“This year is going to be something else, trust me.”

“Yeah? You said the same thing last year, and look how that turned out.”

“This time it’s different, seriously. Haven’t you heard about the VIPs that have enrolled at our academy?”

“If you’re referring to Julian Whitemoon and Violet Thunderheart, that’s old news.”

“No, not them. I’m talking about Princess Elara herself. I saw her walking through the front gate just this morning.”

“And What does that have to do with us? Someone like her is in a whole different league.”

“You’re missing the point. She brought along some companions from the Silvania Empire. Elves, my friend. Their allure is on a whole other level.”

The two guys were engrossed in their banter, oblivious to the presence of other remarkable figures who were also set to join the Phoenix Academy this year… figures who everyone would remember for generations to come.

At the moment, a discussion going on within the confines of The Zenith Hall, a space designated for senior teachers for common discussions and casual conversations with colleagues. Around a large rectangular table sat three individuals, leaving nine seats unoccupied.

A man in his late forties remarked, “It’s unusual for that Madman to take a student under his wing… Yet, he chose four new ones… And except for the elven boy, all of them were granted easy entry into the inner court… The Headmistress shouldn’t have permitted it…”

A blonde-haired woman, clad in a shirt and pants, interjected, “Let’s not overlook that the elven girl is actually Elanor, Max… The Headmistress is well aware of her significance… This alone indicates that Rowan must have seen potential in the others to accept them as his personal students.”

Max, showing a hint of irritation, countered, “And what about the other two, Zoe? Was there a need to give them direct access to the inner court? It defies the academy’s rules…”

Zoe, visibly puzzled by the question, turned her attention to an elderly man, his hair whitened with age, and inquired, “Elder Jasper, surely you know something about this, right?”

Jasper hesitated, “Do you truly wish for me to reveal secrets kept from the majority?”

Max’s expression darkened, his head slumping forward on the table in frustration.

Observing Max’s growing discontent, Zoe pressed on, “Can’t you share even a little? Max’s curiosity might drive him to drastic measures… He’s already been warned twice; a third time could lead to his expulsion from the academy…”

“You youngsters make things difficult for this old man…” Jasper sighed, yet after a moment of contemplation, he conceded, “I cannot tell you much… but it’s clear that all of them are as exceptional as Princess Liliana… As for Elanor’s brother, he’s set to take the entrance exam for the outer court today.”

Zoe, still unsatisfied, pressed further, “But Elder, even the princess wasn’t granted direct entry to the inner court. Why then, were they given such a privilege?”

Jasper replied, “They demonstrated their prowess in the inner court entrance examination… Being under the age of twenty, they took down a King Rank beast as a group of three… which meets the requirement for entry into the inner court.”

Upon hearing this, Max lifted his head from the table, his expression one of sheer astonishment. “Took down a King Rank beast with just three of them??? And they're all under twenty?”

However, Zoe seemed unmoved by the revelation. “I understand, Elder, that this feat alone could shake the continent, but it still doesn't justify granting them direct entry to the inner court…” She sensed there was more to the story.

A smile crept across the old man's face. “You're quite the sharp one, aren't you? But I’m afraid that's all I can share for now… The rest, you'll have to discover on your own.”

Max and Zoe exchanged glances, understanding that Elder Jasper was holding back. They recognized the extraordinary capability of these new students to defeat a King Rank beast before even reaching twenty, yet they also sensed there was more behind their direct admission to the inner court that remained unsaid.

Meanwhile, outside the confines of The Zenith Hall, the outer court's entrance examination was about to commence.

The Valor Grounds were teeming with activity, hundreds of students congregating in the expansive outdoor arena known for combat training, physical drills, and magical duels. But today, the grounds was serving a different purpose.

A young man with long black hair stood atop a raised stone platform at the forefront of the assembled students. Beside him, on a table, rested a silver box, small enough to fit in one's fist.

"I understand you all underwent a basic preliminary round to get here, after your age and rank were assessed. Only those below the age of twenty and at least at the twenty circle rank could qualify for the academy," he said, his sharp gaze sweeping across the students who looked back at him with a mix of puzzlement, admiration, and annoyance.

"However, as of yesterday, we reached our capacity for first-year admissions. As such, we cannot accept everyone..." His words dropped like a bomb, sparking murmurs of confusion and concern among the crowd.

“If they've already reached their limit, why put us through those tests?”

“This is terrible. I promised my younger sister I'd be at Phoenixwing Academy this year.“

“I thought it was odd they sent a student to talk to us… now it makes sense…“

“Isn’t that Senior Alex, an inner court student? He’s quite well-known at the academy.“

As whispers spread, Alex broke the ensuing silence with a smile.

"You're right, despite reaching our quota, there's still a glimmer of hope for you to join the academy this year," he added, capturing the full attention of the students once more.

"You will need to participate in an elimination round. You're allowed to form teams for this special test, but only the team that remains standing at the end will gain entry into the academy. A team can consist of up to four members. So, start forming your teams now. This will determine who joins us this year. And the victorious team will claim this silver box," he said, gesturing towards the box on the table, "which grants your group entry into Phoenixwing Academy."

As the speech concluded, a spark of determination lit up the students' eyes. Their gaze shifted between the silver box and their peers, initiating a scramble to ally with the most formidable amongst them.

