Three days passed faster than Arin expected.
They weren't quiet days — not really.
Even when he slept, his mind replayed the arena… the pressure… the moment he almost snapped.
Every time he woke up, he took a long breath and whispered to himself:
"Stay in control."
And somehow… he did.
Morning came, crisp and cold, when Arin stepped out of the small inn Ronan had paid for.
He wore the academy's introductory uniform — simple black jacket, white shirt, and dark trousers.
Fresh.
Clean.
Ordinary.
For once, he didn't look like the boy who crawled out of a forest covered in blood.
The academy wasn't far, but the walk felt like miles.
Valenreach buzzed with life — vendors shouting, guards marching in perfect lines, floating lamps drifting lazily above the streets. Magic carts hummed by. Civilians laughed, worked, argued, lived.
A normal day.
But Arin's heart wasn't normal.
Not today.
He reached the final street… turned the corner…
And froze.
Astrahelm Imperial Academy towered before him.
White stone pillars lined the grand entrance.
Blue mana lamps floated along a crystal rail suspended above massive gates.
The emblem — a winged sword crossing a star — was carved into the stone arch, glowing faint gold.
Dozens of students poured inside, wearing uniforms of different colors — blue for first years, silver for elite, black for combat division, and crimson for command-track prodigies.
Arin felt suddenly out of place.
He stood at the gate, quietly absorbing the sight, when someone bumped his shoulder gently.
"Hey, forest boy."
Arin turned.
Mira stood there, smiling brightly in her fresh academy uniform, her hair tied in a neat ponytail.
She looked… excited. Alive.
"You made it," she said.
"You too," Arin replied softly.
She nudged him with her elbow. "Don't look so tense. Everyone's nervous. Even the hotshots pretending they're not."
Arin glanced around.
She wasn't wrong.
New cadets stood straight-backed, adjusting their jackets, whispering to each other, "Is that Johan's successor?" or "Heard someone got a 98 on the written." or "Three people passed out during the test."
Arin felt his stomach twist.
Not fear.
Just… pressure.
Mira noticed.
She stepped closer and whispered, "You don't have to be perfect here. Just… be you."
Arin looked at her, then nodded once.
Together, they walked through the gate.
Inside Astrahelm
The entrance hall alone felt like its own world — polished white floors, blue banners, glowing runes tracing the ceiling like constellations. Students stood in rows, sorting into groups.
A loud voice suddenly boomed:
"First-year candidates! Line up by your assigned number!"
Arin checked the paper in his pocket.
#112
Mira had #113, so she stood right beside him.
A tall woman in dark blue armor marched forward — her steps sharp, aura disciplined. Her brown hair was tied tight, and her expression was strict enough to frighten most new students into silence.
"I am Captain Rael," she announced. "Your primary instructor for your first term."
Arin straightened instinctively.
Something about her presence felt… heavy. Commanding.
"As Astrahelm cadets," she continued, "you will study combat, strategy, discipline, and control. Only the top ten percent will advance to second year. The rest will be redirected to general training corps."
Mira whispered under her breath, "No pressure."
Arin cleared his throat. "Are you nervous?"
She grinned. "Terrified. You?"
"…Kind of."
"Good. We'll survive together."
Before Arin could respond, Captain Rael clapped once.
"Follow me."
The group moved through long corridors, passing walls engraved with names of former graduates — generals, commanders, legendary heroes.
Arin recognized one name:
RUDRA — CLASS OF STEEL, RANK: DIAMOND ELITE
He stopped for a moment, staring.
Ronan's rumor echoed in his mind.
A soldier who killed a noble.
A ghost at the border.
A name spoken in fear and awe.
Mira leaned in. "Who's Rudra?"
Arin shook his head slowly. "I… don't know. Just heard stories."
She smiled. "Well, the academy clearly liked him."
Arin's eyes lingered on the name a second longer but followed Mira back into the line.
Orientation Ground
The cadets stepped into a massive courtyard — stone flooring, training rings, weapon racks, and a towering statue of Astrahelm's founder.
There were easily two hundred students gathered.
Captain Rael raised her voice.
"Before classes begin, we evaluate ranking potential. You will be judged on control, discipline, mind, and body. Those scores determine your class division."
Arin inhaled slowly.
Mira whispered, "We got this."
Arin nodded. "Right."
Suddenly, someone tapped Mira's shoulder.
A tall boy with slick silver hair and sharp, arrogant eyes looked down at them.
"So these are the new top-scorers?" he smirked. "The wild forest boy and the green-sword girl."
Mira blinked. "You are…?"
"Callan Varesh," he said proudly. "Noble family. Ranked first in the capital's youth tournament. And future top cadet of Astrahelm."
He looked Arin up and down dismissively.
"…You don't look like much. Rumor says you fought Johan, but rumors exaggerate."
Arin didn't react.
He simply said, "Move."
Callan's smirk twitched.
But Mira stepped between them before he could speak again. "Ignore him, Arin. Some nobles think their arrogance is a birthright."
Callan clicked his tongue but walked away.
Arin exhaled slowly.
He hadn't realized tension had built in his shoulders.
Mira crossed her arms. "Don't worry. I'll punch him later."
Arin gave a tiny smile. "Don't. You'll get expelled."
She pretended to think. "Worth it."
Before Arin could respond, a voice echoed across the courtyard.
"All cadets! Assemble!"
Everyone stood straight.
Arin tried to calm his heartbeat.
He wasn't sure what he expected…
But when the doors on the far end opened—
His breath caught.
Johan stepped out.
In full black academy commander uniform.
Back straight.
Expression unreadable.
Mira whispered, "Oh no… he's part of our evaluation?"
Johan's eyes scanned the entire crowd…
…paused for a fraction when they reached Arin…
…and moved on.
Captain Rael saluted him.
"Commander Johan. The cadets are ready."
He nodded slightly, then addressed the entire courtyard in a cold, calm tone:
"Welcome to Astrahelm.
From this moment, your life is not your own.
Your failures will brand you.
Your strength will define you.
And your fear will expose you."
Arin's hands curled into fists unconsciously.
Johan looked over the group again.
Arin didn't know why…
…but he felt like Johan was staring straight through him.
Finally Johan spoke, voice sharp like steel:
"Your evaluation begins now."
And the courtyard exploded with activity.