"Master Kazuki, please wake up. It's almost time for you to leave for the Academy."
The gentle but firm voice cut through Kazuki's sleep.
"I've prepared breakfast," Kuroha continued. "You should eat before it gets cold."
Kazuki stirred, eyelids heavy as consciousness slowly returned. Warm sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, illuminating the room in soft gold. The sky outside was clear—no clouds, no wind strong enough to disturb the calm morning.
So… it's already time, he thought.
Pushing himself out of bed, Kazuki went through his usual routine—washing his face, steadying his breathing, grounding his mind. By the time he entered the dining room, his thoughts were already shifting toward the day ahead.
"It's delicious," he said sincerely after his first bite.
The table was far more lavish than usual. Several dishes were laid out neatly, each prepared with care. Steam still rose faintly from the food.
Kuroha poured him a cup of tea, her movements smooth and practiced.
"Master Kazuki will be attending the finest Magic Academy in all Three Kingdoms today," she said calmly. "I thought the occasion deserved celebration."
Kazuki smiled faintly.
"It's not decided yet," he replied after swallowing. "I still need to clear the entrance examination before I can attend the Academy."
Kuroha looked at him.
Not with doubt.
Not with hesitation.
"If even Master Kazuki fails to enter the Academy," she said flatly, "then I doubt anyone else will be joining this year."
Kazuki burst out laughing, shaking his head.
"You really don't hold back, do you?"
Kuroha remained completely serious.
Kazuki couldn't fault her confidence. After three years of relentless training under Hikari, he knew exactly how far he had come.
"Well," he said, standing and adjusting his clothes, "I shouldn't waste more time here."
He paused mid-sentence.
"…And…"
Hikari's words echoed vividly in his mind.
If you don't place high, you may not even be in a condition to attend afterward.
A chill ran down his spine.
"…Yeah," Kazuki muttered. "Definitely shouldn't be late."
Without another word, mana surged through his body.
"[Limitless Steps]"
Mana flowed directly into his legs, reinforcing muscles, tendons, and joints in perfect harmony. The spell responded smoothly, its effects stabilizing as his body adjusted.
With a sharp gust of wind, Kazuki vanished from the house.
Kuroha watched the empty doorway for a moment before smiling faintly.
"To think even Master Kazuki panics when it comes to Lord Hikari," she murmured, amused.
She turned back to her chores, already imagining how the day would unfold.
Swish. Swish.
The air trembled as Kazuki streaked through the streets of the capital, his speed increasing steadily with each passing minute. The world blurred at the edges of his vision as buildings, people, and carriages rushed past.
The city was alive.
The Royal Capital, Arcathis, buzzed with excitement rarely seen even during festivals. Streets overflowed with visitors, banners fluttered, and conversations overlapped in a chaotic hum.
There was only one reason.
Today was the entrance examination for Regia Nevaris.
The most prestigious Magic Academy across all Three Kingdoms.
People had come from everywhere—commoners hoping to witness history, nobles displaying their lineage proudly, merchants sensing opportunity. Even representatives from foreign kingdoms roamed the streets, their eyes sharp and calculating.
Kazuki's gaze swept over the crowd as he moved.
The laughter felt forced.
Behind many smiles, he saw hunger. Ambition. Greed.
Those seeking shortcuts. Advantages. Leverage.
Not my problem today, Kazuki thought, pushing more mana into his legs.
With a final burst of speed, he vanished again, leaving only a sharp gust of wind in his wake.
Step. Step.
Kazuki slowed as he arrived before the Academy gates.
For a moment, he simply stood there.
Even after seeing countless illustrations and descriptions in books, nothing compared to reality.
Regia Nevaris loomed before him like a monument carved from legend.
The massive gates were forged from Everfield Darkwood, a rare material harvested only from the depths of the Malraven Forest. Dark, dense, and resistant even to magic, the wood radiated quiet authority.
Beyond the gates rose the Academy itself—a colossal, castle-like structure divided into three towering spires.
The left spire gleamed in silvery white.
The central spire stood tall in solemn gray.
The right spire burned faintly with a yellowish-red hue.
Each tower represented one of the Academy's governing bodies, their presence both majestic and intimidating.
Kazuki passed through the gates.
Immediately, he felt it.
Eyes on him.
Some curious.
Some assessing.
Some dismissive.
But most lost interest quickly.
To them, he was just another candidate.
Another hopeful face.
Kazuki didn't care.
He exhaled slowly, ignoring the ornate clothing, the crests embroidered on robes, the entourages clustered around noble heirs.
Focus, he reminded himself.
The registration area was crowded, yet efficiently organized. Lines moved steadily as candidates stepped forward one by one.
Kazuki reached the counter.
A mage behind it glanced at him lazily.
"Here to register for the entrance examination?" the man asked, tone bored.
Kazuki nodded.
A woman standing beside the mage lifted an Astralyte Prism—a crystalline artifact designed to measure both the quantity and quality of an individual's mana.
"Before we proceed with mana measurement," she said, voice emotionless, "please state your official name and submit your identification."
Kazuki reached into his pocket and handed over the card.
"My name is Kazuki," he said calmly.
Then he added—
"Takamura Kazuki."
The effect was instantaneous.
Conversations halted mid-sentence.
Breaths caught.
Every gaze that had dismissed him moments ago snapped back in shock and disbelief.
The silence that followed was absolute.