The capital city of Agnes was vast.
So vast, in fact, that even experienced travelers could easily lose their way within its streets. Built upon a massive island surrounded by fortified walls and layered magical defenses, Agnes stood as both a symbol of hope and authority—a place where power, order, and ambition converged.
Raven walked steadily through the crowded streets, his mask drawing occasional glances from passersby. Merchants shouted prices, adventurers boasted about past conquests, and candidates for the Royal Capital Academy nervously clutched their examination notices.
Above everything else, magic flowed naturally through the city.
In this world, magic was not a privilege granted to the chosen few.
It was a birthright.
Every individual was born with a unique ability—some common, some rare, and others so unusual they bordered on myth. These abilities manifested early in life and were permanently bound to the soul. Once awakened, they could never be replaced, only refined or evolved.
However, power alone did not define destiny.
Some used their abilities to protect others.
Some sought glory or wealth.
And others—consumed by greed or despair—used their gifts for destruction.
Because of this, order was necessary.
That order was Agnes.
Unlike ordinary towns and cities, which relied on adventurer guilds to manage quests and disputes, the capital followed a stricter system. Here, there was no competition between guilds, no fragmented authority.
Everything flowed through a single institution.
The Royal Capital Academy of Agnes—RCAA.
Raven's destination lay at the edge of the island, where the academy's vast training grounds stretched across reinforced stone platforms suspended over the sea. Even from a distance, the scale of the place was overwhelming.
RCAA was more than a school.
It was a military force.
A research center.
A symbol of global balance.
Candidates from all over the world gathered here, each dreaming of becoming a Hero—a title reserved not for the strong, but for those capable of bearing responsibility.
Those accepted into RCAA were no longer ordinary citizens.
They became defenders of the capital.
Heroes trained at the academy were dispatched to handle threats beyond the scope of normal adventurers. Intruders, criminal organizations, rogue power users, and even international crises fell under their jurisdiction.
Most importantly, RCAA alone held the authority to issue the National World Wide Quest—commonly referred to as NWWQ.
A quest of that level was never issued lightly.
Its completion—or failure—could determine the fate of nations… or the entire world.
Raven finally reached the academy's training grounds.
The area was already crowded.
Hundreds of candidates stood together, their auras subtly clashing as different types of magic filled the air. Some radiated raw elemental power, while others exuded strange, unfamiliar energies that defied easy classification.
Raven moved toward the registration desk, silently confirming his participation before stepping into the main examination area.
As he observed the gathered candidates, he took note of the sheer variety of abilities present.
Telekinesis users hovered small objects around themselves.
Blaze users produced controlled flames from their palms.
Iron-type users hardened their skin like steel.
Plant manipulators summoned vines beneath their feet.
Sand and sealing chain users practiced precise control over their constructs.
Abilities were not random.
All powers originated from basic elemental sources.
Fire.
Water.
Earth.
Wind.
Light.
Dark.
These elements formed the foundation of all abilities. When two or more elemental traits merged, they created evolved or specialized powers—such as lightning, ice, metal, or spiritual manifestations.
Abilities were determined at birth and could not be changed.
However, they could be evolved.
Through training, experience, and personal growth, a power could advance into higher phases, becoming stronger, more refined, and more complex.
But evolution was not guaranteed.
There existed a rare and unfortunate phenomenon known as Phase Zero.
Phase Zero abilities were incomplete or weakened versions of Phase One elements. Those born with such powers were often dismissed early in life, deemed incapable of becoming true heroes or adventurers.
A well-known example was Flare—a weakened version of fire.
Flare could produce only a tiny flame, barely strong enough to light a candle, let alone harm an enemy. Many believed those born with Phase Zero abilities had no future in combat professions.
And yet…
Raven remained silent.
A sudden shift in attention rippled through the crowd.
A man had stepped onto the podium.
He had wavy hair that fell just past his ears, sharp green eyes behind round glasses, and a serious expression that commanded immediate respect.
"Everyone, listen carefully," he announced. "The entrance examination will begin shortly."
The murmurs died down.
"Before we start," he continued, "allow me to introduce myself. My name is Specter. I will be your examiner for today."
A subtle tension filled the air.
Specter adjusted something in his ear—a small telecommunication device. After a brief pause, a voice came through.
"Specter," the voice said calmly, "you may begin."
He nodded.
"The examination will be conducted across four different areas," Specter explained. "Each of you has already been assigned to one. This is the first area—the main entrance examination."
Before anyone could ask questions, Specter raised a hand.
"First, I will demonstrate."
At the center of the field stood a large training dummy, its surface reinforced with thick layers of enchantments.
"This dummy," Specter said, "is as durable as Amesite, the third strongest material in the world. It has also been enhanced by the academy's top defense-type users."
He paused.
"Your task is simple. Attack it. The damage counter will record your score."
Specter reached into his coat.
He pulled out a gun.
A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd.
Then, he pulled out a gold coin.
Without hesitation, Specter tossed the coin into the air. It spun rapidly, reflecting sunlight as it rose.
Bang.
The gun fired.
The bullet struck the coin perfectly—yet it missed the dummy by a mere five centimeters.
Laughter broke out.
Then—
The coin released a chilling aura.
A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted as ghostly figures emerged from the coin. A giant spectral hand descended, slamming into the dummy with terrifying force.
The damage counter skyrocketed.
14999 damage.
Silence.
"And that," Specter said calmly, "is Haunting Underworld Graveyard."
Specter was a Spiritual Summoner.
By sealing underworld spirits within enchanted coins, he could summon and command them at will.
The exam had truly begun.