The crowd dispersed, each individual seeking out friends or those recognized as higher circle ranks from the preliminary assessments. Conversations filled the air as strategies were hastily formed.

"Ithan, why can't I join your team?"

"We're already at capacity..."

"But we are close friends, Ithan. And yet, you chose her over me."

"I made a promise to Julie to help her through this test."

Amidst the flurry of negotiations, an unexpected and interesting situation happened. Some of the stronger candidates were quickly claimed by those who believed aligning with power was their best chance at passing. Yet, amidst these pragmatic alliances, a few teams stood out for being comprised solely of the ostensibly strongest participants.

However, none of this mattered to the cyan-haired elven boy standing aloof at the edge of the gathering. Beside him stood another young man; neither had been approached to join any group as though invisible to their peers.

"Let's ask those handsome guys to join us."

"No, Ella, that's not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"Didn't you hear? One of them supposedly has no mana."

As if marked by an invisible barrier, no one approached the duo.

Lorian sighed, "Ignorance binds them like chains. Had they possessed even a glimmer of foresight, two more students would be standing beside us to join the academy this year."

The young man beside him remained silent, seemingly indifferent to the commotion around him. His presence at the academy was driven by a purpose known only to the headmistress and himself.

With the teams now formed, Alex's voice cut through the murmurs, “Okay, let's begin the test now...”

Following his announcement, blue spheres began to materialize behind him, each two meters in diameter, floating just above the ground, marking the beginning of the elimination round.

Alex outlined the rules for the test, “Your objective is to avoid these water spheres. If you're hit by one, you're out. Stepping outside the fifty-meter radius also results in automatic elimination. You're permitted to engage other teams; each member you knock out earns your group ten points. The team with the most points at the end joins the academy this year. The test begins in thirty seconds. Get ready.”

With the rules set, the students quickly assumed their positions, determination shining in their eyes as they strategized and maintained a distance from rival teams.

Among the sixty-six groups, each composed of four members, stood a notable exception: a duo positioned boldly at the center of the field. Naturally, they became an immediate focal point for other teams aiming to score easy points.

Lorian, unfazed by the attention, remained calm even as it became clear they were the primary target. Beside him, his companion displayed a cold indifference, his impassive expression and the icy glint in his eyes marking him as unusually detached.

“Three… Two… One… Begin!” With the commencement announced, water balls started to launch towards the students, each one a projectile they needed to evade.

Given their preparation for Phoenixwing Academy, the students adeptly dodged the huge water balls coming their way. However, after evading, many directed their ranged spells at Lorian and his friend in the middle, while those lacking long-range capabilities charged towards them, eager to claim the easy points.

In this moment, another volley of spheres was unleashed. Four students, their attention fixed on the seemingly easy targets, were struck, their focus on the duo proving to be their downfall. Meanwhile, the others narrowly managed to evade in time, their sights still set on the pair standing in the middle who easily dodged the spheres without making much effort.

Alex observed the unfolding scene with a smug smile, his attention particularly focused on the two individuals at the center.

‘They are unlucky... but it's their own fault for being weak,’ he thought, secretly amused by their predicament.

He refrained from launching more water spheres towards the students this time, choosing instead to wait and watch them close in on the two young men at the center, eager to witness their defeat by this onslaught of human-like beasts.

As Alex watched, expecting their imminent downfall, his gaze met with the cold cyan eyes of the young man, which seemed to pierce through him as though discerning his intentions. Even as a high-ranked warrior, a shiver ran down Alex’s spine.

However, his attention soon shifted to the elven boy beside the young man, who began to scatter some items around himself and his companion.

Suddenly, a dense mist began to envelop the area around Lorian and Theo. The advancing students halted, bewildered by the rapidly expanding fog. Yet, the mist continued to spread, swiftly engulfing the entire area.

Impatient, Alex resumed launching water spheres, this time aiming directly at the epicenter of the mist where Lorian and Theo had been standing before the dense, blinding fog obscured his vision.

Soon, a chorus of annoyance and fear echoed from within the shrouded area.

"What's happening... where did this mist come from?"

"I can't see anything..."

“That elf is using some trick…”

"This is unfair..."

Despite the complaints, the mist continued to thicken, with only the sounds of pain piercing through.

Alex, both puzzled and anxious, continued firing water spheres into the mist, aiming to eliminate the two young men whom he had presumed would be the first to fall. Unexpectedly, their actions swiftly altered the course of the elimination round.

After what felt like an eternity, the mist finally dissipated. The scene that appeared before Alex's eyes was astonishing. He was taken aback by the unexpected outcome.

The ground was strewn with students groaning in pain, many caught and soaked by the water spheres, marking their elimination

Amidst the fallen, only Theo and Lorian remained standing, unaffected by the chaos around them.

Lorian remarked, a guarded tone in his voice, "We've won the elimination round."

Alex, rendered speechless by the unexpected outcome, remained silent, unable to declare the winners.

“Ah… This is cheating; they used trickery to knock us down… this shouldn't be allowed, Senior Alex…” One of the students, in better condition than the rest but still drenched, spoke up in annoyance.

“Yes, this is unfair…” Others chimed in unison, showing their retaliation and unwillingness to accept the result.

The backlash from the other students irritated Lorian, while some found satisfaction in the dispute. Ultimately, the decision rested with the judge, Alex, whose verdict was going to determine the new entrants to Phoenixwing Academy for this year.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.