A low rumble spread through the auditorium, the very walls trembling beneath their feet. Gasps and startled cries rippled through the crowd as the ground itself shifted. Then, with a deep grinding sound, three of the auditorium's towering walls began to descend, sinking smoothly into the earth like massive stone gates.
Beyond them, three colossal fields were revealed, each one sprawling with testing equipment: glowing crystal monoliths, reinforced combat dummies, shimmering barriers that pulsed with energy, and strange contraptions none of the students had ever seen before.
The sight was awe-inspiring—like the training grounds of gods, laid bare for mortal eyes.
Dean Carter raised his voice, calm and commanding.
"These are the Proving Fields," he declared, his words echoing across the now-expanded hall. "Here, your journey begins."
His gaze sharpened as he gestured to the three revealed arenas.
"Those of you aged twelve to fifteen—move to the field on the left. Ages sixteen to eighteen, to the field at the back. Ages nineteen to twenty-two, to the field on the right. Each of you will be tested according to your group, for fair judgment of your potential."
The crowd erupted into motion, students shuffling nervously yet eagerly toward their assigned fields. Leo tightened his grip on the strap of his bag, his heart pounding as he followed the group toward the back field with the sixteen to eighteen-year-olds.
The sharp scent of raw mana wafted from the Proving Fields, mingling with the tension in the air. This wasn't just a test—it was a declaration.
For every student here, what awaited beyond those thresholds would decide their place in the Academy… and perhaps, their place in the new world itself.Leo, who had already slipped into the back field, got to the proving grounds early. He shifted on his feet, glancing around eagerly at the strange mechanisms and glowing pylons that marked the boundaries. His eyes sparkled with curiosity—until they landed on a familiar figure.
He froze, heart lurching.
"You… you're also here?" he stammered, his voice catching in his throat.
The girl turned, sunlight spilling across her face. Her long blue hair framed bright, alert eyes that carried the same quiet confidence he'd admired from afar. She carried herself lightly, but there was no mistaking the determined set of her jaw—she wasn't here just to watch.
Leo's throat went dry. Of all the people to stand beside him on this day, it had to be her.
She smiled, the kind of easy smile that made Leo's chest tighten, and flicked his forehead with a playful snap of her finger.
"Really, Leo? Such a silly question," she teased, tilting her head ever so slightly. "Of course I'm here. Where else would I be?"
Leo's cheeks burned, and he quickly rubbed the spot where she'd flicked him, half from the sting and half from embarrassment. His mind scrambled for something clever to say back, but all that came out was a nervous chuckle.
Around them, more youths were gathering, the hum of anticipation thick in the air, but for a fleeting moment, Leo barely noticed.
Avril's eyes lingered on him a little longer than Leo could handle. She leaned closer, scanning him with exaggerated seriousness, then arched a brow with a teasing smile.
"Is it just me," she said in that lilting voice of hers, "or have you gotten more handsome since the last time I saw you?"
Leo's heart practically skipped. His mouth opened, but words tangled at the back of his throat. "I—uh… I… really?" he managed, scratching the back of his neck as his ears turned crimson.
Avril chuckled softly, clearly enjoying his reaction, and gave him a light nudge with her shoulder. "Relax, I'm only teasing. But… maybe not entirely."
Leo, instead of crumbling under her teasing, straightened up with a small scoff. He tilted his head and smirked.
"Handsome? Careful, Avril… keep staring at me like that and people will think you're already mine."
Avril froze for half a heartbeat, her eyes widening at his audacity. Then, a laugh slipped past her lips—light, melodic, and just a touch flustered.
"Ohhh, look at you," she said, folding her arms with a mock glare. "Where did all that confidence suddenly come from?"
Leo shrugged, trying his best to look nonchalant even though his heart was pounding like a war drum. "Guess the system descent isn't the only thing changing people."
Avril shook her head, but there was a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she turned away, hiding her smile.