Chapter — Before the Bell Rings
The academy did not sleep.
It pretended to.
Corridors echoed with late-night footsteps, training rooms stayed lit far past curfew, and the air itself buzzed with anticipation.
Because everyone knew—
The Midterm Academy Examination was coming.
And it wasn't just a test.
It was a sorting blade.
Lucien's POV
Lucien leaned back on a bench outside the training grounds, flipping a coin between his fingers.
Around him, chaos reigned.
A group of first-years argued loudly about mana control formulas.
An elf student practiced archery with obsessive precision.
A dwarf nearly blew up a practice furnace trying to rush alchemy prep.
Lucien grinned.
"Ah… exam season. Nature truly heals."
Someone smacked him on the back of the head.
"YOU'RE NOT EVEN STUDYING."
Lucien turned to see Lyra, the elf prodigy, arms crossed, emerald eyes sharp with concern.
"I'm studying," Lucien replied calmly.
Lyra stared.
"…By sitting?"
"By observing," he corrected. "Humanity's greatest skill."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"You're impossible."
Lucien laughed.
Inside, though, he was serious.
This exam is earlier than it should be.
Another deviation.
Exam Structure — Public Announcement
A floating crystal activated above the courtyard.
⟡ ACADEMY EXAMINATION NOTICE ⟡
Phase 1: Written Assessment
Mana Theory
Combat Logic
Dungeon Survival Knowledge
Phase 2: Practical Trial
Solo Combat Evaluation
Attribute Control
Mental Endurance
Phase 3: Group Dungeon Simulation
Rank: F → E
Survival Priority Over Kills
A murmur swept through the students.
Lucien's smile thinned.
Dungeon simulation already? That's aggressive.
Kael's POV — Pressure
Kael stood alone in the far training yard.
His sword trembled in his grip.
Again.
Again.
Again.
He swung.
The air split sharply—too sharply.
Blood trickled from his palm.
Kael didn't notice.
Lucien will pass easily.
Alden won't even struggle.
If I fall behind now…
Something burned in his chest.
The Crimson Warheart Bloodline pulsed faintly.
A whisper brushed his mind.
More.
Kael gritted his teeth.
"No."
But his feet moved anyway.
Main Cast — Preparation Montage
Alden (Human, Calm Prodigy)
Alden sat cross-legged, eyes closed, controlling mana flow with textbook perfection.
Yet—
His brow furrowed.
Something feels… unstable.
He opened his eyes and looked toward the training fields.
Toward Kael.
Brom (Dwarf Heir)
Brom slammed a hammer down.
"IF THE EXAM INCLUDES ALCHEMY, I'LL CRUSH IT!"
The bench exploded.
"…That counts, right?"
Lucien Trains Alone
Later that night—
Lucien slipped into a sealed practice hall.
No audience.
No system prompts.
Just him.
He drew his sword slowly.
No relying on rank.
No shortcuts.
He practiced footwork.
Angles.
Breathing.
Not power—control.
Minutes turned to hours.
Sweat dripped.
His muscles burned.
Lucien laughed softly.
"Man… I really did forget how to train like a normal person."
A faint shimmer passed through the air.
The system flickered.
⟡ Side Quest Generated ⟡
"Control Before Power"
Objective: Maintain perfect mana output for 300 consecutive strikes
Reward: Affinity Reinforcement (Minor)
Lucien's eyes lit up.
"Oh? Now we're talking."
A Quiet Warning
As Lucien finished his session, he felt it again.
That calm.
That clarity.
A presence—not visible, not oppressive.
Watching.
Not interfering.
Lucien wiped his blade and exhaled.
"…Guess I better not embarrass myself, huh?"
No answer came.
But for the first time—
Lucien understood something important.
This exam wasn't about passing.
It was about where everyone stood when the story finally split.
And somewhere in the academy—
Fate sharpened its blade.