The morning sun bathed the capital in gold from the window of his room in The Resting Chamber, Souta could already hear the city waking up, the clanging of a blacksmith's hammer in the distance. The smell of fresh bread drifting in from a nearby bakery. The shouts of merchants trying to lure in early customers.
He got dressed and stepped out into the streets.
The capital was alive in a way the small towns he had passed through could never be. The cobblestone roads were crowded with people from all walks of life robed mages with crystal topped staffs, merchants hauling crates, children weaving through the crowd laughing, and knights patrolling in polished armor that gleamed in the sunlight.
The air itself felt different here crisp, but heavy with the scent of magic. Souta found himself staring more than walking.
To his left was a row of tall, elegant buildings, their windows framed with intricate carvings and banners fluttering above the doors, some were shops selling spell scrolls and enchanted trinkets others seemed to be homes for the wealthy. Between the stone facades, vines and flowers grew in careful arrangements, softening the grandeur with touches of nature.
He passed a park where a fountain sprayed water in delicate arcs, children tossing coins into it while laughing. The trees here were tall and well trimmed, each one bearing colorful flowers that danced in the wind, The city planners had built nature into every corner even narrow alleyways had small potted plants or ivy climbing up the walls.
Souta almost forgot he had somewhere to be, Almost.
Today was the day he would step into the Divine Academy.
After a short walk, the crowd grew denser, ahead, the street widened into a plaza, and in the center of that plaza stood something that caught his breath.
The Divine Academy's entrance.
Three towering buildings loomed beyond high gates, their walls made of a white stone that seemed to glow faintly under the sunlight. The middle building was the tallest, with spires reaching toward the sky like they were trying to touch the clouds the two buildings on either side were slightly shorter but still grand, connected to the central one by stone walkways high above the ground.
But what drew his attention wasn't the architecture.
It was the light
Before the buildings, standing like a monument, was a massive column of shimmering blue light it wasn't just glowing it was alive, swirling slowly like a vertical pool of water suspended in the air, Sparks of magic rippled across its surface, People stepped into it one after another, their forms dissolving into the light before vanishing completely.
A teleportation gateway
He was still staring at the light when a sleek, golden carriage rolled up to the gate, It was the kind of carriage only the wealthy could afford polished wood, silver fittings, pulled by two pure white horses with braided manes. The carriage door opened, and a young woman stepped down.
Her hair was jet black, flowing smoothly to her waist. Her eyes were a striking shade of light red the kind of piercing gaze that made people instinctively step back, She wore a simple yet elegant white gown, the fabric light enough to move with the breeze, but tailored perfectly to her form, Several armored guards stepped out behind her, forming a loose half circle of protection.
Souta raised an eyebrow, definitely a noble he said
The crowd whispered.
"I-It's her…from the House of kurogane" one man stammered, too awed to finish the sentence.
The noblewoman walked gracefully toward the blue pillar of light, her steps measured, her chin high, She was used to people parting before her without a word.
But as she drew near, she noticed Souta.
He wasn't looking at her at all his eyes were still fixed on the glowing light, studying its movement like he was trying to memorize every ripple.
Her brow furrowed slightly, she was used to commoners staring at her, not ignoring her.
If you're confused,she said, stopping beside him, just walk into the light, It will do the rest.
Then, without waiting for his reply, she stepped forward and vanished into the glow.
Souta blinked Straightforward he followed without hesitation.
The moment he stepped in, the world shifted.
The light swallowed him whole cold, weightless, like being plunged into a clear lake, then came a sudden warmth, and his feet hit solid ground again.
He opened his eyes.
This was the real Divine Academy.
The area he stood in was massive a wide hall paved with smooth stone. Hundreds of people filled the space young men and women, all around his age, moving between registration booths set up under tall banners.
Some wore simple traveling clothes like Souta, Others wore fine tunics or elaborate dresses with gold trim, clearly marking them as nobles, He could tell by the way groups of people swarmed around them, offering smiles, bows, and compliments.
Souta quietly made his way to a booth and gave his name, a clerk handed him a thin metal tag engraved with his registration number.
Now that he was officially signed in, there was nothing to do but wait for the exam to begin. He wandered the hall, taking in the details the banners showing the academy's crest, the faint hum of magical wards in the air, the way students whispered nervously about the tests ahead.
Then
Bump.
He turned, and there she was again, the noblewoman from the gate.
"Uh…sorry," Souta said, My bad.
Nothing to worry about she muttered
She gave him a once over, her expression calm but her words sharp, I can see it's your first time in a place like this, It must be hard, living on the streets.
Souta froze, Did she just insult me?
He kept his tone polite, Uhm…my name is Souta and you are? he asked, offering his hand.
She folded her arms, turning her face away Hmph, You really don't know? I am Lady Akane of kurogane.
Ok. Nice meeting you, Souta said simply, dropping his hand and walking away.
Her eyes narrowed as she watched him go most people tried to curry favor with her but this one didn't care.
A loud, clear voice rang out over the hall
"Participants! Please gather toward the center!"
A tall man in gleaming silver armor stepped onto a raised platform, the hall light catching every polished edge. His expression was stern, and the air seemed to still as he looked over the gathered crowd. When he spoke, his voice carried effortlessly amplified by a subtle ripple of magic.
"Welcome, candidates, to the Divine Academy Entrance Examination."
The murmurs in the hall faded instantly.
Today you will prove your worth the trial is simple to explain yet difficult to survive and pass. you will all enter a vast dungeon, one large enough to hold every candidate here Inside, you will face monsters, traps, and your own limits Points will be awarded for each monster defeated the stronger the foe, the greater the reward. Those with the highest scores will rise in the rankings, The top three will receive special rewards Out of the one hundred and fifty gathered here only one hundred will earn the right to remain.
The man's gaze swept the crowd remember your background means nothing here, Your performance is everything we need
Souta felt a faint smirk tug at his lips Sounds interesting he said
And so the test was about to begin.