The massive gates of Celestial Academy slowly opened.
A deep rumbling sound echoed across the plaza as the ancient stone doors slid apart.
Beyond the gates stretched a vast forest covered in thick mist and towering trees.
This was the academy's famous Trial Forest.
A testing ground used for centuries to evaluate new students.
But unlike ordinary training grounds, this forest contained real danger.
Magical beasts.
Unpredictable terrain.
Hidden traps.
Many applicants entered with confidence, only to leave injured—or humiliated.
The elderly instructor standing on the platform raised his hand.
"The Trial Forest will now begin."
"Each group will enter from a different gate."
"Your objective is to collect magical tokens hidden throughout the forest."
He pointed toward the mist-covered trees.
"Remember this carefully."
"Strength alone will not guarantee success."
"Strategy and awareness are equally important."
A few nervous whispers spread through the applicants.
The instructor's voice grew colder.
"And one more thing."
"If you encounter danger beyond your ability, you may activate the emergency crystal given to you."
"You will be teleported out immediately."
"But doing so means automatic failure."
Silence fell over the plaza.
Everyone understood the implication.
This exam was serious.
The instructor stepped aside.
"The first group may enter."
Several applicants began moving toward the forest entrance.
Among them—
Lucien Aurelius walked calmly forward.
His black coat moved slightly with the wind as he stepped through the academy gates.
The moment he crossed the boundary—
The atmosphere changed.
The lively noise of the city vanished instantly.
Inside the forest, everything felt quiet.
Too quiet.
Tall trees blocked most of the sunlight, creating long shadows across the ground.
A faint mist drifted between the trunks.
Lucien glanced around as the other applicants spread out.
Everyone had the same idea.
Searching together would only increase competition.
So most people quickly moved in different directions.
Lucien remained standing for a moment.
Then the familiar blue system screen appeared.
Trial Forest Entered
New Mission Update
Hero Destiny Event Nearby
Hero Adrian Solhart currently inside forest.
Distance: 620 meters
Target Elena Valtieri entering forest soon.
Lucien nodded slowly.
Everything was proceeding according to the original story.
Inside this forest, Adrian would soon encounter his first challenge.
A Frost Fang Beast.
A magical wolf with powerful ice abilities.
In the novel, the hero defeated that beast and rescued Elena at the same time.
That heroic moment became the foundation of their partnership.
But this time…
Lucien had arrived earlier.
He walked calmly through the forest.
Dry leaves crunched beneath his boots while faint sounds echoed in the distance.
Occasionally he heard other applicants fighting weaker magical beasts.
Small explosions of magic flickered between the trees.
Lucien continued moving deeper into the forest.
After several minutes—
A low growl suddenly echoed nearby.
Lucien stopped.
The sound came from somewhere ahead.
The bushes rustled slightly.
Then a pair of glowing blue eyes appeared in the shadows.
A large wolf slowly stepped into view.
Its fur shimmered with frost.
Sharp ice crystals covered its back like armor.
Cold air surrounded its body.
Lucien raised an eyebrow.
"Well… that was fast."
The Frost Fang Beast.
Exactly the creature the hero was supposed to fight.
The beast growled again.
It had clearly noticed Lucien.
Its muscles tensed as cold mist flowed from its mouth.
This magical beast was easily stronger than most ordinary animals.
For inexperienced applicants, fighting it could be extremely dangerous.
Lucien remained calm.
He slowly stretched his fingers.
"Let's see what this body can do."
The original Lucien had trained as a noble mage.
His magic affinity leaned toward shadow elements.
But according to the system interface earlier, his current realm was only Mortal Rank 5.
Strong for a beginner.
But not overwhelming.
The Frost Fang Beast suddenly lunged forward.
Its claws tore through the ground as it charged.
Lucien stepped sideways smoothly.
The beast's attack missed him by inches.
"Fast," Lucien admitted.
But his movements remained precise.
He raised his hand slightly.
Dark energy gathered around his fingers.
A small sphere of shadow magic formed.
Then—
Lucien flicked his wrist.
The shadow sphere shot forward like a bullet.
The beast barely reacted in time.
The magic struck its shoulder.
A sharp howl echoed through the forest.
The Frost Fang Beast staggered backward.
Lucien tilted his head slightly.
"Not bad."
The beast growled furiously.
Ice energy gathered around its body as it prepared another attack.
But before it could move—
Another sound echoed nearby.
Footsteps.
Lucien turned his head.
A young man stepped through the trees.
Simple clothes.
Calm eyes.
Dark hair.
Adrian Solhart.
The hero had arrived.
For a moment both men looked at each other.
Adrian's gaze briefly shifted toward the injured Frost Fang Beast.
Then back to Lucien.
He clearly recognized the noble clothing.
"Aurelius Clan?" Adrian asked calmly.
Lucien smiled faintly.
"And you must be Adrian Solhart."
The hero's eyes narrowed slightly.
"How do you know my name?"
Lucien shrugged casually.
"I make it a habit to learn about interesting people."
The Frost Fang Beast suddenly roared.
Both men turned their attention back to the creature.
The beast had recovered and was preparing another charge.
Adrian stepped forward.
"We should deal with it first."
Lucien chuckled softly.
"You're welcome to try."
The Frost Fang Beast lunged again.
Adrian reacted instantly.
His body moved with surprising speed.
He drew a short blade from his belt and slashed at the beast's leg.
The attack was precise.
Blood splattered across the ground.
The beast howled in pain.
Lucien watched carefully.
Even at this early stage, the hero's combat instincts were impressive.
Adrian moved smoothly, avoiding the beast's claws while striking at weak points.
Within seconds the battle became intense.
But Lucien noticed something important.
In the original story…
Adrian defeated this beast alone.
But now the situation was slightly different.
Because Lucien had already injured it earlier.
Small changes.
But those changes could affect destiny.
The system screen suddenly appeared again.
Mission Progress Updated
Hero Destiny Event Altered
Host engaged Frost Fang Beast before hero.
Fate Disruption Progress: 35%
Lucien smiled slightly.
Interesting.
Even minor interference was affecting the hero's storyline.
Meanwhile the Frost Fang Beast made one final desperate charge.
Adrian dodged and delivered a powerful strike to its neck.
The beast collapsed onto the ground.
Silence returned to the forest.
Adrian exhaled slowly.
Then he looked toward Lucien again.
"You could have helped."
Lucien shrugged.
"You seemed capable."
Adrian studied him carefully.
Something about Lucien felt strange.
Instead of the arrogance he expected from a noble heir…
There was something calculating in his eyes.
But before Adrian could say anything else—
A sudden scream echoed deeper in the forest.
Both men turned their heads.
A female voice.
And the direction was familiar.
Lucien's eyes gleamed faintly.
Elena Valtieri.
In the original story, this was the exact moment she encountered danger.
And Adrian rushed to save her.
The hero instinctively moved toward the sound.
But Lucien stepped forward first.
"Looks like someone needs help."
Then he began walking in that direction.
Adrian followed behind him.
Neither of them spoke.
But the atmosphere between them had already begun to change.
Two individuals walking toward the same destiny.
Except this time—
One of them already knew how the story was supposed to end.
And he intended to rewrite it.