The Starfall Academy registration hall is as magnificent as its exterior. The ceiling is an enchanting glass dome that displays a slowly rotating starry sky, even though it is still daytime outside.
The floor is made of black marble polished to a mirror-like finish, and giant pillars carved with ancient runes support the entire structure.
The place is crowded and noisy. Hundreds of teenagers from all corners of the empire—and even from other kingdoms—have gathered, creating long lines in front of the registration desks manned by academy staff.
I took my place in one of the lines, casually observing my surroundings. This was the perfect opportunity to use [Insight Eyes] and size up my potential rivals. Most of them were... ordinary.
A few nobles with minor titles and basic skills. A few talented commoners with strong determination in their eyes.
Then, a small commotion broke out in front.
"Move aside! Don't you know who I am?" an arrogant voice rang out. A young man with neatly combed platinum blond hair and an expensive uniform tried to push his way through the line.
"I am William Lancaster, son of the Marquis of Lancaster! I don't have time to wait in line with these peasants!"
Ah, the first stereotypical villain. I immediately activated my skill.
Name: William Lancaster
Age: 17 years old
Class: War Mage
Title:Eldest Son of the Marquis of Lancaster
Affinity: Fire, Wind
Skills:[Rapid Fireball], [Wind Arrow], [Fire Cloak]
Condition: Arrogant, Impatient
As the students in front of him hesitated to move aside, a calm yet firm voice cut through the air.
"At Starfall Academy, status does not grant you special privileges, Lord Lancaster. Only talent does. Now, return to the back of the line like everyone else."
The voice belonged to a girl standing not far from William. She had reddish-brown hair elegantly braided and sharp emerald green eyes. Her clothes, although high quality, were not as flashy as William's, but her aura exuded undeniable authority.
Name: Seraphina de Arcourt
Age: 17
Class: Elementalist
Title: Only Daughter of Duke Arcourt
Affinity: Earth, Crystal
Skills: [Stone Spear], [Crystal Wall], [Seismic Vibration (Basic)]
Condition: Calm, Confident
William turned pale. "Lady Seraphina... I..."
"Get back in line," she repeated, without raising her voice, and Kaelan, his face flushed red, reluctantly obeyed.
I smiled. The daughter of a Duke. Beautiful, strong, and principled. I like that. She would be a great addition to my list of admirers.
My gaze then fell on another figure standing alone near a pillar. She was different from the others. A girl with long, silvery hair that almost touched the floor and pointed ears characteristic of her race.
Her eyes were lavender-colored, and her skin was as white as porcelain. She exuded an aura of calm and ancient elegance that made her seem otherworldly.
Name: Ysildriel (Ysilde) Whisperwind
Age: 127 Years Old (Equivalent to 17 Human Years)
Class: Forest Guardian
Title: Third Princess of the Silverwood Forest Kingdom (Elf)
Affinity: Nature, Wind
Skills: [Invisible Arrow], [Walking in Silence], [Communication with Nature]
Condition: Observing, Indifferent
An Elf princess. I almost whistled. Ethereal and deadly beauty. She seemed to sense my gaze, because her lavender eyes met mine for a moment. There was no admiration or embarrassment; only cold curiosity before she returned to observing her surroundings. An interesting challenge.
That was when the crowd near the main entrance suddenly fell silent, then people began to respectfully move aside, creating a path. Two figures walked in, and the energy throughout the hall seemed to change.
The first was a young man with a simple appearance. His hair was ordinary brown, his eyes a warm blue, and his smile friendly. He wasn't wearing fancy clothes, just a standard training uniform. However, there was something about him—an aura of kindness and pure, undeniable power radiated from him. A dim light seemed to envelop him.
Name: Arthur Gideon
Age: 17 years old
Class: Paladin
Title: Hero Chosen by the Goddess of Light
Affinity: Holy Light
Skills: [Holy Slash], [Light Healing], [Goddess's Blessing (Passive)], [???]
Condition: Humble, Determined
My eyes widened. *The Hero Chosen by the Goddess of Light*. So, he was the protagonist of this world. The kind, strong, and perhaps slightly boring type.
The type destined to save the world. Instinctively, I saw him as my main rival. Not for saving the world—that sounded troublesome—but for being the center of attention.
