Ivan Vons stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the massive glass wall that overlooked the testing grounds.
Below, the final examination was in full swing.
Wide stretches of reinforced terrain shifted and reshaped as mutant animals were released one by one—creatures that had once been ordinary beasts, now warped by excess mana and violent instincts. The air trembled with roars, explosions, and the occasional very enthusiastic battle cry.
"This never gets old," Ivan muttered.
Beside him, four translucent screens floated in the air, each showing the upper body of a very familiar—and very influential—figure.
Helior Morvain leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, eyes sharp and amused.
Edric Mangrave stood rigid, hands folded, expression unreadable.
Draven Frostbane watched silently, posture straight as a blade.
Francis Blackveil reclined lazily, chin resting on his hand, eyes half-lidded like he was watching a play rather than a life-or-death test.
"So," Helior said casually, "another year, another batch of monsters pretending to be children."
Francis chuckled. "At least this batch looks fun."
Below them, a student was flung backward by a horned mutant deer, skidding across the ground before barely rolling out of the way.
Ivan sighed. "And that one looks like paperwork."
The screens shifted as the next candidate stepped forward.
Ivan's gaze sharpened.
"Daniel Mangrave," he murmured.
Edric straightened slightly.
On the field, Daniel walked calmly to the designated zone. No dramatic stance. No wasted movement.
The moment the signal sounded, the ground shook.
A massive mutant elephant emerged, its tusks glowing faintly with mana, skin hardened like stone plates.
The beast roared and charged.
Daniel moved.
Not away.
Up.
He leapt forward, twisting mid-air, his silver bracelet flashing as a crimson spear snapped into existence in his hand.
"One step," Ivan noted quietly.
Daniel hurled the spear.
The throw was clean. Precise. Almost casual.
The spear pierced straight through the elephant's skull.
The giant collapsed mid-charge, crashing to the ground in a thunderous heap.
Silence.
Helior let out a low whistle.
Francis raised an eyebrow.
Draven nodded once.
Edric… exhaled.
"One hit," Helior said. "No wasted mana."
"That boy," Ivan said, eyes narrowed thoughtfully, "moves like someone who has already buried a world."
Edric said nothing, but his grip tightened.
The next name echoed through the field.
"Michael Velmor!"
Michael practically bounced into the arena, laughter echoing as he cracked his neck.
A hulking mutant bull erupted from the ground, hooves tearing up stone.
Michael's grin widened.
From his belt, he yanked out a massive hammer—far too large to be practical and exactly large enough to be Michael.
He slammed it into the ground.
The shockwave rippled outward.
The bull didn't even get a chance to roar before the earth itself launched it upward, bones snapping mid-air before it crashed down, unmoving.
Michael pumped a fist. "YES."
Francis laughed outright. "I like him."
Ivan scribbled a note. Hyperactive. Dangerous. Keep monitored.
Next.
"Kevin Blackveil."
Kevin stepped forward with visible annoyance, like the monster was an inconvenience rather than a threat.
A shadow-warped panther emerged, muscles coiling as it prepared to pounce.
Kevin sighed.
Darkness rippled beneath his feet.
"Dragger Rush."
Shadow condensed, forming sharp, dagger-like blades that shot forward in a blur. The panther barely took a step before collapsing, its shadow pinned to the ground.
Kevin turned and walked off without another glance.
Francis smirked. "Efficient."
"Cold," Ivan corrected. "But efficient."
Then—
"Isaac Frostbane. Selena Frostbane."
The twins stepped forward together.
Two massive reptilian mutants slithered from opposite sides, scales thick, jaws dripping with corrosive saliva.
Isaac raised his hand.
"Freezer."
A ten-meter radius flash-froze instantly. Ice crawled across the ground, locking the reptiles mid-motion.
In the same breath, Selena moved.
From the hairband at her head, a katana slid free in a silver flash.
Two steps.
Two strikes.
Both hearts pierced before the ice even cracked.
The twins stepped back, expressions unchanged.
Draven nodded slowly. "As expected."
Ivan allowed himself a small smile. "Control. Precision. Trust."
Satisfied murmurs passed through the floating screens.
Then—
"Julien Morvain."
Helior leaned forward.
Ivan's gaze sharpened.
Julien stepped into the field, hands in his pockets, posture relaxed.
Too relaxed.
The ground trembled.
A giant mutant bear emerged, its body swollen with mana, regeneration runes faintly pulsing across its flesh.
The bear roared.
Julien smiled.
From his wristwatch, a deck of cards slid into his hand. With a flick, ten cards lifted into the air, spinning slowly around him.
The wind changed.
Not violently.
Purposefully.
Air currents intertwined, whispering, tightening.
The bear charged.
Julien snapped his fingers.
The cards vanished and reappeared around the bear in a cyclone of compressed wind.
The sound was brief.
Wet.
Final.
When the air settled, nothing remained of the bear except scattered remains and slowly falling cards.
Julien caught one between his fingers.
Silence.
"…Wait," Francis said slowly. "Isn't his current rank C and Potential rank only SS?"
"And his class," Draven added, eyes narrowed, "Jester."
Helior chuckled softly. "That's my grandson."
Ivan stared at the field, eyes gleaming.
A C-rank.
With that level of control.
And that smile.
"…Interesting," Ivan said aloud.
Very interesting indeed.
The academy gates had opened.
And monsters—real ones—had begun to walk in.