The sun had barely risen when Isaki stepped out of his room. His eyes still heavy with sleep, he was immediately greeted by Arya and Sophia on the stairs. Together, they headed toward the exit, their quiet steps filling the early morning air. Outside, the academy grounds were bustling – groups of students were running eagerly toward Fate Academy, their feet pounding the cobblestone paths in a frantic race. Strangely, only the male students were sprinting ahead, leaving their female counterparts to stroll leisurely behind, chatting and exchanging glances.

Sophia, curiosity piqued, quickly caught the arm of a passing girl. "Excuse me," she called, giving a warm smile. "Why are all the guys running like it's the end of the world?"

The girl smirked, shrugging as she glanced over at the mob of students. "They're all trying to get a good view of Jessica. She's waiting in front of the Academy, so they're rushing to claim spots at the front of the line. They think she might notice them," she chuckled. "Or at least, they hope she will."

Isaki looked back at the rushing crowd and thought immediately of Rael and Lian. Both had been utterly enchanted by Jessica yesterday; surely they would be among the crowd pushing for a prime spot. Oddly enough, though, he couldn't see either of them among the frenzied pack. - They must be around here somewhere, he mused.

They finally made their way toward Fate Academy's entrance, where a large group of students had already gathered near a magnificent stone fountain that towered in the courtyard. The fountain was a breathtaking work of art – statues of ancient heroes and mythical creatures adorned the multi-tiered structure, each pouring water in a mesmerizing cascade from hands, vases, and horns. The sound of flowing water filled the air with a serene rhythm that seemed at odds with the eager energy buzzing among the students.

Scanning the crowd, Isaki still couldn't spot Lian, Rael, or Ray. Just then, he turned to see the trio making their way over, Rael waving a hand as they approached, a mischievous smile on his face.

"Sorry for the delay!" Rael announced, barely containing a chuckle. "Seems Lian wasn't exactly feeling his best this morning."

Lian's face turned red as he rolled his eyes. "Maybe I overdid it with the food yesterday," he admitted, scratching his head sheepishly.

Sophia laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The fortune-teller was right! She said you'd have some 'internal injury,' and here we are – a classic case of indigestion!"

Rael burst out laughing, slapping Lian on the back. "I'll make sure to remind you every time you claim to be 'invincible,' my friend."

Lian groaned, rubbing his temples. "If I'd known the prophecy would end with an upset stomach, I'd have avoided that reading."

With laughter still ringing in their ears, Isaki and the others turned their attention back to the scene in front of them. Besides the original forty cadets from yesterday, an additional thirty newcomers stood in formation. These were the elite cadets – the top ten from each of the other three major cities across the Moirai region. Each one looked seasoned, exuding an aura of both confidence and unyielding strength. Even from a distance, Isaki could feel their intensity.

Jessica raised her voice, her calm authority drawing the students' immediate attention. "Welcome, everyone," she announced, her words carrying through the air with ease. "I'm pleased to see all of you here. Today, we will hold the inaugural ceremony to commemorate your entry into the Fate Academy. This will involve a preliminary test – a chance for you to prove yourselves."

Jessica turned, gesturing for them to follow, and led the students through the grand entrance of the academy. Isaki was struck by the sheer opulence of the academy's interior. High vaulted ceilings gave way to intricate chandeliers that glowed softly, casting golden light across the marble floors. Tapestries and statues lined the hallways, depicting great battles and noble figures from centuries of academy history. The air was thick with an ancient energy, a tangible reminder of all the heroes who had passed through these halls.

They continued walking until they reached an enormous hall filled with light. Jessica directed the students to arrange themselves in lines, saying, "Form lines based on the rankings you achieved during your military training." Behind Jessica was an enormous, ornate door with gilded engravings that seemed to pulse with energy. The students couldn't take their eyes off it, sensing that whatever lay beyond was something powerful.

A man approached Jessica and handed her a scroll containing the list of students and their rankings.

The students shuffled into place, forming ten vertical rows. Isaki found himself at the head of the first line, with Arya at his side. Down the rows, he spotted Gaus in the third row, Sophia in the fifth, and Rael in the seventh, with Lian just behind him in the eighth. Rael and Lian exchanged glances of surprise when they noticed Isaki at the front of the line. They had sensed his quiet strength before, but seeing him in the top rank confirmed just how capable he really was.

But it was the final row that caused a wave of whispers to ripple through the students. Standing in the tenth and last line was Ray, looking as unbothered as ever.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Rael and Lian's jaws dropped. They had expected Ray, with his calm confidence and sharp wit, to rank much higher. How could he be in the last row?

Isaki, too, was puzzled. Though he had never actually seen Ray in combat, he was well aware of his intelligence and composure. - Perhaps he's hiding something, Isaki thought. There had to be a reason for his position here – maybe Ray was concealing his true strength for reasons only he understood.

Arya, observing Ray's place in line, found herself equally perplexed. She had felt there was something off about him, but this ranking implied he might be weaker than anyone had guessed. Could he really be this weak? she wondered, her brows furrowing.

