The next morning arrived, marking the day of the University Entrance Exam, an event that could decide the fate of every young student standing at the edge of adulthood.
For them, this wasn't just an exam—it was the gateway to their future. A university didn't merely mean more knowledge or better skills; it meant a broader vision, a chance to see a world far bigger than what they had known. Those who couldn't make it into the top universities would soon realize that even people with similar talents could end up on very different paths in life. And worse, there would always be others more gifted—and more hardworking—waiting to surpass you.
---
This year's test was special. It was held inside the "Grey Mist Secret Realm", a mysterious space that appeared once every few years. Each time it opened, the types of wild monsters inside changed completely, making every round of the exam unpredictable.
Inside, students would battle monsters to collect treasure chests of various levels. The more chests a student gathered, the higher their final score. In short, their grades depended on how many monsters they could slay and how many treasures they could seize.
However, it wasn't just about fighting monsters. Students could also compete against each other, even stealing chests from their peers. But every participant received two special items before entering: a unique "910 Token" and a "City Return Scroll." If things turned dangerous, crushing the scroll would immediately transport the student out of the realm to safety.
This meant the exam was more than a test of skill—it was also a hunt. A chase between classmates where survival, courage, and intelligence mattered as much as strength. Most students, though, wouldn't give up easily. Their futures were on the line.
---
That morning, the entrance to the secret realm was packed with excited students. The air buzzed with energy and tension. Among them stood Fairwind, who immediately spotted his best friend Ethan and practically exploded with excitement.
His armor glittered with magical light, dazzling those nearby. "Ethan!" he called, waving dramatically. "Check out my new gold-level gear! Pretty cool, right?"
Ethan gave a faint smile.
Fairwind continued bragging, "I've even got a dark-gold set waiting for me once I hit Level 25! Just imagine my power then—over 200 stars for sure! Maybe I can just carry you straight into a top university, huh? We'll go together, stay up late gaming together, and maybe even pick up some girls together!"
Students nearby groaned, covering their eyes from the golden shine, but between their fingers, envy flickered. Having equipment that strong practically guaranteed Fairwind a top score. Some even looked ready to rob him right there—if only the exam hadn't been under supervision.
---
Ethan, who wasn't easily impressed, pointed at the necklace around his neck and said casually, "Platinum-grade."
Fairwind blinked. "Wait—what?! Where'd you get that? Don't tell me some rich lady from Ravenshade City took care of you already?"
Ethan rolled his eyes. "Shut up."
Despite the teasing, Fairwind never doubted his friend. Ethan had never lied to him before. If Ethan said his necklace was platinum, then Fairwind believed it without question. To him, Ethan's strength was something to admire, not envy.
In Fairwind's heart, if his brother was amazing, then he was proud to stand beside him.
---
Fairwind glanced around the area, frowning. "Weird… why are there so many guards from the city defense department here today? Half of Ravenshade's security force is present! Maybe my father sent them just to cheer for me?"
He said it half-jokingly, but as the city lord's son, it wasn't impossible.
Ethan, however, noticed something else. From his sharp observation, it seemed the authorities were being extra cautious this year. He guessed Old Wang, a senior examiner, must have reported something unusual to his superiors. But instead of worrying about problems inside the realm, they seemed more concerned about threats outside it.
Perhaps that was why so many professionals were stationed here—to ensure nothing unexpected happened during the assessment.
---
Soon, the test began. Each student had to undergo a full inspection before stepping into the secret realm. Strange, rune-covered instruments scanned their bodies, checking for any illegal high-energy items that could give an unfair advantage. Some rare artifacts even contained forbidden spells that could turn an average student into a powerhouse for a short time.
Ethan silently worried that the summoned beasts in his Beast Master Space might trigger the detectors. Fortunately, the scan passed without issue.
---
The entrance to the realm was massive, a swirling vortex of gray mist that pulsed with a mysterious glow. Two robed priests stood beside it, channeling streams of energy to stabilize the gate.
Ethan noticed something peculiar—the assessment wasn't being overseen by Old Wang himself, but by his deputy. Old Wang was nowhere in sight, though Ethan spotted a figure in a wheelchair among the temple staff. The person wore a hood and mask but gave a faint nod when Ethan's gaze met his.
Ethan's heart tightened. That must be Old Wang. To see the man reduced to a wheelchair in just one night was shocking. Something serious had happened to him.
---
Before stepping into the portal, Fairwind called out one last time, his voice full of challenge and excitement.
"Ethan! Let's see who kills more monsters in there! Don't you dare fall behind me!"
Ethan smirked slightly, adjusting his necklace before walking into the mist.
As the gray fog swallowed him, he felt an odd chill run down his spine, a sensation of being watched. He quickly turned, scanning the crowd—but saw no one suspicious. With no time to waste, he shrugged it off and entered.
---
Behind him, hidden among the students, Lily Winters watched quietly. Her bright eyes reflected both admiration and determination. She whispered softly, echoing Fairwind's challenge:
"Ethan, I want to see who kills more this time too."
---
The past few days had changed Lily drastically. She had completed her first class transformation and even passed her family's advanced trial—a feat few in her lineage could achieve at her age. Yet, deep inside, she knew she had only succeeded because of Ethan's guidance and influence.
Without him, her trial would have been impossible. And because of that, she now carried a quiet sense of debt and curiosity. The stronger Ethan became, the more she wanted to understand who he really was.
Just how far did his power go?
---
When the students finally stepped into the Grey Mist Secret Realm, everything changed. The space was enormous—so vast that no two people could start in the same place. Each participant was randomly teleported to prevent groups from working together or exploiting connections to farm treasure chests unfairly.
It was the perfect setup for a fair competition, where only individual strength and strategy mattered.
As Ethan materialized inside, his surroundings were instantly cloaked in a thick, rolling fog. Visibility dropped to barely ten meters. The silence was heavy, broken only by distant growls echoing through the mist.
He drew his weapon slowly, every sense alert.
Then, a shadow shifted in the fog—a low growl followed.
His lips curved into a faint smile. "First one."
With a flash of light, Ethan launched forward. The first wild monster appeared, a hulking creature with claws shimmering in the gray haze. The ground trembled under its weight.
Ethan's blade sliced through the fog, striking the beast cleanly, and the monster collapsed into the mist with a sharp cry. A glowing treasure chest materialized beside its fading body.
---
Ethan crouched, resting his hand on the chest. It shone briefly, then opened to reveal a swirl of energy and a glimmering crystal inside—a low-tier treasure chest, his first point in the exam.
He stood, scanning the fog again. A quiet, confident smile crossed his face.
"So… who kills more?" he murmured.
Somewhere far away in the mist, Fairwind and Lily Winters were likely thinking the same thing.
---
The hunt had begun.
The three-day exam inside the Grey Mist Secret Realm was officially underway.
From this moment on, every student would fight, struggle, and prove their worth—not only to the examiners but to themselves.
And by the end of it all, the question would remain—who would emerge as the one who killed more?
---
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