That morning, all the students were gathered in the middle of the field. Everyone seemed cheerful, introducing themselves to one another, everyone except me.
People would turn their faces away the moment our eyes met. Naturally so, since I was the troublemaker. At least, that was what the story said.
Everyone was overjoyed to have entered Academia Arx Lumina, an academy that only accepted those deemed truly worthy. Somehow, it was said that the academy spread its eyes and ears across the kingdom to find talented individuals.
Letters would be sent a month in advance, regardless of where one came from, even if it was from a swampy forest or a snowy mountain, a recruiter would find you.
Of course, there were exceptions. Some people moved too often, making them hard to track.
"Hiya!"
Someone suddenly struck me from behind.
"Hey, do you even know who I am?" I asked. This was my chance to act like Leon, the short-tempered noble. But my intent vanished instantly.
"Hey, it's our first meeting, why are you making that face?" said Penlope. I had forgotten she attended the same academy as me.
"Hey, people are watching. You should stay away from me."
"Who cares? My father always says, make friends with anyone, even if they behave like beasts."
"Did you just insult me?"
I took a deep breath and ignored her words. It was pointless arguing with someone like Penlope, a girl who always spoke before thinking.
My gaze turned toward the center of the field, where the protagonist stood.
Arthur Gunwood.
He stood tall with a confident smile, as if the world itself belonged to him. Around him, several gifted students had already gathered, the ones who would later become his companions in the original story.
"He looks amazing, doesn't he?" Penlope said in awe. "That aura of his, like a true hero."
"Of course," I replied flatly. "He was written to be that way."
"Huh?" She blinked at me. "What do you mean written?"
I smiled faintly. "Nothing. Just talking to myself."
Arthur noticed the stares and smiled gracefully, exuding charisma that made several girls blush and look away.
Ugh. For some reason, I felt a pang of jealousy. Maybe that was because I was Leon now.
I could also feel the envy in the eyes of other male students. So that was normal, being jealous of someone everyone adored.
Fine, let's recall the script. In the beginning, three people would stand by the main character, Quri, a knight's son skilled with both sword and shield; Misty, a quiet mage and Quri's childhood friend; and Elena, a healer proficient in wind magic.
The four of them stood together, as expected.
"Phew, I thought the butterfly effect would trigger because I changed the bonus chapter. Looks like the story's still on track," I muttered.
"Hey, hey, don't ignore me."
Penlope suddenly climbed onto my back, playing with my hair while whistling like a curious child.
"Argh! Can you stop that?"
"Ehh, Leon's angry, scary, hehe." Penlope dodged my swing with fluid motion. She was fast, definitely talented enough to enter this academy.
"Why those two?""Is she bullying Leon Moriet?""Poor girl, she doesn't know what she's getting into."
Great. Now people were starting to stare. Penlope wouldn't leave me alone, still clinging to me with her odd attempt at friendship.
"Everyone! Listen carefully."
A teacher stood on the platform. His sharp features, glasses, and ever-present book made him instantly recognizable. I knew him.
Arion Zert, once a gifted sorcerer, now a strict instructor and, in the story, Arthur's future mentor. He was well-known for his skill in potion crafting and his disciplined personality.
"The class placement exam will begin shortly," Arion announced. "First, form groups of four. You may choose whoever you wish, but if your team lacks proper balance, your overall score will be reduced."
In short, the test focused on teamwork. A good group required a main attacker, a defender, a supporter, and a ranged combatant. Individual scores would be given based on both personal and team performance.
The goal was to reach the finish line through an artificial forest filled with four types of monsters. Each creature was made from a fusion of illusion and golem magic, creating a realistic battle simulation.
Each monster had an eye count that determined its rank. The more eyes you defeated, the higher your chances of being placed in an advanced class.
"I'll give you ten minutes to form your groups," said Arion.
Arthur already had his team. As for me, I would just wait until someone needed an extra member.
"Hey, Leon! Let's team up," said Penlope, hanging over my shoulders like a lightweight scarf.
"Go on ahead. I'll join whoever's missing a member later," I said. That was how I used to handle things back in school.
"You're the type who doesn't care about results, huh?"
"Let's just say, I prefer the easiest way to stay alive."
Penlope finally left, and I sighed in relief. I would just wait until they assigned me to a leftover team.
"Ten minutes are up. For those who haven't found a group, we'll assign you manually," Arion declared. "Leon, Penlope, Tohime, and John. You four will be a group."
What? Why did that combination feel so wrong? And who even was John again?
"Hehe, looks like we're in the same group," said Penlope cheerfully.
"You didn't even try to find another team, did you?" I groaned. She really was stubborn. But what about the others?
Tohime stared at me like I was a pile of trash. She was famous too, which made it stranger that she hadn't joined another group.
"What are you staring at, huh?" Tohime snapped. Yeah, she definitely hated me. This team wouldn't last long.
John finally arrived, a bespectacled boy with messy brown hair and droopy eyes. His oversized robes made him look like he had just woken up and wandered into the wrong exam.
"Sorry, I took a wrong turn," he said softly, scratching his head.
Tohime snorted. "Great. So we have a pervert, a lunatic, and a half-asleep boy. Perfect."
I sighed. "Enough complaining. At least we have four people."
"With this team, we're doomed," Tohime muttered, crossing her arms.
"Relax," I said, pretending to sound confident. "As long as we don't die, we'll be fine. I don't care about points."
Arion clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright! Time's up. Everyone, line up at the forest gate."
Whispers spread around me.
"That's Leon Moriet, right? He's really joining the exam?""With that team? They're finished.""Tohime might make it, but the rest will drag her down."
I ignored them. I had heard worse. This was Leon's role in the original story, to fail spectacularly.
We walked toward a massive stone gate that marked the entrance to the artificial forest. Beyond it, a bluish mist swirled, the boundary of the illusion spell that created the test environment.
Umbros's voice echoed faintly from my shadow. "This place is filled with illusion and golem magic. If you're not careful, the pain you feel will be real."
"I know," I whispered back. "That's what makes it the perfect chance to learn how they fight."
Arion stood beside the gate on a stone platform. "Remember, the goal isn't just survival, but teamwork and strategy. You won't know what awaits inside, so use your heads."
He raised his staff, and the ground beneath the gate glowed blue.
"The simulation forest will now activate. Each group will enter at thirty-second intervals. Prepare yourselves."
Penlope cracked her whip with a grin. "This is going to be fun. I can't wait to see what kind of monsters we'll face."
"This isn't a playground," Tohime said coldly, drawing her sword, not a katana, just a standard blade. "Stay out of my way."
"Tch, this girl never stops scolding people."
John let out a small sigh. "I just hope there's not too much running."
I looked ahead at the swirling mist. That was where the real test began.
"Alright," I murmured. "Let's just do enough to not die."
When our group's name was called, I stepped forward alongside the others. The bluish mist swallowed us one by one.
And the world around us changed.
The sound of birds vanished, the air turned cold, and the scent of wet earth filled my lungs.
Before us stretched a dense forest, illuminated faintly by light seeping through the leaves.
The placement exam of Academia Arx Lumina had begun.