Fire Mage

January 29th, Rebirth Tower

Around 6 A.M.

The sun had just begun to peek over the eastern sky, but the city below still lay wrapped in shadows.

A blonde boy stood by a glass window, his calm eyes tracing the awakening streets.

"I never expected to meet the Ruler of this city—or to receive a gift from her," he murmured, gazing down at the silver bracelet on his left wrist.

It had been over a week since Zephyr acquired the Keeper's Watch. Thanks to daily quests, he was growing stronger by the day.

"My Moonlight Mirage skill is already 30% complete. Beginner Sword Aura is at 45%, and my wisdom stat reached 14.9 a few days ago... though I've hit a bottleneck."

If he could master all three class skills to 100%, he might finally reach Rank-2.

For now, I must focus on passing the Mystic Guild's test and becoming a Mystic Hunter.

Zephyr stored his belongings in his space ring and quietly left his dorm room.

"Where are you going so early, Zephyr?" came a voice from down the hall. Hilton, his chubby-faced roommate with bright blue eyes, appeared.

"I'm taking the Mystic Guild's entrance exam today," Zephyr replied, turning toward him.

Hilton blinked, disbelief written across his face.

"Where did you get the confidence? Even Jason failed it. You know that, right?"

Zephyr nodded. Jason was a Rank-2 [Rogue] Class Mystic, ranked twentieth in their class—but disqualified from the exam for lack of battle experience.

Zephyr said nothing and smiled faintly, then strode down the corridor.

He descended the stairs, exited the Rebirth Tower, and headed toward Iron City's Central Square.

Thirty minutes later, he arrived at a two-story building near the square and stepped inside.

The Mystic Guild's lobby buzzed with activity—young novices mingled with seasoned mystics, all moving with purpose.

Zephyr took a deep breath, eyes scanning the room until they rested on the registration desk.

Approaching confidently despite his racing heart, he spoke to the registrar, a middle-aged man with spectacles perched on his nose.

"Name?"

"Zephyr Silvercrest."

The man jotted down a note, then handed Zephyr a small token.

"Room 3. Wait there until your number is called."

Zephyr nodded and pocketed the token marked #47. He followed the corridor lined with numbered doors and found Room 3.

Inside, candidates waited—some nervous, others bored, a few calm and collected.

He took a seat and began mentally preparing.

Glancing at the world quest icon on his bracelet, he tried to steady his nerves.

Finally, the proctor entered.

"Number 47, Zephyr Silvercrest."

Zephyr rose, heart pounding, and followed the proctor through a maze of hallways to a large wooden door.

The proctor pushed it open to reveal a spacious training hall.

The room stretched nearly a hundred meters long with a soaring ceiling.

At a long table to one side sat three examiners. The head examiner, a stern woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes, motioned for Zephyr to step forward.

"Zephyr Silvercrest," she said, her voice echoing softly. "I will summon a Rank-1 Magical Beast. Use all your skills to survive its assault for ten minutes. You will be tested on combat, mysticism, and strategy. Ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," Zephyr replied, steady and sure.

"Begin."

She waved her left hand, chanting a brief incantation.

A chilling sensation filled the hall, swirling before the head examiner.

A green magic circle glowed on the concrete floor, then a two-meter-tall creature appeared—a cat-shaped beast with snowy bluish fur, sharp azure eyes, and long fangs.

Analyze.

An icon popped up on Zephyr's wristwatch, displaying the creature's status and abilities.

None of the examiners noticed the icon; their brows furrowed as they watched his silent focus.

"Instead of preparing to fight, what's he doing staring at that silver bracelet?" the head examiner muttered.

Zephyr scanned the data quickly, eyes widening slightly.

Frost Lynx. Intermediate-level Rank-1 Magical Beast with four bloodline abilities. Strength, agility, constitution, and wisdom all at 14.

His concern deepened as he read the special skills.

Frost Breath, Cryo Armor, Freezing Claws, Blizzard Storm.

Zephyr instantly realized he couldn't harm the Magical Beast. His mind raced, focusing on survival for the next ten minutes.

Its agility, strength, wisdom, and abilities all surpass mine, he thought. The only edge I have right now is the Rare Weapon and the Keeper's Watch.

He opened the map icon, spotting three blue dots and one red dot.

The Frost Lynx roared and lunged toward him, sprinting with incredible speed.

With a light tap on the silver bracelet, Zephyr drew his sword and unsheathed it. He swung the blade in a strange motion.

