Julien POV
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The academy was… ridiculous.
That was the first word that came to my mind as I stood outside the massive gates of Gurukul Academy, staring up at walls so tall they felt personally offended by my existence. White stone towers pierced the sky, layered with glowing runes and floating platforms drifting lazily as if gravity had personally given up on them.
This wasn't a school.
This was humanity's final boss arena.
"This is your last chance!"
A guard's voice boomed across the courtyard through mana amplification.
"All applicants, enter the academy grounds immediately! The gates will close in three minutes!"
I glanced at the giant hovering rune-clock near the gate.
Two minutes and forty-eight seconds.
"…Of course," I muttered, bending forward with my hands on my knees. "Of course I'm late on the most important day of my life."
Why was I late?
Because Joshua refused to let go of my leg.
Because my mother decided this was the perfect morning to cry like I was being shipped off to another continent.
And because Helior stood there calmly sipping tea, offering zero help while watching the chaos like it was premium entertainment.
"Big brother, don't gooo," Joshua had whined, clinging to me like a koala with abandonment issues.
"Joshua," I'd said gently, trying to peel him off, "I am going to school. Not to war. Yet."
"What if monsters eat you?"
"Then I'll politely ask them not to."
"What if evil nobles bully you?"
"Then I'll bully them first."
"What if you forget me?"
"…You live in my house."
None of that worked.
In the end, Helior had to lift Joshua off me like a sack of emotionally attached potatoes.
Back in the present, I straightened up and jogged toward the gate.
That's when I ran straight into someone.
"Oof—!"
We both stumbled back a step.
"Sorry—!" I blurted automatically, looking up.
Red hair.
Red eyes.
Tall, lean build.
A spear strapped across his back like it had grown there.
Daniel Mangrave.
"…You too?" he said dryly.
"Too what?"
"Late."
I glanced at the gate.
"…Yeah. Family sabotage."
Daniel sighed. "Same."
"Seriously?"
"My sister hugged me like I was going to die. My master packed snacks. Both tried to come with me."
I stared. "…You have a master?"
"Long story."
"…I want that story."
"Later."
We both looked at the rune-clock again.
One minute and twenty seconds.
"…Race you," I said.
Daniel's lips twitched. "I'm not losing to someone who almost died to his own family."
We sprinted.
The gates began closing the moment we crossed the threshold.
The guard turned slowly, staring at us like we were personal insults.
"You two—!"
"Future elite students!" I said quickly.
Daniel added calmly, "Emotionally delayed but spiritually punctual."
The guard: "…Get inside."
We escaped before he could legally strangle us.
Inside the academy grounds, everything somehow looked even bigger.
Wide marble paths. Floating lights. Students rushing in from all directions.
Daniel and I followed the crowd into a massive hall.
High ceilings. Glowing chandeliers. Walls carved with ancient magic circles.
Hundreds of applicants filled the room.
Some were stretching nervously.
Some were praying.
Some were flexing like idiots.
Daniel and I stood side by side.
"…Nervous?" I asked quietly.
"No," he replied instantly.
"…That was too fast. You're lying."
"…A little."
"Same."
The doors at the front opened.
And the air changed.
An old man walked in.
White hair.
Straight posture.
Calm eyes that felt like they'd seen entire wars and found them mildly annoying.
My skin prickled.
Mana pressure slammed into the hall.
My knees buckled.
Someone behind me collapsed instantly.
The old man raised one hand.
"Kneel."
The word wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
Gravity multiplied.
People dropped like flies.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
My legs shook violently.
My lungs felt crushed.
Daniel beside me was trembling too, jaw clenched, veins bulging in his neck.
"Don't—" I wheezed, "—die here."
"Wasn't—" he forced out, "—planning to."
Dozens fainted.
Some collapsed unconscious.
Only a few dozen remained standing.
Barely.
The pressure vanished.
People gasped.
Some cried.
Some vomited.
The old man looked at us calmly.
"Those who remain standing," he said,
"you are qualified for the next assessment."
My legs finally gave out.
I caught myself on Daniel's shoulder.
"…We lived."
Daniel exhaled shakily. "…Barely."
The old man turned and walked out like he hadn't just traumatized an entire generation.
I straightened slowly.
"…So," I muttered. "We pass?"
Daniel glanced at me. "…Unfortunately."
We both laughed.
And for some reason—
I felt like the real story had finally started.