The great bell rang—deep, resonant, and final. A sound heard only twice a year, and each time, it signaled the same thing:
Examinations.
From the top of the ivory bell tower, the echo rippled across the campus like a war horn. Students all across the Academy paused in place, their backs straightening and hearts sinking.
Even Lyra, normally unfazed, flinched. "...It begins."
Kael blinked. "It's just a test."
Hema nearly choked on her mana-imbued fruit bar. "Just a test? This is the Final Exam of the First Year! People have lost limbs during the combat sections!"
"They grew them back," Raen added helpfully. "Mostly."
Kael looked around the courtyard. Students were visibly trembling. One was scribbling down formulas while jogging. Another was crying into a sword.
...This might be more serious than he thought.
---
Inside the Headmaster's Office
High above the main campus, seven magical mirrors hovered around the headmaster's chair. Each showed a different part of the academy, enchanted to follow the final exams of notable students.
Headmaster Granweiss narrowed his eyes. "Focus all seven mirrors on Kael Vaelthorn."
"Again?" his assistant asked.
"Yes. Last time he ended up defeating an illusion of the First Demon General by accident. I want to know if this time it's deliberate."
---
Exam Format Announcement
"All students, proceed to the Grand Arena!" the intercom blared.
A massive magical screen lit up with the exam brackets. Murmurs erupted.
"Are you seeing this? Kael's bracket is... wait... what?"
The entire left side of the tournament tree was empty except for one name:
KAEL VAELTHORN
And the right side? Packed.
One unlucky student read aloud:
"Those who survive their own brackets may earn the honor of fighting Kael in the final."
"...Is that an honor?" someone muttered.
Lyra turned to Kael, eyes narrowed. "Did you threaten someone again?"
Kael blinked. "I didn't say a word."
He hadn't. He just glanced at the administrator in charge of the brackets, and the man panicked. Misread the silence. Changed everything.
Now, Kael stood alone, unknowingly atop a bloodstained pyramid of misunderstanding.
---
Meanwhile, In the Shadows...
Far beneath the Academy, in a sealed chamber accessible only by high-level clearance, several black-robed figures from the Secret Society of Shadows convened.
"The Final Exam... has begun."
"Will he awaken more of his latent potential?"
"...Or unleash something worse?"
One of the agents clutched a parchment filled with predicted outcomes.
All were crossed out.
---
Arena: Round One – The Trials Begin
With the crowd cheering, the first matches began. Explosions, blade clashes, elemental torrents—raw power filled the stadium.
Kael sat calmly in his lone chair at the center of the empty left bracket. He watched, sipping a cold drink someone had offered out of sheer terror respect.
Around him, rumors spiraled:
"He's meditating."
"No, he's calculating everyone's weaknesses."
"I heard he's using this moment to peek into other dimensions."
In truth, Kael was wondering what he'd have for dinner.
Lyra sat next to him. "You've somehow skipped the exams without trying. Again."
"I didn't mean to."
"That's what makes it worse."
---
Match Spotlight: Hema vs Raen
Meanwhile, on the right bracket, Hema and Raen ended up paired.
"Seriously? We're friends!" Raen whined.
Hema twirled her spear. "Don't worry. I'll only knock you out a little."
Kael watched, amused, as his companions fought. Hema's moves were sharp—refined. Raen, dodging with bursts of wind magic, responded with frustrating grace.
They were both growing.
So was the crowd's anxiety. Because whoever won would eventually face... him.
---
Intermission – Misunderstanding Multiplies
A noble's son approached Kael. Pale and stammering.
"I-I surrender. Please accept my token."
Kael took the token, puzzled. "...What do I do with this?"
The noble bowed deeply. "My family thanks you for your mercy!"
Lyra facepalmed.
---
End of Chapter 45