In the next instant, his body split into three figures, each running in different directions.

"An illusion sword skill?" The head examiner's eyes lit with approval.

The Frost Lynx hesitated, momentarily confused by the sudden multiplication.

But the pause lasted barely a second before it opened its mouth wide and unleashed its bloodline ability.

A blast of icy breath surged forth, aimed at one of the three Zephyrs. It collided with the ground, freezing the earth and the surrounding air.

One of the illusions froze solid, then dissolved into a swirl of smoke.

Startled, the Frost Lynx growled in frustration and scrambled to locate another target.

To its surprise, it caught sight of the real Zephyr darting in from the right, his sword wrapped in an invisible aura.

"Grrrrr!" It planted its front paws on the tiled floor and leaped forward, jaws wide and merciless.

Just as it was about to snap him in two, Zephyr vanished—his form dissipating into smoke.

"Impressive. He's skilled at confusing the magical beast," a male examiner remarked, jotting down notes.

"But that's all he's got. I'd give him 8 points for strategy, but his skillset is limited to illusions," the head examiner said, narrowing her eyes at the last remaining 'Zephyr.'

"Now he's exposed and vulnerable. He may have made it this far with clever tactics, but he's too weak to be a Hunter."

The Frost Lynx locked eyes with the real Zephyr and began cautiously advancing.

Zephyr casually slashed at thin air, curling his lips into a faint smile.

The sword's edges shimmered and shifted from invisible to a radiant golden hue.

The head examiner's eyes widened. "Yellow Aura! Has he reached Intermediate Aura Swordsman? Is he a Rank-2 Mystic?" Confusion flickered across her face.

Zephyr and the Frost Lynx closed the distance, nearly colliding.

The sword in Zephyr's hand flared brighter, radiating like the sun and momentarily blinding everyone.

Sensing danger, the Frost Lynx activated its [Cryo Armor] bloodline ability, encasing itself in scale-like ice armor. It summoned a [Blizzard Storm], whipping a tornado of ice and snow around them.

The blinding light forced everyone to shut their eyes instinctively.

When the brightness finally faded, the ice tornado was wrapped tightly around Zephyr, sucking him into its icy vortex.

"Oh no! He's going to die!" A female examiner stood abruptly, moving to intervene.

"Stop," the head examiner said with a smile, her eyes fixed on an empty spot inside the whirlwind.

The other examiners noticed a faint silhouette—a human figure barely visible.

"Didn't he get sucked into the tornado?" the male examiner asked, puzzled.

"Shh!" The head examiner motioned for silence, watching Zephyr intently.

Within moments, Zephyr cloaked his sword in a simple aura again and dashed forward, half-invisible, closing in on the Frost Lynx.

He swiftly reached the beast's left eye. Before it could react, he leapt, channeling all his wisdom power into the blade, and stabbed deep.

A fierce roar echoed through the hall.

The Frost Lynx thrashed its head, shaking Zephyr and his sword loose.

Enraged, it covered itself again in icy scales and lunged forward.

"That's enough." The head examiner appeared before the beast in a blink and patted its head.

A bluish magic circle glowed beneath its feet, enveloping the Frost Lynx. In moments, the Rank-1 Magical Beast vanished.

"That was an impressive battle, lad." The head examiner smiled lightly. "Though your mystic skills are limited, your quick thinking and judgment pushed you further than the others. 25 out of 30. You pass."

Zephyr rose unsteadily and hurriedly bowed. "Thank you, ma'am."

"You may return to the waiting room and await the official results." She turned and walked back to her seat.

Zephyr left the hall and returned to the waiting room. After more than five hours, the officials announced the results around noon and presented him with a hunter's license badge. The silver badge bore strange letters etched into its surface.

The Keeper's Watch suddenly lit up, flashing a notification.

Without hesitation, Zephyr opened the interface and checked the quest icon.

…

[Main Quest 1: Leave the Rebirth Tower and become a Member of the Mystic Guild.

Requirement: Rank-1 Mystic

Description: Before Chaos Era 0001 ends on January 30th, become a member of the Mystic Guild and obtain at least a bronze rank.

Reward: 'Dawn' Potion of Stamina (+1 permanent Constitution)]

Mission Completed!

…

[New Quest Initiated!]

[Main Quest 2: Become a Light Mage.

Requirement: Wisdom 12, Creation of Mana Circle.

Description: Create a mana circle in your mind and construct your first spell model.

Reward: Amulet of Light.]

…