Langard.
As the capital of the Pasara Empire, one of the world's most powerful nations, it welcomed yet another bright and sunny morning.
Creak—!
In an inn located in Midtown, a young girl pushed open a window that had been shut all night, letting golden sunlight flood into the room.
Leaning against the windowsill, she watched the street below, which was already bustling with people despite the sun having just risen.
“The day has finally come.”
Shulim patted her cheeks to dispel any lingering sleepiness, then turned and walked into the bathroom. After thoroughly washing up, she put on neat clothes and stood before the mirror, conducting her final checks.
“Recommendation letter—check!”
“Tuition fee—should be enough!”
“Mental state—excellent!”
With everything prepared, Shulim pushed open her room door.
“Alright! Destination: Manacos Magic Academy—!”
...
Manacos Magic Academy was one of the finest magic academies in all of Shimulir, recruiting only prodigies with B-Class talent or higher. Throughout the academy's long history, it had nurtured countless world-class mages, making it a sacred holy land in the hearts of magic users everywhere.
And today, this historic academy once again opened its annual admissions.
“Whoa, so many people...”
The moment she arrived at the front gate of Manacos Magic Academy, Shulim was stunned by the massive sea of people.
Countless boys and girls around her age had gathered here from all corners of the world. There were humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and even members of minority tribes dressed in exotic attire.
Even though Manacos only admitted geniuses with a minimum of B-Class talent, when the recruitment scope expanded to the entire world, the sheer number was still staggering.
Before the bustling academy gate.
Unlike the new students dressed in a wide array of outfits, the upperclassmen guiding the crowd all wore uniform academy uniforms regardless of race, looking remarkably orderly.
“...New students here to enroll, please head this way~!”
“There are ten reception points at the front gate in total! No need to push, take your time~!”
“If you don't know the way, please check the map posted at the entrance~!”
Holding signboards, several upperclassmen guided the way while calling out key information to the freshmen.
“After registering, please follow the signs to the practice grounds for the entrance assessment and class placement test~!”
“...Hey, the West Gate is short on volunteers! Send a few people over to help!”
“Huh? It takes an hour to get from here to the West Gate! Couldn't you just recruit some people over there? We're stretched thin here too...”
Manacos Magic Academy covered an enormous area—the single largest institution in all of Langard, overshadowing even the imperial royal palace.
Because of its immense footprint, Manacos Magic Academy spanned across both Downtown and Midtown. Looking out from the upper floors of the central tower, one couldn't even see the city bounds of Langard; it was truly a city within a city.
Following the instructions, Shulim quickly reached a reception point.
“Hello, here is my enrollment recommendation letter!”
Handing her recommendation letter to a staff member with graying hair, the man picked up a magic item to verify its authenticity. Once confirmed, he accepted the letter.
“Verified. Welcome to Manacos Magic Academy~!” the staff member said to Shulim with a smile.
“Ah, right, there's also this... Let me see—”
The staff member pulled out a number tag newly assigned by a magic item.
“Practice Ground No. 1?”
He froze for a moment, then looked up at Shulim before glancing down at the number tag again. Seemingly realizing something, his smile grew even warmer.
“Student Shulim Hayeral, this is your exam number tag. Your entrance assessment location is Practice Ground No. 1. Please keep it safe! I wish you success in your studies!”
“Thank you!”
Shulim accepted the number tag and left the registration desk.
“Hmm, Practice Ground No. 1... Let me check the map...”
Looking at the map, Shulim quickly located Practice Ground No. 1.
“It's pretty far.”
Without overthinking it, Shulim headed toward Practice Ground No. 1 following the map's directions.
Among the several practice grounds for the entrance assessment, Practice Ground No. 1 was the furthest away. Since she wasn't in a rush, Shulim took the opportunity to admire the scenery of this top-tier academy along the way.
It certainly lived up to its reputation. Every building and landscape had been meticulously designed. Beyond its artistic elegance, one could feel the ambient pulse of magic circles everywhere. Clearly, Manacos possessed an exceptionally complete magic defense and utility system.
After about half an hour, Shulim arrived at Practice Ground No. 1.
The moment she arrived, she felt something different about this place.
First was the crowd size. On her way, Shulim had passed several other assessment practice grounds, which were, if not packed to the brim, at least swarming with people.
Here at Practice Ground No. 1, however, the number of people was noticeably smaller.
Second was the atmosphere. The individuals gathered here were either nobles dressed in lavish attire or people in highly distinctive outfits—not a single one looked like an ordinary bystander. Moreover, even without getting close, Shulim could feel a fierce, intimidating aura emanating from many of them, the kind that could only be honed through extensive real combat experience.
Why did these kids, who were only eleven or twelve years old, possess such a dangerous air about them? Shulim wondered in confusion.
“Students, thank you for waiting!”
A man dressed in a mage's robe, looking like a professor, stepped forward.
“The assessment for Practice Ground No. 1 will now begin! Please proceed with your assessments in the order of your number tags!”
Ah, so the assessment for Field No. 1 hadn't started yet. No wonder everyone was standing outside, Shulim realized.
Shortly after, the examinees waiting outside entered the practice ground.
“Students whose numbers are called, please step forward. Those whose numbers haven't been called, please wait in the waiting area.”
On the judging platform sat seven or eight people who looked like professors, while numerous staff members inside the grounds maintained order.
Unlike other places, there were no student volunteers here—only adults, such as academy instructors and faculty.
“Number One, please enter for the assessment...”
As the first person was called and entered the arena, the rest gathered in the waiting area to watch.
The assessment was held in public, visible to everyone.
The newly enrolled students were eager to see just what level their peers—all hailed as geniuses—had achieved...
“That guy is pretty impressive. That spell cast in under three seconds...”
“I can't believe he dodged like that...”
“Hmph, I could easily reach that level...”
As the assessment progressed, more and more people displayed their skills. The newly enrolled students, who had initially been reserved, unconsciously began comparing themselves to one another. The unfamiliarity among them quickly melted away amid their eager discussions.
Rate on N.U.
