The four of them entered a massive hall.
The room was enormous—rounded walls enclosing a dome-shaped arena-like space.
Candidates were scattered everywhere—some were warming up, some sparring hand-to-hand, some quietly meditating, and others just chatting or laughing.
Then, a group of students noticed Kaito.
Boy 1 (squinting): "Hey, who's that guy? Looks kinda familiar."
Girl 1: "Hmm… I've seen him somewhere before. Can't remember where."
Girl 2 (snickering): "Doesn't matter. I don't even sense any Aura from him. He must be the weakest one here. (laughs) Who would even let him pass?"
Boy 2 (laughing): "He's an Aura-less! What's the point of him even being here? He'll probably beg his opponent, like— (mockingly) 'Bro, please spare me, it hurts! I wanna go home!' Hahaha!"
Kaito clenched his teeth, tightened his grip.
Rin: "Just ignore them, Kaito."
Kaito didn't respond. He calms himself a bit. He simply glanced around the room—
—and noticed an intense Aura radiating from one person sitting silently in a corner.
Surume: "He looks strong."
Rin: "Hmm, that's right."
Naoki: "And I don't see any teammates around him. Maybe he hasn't joined a team yet.
If we can get him on our side, passing the second round would be easy."
Surume: "But… why is he sitting alone?"
Rin: "No idea… Let's go and offer him a spot. But we are already four. I thought Surume's friend will join our team."
Surume: "Don't worry. Even if she doesn't join our team, she will pass for sure. Because she is super strong."
They walked over to him.
Kaito extended his hand politely.
Kaito: "Hi, I'm Kaito. Would you like to join our team?"
The Boy (calmly, eyes still closed): "Get the hell out of here. I have no business with weaklings."
Kaito: "Hey, that's rude! At least shake my hand, will ya?"
Naoki (shocked): "Don't tell me… By the look of him, he's Haruto Senzaki.
He's so talented that he defeated a B-tier horde at the age of eight!"
Haruto (annoyed): "Tch… Morons."
Kaito: "Huh?"
Haruto (yelling): "DISAPPEAR FROM MY SIGHT!!"
Kaito: "Okay okay! No need to yell, geez!"
Naoki: "I didn't expect him to be this rude."
Haruto: "Tch…"
Rin: "Let's go find her friend."
The four left, while Haruto stayed exactly where he was—calm and motionless, like a rock in a storm.
After a while, couldn't find her friend.
Kaito: "Hopeless! Can't we just start with the four of us?"
Rin: "Not risking it."
Just then, Surume noticed someone a bit further away.
Surume (squinting): "Huh!? Isn't that Akira? (shouting) HEY, AKIRA!!"
Akira: "Surume!?"
Naoki (shocked): "Wait, Akira Minamoto!? The daughter of Takeshi Minamoto—the Lightning Sword?! She's taking the admission test this year?! And she is the friend of Surume?"
Akira Minamoto — a royal, and daughter of the famous Commander of Sector 0, Takeshi Minamoto, also known as the Lightning Sword.
He was once so close to becoming the Supreme King, rival to the current one.
They approached her.
Akira and Surume hugged tightly.
Akira (smiling): "Long time no see, Surume."
Surume: "Yeah! Long time no see."
Akira: "Yes. Oh, are they your friends?"
Surume: "Yes, they are. We just met today. We're already in a team."
Akira: "Ohh, hi."
Kaito: "Hello."
Rin & Naoki (together): "It's an honor to meet you."
They all shook hands.
Akira (looking at Kaito): "Huh? You seem... An auraless—and you call yourself a noble?" (Turning to Surume) "Why did you join a loser's team?"
Kaito (angry): "Hmph! Who the hell are you calling a loser?!"
Akira: "You."
Kaito (fuming): "You think you're the strongest?"
Akira (proudly): "Of course I am."
Surume (interrupting): "You're not in a team yet?"
Akira: "Actually, no. I was planning to apply as a solo candidate.
But after seeing you… I feel like joining your team instead."
Surume: "We still have one spot open. You can join if you want."
Akira: "But this weakling…"
Surume: "Akira! Will you join or not?"
Akira (sighs, giving up): "Okay, okay, fine. I'll join."
Kaito: "Hmh!"
Surume (whispering to Kaito): "Don't worry. She's always like this."
Rin: "Alright, team of five complete. Let's register before time runs out."
They all registered their team:
Kaito, Rin, Naoki, Surume, and Akira.
As the registration time ended—
The massive hall suddenly went silent.
Then, an aura of authority filled the room.
A regal figure stepped in.
Elder Nazereth Kaien — one of the Three Elders. The supreme overseer of all eleven academies of Astrallis.
Aged 120, kept alive by his mastery of Aura Flux.
Respected even by the Supreme Ruler himself for remembering every student who ever failed or passed.
This year's U.A.A. trial is hosted at Aozora Academy.
Kaien (his voice echoing with calm authority):
"Attention, my dear candidates.
Congratulations on passing the written and medical tests of the first round.
Welcome to the United Astrallis Academy Admission Second Round.
Hmm, So There are 508 of you standing here today…
but know that— only 50 will pass."
