teachers had ordered everyone to be ready and standing before the Academy's gates before sunrise.
"Alen, you've got bags under your eyes," Cecil remarked, squinting at my face.
"Did you stay up late again last night?!" Fran scolded, her tone sharp with worry.
The truth was, I had trained with the Eleventh Songbird Squad at Catlonia's Bar. Even though I needed to be in peak condition for today—and tomorrow—I couldn't bring myself to skip a night of training with them in secret.
"S-sorry… I lost track of time," I excused myself, even as Fran jabbed her finger into my chest.
"I don't like it when you do this! You need to get enough sleep!" she chided.
"Yeah, and I don't like that you're training alone. At least let me join you!" Cecil added, his tone more hurt than angry.
"Alen… we trained almost all day with Atro yesterday. Wasn't that enough?" Theo asked, watching me with a worried expression.
"These are things I can only train in private," I replied firmly.
Our conversation carried on a little longer. By now, the groups in Class S were clear—students gathered with their closest friends, while the handful of loners stood quietly apart.
That was when the sound of measured footsteps silenced the chatter. Every student turned their head as Director Goldenlaw approached—heading straight for my group.
Why me?
"Student Alen, we have matters to discuss in private before we leave for the test," the director said with a false, gentle smile that didn't quite reach her eyes—the one she usually kept closed.
"Huh? What happened?" I asked, glancing at my classmates, who were now all staring at me.
"We'll discuss it once we're alone," she replied before turning on her heel. "Everyone else, wait here. We'll depart for the islands once we've finished with student Alen."
I gave my friends a helpless shrug.
"I… I'll be back in a minute."
---
I followed Director Goldenlaw until we reached Arena Six.
In the center, Teacher Crowbell was already waiting.
"Finally," he muttered as Goldenlaw joined him at his side.
"Student Alen," she began, folding her arms, "as you know, you are receiving instruction in material normally reserved for the second year."
"Today's lesson coincided with the survival test, so we'll have to make this quick," Crowbell added. "We need to see how far your training has come."
"Why now? Couldn't this wait until the next class?"
"It's important that you are tested before the survival exam. You are an exception, after all. No other first-year has been taught Elemental Defense."
"So… I just demonstrate what I've learned?"
"Exactly," Crowbell confirmed.
There was nothing I could do but comply.
I drew a deep breath and assumed the wind stance of Elemental Defense.
Thanks to the past few days of training with the Eleventh Songbird Squad, my proficiency had grown considerably. I no longer wasted mana forming a massive circular barrier around my entire body. Instead, I focused on creating small, concentrated swirls of wind to defend only where I needed to. Stronger defense, less waste.
It was insane how a change in perspective could completely alter a skill. If I'd relied only on this world's understanding, I'd have written off Elemental Defense as useless—just like everyone else.
Even with my background as a player of [Dragon's Roar], I might have missed its true potential if not for the squad.
Holding the stance, I looked at the black-haired teacher and the blonde director. Both wore amused expressions.
"Impressive, Student Alen," Goldenlaw said, her closed eye sliding open.
"We'll now launch spells at you to test your defense," Crowbell added, quickly masking his moment of surprise with professional detachment.
"Alright…" I nodded, though unease gnawed at me. They were hiding something—I could feel it. Not that I had room to complain, considering how much I kept hidden myself.
"[Rock Throw]."
Goldenlaw invoked the spell instantly. Thanks to her unique passive, [Great Sage's Left Eye], she could perform true incantationless casting—unlike me.
The rock flew at me at high speed, faster than a normal tier-one spell should have.
I expelled mana sharply, shaping it into a razor swirl of wind. The barrier formed just in time, shattering the stone into harmless fragments.
"[Lightning Bolt]."
A tier two spell. Already.
The bolt was so fast my eyes could barely follow it. To me, it seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Thankfully, she struck the same side I was already reinforcing, and I managed to block it.
"[Deep Tentacle]."
A tier three water spell.
The liquid tentacle sprouted from her shoulder, lashing through the air like a predator toying with its prey.
