The courtyard exploded.
"What?!"
"A World Essence?!"
"That's impossible!"
"Those things are nearly priceless!"
"Even powerful kingdoms struggle to obtain one!"
Students shouted over one another. Some laughed. Others stared at Oblivion in complete disbelief. Several immediately began discussing strategies. The value of a World Essence was impossible to calculate. For many, it represented the difference between remaining trapped forever, and becoming a True Sage.
Even Dante's expression changed.
Top ten...?
His eyes narrowed. That's worth competing for.
The System quietly spoke.
[Master.]
Hmm?
[Obtaining a World Essence during the examination would significantly accelerate our current plans.]
Dante nodded internally.
I know. Looks like we have another reason to take this seriously.
The crowd continued celebrating. Nobody noticed Oblivion raise one hand. His expression remained kind. Patient. He waited. The students continued shouting.
Then Oblivion spoke.
"Silence."
The word wasn't loud. He didn't release any aura. He didn't raise his voice. He didn't move. Yet the world obeyed. The wind stopped — not weakened, stopped. The countless strands of hair moving across the students' faces froze in the air. The dust floating above the stone courtyard became motionless. The surrounding mana hardened. It felt as though every particle of energy within the academy had suddenly received the same command: be still.
Sound disappeared. Not gradually. Instantly. The voices of nearly two thousand students vanished in the middle of their words. Mouths remained open. But no sound emerged. Even the distant cries of creatures beyond the academy's walls disappeared. The entire world became silent.
Dante's body stiffened. His pupils contracted. For the briefest moment, his own heartbeat slowed. Not because of fear. Because something had commanded it to. His lungs hesitated. The mana circulating through his body became sluggish. Even the skills within his soul seemed to grow quiet. His hands tightened around Vexion's waist.
Dante's eyes widened.
What...?
Then fear entered his mind. Deep fear. Absolute fear. Not the fear created by a mental skill. Not the fear produced by killing intent. This was something far more fundamental. His instincts were screaming. Every part of his body understood one truth. The man standing before him was an insurmountable mountain.
No. A mountain could eventually be climbed. This man was a sky without an end.
Dante couldn't comprehend his strength. He couldn't estimate it. He couldn't even imagine the distance separating them. His mind attempted to understand. Then instinctively gave up. There was no point. He was too far away.
Beside him, Vexion trembled. The fear within her was different. She couldn't understand why. Her body simply refused to move. Her heart felt as though an invisible hand had reached inside her chest and gently closed around it.
Dante immediately pulled her closer. His arm tightened protectively around her waist. Vexion leaned into him without hesitation. Her fingers gripped his clothes. For the first time since entering Midvest Academy, the woman who had calmly faced powerful opponents, who had fought without fear, who had endured unimaginable pain beneath Dante's training, was genuinely afraid.
Dante felt her trembling. That frightened him even more.
What an absolute monster...
His gaze remained fixed upon Oblivion.
This is... the level of a Deputy Headmaster?
The thought felt ridiculous. If someone like this was merely a Deputy, then what kind of being stood above him? The Headmaster? The academy's founders? The ancient instructors hidden throughout its territory?
Dante suddenly understood something. Midvest Academy hadn't become one of the world's greatest powers because it possessed resources. It possessed resources because beings like this protected it.
The silence continued. Students trembled. Sweat covered their faces. Several quietly wiped their brows. Some struggled to control their breathing. Others felt their legs weaken. A few students nearly lost control of their bladders. Embarrassingly, they held themselves together through pure desperation. Nobody dared move. Nobody dared speak. Nobody even dared think too loudly.
Then Oblivion smiled. The pressure vanished. The wind returned. Sound returned. Mana began flowing naturally. The world resumed moving.
Students stumbled. Several nearly collapsed. Others desperately inhaled. Dante's heartbeat returned to normal. His grip around Vexion slowly relaxed.
Oblivion looked across the courtyard. His smile remained warm.
"Thank you."
Nobody responded. He waited. Then laughed softly.
"Do not worry. I will not say anything further."
Several students visibly relaxed.
"As I said, I only wished to provide additional motivation."
He raised one hand.
"Follow the rules. Do not underestimate the examination. Do not assume the academy will protect you from the consequences of your choices."
His eyes became slightly more serious.
"And aim for the top."
The students quietly listened.
"Every opportunity you desire must be earned."
He slowly lowered his hand.
"The first phase will determine whether you possess the ability to survive alone. The second phase will reveal whether you can adapt when survival is no longer enough. And the third—" A faint smile appeared. "—will determine whether you possess the ability to stand beside others without becoming their burden."
Dante frowned.
I knew this shit wasn't going to be easy.
Oblivion looked across the students one final time.
"For the second phase, and the third phase, I wish you good luck."
Several minutes later, an announcement appeared through every academy bracelet.
[Final Selection Examination.]
[Temporal Realm Transportation: One Minute Remaining.]
Students immediately began preparing. The enormous teleportation formation beneath their feet slowly illuminated. Ancient symbols appeared across the courtyard. One after another, the markings began glowing.
Dante loosened his hold around Vexion. Vexion immediately turned. Then wrapped her arms around him again.
"Master..."
Dante chuckled.
"I know."
He glanced toward Oblivion.
"We just experienced the power of a being whose level we can't even estimate, and your first thought is that we're going to be separated again?"
Vexion frowned. Then leaned upward and kissed his lips.
"I can't do anything about that."
Dante blinked. Vexion continued.
"Master said it himself. When a being too powerful for you to defeat appears, and you can't escape, simply relax. Ignore it. What else can you do?"
Dante stared at her. Then laughed.
"Cheeky."
He lightly spanked her backside.
"Why are you copying my voice?"
Vexion giggled. Then hugged him one final time.
"Please find me quickly. Preferably within two days."
Dante smiled.
"I'll try my best."
"Master."
"Hm?"
"I'm serious."
"I know."
The teleportation formation grew brighter. Dante finally released her. At that exact moment, he felt something. His Spatial Body skill resonated. No — it submitted. The skill trembled within his soul. An incomprehensible spatial authority descended across the courtyard. Dante's expression changed. His ability to manipulate space was being completely suppressed. Not resisted. Not challenged. Overwhelmed. The spatial energy surrounding him folded obediently beneath the academy's formation.
For the first time, Dante truly understood the scale of the academy's power.
This place really has Ancient Sovereigns living inside it...
The realization wasn't frightening. Not entirely. It was exciting. He wanted that power. One day, he intended to stand at the same height.
Dante looked toward Lexa. Then Amber. Elric. Finally, Vexion. They were all watching him.
A bright light began surrounding every student. Dante placed both hands inside his pockets. His expression became relaxed. He smiled.
"I'll see all of you soon."
His voice carried complete confidence. No hesitation. No fear. The faint unease hidden within his subordinates immediately disappeared.
Vexion smiled. Lexa nodded. Amber straightened her posture. Elric quietly adjusted the weapon at his side. Then all four gave Dante a small bow.
"Yes, Master."
The light intensified. The academy courtyard disappeared. One student after another vanished. Roughly eighteen hundred provisional students. Gone.
The Final Selection Examination had begun.