"~~~ Hello."
The principal spoke in a voice so sweet—no, too sweet—that it instantly pulled the attention of every student in the arena. A million eyes turned toward her in unison.
Everyone had returned, huh.
From the book, I already knew she would make her grand entrance at the very end of the exam. And just as expected, she appeared with that bright, almost divine smile—so angelic that if I didn't know better, even I might have fallen for it.
But behind that smile was a battle-maniac whose love for war and knowledge was nothing short of pathological.Even the Akashic Records themselves had given her a title:
"The Unseen Maniac."
"First of all," she said while waving her hand casually, "let's get rid of the trash, right?"
In an instant—without warning—nine thousand students were forcibly teleported out of Hope City, leaving only one thousand behind. Gasps echoed across the field. Some people didn't even realize they'd been eliminated until the space around them warped.
"Now that we only have the good ones, how about we change location?"
Before I could react, the scenery shifted. One moment, I stood in the massive exam ground; the next, I was standing in a huge auditorium filled with the remaining 999 students.
Sigh…
On the stage at the front stood teachers, instructors, and academy staff. In the center, Lunara held a microphone—though she obviously didn't need it. She probably just enjoyed pretending she was announcing a festival.
"First of all, congratulations. Isn't it wonderful?" she said with exaggerated cheer."You all passed and earned your place in Novacter Academy."
The crowd murmured excitedly.
"Now let's get to the important part. I will announce the Elite Nine and, of course, the Ace."
She paused dramatically and began calling names.
"Layra Goodshow."
A petite girl with glasses and brown hair stepped onto the stage. She looked thrilled.
In the book, she was ranked 11.Strong SS-rank ice magic user.
"Nora Blackwood."
A dark elf with a reserved expression. SS-rank talent.Not mentioned much in the book due to her isolated nature.
"Sylvarin."
One of Elyndria's two elven guards.Rank 8 originally—so things really had changed.
"Lorithi Hart."
A bearkin beastman with an overwhelming presence.SSS-rank talent.
Then the lineup continued:
Lorianth
Forka Claw
Sthem Strombri
Koraga Ska
Anisthisia Thronhelm
Elyndria de' Caelrith
She paused once more before speaking the next name.
"Aldric Crestban."
"These are the Elite Nine of this year," Lunara declared,"those destined to become the pillars of the next generation."
She inhaled dramatically, then lifted her mic again.
"And now… I will announce the Ace—the one who will lead this generation and be hailed as its greatest genius."
Her smile widened dangerously.
"Arthur von Vormir."
Silence.
Then—
Shock exploded through the auditorium. People whispered, pointed, and stared.Most of them didn't even know who I was.Expected. Perfect.
I walked onto the stage with a wide smile, enjoying the sudden attention, while the world scrambled to figure out how someone unknown topped everyone.
Lunara continued, voice cheerful as ever.
"Now that we know who stands at the top, let's discuss something important. As you all know, the Tower will open its gates for this year's awakened within the next one to two months. After that, you will be able to enter anytime."
Excited whispers spread again.
"We all understand how unpredictable the Tower is. That is why, for the next two months, we will train you—shape you—so that all 1,000 of you can at least clear the first five floors. You will learn how to adapt, survive, and overcome. Prepare yourselves, because you will need it."
Well, that was a lie.
Anyone could enter the Tower the moment they awakened.But only a few people knew about Tower Resonance, the hidden method.
And the academy hid the truth for their own benefit.
If someone used Tower Resonance:
They wouldn't receive their Trait Awakening
And they'd be thrown into the hardest possible trial
But if we entered through the official Tower Gate, which opened once a year…
We would receive a trait based on soul strength, along with a choice of difficulty.
Of course, I would be using Tower Resonance.
A grin formed on my lips as I remembered the hidden method—the one that allowed me to obtain the best possible reward from the first individual trial.
A reward no one else in this generation—or even the next—would be able to obtain.
And with that, the path ahead grew even brighter.