The morning bells of the Royal Magic Academy rang across the vast campus.
The sound echoed through the stone courtyards and tall lecture towers, drifting like gentle waves across the grounds.
Takemi stood near the entrance of the main courtyard, adjusting the strap of his travel bag.
Students filled the area.
Some wore noble crests embroidered proudly on their uniforms. Others carried expensive magical staffs or family heirloom weapons.
It was clear that many of them came from powerful noble houses.
Takemi scratched his head.
"…This place is intense."
Cedric stood beside him calmly.
"Today is the entrance examination."
Takemi looked around.
Hundreds of young students had gathered.
Some were chatting confidently.
Others looked nervous.
A few practiced small spells quietly.
Takemi noticed something immediately.
Many of them were already trained.
Some noble families had clearly been preparing their children for this moment since birth.
Takemi sighed.
"Well… I guess I'm a little behind."
Cedric shook his head slightly.
"You possess talents many here would envy."
Takemi smirked.
"Yeah… throwing rocks like a cannon probably counts."
Cedric chose not to respond.
As Takemi waited, he felt something strange.
A sudden tension in the air.
He looked around.
Near the academy gate stood a tall boy with dark red hair.
He leaned casually against a stone pillar.
Unlike the other students, he didn't seem nervous at all.
His uniform was slightly worn, and strapped across his back was a large iron training sword.
Not a decorative weapon.
A practical one.
Takemi tilted his head.
"…That guy looks strong."
The boy noticed Takemi staring.
Their eyes met briefly.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then the boy simply looked away again, uninterested.
Takemi chuckled quietly.
"Guess he's not the talkative type."
Cedric whispered.
"That boy carries himself like a warrior."
Takemi nodded.
He had noticed it too.
The boy's stance.
His balance.
The way he observed the surroundings.
That was someone who trained seriously.
Takemi didn't know it yet…
But that boy was the one person who would push him further than anyone else.
His name was Rauk.
A tall man wearing deep blue robes stepped onto the central platform.
His voice carried easily across the courtyard.
"Welcome, candidates."
"I am Professor Aldren, examiner for today's entrance trials."
The crowd slowly quieted.
"You will undergo three examinations."
He raised three fingers.
"First — Mana aptitude testing."
"Second — Basic magical control."
"Third — Combat capability assessment."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Takemi crossed his arms.
"Combat too?"
Cedric nodded.
"The academy trains future knights and adventurers as well."
Takemi grinned slightly.
"Good."
The students were called one by one.
Each approached a large glowing crystal placed on a pedestal.
Professor Aldren explained:
"This crystal measures mana capacity and affinity."
Students placed their hands on it.
Some crystals glowed faintly.
Some changed color depending on magical affinity.
Takemi watched carefully.
A tall blonde girl stepped forward.
The crystal glowed bright blue.
"Water affinity," the professor announced.
Then a boy touched the crystal.
It flared red.
"Fire affinity."
Takemi leaned forward curiously.
Then a loud gasp came from the crowd.
Another student stepped forward.
A girl with long silver hair.
The moment she touched the crystal—
It shone brilliant gold.
Professor Aldren looked impressed.
"Rare light affinity."
Takemi whispered to Cedric.
"Is that strong?"
Cedric nodded.
"Very rare."
Takemi shrugged.
"Guess we'll see mine soon."
Eventually his name was called.
"Takemi of House Alderheim."
Takemi stepped forward.
Some students whispered quietly.
"Alderheim?"
"Never heard of it."
"Probably a small noble family."
Takemi ignored them.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
For a moment…
Nothing happened.
Then suddenly—
The crystal exploded with light.
Brilliant white energy filled the courtyard.
The professors froze.
The crystal pulsed again.
Then several colors flickered rapidly.
Blue.
Red.
Green.
Gold.
The light finally stabilized into a bright silver glow.
The courtyard was silent.
Professor Aldren stared.
"…Extraordinary mana capacity."
Takemi blinked.
"…Did I break it?"
Cedric sighed quietly from the sidelines.
"Again."
As Takemi stepped down, he noticed someone watching him.
The red-haired boy.
The one with the iron sword.
Their eyes met again.
This time the boy spoke.
"…You're strong."
Takemi smiled.
"Not bad yourself."
The boy stepped closer.
"My name is Rauk."
Takemi nodded.
"Takemi."
Rauk glanced at the shattered crystal fragments.
"…You're not a mage."
Takemi laughed.
"Nope."
"Then what are you?"
Takemi thought for a moment.
Then answered honestly.
"…A pitcher."
Rauk blinked.
"…What?"
Takemi grinned.
"Never mind."
For the first time…
Rauk smirked.
It was the kind of smile warriors gave when they recognized a worthy rival.
Nearby, several other students had also been watching the scene.
The silver-haired girl with the light affinity.
A tall boy carrying a spear.
A quiet boy with glasses reading a spellbook.
A cheerful girl with bright green eyes.
And a muscular boy who looked more like a knight than a mage.
None of them spoke yet.
But unknowingly…
These students would soon become Takemi's closest allies.
The group that would fight monsters together.
Train together.
Argue.
Laugh.
And one day…
Stand together against a demon.
But that story had only just begun.