NOVEL NEXT Chapter 185: Entrance Test [I]
"Have you double checked your stuff?"
Edna and Emilia's voices overlapped, each aimed at their own person but harmonizing like a worried chorus.
Azel didn't even bother trying to fight the inevitable and resigned himself to a tired nod.
Of course, Edna was speaking to him, while Emilia and Rain's mother directed their fussing toward Rain.
Not that it mattered.
Bags were packed, weapons were sharpened, and every essential item had been tucked away with precision.
There was no turning back.
The only way to reach the floating island in the sky — the Astralis Academy was either by flying ship or by mounting a flying creature of one's own.
Azel, naturally, had chosen the latter. Griffins were faster, more agile, and, in his opinion, far more majestic than being crammed shoulder-to-shoulder with other sweaty examinees aboard a ship.
Still, this was just the beginning.
They had to sit for written tests, endure physical evaluations, and then wait for their performance to be ranked. Only after rankings were released would the Academy assign their placements.
Until then, nerves ran high, and everyone pretended they weren't afraid of failing.
Azel turned his head, eyes narrowing on the figure riding beside him.
Rain.
She sat tall on her griffin, her pale blond hair fluttering with the wind, she looked like she was experienced in this sort of stuff.
He didn't understand why she insisted on shadowing him every chance she got.
Was it pride?
Curiosity?
Whatever the reason, he knew one thing for certain: she had better hold her own weight once the exams began.
"Alright, take off! Those exams won't write themselves," Steven's commanding voice rang out.
Before Azel could steel himself, Edna leaned forward, her lips brushing his in a brief but firm kiss.
Then, without further hesitation, the griffins launched into the air, wings beating with a force that made the ground tremble.
The world fell away beneath them.
Air rushed against his face, cool and sharp, carrying with it the smell of pine and stone.
Rochel, the city that had been their base, shrank with every upward stroke of the griffins' wings.
Towers and walls dwindled to toy-like proportions, and soon the city became nothing more than a blurred patch against the vast earth.
Rain shifted slightly on her griffin, tightening her grip on the reins before glancing sideways at him.
Her lips parted.
"That's not how to hold your griffin re—"
"You shouldn't worry about me," Azel cut her off flatly, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He didn't have the patience for her corrections today. "Worry about yourself."
Her mouth clicked shut, and for a moment she looked like she might argue. Instead, she pressed her lips together and nodded, turning her focus back to her own beast.
As they soared higher and higher, the sight that met them drew every thought from Azel's mind.
The island.
It hovered above the world like a dream torn from the pages of a madman's book, vast and impossible.
A floating landmass that seemed to mock the laws of physics, even magical ones, with its sheer defiance.
Jagged cliffs dripped with waterfalls that fell endlessly into mist, never running dry. Clouds clung to its base as though chained to its will, and the sunlight crowned it in a halo of gold.
That was Astralis Academy.
Rain's voice was soft, almost reverent, when she spoke. "That's the Astralis Academy."
Her eyes reflected the gleaming figure above them, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.
Deep down, she knew what this place represented: a second chance. As long as she avoided Reinhardt — the young man whose destiny was written in fire and ruin, she could live a quiet life.
Maybe even find someone kind, marry them, and grow old in peace. A life without tragedy didn't sound so bad.
She sneaked another glance at Azel.
There was a wall between them, one she couldn't yet climb. Still, if he wanted distance, she would grant it. She had pride too.
Their griffins descended toward the island's edge, where armored figures stood waiting.
Two guards stepped forward and even without drawing a blade, they exuded the pressure of trained warriors.
"You are to proceed to the academy on foot," one instructed, voice curt and formal.
He reached for the griffins' reins. "These beasts will wait for you here."
Azel dismounted with practiced ease, patting his griffin's neck in silent gratitude. The creature snorted, feathers ruffling, before allowing itself to be tethered.
Rain followed suit, whispering something soothing to hers before stepping back.
The path stretched before them. Trees swayed with a wind that seemed to be blowing wildly and he could sense that a storm was upon them.
'It's already begun,' Azel thought grimly.
In the game, the exams didn't wait.
They began the moment your feet touched Astralis soil.
Sure enough, a voice thundered across the island, disembodied yet commanding.
"Welcome to the Astralis Academy entrance exams!"
The tone was almost cheerful, if he wasn't about to break the hearts of many..
"For some of you, this is your first attempt. For others, perhaps your third… even your fourth. There's no saying what fate awaits you here." The speaker cleared his throat, voice amplifying with magic. "Now, allow me to introduce the first half of your examination. I like to call this stage the Elimination Bracket!"
A hush fell across the examinees gathered nearby, the words carrying weight like a drawn blade.
"The more contestants you eliminate, the more points you rack up. Surrender, paralyze, or beat your opponent to near-death — use whatever is in your arsenal to secure victory! There are no rules beyond survival. The stronger you are, the higher you'll climb."
Murmurs erupted among the students. Some looked eager, licking their lips with anticipation. Others paled, hands trembling at their sides.
Azel and Rain exchanged a look, both exhaling quietly.
Whatever their personal friction, they could agree on one thing: this wasn't the time to fight each other.
Before Azel could steady himself further, something hard slammed into his chest.
He stumbled half a step back, eyes narrowing as the figure before him fell to the ground, groaned, and scrambled upright.
Black hair.
Silver eyes.
And a face that made his blood run cold.
The boy puffed his chest out indignantly.
"Is that how you treat your Hero?!" he demanded, voice ringing with misplaced authority.
Azel's stomach twisted.
Of course.
Who else could it be?
Reinhardt.
The so-called original protagonist.