Still silent, Lucas pulled the card close, a quick glance holding there before tucking it out of sight. Off he moved right after, footsteps following the path marked, thoughts tangled in what had just unfolded not long ago.
Out in the open yard, low voices rippled through the air like wind across grass. Cadets wandered in small groups, names passed between them while gossip jumped from one pair to another. Eyes turned often toward those linked to the upper-tier houses - gazes filled less with envy than wonder. Each person there wore some mix of drive, hunger, or quiet interest. One thing pulled everyone forward, steady and silent: the exam that waited ahead.
A shape caught the cadets' eyes, fingers rising in unison while whispers sparked between them.
"Look over there! It's Celia Windmere."
"I heard Windmere's performs good in the academy," another cadet said, eyes gleaming.
Floating strands of gold caught the light around Celia, her gaze sharp like fresh leaves in morning sun. Energy poured out of her stance, a quiet hum of readiness shaping how she held herself.
She whispered the words quietly, almost like a promise. A touch of resolve colored her tone.
'Hmm… could be true. Maybe I should just take a look,' Lucas mused, squinting faintly. A soft lift of awareness followed. Mana perception sparked into motion
[Analyzing – Celia Windmere]
[Strength – 36]
[Mana – 70]
[Magic – Wind]
[Age – 14]
He gave a small nod. 'She's got strength,' he thought, 'not too shabby.'.
One of the young trainees suddenly shifted attention, eyes locking on a distant shape. A second later, others followed, hands rising to point. There she stood - Nova. Not just any name, but Nova Frostvale, clear against the skyline
"Oh, wait - is that a Frostvale? Just like the rumors… he looks pretty handsome! I wish I could be friends with him," whispered a female cadet, her eyes wide with admiration.
Nova stood tall, his blue hair catching the light, gold eyes scanning the hall. A grin stayed on his face, one that didn't need explaining. His frame spoke of early mornings and heavy weights, built without show. As cadets moved by, he lifted a hand - no fanfare, just warmth in the gesture.
"Perception!" Lucas said, his gaze tightening just a bit.
[Analyzing Nova Frostvale]
[Strength – 44]
[Mana – 82]
[Magic – Water]
[Age – 14]
A small grin tugged at Lucas's lips. Not terrible - just steady.
Now quiet came fast when eyes shifted to one lone person. A hush moved among the trainees, carried on breaths full of wonder and doubt.
"Gosh… she's stunning."
"Is that… Sylvia Silvercrest?"
"Silvercrest? That house? She must be ridiculously strong."
"She's competing this year? I really want to be in her class!"
A flash of crimson caught every eye - Sylvia stood still, yet moved through the room like wind through trees. Light danced across her hair as if drawn to it, while those pale, glassy eyes stayed fixed ahead, untouched by whispers that curled along the walls. She did not shift, not even when voices hushed and rose again behind cupped hands. There was something in the way she held herself, straight but never stiff, that made space shrink around her. Power didn't shout - it settled silently, heavy in the air, just before storm.
Whoa. Lucas snapped to attention, his gaze locking onto the numbers that popped into view.
[Analyzing Sylvia Silvercrest]
[Strength – 71]
[Mana – 110]
[Magic – Lightning]
[Age – 14]
Out loud he said nothing. Seventy-one strength, more than a hundred mana - how was that even possible. She had to be among the strongest around. People acting stunned suddenly made sense
A sharp nudge hit him before he even realized it was coming. The fall came fast, knees slamming into dirt as thoughts scattered like stones. Ground met skin with a thud that silenced everything else.
He snapped his head upward, voice tight. "What now!" The pair of cadets standing next to him froze mid-step, eyes wide.
A twisted smile curled on the young man's lips, sharp with spite. His gaze held something cold, almost hungry.
"Ah… Mr. Lucas Ironhart," he said mockingly. "We knew you were weak, but I didn't realize you were this pathetic. Honestly… now it all makes sense why your own family tossed you out."
Lucas's eyes narrowed, anger flaring. "What do you mean? Why suddenly talk about 'family disowned' and pushing someone down? Just what do you want?"
A girl in uniform shifted closer, tilting ahead just a touch. Her mouth twisted into something sharp, almost cruel.
"Look," she said, her voice sharp. "Why waste your time… and ours? You'll never make it here. I mean, do you even know how to cast a basic spell? Let alone fight or survive? You're already a joke before you even begin. Do yourself a favor give up now before you humiliate yourself completely."
Tension tightened Lucas's face when they spoke up, eyes from nearby trainees locking onto him. Right away, quiet talk rippled through the group.
"Hey, isn't that the Ironhart? I heard he was born without any skills unlike other Ironharts."
"Yeah… the one who got disowned for being worthless? he's making a joke of himself by entering magic academy here."
Fists clenched, Lucas forced himself upright through sheer will. Just you wait - he wasn't done yet
Just as things were about to boil over, a sharp voice sliced through the noise - sudden quiet followed. Silence dropped like weight the moment that one tone rang out. It wasn't loud, yet it stopped every word mid-air. One phrase, cold and firm, froze the room where chaos had sparked.
"Welcome to Sylvas Magic Academy, cadets."
Facing forward, everyone looked at the platform. Up there, a woman stood straight, wearing long dark clothes and a wide-brimmed black hat - the mark of someone in charge. Sunlight caught strands of her pale hair as she observed the gathering below. Those amber-colored eyes moved slowly, missing nothing.
"I see everyone has gathered," she said, voice echoing clearly across the grounds. "Let me introduce myself. I am Beatrice Gray, headmaster of Sylvas Academy and instructor for the entrance test. This exam will take place in the academy forest, where you will encounter mana creatures and must survive for at least five days from a whole week. Your performance and survival will determine the points you earn and your ranking among cadets."
A cadet raised his voice hesitantly. "How exactly will the points be counted? How do we know how well we're performing?"
Beatrice set her hat firmly, her gaze sweeping the cadets. "That, you must discover for yourselves." She gestured toward the looming entrance of the forest. "The gates will open shortly. Once you enter, your test begins. Figure out the rest on your own."
The male cadet from before sneered at Lucas. "Well, looks like it's about to start. Honestly… why should I waste my time talking to a failure like you? I'm going in."
A faint grin tugged at her lips as she spoke. Ironhart, try not to end up dead, she said, voice edged with something sharp. Her words hung there, cold and quiet. "Good luck not dying, Ironhart."
Fists tight, Lucas held rage deep within, resolve building like storm behind his eyes.
Last thing on my mind: making it through. "Whatever happens, staying alive is the goal. One way or another, I'll still be here when it ends"
Firm and sharp, Beatrice spoke once more.
"Cadets, line up at the forest gates. The exam begins in three… two… one…"
A shadowy line of trees filled Lucas's sight, his thoughts tightening like a knot. 'If I fail… it won't just be embarrassment. I'll prove to myself that I'm worth more than what everyone thinks.. No matter what I'll win this.'
"Entrance Exam starts now!" Beatrice declared.