I wasn’t sure what to expect. Most people don’t have the chance to attend school, aside from the wealthy who could afford to do so. Most people were educated by family members or through mentorship.

The Free Nation of Erigon, a neutral dwarven country at the heart of the continent, thrived as the center of trade. The prosperity allowed them to advance far ahead of other races, crafting complex mech suits and rune weapons.

Natural barriers made the nations nigh impenetrable—mountain ranges formed its southern border, while elven forests surrounded it. During the war, the nation remained untouched, making a fortune through war profiteering and hiring mercenaries to fight in their stead.

The academy, the pinnacle of education, is built right into the side of the mountain ranges, which pierced through the clouds. A single stone spiral staircase wound its way to the peak, a brutal test of endurance for the prospective entrants.

“There are anti-air spells,” Yuki explained as we gazed up into the sky. “This climb is a test of endurance, our first trial.”

She briefed us on the details of the entrance exam, but some details remain vague. “When I first entered the academy, I was ambushed by alumni. I’ve heard that the test is different for everyone, so be prepared for anything.”

At regular intervals, dwarven checkpoints ensured that nobody camped or used any other foul means to cheat the exam. Nobles and rich merchants would often make use of servants to carry their children up to the academy. While it was frowned upon, it was not against the rules. Money could truly be used to buy anything.

We decided to rest for the night in the city below. The districts are well organized—the banking district, the trade district, the forging district, and the housing district. The crisp autumn air carried a distinct smell of metal blended with the wafting smell of a dwarven stew, a sign of the changing seasons. Trade slowed as the first frost marked the beginning of the academy’s first semester.

We decided to ascend the mountain at the crack of dawn. Servants carried their masters on palanquins. An entire industry sprouted up, revolving around professional escorts assisting prospective students up these treacherous steps.

“Families save for years to send their children here,” Yuki explained. “If you pass, your future is practically guaranteed.”

However, the odds of success are slim. To pass, a candidate must secure the approval of at least two thirds of the twelve proctors, or pass a special challenge. Yet even those who made it past the abysmal acceptance rate face another trial : survival. Competition is fierce, with up to 80% of students failing to graduate.

I decided to make the most of my climb by copying skills. In particular, I am searching for passive skills, since those don’t wear off with single usage.

[Iron Lungs obtained!]

[Cold Resistance obtained!]

Both skills are common amongst the climbers, necessary for endurance in the thin mountain air and the freezing temperatures. Ajay was bundled up in so many layers that he looked like a cocoon.

Over the next three days, I found a few skills worth copying. Most climbers aren’t looking for a fight—they would rather focus on preserving their strength and focus on climbing. Dwarven sentries quickly apprehended any brigands attempting to ambush prospective students.

[Killer’s Instinct obtained!]

Your first attack from an ambush guarantees a critical hit.

Critical damage increased from 1.5x to 2x

[Second Wind obtained!]

When your mana pool nears zero, you recover 20% of your maximum mana pool.

Causes [Delayed Exhaustion], activates an hour after use

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“Just… A little further!” - unknown

By the third night, Ajay and Yuki are exhausted. I carried them up the final stretch while they rested. We earned a few skeptical glances, but I couldn’t care less.

At the summit, we were met with a massive colosseum. Stone seating circled a wide arena of compact dirt, with proctors sitting atop an observation stand. The gate slammed shut behind us, sealing us in with the other hopeful candidates.

“You may drop your servant at that gate,” a dwarven bureaucrat said, nodding towards Ajay. “The test will commence shortly in an hour, we have enough challengers to start.”

I nudged him. “Your weak ass will sabotage us,” I whispered. “Get out.”

He trudged away, looking despondent.

The official motioned to someone to shut the gate, then he turned to us. “The rules are simple : In an hour, you fight each other to the death.”

Murmurs of alarm spread throughout the crowd, but the official continued, unfazed. “You will each receive a protection charm. It will shatter upon a lethal blow, preventing death. Anyone eliminated will be escorted out. The battle lasts one hour, and only five participants are allowed to pass. If more than five remain, everyone fails.”

