After Cael finished his aptitude test, the remaining students were called one by one.
Some returned smiling.
Some looked worried.
Some even looked like they were about to cry.
Everyone was waiting for results now.
Cael stood quietly among the crowd.
His eyes weren't on the students or instructors.
He kept looking toward the academy buildings.
The sun had already climbed higher.
Time was moving.
Too fast.
Soon, one instructor shouted loudly,
"All examinees, gather in front of the main stage. Results will now be announced."
The moment students heard this, excitement spread everywhere.
"Results already?"
"That was quick."
"I think I passed."
"No way I failed."
Some laughed nervously.
Some prayed silently.
Some were already dreaming about life inside the academy.
But Cael felt none of that.
Only tension.
Because he knew what would happen next.
Students moved toward the main plaza in front of the academy building.
A huge stage was prepared.
Several academy officials stood on it.
Behind them hung the academy emblem.
Parents and visitors watched from outside areas.
The whole place looked like a celebration.
Like a festival.
Cael clenched his fists slightly.
This peace… ends soon.
An old man stepped forward.
His voice spread across the plaza.
"Welcome, candidates."
"You have worked hard to stand here today."
"This academy only accepts those capable of protecting this world."
Cheers erupted.
Some students even cried happily.
But Cael remained silent.
Results announcement began.
Names were called.
Some screamed in joy.
Some cried in disappointment.
Some stood frozen.
Life-changing moment for many.
But Cael's mind stayed elsewhere.
Soon.
His eyes scanned surroundings.
Guards stood around.
Magic barriers were active.
Everything looked safe.
But—
Cael knew.
They are already here.
Then—
"Cael."
His name echoed.
He looked up.
"You have successfully passed both examinations."
Murmurs spread.
"Theory examination: Highest score."
Students nearby gasped.
"Highest?"
"Who is he?"
Cael barely reacted.
Then—
"Aptitude evaluation: Special classification."
More whispers spread.
But Cael didn't focus on it.
Because at that exact moment—
His perception screamed.
Danger.
He turned toward academy walls.
And then—
BOOOOOOM!
Explosion shook the academy.
Ground trembled.
Windows shattered.
Smoke rose.
For a second—
Everything froze.
Then chaos exploded.
"Enemy attack!"
"Protect civilians!"
"Activate barriers!"
Another explosion followed.
Students screamed.
People pushed each other trying to escape.
Some fell.
Some got trampled.
Instructors shouted orders.
Magic circles activated.
Barriers rose.
Cael stood frozen for half a second.
It started.
Masked attackers appeared on rooftops.
Dark magic attacks rained down.
Students panicked.
Some cried.
Some froze.
Some ran blindly.
A guard near plaza got cut down instantly.
Blood splattered.
Crowd broke into complete chaos.
Cael clenched his teeth.
This is where original Cael died.
Wrong place.
Wrong time.
But now—
He knew what would happen.
A magic blast flew toward fleeing students.
Cael grabbed a nearby student and pulled him down.
Explosion passed above.
Debris scattered.
The student looked shocked.
"Thank you!"
But Cael had already moved.
He looked around quickly.
Attackers were targeting instructors.
They wanted chaos.
Not random killing.
Just like in the game.
Fear still existed.
But his mind stayed clear.
Then suddenly—
A man landed in front of him.
Heavy sound.
Cael froze.
Scarred face.
One damaged eye.
Recognition hit instantly.
Him.
The bandit leader.
The one he injured.
The man smiled.
"Well… we meet again, kid."
Cael felt cold sweat form.
"So you survived."
The man drew his sword.
"I've been looking for you."
But before he could move—
An explosion nearby separated them.
Dust and smoke filled area.
Students ran between them.
Cael lost sight of him.
"…Shit."
Bandit disappeared in chaos.
Cael clenched his fists.
No time to chase.
More attacks were coming.
He needed to survive first.
Nearby, several students were trapped under fallen debris.
One girl cried for help.
Without thinking, Cael rushed there.
He lifted broken wood and stone.
His body screamed in pain.
Still weak.
Still injured.
But he forced himself.
He pulled one boy free.
Then another.
"Run toward the exit!" he shouted.
They nodded and ran.
Another explosion hit nearby.
Shockwave threw Cael backward.
His ears rang.
Vision blurred.
He coughed, trying to stand.
People kept running past him.
Then he saw something.
Lyria.
Standing calmly in chaos.
Watching everything.
She wasn't panicking.
Wasn't running.
She noticed him.
Smiled slightly.
Then disappeared into crowd again.
Cael frowned.
Who exactly are you…?
Before he could think more—
A loud voice echoed across academy.
"All students evacuate immediately!"
"High-level enemies detected!"
Cael's heart sank.
High-level? Already?
This was faster than game events.
Meaning—
Things were already changing.
Because of him?
Because of system?
Or something else?
Cael clenched his teeth.
Smoke covered the plaza.
Flames spread.
Screams echoed.
And for first time—
He wasn't running.
He was moving to survive.
And help others survive.
I won't die here again.
The academy entrance exam day—
Turned into battlefield.
And chaos had only begun.