Chapter 3
The air inside the classroom was still weighed down by the aftershock of Aster's phoenix display.
The dazzling glow in the students' eyes had not yet faded when Professor Valerius' booming voice crushed the admiration filled whispers and dragged everyone back into reality.
"Next! Kevin James."
An ordinary, stocky boy with brown hair and freckles stepped forward, struggling to keep his trembling legs under control.
Kevin was known as the cheerful, slightly clumsy kid of the class. But the seriousness on his face now proved that even he saw this moment as a turning point in his life.
When Kevin reached the center of the circle, he gripped the obsidian dagger in his hand with hesitation.
When his blood dripped onto the intricate runes, the blinding divine radiance Aster had created did not appear.
Instead, the atmosphere of the room suddenly grew heavier, and a sharp scent of ozone that burned the throat spread through the air.
Blue sparks crackled up from between the stones of the floor. Despite the windows being closed, a wind began to rise, tossing Kevin's hair around.
And then, accompanied by an electrically charged howl, a silhouette appeared at the heart of the circle.
A wolf, its shoulder height reaching Kevin's waist. Its fur was dark gray like storm clouds, and with every breath it released, small bolts of lightning flickered from its nostrils.
"A Tempest Wolf..." Professor Valerius muttered, nodding slightly in approval. He brought the measuring orb closer. "A solid build. Fast and deadly."
The orb glowed with a blue light.
"B Rank."
Kevin let out a deep breath of relief.
From the classroom rose applause, not as wild as Aster's, but sincere and filled with respect.
A B Rank was more than enough to secure an important position within the Empire.
As Kevin proudly returned to his seat, stroking the wolf's fur, Alicia felt like a condemned criminal waiting for her turn at execution.
Names were read one after another. Some students screamed with joy, others lowered their shoulders in disappointment.
And then, when Professor Valerius reached the seventh name on the list, his voice took on the tone of a theatrical announcer.
"Seraphina Lysandra. The stage is yours."
Somewhere in the middle rows, a girl rose gracefully the instant she heard her name.
Seraphina Lysandra.
The heir of the richest merchant guild in the Empire, and the infamous "Cunning Princess" renowned for her beauty.
As Seraphina glided down the amphitheater steps, the atmosphere of the classroom shifted once again.
This time, the change was not magical. It was purely instinctive.
She wore a heavily altered version of the standard academy uniform, one designed to boldly display the curves of her body.
Her skirt was cut to the shortest length the rules would allow, and with every step she took downward, the fabric clung to the shape of her hips, riding up just slightly.
Her platinum blonde hair shimmered as if polished beneath artificial light.
The male students' gazes locked onto Seraphina's legs, her slender waist, and the subtle sway of her chest as she walked, as though they were hypnotized.
Swallowing could be heard throughout the room.
Seraphina was aware of those stares.
In fact, she enjoyed them.
On her lips hung a thin, mocking smile, a blend of confidence and arrogance.
As she continued walking, she glanced back over her shoulder, fixing her violet eyes on Alicia's pale face.
There was neither friendship nor hostility in her gaze.
Only the disgust filled contempt of a queen staring down at mud stuck to her shoe.
"Keep your eyes wide open, Emberlune," Seraphina whispered venomously, loud enough for only Alicia to hear. "Watch and learn how the blood of true nobility dances with mana. It might be useful to you."
Alicia did not respond. She only clenched her fists.
Seraphina reached the center of the circle, leaving behind the scent of her expensive perfume.
She gripped the dagger with elegant fingers.
With a gentle motion, she cut a small line across her palm.
The moment her blood touched the runes, a pillar of pink and white light erupted, accompanied by a burst of smoke that surged all the way to the ceiling.
This light was not like Aster's burning sunlight.
It was softer, more enchanting, yet somehow suffocating.
As students shielded their eyes, shocked cries filled the air.
The mana density was so overwhelming that the hair of those seated in the front rows lifted upward.
As the beam slowly dispersed, a presence appeared at Seraphina's feet, curled gracefully on the ground.
It was a fox.
But not the kind one would ever see in a forest.
Its fur was a brilliant white, as though woven from the purest silk, fading into a sweet candy pink at the edges.
Its most striking feature, however, was the pair of long tails behind it, lazily swaying, each moving as though it possessed a will of its own.
Its eyes were the same shade of violet as its master's, sharp, intelligent, and cunning.
Professor Valerius approached with narrowed eyes.
When he extended the measuring orb, it trembled, releasing a deep and saturated violet glow.
"A Mystic Two Tailed Fox," the professor said, unable to hide the admiration in his voice. "Extremely rare... a species specialized in illusion and mind magic."
He paused, then spoke the rank clearly.
"S Rank."
Once again, the classroom exploded into applause.
The boys' clapping mixed with whistles of admiration.
Seraphina, clearly pleased by the attention, flicked her hair back and gently stroked the fox's head.
The fox rubbed against her, releasing a high, satisfied sound.
"Congratulations, Miss Lysandra," Professor Valerius said as he wrote down his notes. "You may go to the advisor's office to complete your registration."
Seraphina, cradling her fox in her arms, shook her head.
Her gaze drifted toward the red haired girl seated in the back row.
"No, Professor. If you do not mind..." she said, her voice sweet as honey, yet her intent bitter as poison. "I would like to stay and watch my classmates... especially certain ones. I would not want to miss such a historic day."
Professor Valerius noticed exactly where Seraphina's eyes had landed.
He let out a faint sigh, then shrugged.
"Very well. You may return to your seat."
As Seraphina walked back as if she had already claimed victory, Alicia felt the knot in her stomach tighten even further.
That girl had stayed behind just to watch Alicia's humiliation from the front row.
The ritual continued.
For Alicia, time felt as though it had stopped, yet at the same time it flowed forward at a terrifying speed.
As expected, most students bonded with C and D Rank creatures.
Rock turtles, flame spitting lizards, wind hawks...
Some lucky students earned the class's admiration by summoning A Rank creatures, a young griffin and an Ice Golem.
But not everyone was fortunate.
Five students, with trembling hands, summoned E Rank beasts.
Under the giggles of the class and the pitying stares, those students either lowered their heads and returned to their seats while holding back tears, or ran out of the classroom in shame.
With every failure, Alicia saw her own fate reflected.
Her heart pounded as if it wanted to break through her ribcage.
Her palms were slick with sweat, her throat dry.
"Please," she prayed silently. "Just let it be something usable."
And then, the inevitable moment arrived.
The list was nearing its end.
Professor Valerius dragged his finger along the parchment, stopped, and for a brief moment, frowned.
It was as if even reading that name left a bitter taste in his mouth.
He hesitated.
Then he raised his head, and his yellow eyes locked directly onto the red haired girl in the very back row.
"Alicia Emberlune."