From the very beginning of the confrontation with Ben, Jariz was more surprised than frightened. When Ben started to rough him up, Jariz had wondered whether he should react and speak up. But then he remembered his conversation with Aren by the campfire.
—"You lived in the capital for a year?" Jariz had asked curiously. Then he added, "From what I know, Helior is packed with nobles, right? So what did you do when you ran into them?"
—"Huh? What are you talking about?" Aren replied as he tossed another log into the fire. "You're asking how I dealt with those sons of bitches? Well… It's simple. I ignored them. Either way, I never really had many chances to run into them. But if I had the choice, I'd ignore them every time."
—"Really? I thought you'd beat them up," Jariz said.
—"Not really. Well, I don't know. I'll find out when I get there."
So now, facing Ben, Jariz chose to stay calm instead, avoiding trouble and hoping he would come out of it unharmed.
"You said your name was Stella Tallcrag?" Jariz asked. "So… you're a noble?"
"I told you not to be so formal," Stella said with a smile. "And yes, I'm a noble, but I'm not like that asshole. He just wanted to show off. Anyway, I'm leaving. Someone's waiting for me. See you."Stella walked off toward a carriage parked farther away.
"Yes… Thank you, Miss Stella. Well, she's already gone anyway," Jariz muttered as he watched her leave. "Alright. I'll go check on the remaining merchants, then head back to study."
Aren was fully focused on his reading. He didn't want any excuses if he failed the exam. If he was going to pass, he would do everything in his power to make it happen.
"I think this is it," Jariz said as he opened the door to the room. "You're really serious about studying, Aren. You're always reading," he added, clearly impressed.
"You should read too if you want to enter the academy. Did you forget the exams start tomorrow?" Aren replied without even looking at him. Then he turned his head slightly. "What's with the dust all over your clothes?"
"It's nothing. I—I tripped on a rock," Jariz stammered, trying to brush off the remaining dust. I thought I'd cleaned everything before coming in, he thought.
"Tripped… huh," Aren said, glancing at him before returning to his book.
Jariz stood there for a moment, fixing his clothes, then said, "By the way, Aren. Here's the money for the inn. Thanks again."
Aren took the money, then said, "You gave too much. Here's the rest," handing some coins back.
"No, Aren. That's for food too, and for your help," Jariz said, refusing to take them.
"Shit. I told you to take it back," Aren snapped irritably. "I never asked you to pay me for food or for helping you. I only asked you to split the inn costs. So stop pissing me off and take your damn coins."
Jariz was left speechless. After a moment, he stepped closer and took the remaining coins.
"And if I did want to charge you for my help," Aren added with a grin, "it would've cost you a hell of a lot more."
"Thank you," Jariz said quietly.
Aren didn't reply and went back to reading.
For several hours, the two of them studied what they needed to know, mainly the history of the continent, swordsmanship theory, magical theory, and other books, including mathematics.
After a while, Jariz stopped to meditate. Unlike Aren, Jariz could use mana to improve his accuracy with a bow and to increase his mana capacity. So while Aren kept reading until sunset, Jariz meditated.
And just like that, the day passed.
"Alright. Let's go," Aren said as he stepped out of the inn.
"Yeah. Let's do this," Jariz replied, stretching his arms.
It was very early in the morning. The air was cool, and the sun was just beginning to rise. Aren and Jariz headed toward the academy—or rather, toward what they believed to be the academy: the building standing atop the mountain visible beyond the city gates.
Along the way, they saw other candidates they assumed were heading to the same place. Most were walking, but some arrived in carriages.
When they finally reached the mountain where the building stood, Aren and Jariz were stunned by what they saw.
What the hell is this? Aren thought as they stopped in front of the structure.
"Did we take the wrong road?" Jariz asked, confused.
The building in front of them was simple—more like a guild hall than an academy. Aren and Jariz weren't the only ones dissatisfied; discontent was written across the faces of the candidates who hadn't entered yet.
"Let's go in," Aren said, heading toward the entrance.
They stepped inside—and what they saw was staggering.
"How is this possible?" Jariz exclaimed.
There were over five hundred people inside. The building Aren had assumed was the academy turned out to be nothing more than a simple structure that, by appearances alone, shouldn't have been able to hold more than fifty people at once.
