Location: Velerion Arcane Academy – Inner Courtyard
The sun scorched down upon marble tiles as hundreds of noble youths gathered under the banner of House Velerion. Scribes scribbled names onto glowing parchments. Masters of magic hovered above, watching from floating platforms.
This was the annual Evaluation Trial—and the first step into elite magic society.
I stood in the shadow of a cracked pillar, wearing the same ragged clothes I always wore.
The weak, cursed bastard. Arjen Velerion.
The perfect disguise.
---
"Move, trash."
A shoulder slammed into me.
I didn't respond. Didn't even blink.
Let him think I'm nothing.
---
[System Notification]
Hidden Objective Triggered: Survive Evaluation Without Full Exposure
Bonus Reward: Partial Demon Core Purification – Lv. 1
I smirked.
Let the trial begin.
---
"Trial One – The Arena of Flame."
The announcer's voice boomed across the courtyard.
"A summon will appear. Defeat it, defend yourself, or forfeit."
One by one, noble heirs stepped into the circular platform surrounded by enchanted fire. Some fought beasts. Others tamed magical creatures. All were graded.
I waited.
Until the 42nd name was called.
"Arjen Velerion."
Scoffs. Whispers. Laughter.
I walked to the center, head down.
The crowd wanted to see humiliation.
But I had a different plan.
---
The flames surged.
A summon burst from the magic circle.
A fire gorilla—twice my size, claws coated in magma.
It roared.
People gasped.
Unfair difficulty?
Maybe.
Or maybe… someone wanted me crushed.
---
I pretended to panic.
Backed up, tripped, even let it graze my shoulder.
But I was calculating.
Measuring its movement, tempo, mana density.
Then it lunged—full force.
Too fast for the old Arjen.
Not for me.
[Skill Activated – Shadow Serpent Step Lv. 3]
I vanished.
The beast struck air.
The crowd gasped.
I reappeared behind it, hand on its back.
[Demon Pulse – Suppress Lv. 1]
I didn't kill it.
Just flattened it with dark pressure, forcing it to collapse unconscious.
The crowd went silent.
The beast wheezed.
And I… dropped to my knees, coughing, pretending to be drained.
"L-lucky hit," someone whispered.
Good.
Let them believe that.
---
But not all were fooled.
Up in the stands, I caught two stares burning into me.
Kael, watching with narrowed eyes.
And him.
Zane Eltherion.
Golden hair. Polished armor. The academy's golden hero candidate.
And… my half-brother.
His grip on the stone railing cracked it.
---
Then came her voice.
Soft. Cool. Almost amused.
"Interesting."
I turned.
She stood by the edge of the arena—clad in a silver-blue uniform, raven-black hair in a tight braid, icy violet eyes watching me with interest.
Selene Eiradelle.
Daughter of a duke. Top student. Known prodigy.
And somehow, she was smiling at me.
---
"I thought the cursed bastard didn't know how to fight," she said, approaching as the medics fussed over me.
I said nothing.
Her smile widened.
"That's fine. I like secrets."
And just like that, she walked away—leaving behind a red-faced Zane, still staring at me like I had just stolen his throne.
---
[System Notification]
Affinity Increase – Selene Eiradelle: +5
Jealousy Increase – Zane Eltherion: +10
System Note: Be careful. He suspects you.
I laughed inside.
Good.
Let the game begin.
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