Gasps spread through the hall.
Kaien: "Now, let me explain the rules.
I assume everyone has already formed a team.
You will all be sent into a dense jungle filled with hordes.
Each team will be teleported to a random location.
You'll find various items inside the jungle—but you can't bring anything from outside.
The only thing you can carry is a watch… which we call the Celerist."
In front of everyone, a strange device appeared out of thin air.
Kaien: "You may put it on now.
Through this Celerist, you'll be able to check your Health, Points, Team Points, Leaderboard, Map, and even Team Communication. This Celerist is temporary for now. But after passing the exam and joining the Celestial Vanguard, you can have a custom-made Celerist."
Everyone began inspecting the device.
At first, it looked like an ordinary wristwatch, but when someone pressed the side button,
a large holographic screen appeared, displaying all sorts of data and options.
Kaien: "Now, team leaders—create your teams through the device and send join requests to your members.
You have ten minutes."
Kaito: "Rin, you should be the leader."
Naoki: "Agreed."
Rin (looking at Akira): "But…"
Akira (smiling, nodding): "Go ahead."
Rin looking at Surume, she nods too.
With everyone's approval, Rin created Team 55, and all five members joined.
Ten minutes later—
Kaien: "There are a total of 112 teams. I hope everyone is ready.
Now, let me explain the rules of combat.
You'll be teleported into the jungle.
Defeat hordes to gain points.
If you defeat another player, you'll gain all the points he has earned.
To pass this round, each team must collect at least 50 points.
But remember—points are limited.
And your time limit is six hours."
Everyone checked their Celerists for the point system:
D-tier Horde → 1 point
C-tier Horde → 3 points
B-tier Horde → 5 points
A-tier Horde → 10 points
Kaien: "And of course, there will be no S-tier or higher tier hordes in this exam.
They're too dangerous—they could kill you in a single blow.
We've gathered only up to A-tier hordes for your safety. And their power has been nerfed.
And no, you won't actually die here.
Your Celerist's health bar reflects your real health.
If it drops below 10%, you'll be instantly teleported to the Flower Chamber—
but you'll be eliminated from the test.
You can't rejoin the fight after elimination by yourself.
However, if you eliminate another candidate, you'll receive a Revive Stone Fragment.
Three fragments combine to form one Revive Stone, which can revive one eliminated teammate.
But if your entire team is eliminated, you cannot be revived.
I hope everyone understands the rules. Any questions?"
The hall remained silent.
Kaien (smiling slightly): "I'll take that as a no.
Then—let the test begin."
He calmly raised his hand.
Kaien: "Now, everyone—raise the arm wearing your watch."
The students obeyed.
Kaien activated his orb—
and in an instant, all 508 candidates were teleported into a vast open stadium surrounded by dense forest.
Kaien appeared there as well, alongside the eleven commanders, the Supreme Ruler, and the Supreme King.
There are so many spectators sitting around the stadium.
Spectators filled the stands, cheering for their loved ones.
This test was not just an exam—it was a nationwide event, a spectacle that took place every year.
Kaien: "You have five minutes before random teleportation. Prepare yourselves!"
Kaito looked up—and saw his father, Tetsuo, sitting beside the Supreme Ruler on the high throne.
Kaito (surprised): "Dad! You're here too?! Oh, of course you'd be here…"
Tetsuo (scratching his head awkwardly): "I'm not your dad here. I'm the Supreme King."
Supreme Ruler: "Is he your son?"
Tetsuo (smiling proudly): "Yes, Your Majesty."
Gasps rippled through the students.
Students whispering:
"No way… that loser is the Supreme King's son?!"
"Impossible!"
"What a disgrace…"
"Now it makes sense—he's only here because of favoritism."
"Didn't I tell you he looked familiar?"
"Yes! I was wondering why!"
Kaito (angry): "Sure, but DAD! You dropped me from way up there! You could've at least given me a proper farewell!!"
Tetsuo (creepy smile): "You know, I was in a hurry. And it's Lord Supreme King, not Dad."
Kaito (mocking): "Okay, sorry— Lord Supreme King."
Tetsuo (standing, furious): "You brat! Talking back to your old man in front of everyone?! Wait till we get home!"
Kaito sticked out his tongue.
Surume (to Kaito): "Kaito, after the test, introduce me to Lord Supreme King, okay?"
Naoki: "I want to meet him too!"
Kaito: "Okay, okay… But I don't get why everyone's dying to talk to him."
Akira (rolling her eyes): "You'll understand someday."
Surume giggled, and so did Rin and Naoki.
Takeshi (one of the 11 commanders, Akira's father): "Is he really your son? I can't sense even a flicker of Aura from him. I thought he'd be a great rival to my daughter—what a disappointment!" (he laughs)
Tetsuo (smiling confidently): "Just wait and watch."
Takeshi: "What could he possibly do without Aura?"
Tetsuo (still smiling): "You'll see."
Tetsuo Hoshino — Age 46. Supreme King of the Celestial Vanguard.
Second-in-command of the entire Astrallis military.
Respected by all, yet serves the Supreme Ruler.
And above all… father to Kaito Hoshino.
To be continued…