The entrance plaza of Eden Academy buzzed with tension.
Thousands of first-year candidates stood ready, all facing the trial that would decide their place in the academy.
This year, the headmaster unveiled a new format: a simulated reality created with
advanced magic -- the Trialverse.
Inside, students would face goblin hordes. Weak in isolation, but deadly in numbers. The rules were simple:
- Kill as many goblins as possible.
- Work solo or in teams.
- Survive.
- Be judged.
In a grand hall, teachers and faculty watched everything unfold live through enchanted screens,evaluating combat styles, teamwork, reaction time, and leadership.
While most students grouped up nervously, Luther D. Wick walked into the forest alone.
His long silver-white hair and dull expression made him almost invisible--until he moved.
Onscreen, the teachers leaned forward in disbelief. Luther's swordsmanship was blinding. Every
movement ended in a clean kill. Goblins didn't even have time to scream.
"Who is that?" one instructor whispered.
"He's listed as E+?" another muttered.
Only Luna Everyloon, arms crossed at the back, showed any reaction--a faint smile flickering at the corner of her lips.
Far from Luther, the main four students were grouped together:
- Levi Oroboros, dual-wielding swords with wild determination
- Valeria, her fiery red hair matching the power behind her massive broadsword
- Samuel, launching spells with elegance and precision
- Aurora, her pure golden hair glowing, healing her friends while weaving through danger
As they saw Luther on the big screen tear through goblins like paper, Levi clenched his fists.
"Tch... I'm not letting some no-name outpace me!"
Fueled by pride and adrenaline, Levi began pushing harder -- recklessly charging into groups.
Aurora had to pull him back more than once.
"Stop rushing!" she scolded, dragging him behind cover. "You're not invincible, Levi!"
"I'm fine--!"
"You're not! Use your brain before you lose a limb!"
After hours of combat, students were returned to the real world.
A giant screen flickered, showing the top
performers:
1. Luther D. Wick -- 300 kills
2. Valeria -- 180 kills
3. Samuel -- 165 kills
4. Levi -- 120 kills
5. Aurora -- 20 kills / 250 assists
Gasps filled the plaza.
"Wait... 250 assists?"
"She healed almost everyone around her."
"She's the only reason most teams didn't wipe!"
Next to her name glowed a special emblem:
"* Best Supportive Performance - Class 1A Admission"
Only Luna and the headmaster remained silent -- because they knew the truth behind Luther's ranking.
On the first day of class, students introduced themselves. While others spoke nervously,
Luther stared out the window, lost in thought -- memories of demons, blood, and his year-long search for
the traitor drifting through his mind.
Luna threw a piece of chalk at his face.
Thwack! He let it hit him.
"Luther D. Wick," he said flatly.
Murmurs broke out. "Who just lets a teacher hit them like that?"
The four others -- Levi, Valeria, Samuel, and Aurora -- all glanced at him again. Something was off.
He's not normal, they each thought in their own way.