Beside him walked a figure who made even Arthur look like a bodyguard.
She was the definition of royal majesty. A girl with long golden hair that shimmered like liquid sun, woven with silver threads. Her eyes were the color of the summer sky, a brilliant blue, but they held a trace of hidden melancholy. She wore a simple yet elegant white dress, and every step she took radiated a grace that had been cultivated throughout her life. The entire hall bowed their heads as she passed.
Name: Aurelia Elara Astrea
Age: 17 years old
Class: Sword Princess of Spells
Title: Crown Princess of the Astrea Empire, Morning Star of the Empire
Affinity: Ice, Light
Skills: [Royal Sword Dance], [Ice Bind], [Guiding Light]
Condition: Calm, Pressured, Feeling Watched
Princess Astrea of the Empire.
When my eyes fell on her, something strange happened. It wasn't just admiration for her beauty. No. It was something deeper, a strange vibration in my soul. For a split second, my head felt dizzy, as if a deeply buried memory was trying to surface, but then it vanished, leaving behind a faint trace of pain.
I shook my head, dismissing the strange feeling. I must have just been mesmerized. After all, she was a princess. Who wouldn't be mesmerized?
She seemed to sense my intense gaze. Her blue eyes met my purple ones. Most people would have looked away immediately, but I held her gaze with a slight smile.
I saw a hint of surprise in her eyes, perhaps because of my boldness, or perhaps... she felt something too. A small frown appeared on her forehead before her bodyguard gently led her to the VIP registration area.
"Interesting," I muttered. This world was far more interesting than I had imagined.
"Next!"
A sharp voice snapped me out of my reverie. In front of me, at the registration desk, sat a woman who could be described as the most attractive instructor I had ever seen.
She had bright red hair tied in a high ponytail, with a few strands falling to frame her stern but beautiful face. She wore a well-fitting academy instructor's uniform that accentuated her impressive figure. Her amber eyes stared at me sharply, unaffected by my appearance.
Name: Evelyn Pyro
Age: 26 years old
Class: Sword Spell Master
Title: Head Instructor of Entrance Exams
Affinity: Pure Fire
Skills: [Purifying Fire], [Quick Step], [Observing Eye]
Condition: Tired, Annoyed by Incompetence
"Name?" she asked, her voice crisp and straightforward.
"Orion," I replied, resting my elbows on the table in what I thought was the most charming way possible. "But you can call me your future."
One of his eyebrows rose. "Last name, Orion 'My Future'?"
"Just Orion," I said. "Like the constellation. One name is enough for everyone to remember."
He stared at me for a few seconds, then snorted, a faint, amused smile appearing on his lips before disappearing.
"All right, 'Just Orion'. This is your identification crystal. Inside is a map to the test area and a tool to record your points. Don't lose it. Don't damage it. And don't let it be taken."
"Taken?" I asked, taking the cold purple crystal.
Evelyn's amber eyes flashed.
"This year's test is simple. Monster hunting in the 'Illusion Forest,' an artificial biome on West Island. Monsters are assigned points based on their difficulty level. Moss Golems are one point, Shadow Wolves are five points, Griffons are ten points. There are several 'Jackpot' targets that are worth much more. The top ranks will receive special prizes."
"Sounds easy," I said.
"I'm not finished," he interrupted.
"There are no rules against fighting other students. If you manage to incapacitate another student and seize their crystal, all their points become yours. The seized crystal will be inactive for five minutes, giving you time to escape. Students who lose their crystals will be automatically teleported out of the forest. Fail."
My smile widened. So, this wasn't just a hunt. It was a battle royale. Much better.
"The test starts in an hour. Go to the west teleportation gate. And Orion?"
"Yes, Sexy Instructor?"
He ignored my call. "I've seen many arrogant kids like you. Usually, they're the first to fail. Try to prove me wrong."
"Oh, don't worry, Instructor Evelyn," I said, reading her name from the plaque on her desk while giving her a wink.
"I won't just prove you wrong. I'll impress you."
I walked away, feeling her gaze on my back. Challenge accepted.
Heroes, princesses, nobles... they're all here. The stage is set. The actors have gathered. And the star of the show has just arrived.