Morning came faster than I expected.
The city of Veylorn was already alive when I stepped out of the inn. Students from all directions moved toward the academy hall, their expressions filled with anticipation.
Some looked confident.
Others nervous.
I felt… calm.
Too calm.
The outer hall was crowded.
A massive platform stood at the center, engraved with glowing runes. Academy officials in long robes stood nearby, their gazes sharp and cold.
The old man stood beside me.
"From here on," he said quietly, "you walk alone."
I nodded.
"Remember," he added, "don't hide too much."
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
A middle-aged man stepped forward.
"Today's test has three stages," he announced.
"Strength. Endurance. Will."
Murmurs spread among the crowd.
"First stage," he continued, "the Strength Trial."
One by one, candidates stepped onto the platform and struck a stone pillar.
Some pillars glowed brightly.
Others barely reacted.
Cheers and laughter echoed.
"Talent Rank: B!"
"Rejected!"
"Accepted!"
My turn came.
I walked onto the platform and placed my hand on the stone.
"Name?" the official asked.
"Arin."
"Talent?"
"…None."
Laughter broke out.
"Another one dreaming too high," someone sneered.
I ignored them and clenched my fist.
I struck.
BOOM.
The stone pillar cracked.
Silence fell over the hall.
Runes flared violently before stabilizing.
"W-What?" someone whispered.
The official stared.
"Strength… above standard."
Murmurs turned into shocked whispers.
The system's voice echoed calmly.
[High-Intensity Action Detected.]
[Strength +0.2]
I stepped off the platform without a word.
Eyes followed me.
The second stage began.
A wide circular field filled with pressure-based runes.
"This is the Endurance Trial," the official announced.
"Last five minutes."
Candidates stepped inside.
The moment I entered, pressure slammed down on my body.
My knees bent.
Others fell instantly.
I breathed slowly and stood firm.
[Endurance Training Detected.]
[Strength +0.1]
[Agility +0.1]
One minute passed.
Two.
Sweat dripped down my face.
Three minutes.
Only a handful remained.
At the end of five minutes, I was still standing.
The final stage.
The officials exchanged glances.
"This last trial," the man said slowly, "tests willpower."
A mental wave crashed into my mind.
Fear.
Doubt.
Memories of death.
My breath caught.
But then I smiled.
"I've already died once."
The pressure shattered.
Silence.
Then—
"Accepted."
The word echoed.
My heart beat once, hard.
The Endless Growth System remained silent.
It didn't need to speak.
This was only the beginning.
💥 End of Chapter 6 💥