"I won't be as soft now, Student Alen. React accordingly," she said, her pleasant voice unable to disguise the glee she took in testing me.
The tentacle feinted left, then right, its tip weaving in hypnotic arcs.
I poured more mana into my defense and tracked its movements with my eyes.
No tricks. No hidden strikes. Just this one.
"!!!"
It snapped forward like a whip, the air itself cracking.
I shifted my defense, catching the blow. But the force behind it was immense—whiplash strength amplifying its destructive power. My wind barrier shattered under the impact.
Yet I stood unharmed, the attack dissipated before it could touch me.
"Impressive… even against a tier three spell," Goldenlaw said, her smile widening. She was itching to push further—to test me against tier four.
"That's enough." Crowbell cut her off. "It seems we've found his limit. You may rest while we discuss what to do with you. Stay in the arena."
"Yes, sir…" I lowered my stance, mentally drained despite the short duration. Holding the barrier wasn't exhausting—but staying on edge, facing spells that could crush me if I failed, wore me down fast.
After a brief discussion, they returned to me.
"Student Alen, congratulations," Goldenlaw said. "You've earned the prestigious role of being an examiner."
"...Huh?"
"You're learning material years ahead of your peers, and you've surpassed even most second-years in Elemental Defense," she continued.
"That's not what surprised me!" I snapped.
"Unlike other classes, Class S students must steal items from teachers," Crowbell explained. "Given your ability, we decided to test your progress. You'll take part as an examiner instead."
"Talented? Me? You're wrong. I'm not talented…"
"Oh?" Goldenlaw arched a brow. "And why is that?"
"My mana reserves are pitiful. Even at the second circle, I can't use tier two spells. I know the least spells in my class and am the slowest at manifestation. I'm… the weakest."
"You're also the only first-year with a dungeon permit. The youngest student in Academy history to receive one," Crowbell countered, his voice taut with restrained irritation. "You're ranked fifth overall, you cast without incantations, and now you've mastered a technique most second-years still fumble."
"And you did it without our guidance," Goldenlaw added, her tone sharpening. "What are you, if not talented?"
I froze, unable to answer. They didn't understand. Everything I'd achieved came from exploiting loopholes, from clawing for scraps where others saw nothing. Not from talent.
"Were you taught Elemental Defense?" Goldenlaw asked, narrowing her eyes, "or did you learn it yourself? Will you keep this secret too?"
"I… I was taught. But I can't say by who. Sorry."
Goldenlaw studied me for a long moment, then sighed. "Very well. You'll be exempt from the survival test. Instead, you'll act in the role of a teacher during it."
She gave me a soft smile—one that felt more like mockery than kindness—before leaving with Crowbell.
I trailed behind them in silence, too embarrassed to speak.
If only they knew how weak I truly was.
---
Once we returned to the Academy gates, Fran immediately rushed to my side. She must have noticed the conflicted look I'd tried—and clearly failed—to hide.
"What happened, Alen?" she asked, worry etched on her face. A moment later, Theo and Cecil joined her.
"As explained, this test consists of each of you entering the island," Crowbell announced, stepping forward as our homeroom teacher. "Your objective is simple: survive for one full day and steal an item from one of today's examiner teachers."
Four other instructors stepped up beside him.
"Student Alen has been deemed overqualified for this test," Goldenlaw added smoothly. "Therefore, he will not participate as a student, but as an examiner alongside the teachers."
Her words drew every gaze in the class straight to me. Friends, rivals, the indifferent ones—it didn't matter. Every one of them was staring, their surprise burning into me. For a student to be treated like a teacher? It stirred only confusion, envy, and resentment.
"We'll explain the rules of the test once we arrive," Crowbell continued, unbothered by the tense silence. "For now, let's head to the island."
As if on cue, a massive carriage pulled up. It was large enough to hold the entire class and all the teachers.
But what truly caught my eye was not the carriage itself, but the beast pulling it. Not a horse, but a reptilian monster—towering, muscle-bound, and thick-scaled. Its tail swayed with a weight that looked powerful enough to flip the entire carriage with a single strike.