After the match, Bastian gathered everyone in a close circle. He spoke with a firm voice as he prepared to give his final words before the examination ended.
"Congratulations to all the winners! You're about to embark on an incredible journey as the newest members of the Noveum Academy, starting tomorrow! Get ready to unlock your potential!"
Once Bastian finished his speech, the unsuccessful applicants began to leave the examination hall. However, Bastian interrupted them,
"Ahem."
"I didn't tell you to leave just yet, and I never said that winning your match is the only way to enter the academy," Bastian said with a confident smile.
A rush of uncertainty spread across the room as Bastian's words hung in the air.
"From the beginning, we stated that we are your teacher and examiner, correct?" Bastian asked.
"As examiners, we have been evaluating you from the start by secretly awarding points," Bastian said with evident pride.
For an instant, the room buzzed with astonishment and joy at Bastian's unexpected announcement.
"Wait, all of you, please come down. Of course, I am not going to accept all of you. I will select only five additional applicants with the highest points, aside from the winners," Bastian stated firmly.
The remaining applicants waited in silence, hoping Bastian would call their names.
Bastian began to announce the names of the selected applicants.
"The first is Wyatt Stone from the Gorg nation. His remarkable strength and agility make him an excellent fit for the academy."
"The second is Adeyemi Obi from the Xora nation. His strategic intelligence in battle and agility will make him a valuable student at the academy."
"The third is Baek Ji-soo from the Bane nation. Her powerful water magic and swift enchantments will be highly valued at the academy."
"The fourth is Alexander Valos from the Mordos nation. His mastery of flame and exceptional magic control will make him a great asset to the academy."
"Last but not least, Amelia De Marat from the Mordos nation. Her ability to wield advanced wind magic is one that even seasoned veterans rarely master. Although she made a significant error in the last match, she is still warmly welcomed to the academy," Bastian said, concluding with eye contact directed at Amelia.
Amelia's whole body trembled uncontrollably as tears spilled down her cheeks, overwhelmed by hearing her name as the final student accepted into the academy.
"Thank you, sir! I promise I will be a good student and make the academy proud!" Amelia exclaimed to Bastian, with her runny nose and tears rolling down her face.
Without thinking, she ran quickly to Daigo and threw her arms around him in an explosion of happiness,
"Daigo, I did it, I made it in the academy!" She said while hugging Daigo.
Daigo was dumbfounded by Amelia's sudden physical touch and said,
"Ohh..yee, congratulations, Amelia," Daigo said shyly.
After realizing what she had done, she quickly apologized to Daigo.
"Ahh..I'm so sorry, Daigo, I'm just too happy and accidentally hugging you," said Amelia shyly.
Both of them laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.
After the entrance exam concluded, both Daigo and Amelia were accepted into the Noveum Academy.
The next day, as Daigo and Amelia walked to class, they noticed Wyatt, bandaged and waiting outside the classroom door.
"That Wyatt, right?" Said Amelia
"Yes, that is him, look at all those bandages from the last match," Daigo said, clearly in awe of Wyatt's condition.
Then Wyatt spotted them and said,
"There you two, I sincerely want to apologize for my actions during the match and the unkind words I directed at Amelia. I promise I'll be a good person!"
Wyatt's apology caught them both off guard, and Amelia responded,
"Hey Wyatt, it's all good! I just wanted to say I'm really sorry for hitting you with my strong magic in the match. Hehehe!" Amelia says to Wyatt with a playful giggle.
Then she continued by saying;
"Oh, no worries about the words you said! I don't really remember anything before Daigo came to my rescue," Amelia said to Wyatt with a warm smile.
Wyatt and Amelia traded apologies, their smiles genuine and free of any lingering resentment.
Then Wyatt asks Daigo a question,
"Hey, what was that power you used on me? I lost consciousness the moment it struck," Wyatt said eagerly to Daigo.
"Honestly, I'm not quite sure. I never recognized that I possessed such power until it surfaced unexpectedly. I wonder what might trigger it," Daigo admitted, with a sense of confusion, the same as Wyatt.
Then three of them started choosing their own seats, but Amelia had a suggestion:
"Hey, let's just sit together in here so we can be a lot closer," she said with her adorable face.
"I'm down," said Wyatt to Amelia's suggestion.
"Me too!" Daigo said quickly, his face bright with happiness.
Once all the students had chosen their seats, the homeroom teacher arrived. It was none other than Bastian Becker.
"Good morning, everyone. Starting today, I'm your homeroom teacher, and I will be the one to take care of you," said Bastian after arriving in the class.
"First of all, I want to congratulate all fifteen of you who made it into the academy."
Following the introductions, Bastian confidently took the floor to lay out the rich and compelling history of the Noveum Academy.
"Before we begin, let's take a thrilling look at the history of Noveum Academy and the exciting privilege that sets you apart from others!"
"This academy is the most prestigious school in the world. Most graduates will lead successful lives and gain recognition for their power."
"Once you graduate from this academy, major agencies will take notice of you; even the top three agencies will be interested if you possess amazing powers."
_______
In today's world, there are agencies comprised of individuals with extraordinary power. The three most prominent are often referred to as the "big three." They are the Baek Agency, the Obi Agency, and the largest of them all, the Balthazar Agency.
Alaric used to be the leader of the Balthazar agency, but he had to step down because the King of Power is not allowed to serve in any agency after holding the title.
After explaining the academy's history, Bastian assigned the students their first mission.
"Listen! You will be on a team of five, and you must complete the mission I assigned to you. Also, you will not be fighting each other again." Said Bastian with a tiny giggle.
The students then prepared and began forming teams for the mission.
Daigo, Amelia, and Wyatt formed a group and needed two more members to begin the mission. Suddenly, two students approached and asked them to join their group.
"Hi, my name is Baek Ji-soo from the Bane nation. Nice to meet you. Can I join your team? Ji-soo said sternly to them.
Baek Ji-soo is the daughter of Baek Sa-on, the most powerful water magic user in the world. She is recognized for her stern appearance and assertive demeanor.
"Hi, my name is Adeyemi Obi from the Xora nation. Nice to meet you all. Is there a spot left for me? Although I did not win my match, I believe in my strength and reliability," Adeyemi said, his confidence evident.
After the introductions, the group members nodded in agreement, making eye contact, and said,
"We have our team. Now it is time to begin the mission!"
After all the students have formed their teams, Bastian finally announces the mission and its rules.
"Your first mission is to become a bodyguard to these old people," Bastian said while pointing to the three elders.
"You will have one elder in your team, and you have to ensure their safety all the way to their destiny."
"The rule is, you are not allowed to talk to these elders before you arrive at their destination, and you also are not allowed to use a vehicle or carry the elder; they need to walk on their own the whole time."
"You are allowed to use your magic or your weapon if you find danger in your way."
"Everyone understands! You all have the whole day to complete this mission." Bastian said with his steadfast tone.
After Bastian Annconce the Mission Baek Ji-soo said,
"Is this what we signed up for? Just being bodyguards for these old, frail folks?" she grumbled in front of her team.
Her teammates started laughing heartily at her grumbling, and soon the mission was underway as the elders chose their groups.
Daigo and his team begin their mission as the elders take a step outside the academy.