Free Web NovelChapter 8: Saga 8— Curses! Back .....to School Again! II
The Regal Renodin Academy, one of the top four elite academies in the world. A gathering of the who’s who. Elves, high elves, dwarves, humans, and so many other races attended this very academy. Ninety-five percent of the academy was made up of those of royal and noble blood, while the remaining five percent comprised commoners who had just barely made it into the academy.
Kael’s grimace only grew more profound—he realised he was about to enter a relatively cliché setting.
The front gate was brimming with idle chatter from students that muffled Kael’s inner thoughts—he couldn’t even hear himself speak properly.
The smaller gate was wide open with no guards stationed there. Not that any needed to be placed there. A profound detection field was placed all around the academy premises.
’It’s just as irritating as on Earth.’
Kael strode past the gate. A flicker of blue light appeared a few metres above the students’ heads. In a blur, it turned into a cerulean floating ball of light.
"Prospective transfer students, please head to Pamout Hall for your evaluation test."
A calm but authoritative feminine voice spoke through the ball of light.
’How the hell am I supposed to know wher—’
The ball of light dissolved into long arrows that pointed towards a hall not too far away from him.
’Makes sense.’
Kael, along with about a hundred different transfer students, headed into Pamout Hall.
’Ohohohoho—’
’This is some lit aesthetics.’
The hall was finely decorated and illuminated. The golden lights paired well with the pristine white paintings on the walls.
There were four different desks placed vertically at the summit of the hall. Four academy staff clad in blue-black uniforms sat behind each desk.
A green-haired elf man climbed onto the stage just behind the desks. His eyes were shut, his stature was lean, and a calm smile was plastered on his face.
"Good morning, prospective transfer students—"
"I’m but a humble professor of this fine academy—"
"You can call me Adian. I am sure you all must be wondering what this famed test might be about. Well, my eager friends, I guarantee you it’s not going to be that hard, so long as you are capable."
Adian continued his speech with a carefree tone. Most of the individuals in the hall immediately recognised him.
"Oh my goodness! That must be the S-rank Hunter, Wind Slayer, Adian!" a female student gawked in excitement.
"I heard that the entrance exams were brutal—"
"But amongst the top four academies, the brutality of their transfer tests is also preeminent."
A male student could barely pull himself together. The rumours about the transfer tests kept everyone on their feet. Well... except Kael, who completely flayed in ignorance.
’What’s up with them—’
’Arggghhh... we aren’t even in the academy yet, and they already have their noses stuck in gossip.’
Kael wasn’t a fan of side talks, so he refocused his attention on the summit.
"The test is divided into two phases: aptitude and combat. Depending on your overall results, you will be admitted as either a first-year, second-year, or third-year student—"
"Each phase is graded on a scale of one to one hundred. So your total score will be out of two hundred. Arrange yourselves into four different lines, each corresponding to a respective desk—"
"That would be all, and good luck...."
"You’ll need it," Adian whispered to himself and stepped off the stage.
Kael joined the first line. Luckily, he was the fourth person in line—so he wouldn’t have to spend much time waiting.
The first candidate in line placed their hands on a crystal orb, which was used to determine one’s mana aptitude—which entailed both mana reserves (how much mana a person or thing possessed) and affinity.
A red glow shimmered from the crystal orb, neither violent nor impressive.
"Thirty-five percent, fire affinity. Next."
From the staff member’s tone, it was clear that he wasn’t impressed at all.
The next candidate placed their hand on the orb. A burst of brown light surged violently from it.
"Not bad. Fifty percent, earth affinity. Next."
The treatment given to this candidate and the one before clearly differed.
The third candidate presented with twenty percent, water affinity.
Then it was finally Kael’s turn.
’Now that I think about it, I have never had a chance to figure out my affinity.’
Kael mostly used his mana to enhance his physical capabilities or infuse it into a sword or something.
"Place your hands on the orb."
The staff member yawned. This was just the fourth candidate, and he was already bored.
The instant Kael placed his hands on the orb, a violent torrent of thick dark mana surged forth, forming a mini tornado that shook the entire hall.
"Hey! Stop!"
the staff member shouted.
"So, how did I do?" Kael asked.
The staff member stared at him incredulously before proceeding to answer his question.
"Take a look around."
The staff member took a deep breath.
"The orb is malfunctioning thanks to you, no less—"
"But given that display and what the orb showed me before it blacked out—"
"You scored a solid ninety-five, and your affinity is also quite rare: darkness, second only to the Headmaster himself during his days at the academy."
The staff member adjusted his collar.
"You may proceed to the training room just up ahead."
He pointed towards the door at the edge of the summit.
"Next!"
His tone switched back to the usual.
"What the hell was that?"
"Maybe an earthquake."
The other candidates complained about the tremor. Luckily for Kael, only a few people noticed his abrupt display.
Kael passed through the black wooden door. A wide circular area stood before him, with ascending seats stretching from the bottom upwards.
’Whoa! An arena.’
This was Kael’s first time in an actual arena, so he was quite amused.
"Welcome to the combat phase."
Adian’s head popped out from behind Kael’s back.
’Where the hell did he come from?’
Kael didn’t sense anybody’s presence before, and suddenly Adian came out of nowhere.
"Ehh... thank you," Kael stuttered. He didn’t know what to say.
"Don’t tell me you are already having cold feet—"
Adian chuckled, then his smile suddenly changed to a frown.
"From what I saw earlier, you are quite capable—"
"Well, either way, if I were you... I might have cold feet too."
Kael didn’t understand what Adian meant just yet.
"Pardon?" Kael furrowed a brow.
"Professor, you sent for me?"
A female student dressed in a white uniform with golden embroideries, a short skirt that almost revealed her panties, and long white stockings that reached just below the level of her skirt on her thighs.
She had black raven hair that cascaded down her slender shoulders and auburn eyes. The curves of her hips were simply phenomenal. She carried a strong aura of nobility, responsibility, and strength around her.
"Ahhhh, Sylvia—"
The professor attempted to hug the girl, but she dodged just in time.
"Professor, don’t make me charge you for bodily harassment."
Sylvia’s tone was quite pleasant, but her words were horrifying.
"Hahaha... can’t risk that, can I?"
Adian dusted his clothes as he stood from the ground.
"Sylvia, this is Kael, a prospective transfer student—"
"Kael, this is Sylvia. She will be your opponent for the combat phase."
Adian gave them a short-handed introduction—though that was all they needed to know.
The instant Kael looked at Sylvia, he felt the same connection he had earlier in the guild hall.
[Target found!]
’What the hell is going on?!’
— End of Chapter —