‘Strange,’ I thought, scanning the arena. ‘17 other candidates—an odd number for a trial.’

I began to size up my competition. A rogue, two rangers, a couple of mages and swordsmen. Multiple groups were already formed .Someone invited us to join their group, but I refused. I had learned my lesson in the dungeon—trusting strangers invited betrayal.

Sipping on my mana recovery potion, I began copying mages who are setting up spells in preparation for the battle.

[Mana Shield obtained!]

Creates a shield of mana proportional to the mana spent.

[Mana Regeneration obtained!]

Slowly recovers mana over the next two hours.

I casted [Mana Shield] on Yuki, then copied it and applied it on myself. After downing several mana recovery potions, we positioned ourselves near the arena’s edge to distance ourselves.

“We should prioritize evasion and defense,” I muttered. “We can pick them off after their numbers thin out.”

Yuki nodded, pointing to the wall below the observation stand. “Let's hide there, mages wouldn’t be able to use large spells in case of accidentally hitting the proctors.”

Click.

“Let’s do this.”

“The test has begun. Good luck, challengers.”

Chaos erupted instantly. Spells and arrows whizzed through the air, while a team of three rushed us, sensing an easy elimination. Yuki prepared an ice spell.

“[Plagiarism].”

Copying her spell, my mana plummeted instantly, triggering [Second Wind] to replenish it. My aur-enhanced fist crumpled the steel sword of my opponent, sending him flying into the middle of the arena, resulting in the first elimination.

Grabbing Yuki, I began to scale the walls as magic and arrows rained down on us. Our ice spells caused icicle barrages from two separate directions, knocking out several unaware combatants.

From the distance, I spotted the rogue fading from existence.

“[Plagiarism].”

Copying his skill, I casted invisibility over us, vanishing from sight. Making a quick getaway, we watched as the other teams fought each other. A stray fireball kicked up soot, revealing us.

Only seven of us remained.

A trio—mage, ranger, swordsmen, faced off against a duo—bard and rogue. The bard heals and buffs the rogue who is using smoke bombs and illusions to evade, prolonging the fight.

Casting [Beserk], I charged the mage, eliminating him while dodging an arrow that found its mark into the heart of the bard behind me.

Suddenly, the rogue called out. “We can all pass! We don’t need to fight anymore!”

Everyone hesitated. He then turned to the proctors. “Five remain. We pass.”

The lead proctor smirked. “Incorrect. Six remain.”

Alarm bells rang in my head. I spun to my right-

Clank!

A hooded figure rippled into existence. Emerging from the thin air like a specter. My instincts screamed, but before I could react, she slashed at me, then leaped backwards, hurling three daggers at me. I managed to deflect two of the three blades, with the third slicing across my cheek. A sharp pain followed, with nausea and slugginess washing over me.

‘Fuck, I’m poisoned.’

Before I could steady myself, she lunged towards me, her yataghan driving into my chest.

[Borrowed Time] activated, five second countdown starting.

Gritting my teeth, I gripped her wrists, I pushed the blade deeper into my own flesh. Her eyes widened in shock at my recklessness, and at the fact that my charm hadn’t shattered yet.

“Yuki, now!” I shouted.

A razor sharp shard of ice pierced hurtled through the air, piercing cleanly through my chest into her chest. The impact forced a ragged gasp from her, as the ice pinned us both against the cold stone wall. With a grunt, I kicked her off me, and the charm around her neck shattered into fragments, signalling her elimination.

I staggered forward, spitting out a glob out of blood. My face curled into a victorious grin, as I wiped the blood off my lips—I had won.

A slow, deliberate clap echoed through the arena. From atop the stands, the lead proctor stepped forward with a smirk on his face.

“Congratulations,” he said, his voice tingled with a mixture of amusement and surprise. “You’ve survived an ambush from our secret proctor.”

The woman on the floor groaned as she pulled herself to her feet, one hand clutching her wound. She pulled back her hood, revealing eyes filled with newfound respect. She pulled out a silver badge, revealing the academy’s insignia—a crimson crest adorned with two golden lions rearing up on their hind legs.

With a nod, she gave me a knowing smile. “Welcome to the academy.”