"One more thing," Glast added. "Death is not common, but it is possible. Especially in stage four. You are signing your life into the hands of this academy's judgment. If that frightens you, the doors are still open. Turn back now."
No one moved.
Not even the youngest examinee, a blue-haired elf boy
trembling near the back, dared step out.
"Very well," Glast said, voice lowering but gaining weight. "The first trial begins in one hour: the Written Exam."
A wave of exasperated sighs spread across the hall.
"An exam?" Edward groaned. "What is this, elementary school?"
"Your ability to retain information, understand magical theories, and strategize will be tested," Glast explained, his tone unchanged.
"You may have the strength of ten, the magic of a deity, or a bloodline bathed in prestige—but if your mind is dull, you are a liability. You may as well walk to your death."
A few examinees blanched.
"This written test will comprise spell theory, history of the rift wars, mythical taxonomy, combat mathematics, alchemic composition, rune linguistics, and battle scenario deconstruction," Glast listed.
Edward paled. "What the hell is 'combat mathematics'? Are we solving algebra during a sword fight now?"
Alexia chuckled softly beside Kaito. "Honestly, it's not that hard if you're used to military tactics."
Kaito remained calm. "It's all logical. If you've studied enough."
Alexia turned her body slightly toward him, arms still crossed, the curve of her hips now just barely brushing his side.
Kaito tried not to notice, but the way her thighs were glistening under the subtle shine of her armored skirt was… distracting.
Unintentionally—or maybe not—she leaned in a bit more. "You studied for this, didn't you, Kaito?" Her voice had a slightly teasing edge, almost sultry.
He blinked and looked down to meet her golden eyes. They sparkled like a cat's in low light, mischievous and knowing.
"I did," he replied flatly, but even his voice betrayed the slight catch in his breath.
Edward raised a brow and smirked at the two of them. "Getting cozy already? Should I give you both a room?"
"Shut it," Kaito snapped without looking at him.
Alexia giggled behind her gloved hand. Her posture relaxed, and she shifted her weight again. This time, her hip openly pressed against Kaito's arm.
She looked forward as if nothing was happening, but her golden eyes flicked to him just enough to catch his restrained reaction.
He stayed composed—but his heart was not.
Professor Glast hadn't missed the quiet exchanges across the hall, though he ignored them for now.
"In one hour," he repeated, "you will all report to the Arena Chambers beneath this hall. You'll be provided enchanted quills and sealed papers. No magical enhancement spells allowed during the written exam. Any attempts to cheat will result in immediate failure and a possible mana seal placement."
That shut down any clever thoughts people had.
Glast made a sharp hand gesture and several projection glyphs appeared in the air, displaying maps of the Academy, exam zones, and participant dorms.
"Instructions will be beamed directly to your enrollment bracelets. Those without a bracelet—" he gestured, and a few assistants in black coats stepped forward "—collect one from the proctors now."
Kaito's bracelet shimmered, locking to his wrist like a light metal band. Alexia examined hers carefully. The glow of imperial enchantment was impressive.
She turned to Kaito again, this time standing a bit closer than necessary, her scent like lilac and steel drifting into his space.
"You know," she murmured, "most people are too scared to sit near me. But you seem different."
Kaito tilted his head slightly. "Should I be scared?"
She smirked. "Probably."
The tension between them was subtle but palpable. The heat, the unspoken sparks, the way her fingers briefly grazed his wrist—it was all unconscious, but intoxicating.
Edward saw it and groaned.
"Ugh, seriously?" he whispered. "He hasn't even kissed you, and you're already marking him with your perfume and thighs."
Alexia didn't dignify that with a response.
Professor Glast, as if on cue, snapped his fingers, and the magical projections disappeared.
"You are dismissed until the hour strikes. Use your time wisely. Or don't. It won't matter once the test begins." He said, before turning and disappearing into a vortex of swirling glyphs behind him.
With the speech over, the crowd began moving. Some panicked and pulled out notes to cram. Others started praying. Some merely wandered off confidently.
Kaito watched the reactions, analyzing weaknesses.
Alexia stayed beside him, still too close, as if she didn't want the moment to end.
Edward broke the silence. "Alright, friends. Guess it's time to pretend I know how to spell alchemic theory without vomiting."
Kaito smirked. "I'm surprised you know what theory means."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Just because our clans are friends, doesn't mean you get to bully me, you demon."
"You're not worth the mana," Kaito replied calmly.
Alexia watched the two with faint amusement, then looked up at the golden chandeliers above them.
"I've been waiting a long time for this moment," she said suddenly.
Kaito turned to her.
"This Academy," she said. "It's not just about power. It's about reclaiming something… personal."
He didn't ask. He understood. They all had ghosts.
She smiled and looked at him, golden eyes flickering. "Don't let me beat you too badly, okay?"
Kaito raised a brow. "I was about to say the same."
As the three of them began to walk toward the direction of the dorm chambers, Alexia's gait remained confident, proud, seductive—and yet regal.
Her hips swayed, her skirt fluttered, and her presence attracted stares from every direction.
Edward watched with a whistle. "One hell of a war maiden."
Kaito's mind, however, was already shifting.
He didn't come here to flirt.
He came to win.