And yet, here they were.
Spatial magic, Aren realized, scanning the surroundings.
"This is incredible!" Jariz exclaimed.
"Look! It's her! It's really her!"
The candidates began shouting.
"I can't believe it!"
With graceful steps, a woman walked forward, the sound of her heels echoing throughout the vast hall. Step by step, she reached the stage.
"She's so beautiful…"
The murmuring continued.
The woman had long, well-kept black hair reaching down to her knees. Her dark blue eyes seemed to shimmer when looked at closely.
"Why are they all freaking out like this?" Aren said flatly.
"She's one of the five great mages of the continent. Archmage Scalia Gloryspell," Jariz replied. "They say she defeated thirty thousand soldiers with her magic. That's why they call her the Queen of the Stars."
"Oh. I see," Aren replied, clearly unimpressed.
Yes, you little brats. Look at me. Admire me. Hehehe. I'm beautiful, graceful, and strong. I'm perfect, Scalia thought as the candidates buzzed about her.
Then she began her speech.
"Dear candidates, welcome to the Academy of Nerathis. If you've come this far, it means you're ambitious and wish to grow stronger. It is always a pleasure for me to witness the future of this continent. I wish you all the best."
After a short pause, she continued.
"There are currently 634 candidates. Unfortunately, as every year, we can only admit 100. That is roughly 15%. In other words, only one out of every six of you will be accepted."
The crowd erupted.
"What?! No way!"
"She's kidding, right?! Only a hundred?!"
Aren merely frowned. He understood that he would have to give everything he had to succeed. No matter what happened, he had to stay strong.
In an instant, an overwhelming pressure crashed down on the candidates. Some fainted. Others struggled to breathe. Even those with large mana reserves broke into cold sweats.
Look at that. Those five are completely fine, Scalia thought as she withdrew the pressure.
Hm? What? Scalia paused. Six? So six of them managed to withstand it. One of them looks more strained than the others, but… he's holding on.
The pressure vanished completely. The candidates finally breathed again. Those who had fainted remained unconscious.
She's strong, Aren thought. Really strong. For a moment, it felt like I was being dragged underwater. Just a bit more, and it would've gone bad.
"Be quiet," Scalia said firmly.
Her voice had echoed through the hall since the beginning—but this time was different. The words pierced straight into their souls. It was chilling.
"I think she's going too far," Aren muttered as he supported Jariz, who was still pale and shaking. Not long ago, Jariz had been unable to breathe.
"Ahahahaha!" Scalia burst out laughing. Even she knew she'd gone too far. "S-Sorry. You were talking too much, so I played a little joke," she added, looking slightly embarrassed.
Aren exhaled as Jariz finally steadied himself.
Damn it. After throwing out that kind of killing intent, all she says is 'sorry'? Aren thought, staring at Scalia.
He remembered that day clearly—the cold, damp day. The worst day of his life. The day his powerlessness was laid bare. The day the priests of Light came for his sister.
With a single glance, Aren had been defeated. That priest had used killing intent—Pressure—to neutralize him.
Since then, no matter how much Aren trained his body, he replayed that moment endlessly in his mind. Combined with his experiences as a mercenary—where he had brushed against death multiple times—it had forged his mental strength.
Guess all that experience paid off, Aren thought.
"Now then, as I was saying, only 15% of you will be admitted," Scalia continued as if nothing had happened.
"Fuck, this woman really has no shame," Aren muttered.
"That means only geniuses will be accepted. And this year, the number of trials has been reduced. Since there are so many of you, the one-on-one interview with me has been canceled. A shame, but it can't be helped."
Who'd want to spend time with this lunatic anyway? Aren thought with a faint smirk.
"That is why there will be two trials instead of three. The first will test your intellectual abilities. The second will test your adaptability and survival."
Then she smiled broadly.
"Let's begin with the first trial. I assume you're wondering where it will take place, correct?"
"I'm more curious how someone like her became the head of this academy," Jariz muttered irritably.
"I'd be curious too if I were you. But I'll leave that as a surprise," she said with a grin.
CLAP!
Scalia snapped her fingers.
A massive magic circle activated beneath the candidates' feet. Confusion spread across their faces.
"Good luck to you all!" Scalia said as the candidates began disappearing one by one.