Gaus, on the other hand, was practically glowing with smug satisfaction. He crossed his arms, chuckling to himself as he sized Ray up from afar. "So, this guy's a weakling after all," he muttered under his breath. He could barely hide his smirk, already relishing the thought of toying with him. "A weakling who acts tough, who dares to play smart."

Jessica's voice cut through the murmurs, calling for attention. "I will now begin calling names. When I call yours, step forward and approach the doors behind me."

The crowd fell silent as Jessica read the first name. "Marie Bolén."

Marie, a striking young woman with cascading pink hair and soft, clear pink eyes who stood confidently in the first row with Arya and Isaki stepped forward. She held her head high as she moved gracefully toward the grand door behind Jessica, where the test awaited, and the crowd watched with bated breath as she became the first to enter.

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As Marie emerged from the room, her face glistened with a light sheen of sweat, and her expression bore the unmistakable signs of exhaustion. She took a deep breath, glancing around at the students watching her with questioning eyes. Jessica gave her a firm look, her voice carrying authority as she spoke.

"Student Bolén," Jessica said calmly, "remember, no details about the test are to be shared with others."

Marie nodded, a silent acknowledgment of Jessica's command, before making her way back to her place in line. Tension thickened among the other students as they exchanged nervous glances, each trying to glean a hint of what awaited them.

Jessica looked down at the list in her hand, her voice ringing out again as she called the next name.

"Isaki Ryo."

A murmur spread through the ranks as all eyes shifted to Isaki. A ripple of curiosity passed through the other students, their attention now firmly fixed on him. Isaki felt the weight of the stares and an odd sense of pressure, but he squared his shoulders, masking any nerves, and stepped forward. Jessica's gaze met his, and she offered him a subtle, encouraging smile as he moved toward the door.

He walked through, the heavy door closing behind him with a resounding thud that seemed to seal him away from the outside world. The room was dimly lit and quiet, filled with an almost reverent stillness. At the center stood a stone stele, towering nearly two meters, with intricate carvings that looked both ancient and purposeful. Its rough surface seemed to hold stories of those who had tested their mettle here before him. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed a figure stepping forward from the shadows at the back of the room.

The man had a tanned complexion,appearing to be in his early forties, with short, blond hair, and a broad, muscular build. Dark glasses obscured his eyes, adding an air of mystery. He carried himself with the ease of a seasoned warrior, yet there was something deeply observant in the way he studied Isaki.

The man nodded, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Isaki Ryo, right?" His voice was calm but carried a weight to it. "I'm Jurg, your professor for the first three years here at the Academy." He paused, crossing his arms. "I'll also be supervising this test."

Isaki offered a polite nod in return, his nerves settling slightly as he listened.

"The test is straightforward," Jurg continued, gesturing to the stele. "Place your hand on the stone, and focus your Aura into it. Don't worry about technique – this is about stamina. The stele will absorb your energy, and it'll reflect the color of your Aura. I'll be watching the time to see how long you can endure."

Isaki stepped closer to the stele, reaching out his hand, feeling the cool stone against his palm. He took a deep breath, centering himself, then let his Aura flow. Instantly, a soft blue glow appeared, emanating from where his hand made contact with the stone, spreading across the stele in pulsing waves of light.

Jurg watched closely, jotting notes in his small leather-bound diary. "Good control," he commented, his voice even, though a hint of approval slipped through. "Remember, just focus on keeping it steady. The longer, the better."

Isaki concentrated, maintaining the flow as steadily as he could, feeling the subtle tug of energy being drawn into the stele. The blue light pulsed rhythmically, its soft glow filling the room. As the seconds passed, he could feel the strain starting to build. His breathing grew heavier, and beads of sweat formed on his brow.

After a minute, he clenched his jaw, feeling the intense pull from the stele. His Aura seemed to drain more rapidly with each passing moment, testing his endurance to its limits. The blue light flickered slightly as he struggled to maintain the flow.

"Not bad," Jurg murmured, eyes never leaving Isaki. "Keep pushing, but know your limit."

As the two-minute mark passed, Isaki's shoulders tensed, and his hand began to tremble slightly. He gritted his teeth, trying to hold on, but his strength was waning. At two minutes and thirty seconds, he exhaled sharply and pulled his hand away, the blue glow dimming as he did so.

Jurg quickly noted down the time, nodding in approval. "Two minutes and thirty seconds. Solid effort, Ryo." He gave Isaki an appraising look. "That'll be your baseline for now. good work."

Isaki nodded, still catching his breath, the weariness evident in his posture. He didn't need to be told that he'd given his all, nor that his test score was respectable. He felt a small surge of pride despite the lingering fatigue.

"Head back to your place," Jurg instructed, motioning toward the door. "And remember – keep quiet about what happens in here."

Isaki nodded once more, then turned, pushing open the door to return to the lineup outside. The moment he reappeared, the other students looked him over with curious, probing stares. He could feel their silent questions, but he simply walked back to his place in line, saying nothing, a faint sheen of sweat on his brow.

And as he settled back into position, the crowd murmuring around him, the intensity of the morning's test lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the challenges that lay ahead.