As they walked away from the academy grounds, Austin suddenly spoke.
"By the way," he said casually, "I saw Chris coming out of the examination hall."
Evan stopped for a moment and looked at him.
"And?"
Austin shrugged.
"He didn't look very happy. We had a small argument."
Evan sighed.
"That guy never learns."
Austin laughed it off, but Evan knew better. Chris was not someone who let go of grudges easily.
Two months passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Evan continued studying and refining his understanding of Aether. Though he could not yet cultivate properly without awakening fully, his perception of the world had already changed. Every movement of Aether felt clearer, more… logical.
Finally, the long-awaited day arrived.
The results of the Broken Sword Academy Entrance Examination were announced.
Just like the examination, the results were posted outside the same grand venue. Hundreds of students crowded the area, their eyes filled with anticipation and fear.
Evan and Austin pushed their way forward.
The result list was divided into two parts.
Pass or Fail.
And beneath it—
Treatment Offered.
All students who passed were assigned a level of treatment by the academy.
C-Level Treatment – 100 merit worth of resources per month B-Level Treatment – 150 merit worth of resources per month A-Level Treatment – 300 merit worth of resources per month
Most eyes skipped directly to the statistics printed below.
90% – C Level
9% – B Level
1% – A Level
Austin swallowed.
"Only one percent…?"
They began scanning the names.
Chris Windrow.
"C-Level Treatment."
Chris let out a long breath. His face twisted slightly—not from relief, but dissatisfaction. Still, passing was passing.
Then—
Austin froze.
"…Evan."
His voice cracked.
Evan stepped closer.
Evan Windback – A-Level Treatment
Silence.
For a moment, Austin thought he was imagining things.
Then he screamed.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! A-LEVEL?!"
Heads turned. Murmurs exploded.
Chris's eyes widened in disbelief before narrowing into pure jealousy.
"A-Level…?" he muttered. "How…?"
Evan stared at the notice quietly.
Three hundred merit worth of resources per month.
A single merit was worth 100 credits and he was being assigned 300 merits monthly
For someone like him—this was not just opportunity.
This was salvation.
That evening, Evan decided to celebrate.
He dragged Austin to a nearby restaurant, ignoring his friend's still-shocked expression.
"You're treating me," Austin said blankly.
Evan smiled, "For once, I can afford it."
They ate, laughed, and talked about the future. For the first time in a long while, Evan felt something close to hope.
After they parted ways, Austin returned to his family estate.
He was still smiling as he entered the mansion.
That smile vanished the moment he saw the atmosphere inside.
His father sat in the main hall, arms crossed. Several elders stood nearby.
On the table—
A familiar blue crystal.
Austin's heart skipped a beat.
"Father…?"
His father looked up slowly.
"So," he said calmly,
"Care to explain why a Water Purity Crystal from my private stash was missing?"
Austin realized—
The real trouble had only just begun.
Austin remained silent.
The weight in the room pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe. His father's calm gaze was far more terrifying than any outburst.
"Speak," his father said slowly.
Under that pressure, Austin finally lowered his head.
"…I loaned it out."
The elders stiffened.
His father's brows furrowed slightly."To whom?"
Austin clenched his fists."I had to arrange 5,000 credits. Evan was short on money for the academy examination. I had no choice."
The hall fell silent.
"A Water Purity Crystal," one elder said coldly, "was mortgaged for a mere 5,000 credits?"
Austin did not argue."The amount was missing," he said quietly. "And Evan needed it."
His father stared at him for a long moment.
Then he sighed.
"You are reckless," he said. "But at least you are honest."
The tension eased—slightly.
"You will be confined for one month," his father continued. "No allowance during that period."
Austin's shoulders relaxed.
That was… light.
"However," his father added, his voice sharpening, "I will personally retrieve the crystal."
The next day, the Water Purity Crystal was reclaimed from the bank where it had been mortgaged. The loss was easily covered by Austin's family.
Holding the crystal in his hand, Austin's father narrowed his eyes.
"This Evan Windback," he muttered,"I want to meet him."
At the same time—
Evan Windback was sitting quietly in his room when a knock came at the door.
A servant entered, bowing respectfully.
"Young Master Evan," he said, "your eldest brother will be returning tomorrow."
Evan paused.
His eldest brother.
"The master has ordered that all family members attend tomorrow night's banquet," the servant continued. "You are to be present."
The words were polite.
The meaning was not.
Evan nodded calmly."I understand."
After the servant left, Evan sat in silence.
A-Level treatment.Academy admission.And now—
His prodigal brother's return.
Something told Evan that tomorrow's banquet would be anything but peaceful.