Chapter 44 - The Hero Academy Exam (part 1)
Dawn swept across Hero's Haven in golden light, caressing the crystal spire of the Citadel of Light until it gleamed like a heavenly obelisk. At the inn where they stayed, activity had already begun. Arzael stood before a tall mirror, his fingers brushing the collar of the long black turtleneck clinging tightly to his frame. The clothing was simple, yet it exuded an aura of mystery and suppression. No ornaments, no symbols, only a depthless black that seemed to swallow the light around it.
He slowly folded his sleeves, crimson eyes glinting like blood in the mirror's reflection. At his feet, a pair of Ethereal Boots, translucent, existing not wholly in the physical world, gave off a faint glow. Only those boots and the Crimson Necklace dangling from his neck, shimmering with a deep scarlet gleam, were visible. Equipment such as the Soul Ring, Blood Amulet, and Shadow Cloak had been left stored in his inventory. Too conspicuous, too dangerous to flaunt amid tens of thousands.
'This system is truly strange' he thought. 'Some equipment is tangible, some intangible. New features appear out of nowhere, Quests emerge the moment I set foot somewhere, and I cannot refuse them. As if my life is being forced down a path not of my own choosing. What's next? A Quest demanding that I die over and over again?'
A heavy breath slipped from his lips.
"Boss? You look gloomy. Nervous before the exam?" Puff's cheerful voice rang from the bed, the white rabbit now sitting upright, ears perked, brimming with curiosity.
Arzael only shook his head faintly, unwilling to answer at length.
The bathroom door opened. Seraphina stepped out, her long white hair cascading down to her feet, still damp, strands clinging to the simple white gown she wore. The gown covered nearly her entire form, paired with long gloves reaching up to her elbows, a barrier between herself and the world that always burned at her touch. A spellbook hung at her hip, its worn leather exuding a subtle magical aura that made the very air tremble.
Arzael lifted his gaze briefly, his crimson eyes resting on Seraphina. Elegant. Too striking. Yet beneath that beauty lurked something far darker.
Puff leapt onto his shoulder, eyes sparkling. "Seraphinaaa! You're so pretty! Just like an angel descended from the heavens! Hey boss, you agree, right? Right? Right? Right?"
"Of course," Arzael replied curtly.
Puff burst into giggles, delighted with the brief answer. Seraphina herself only lowered her gaze slightly, her lips curving in the faintest smile, barely visible, but real.
"Boss," Puff continued, "you said you had a plan yesterday. So, what's your plan?"
"It's simple." He paused. "While in the crowd, I'll spread a rumor so the other examinees won't dare approach Seraphina."
"Eh? That simple?" Puff blinked in doubt. "I don't think that's gonna work, boss…"
"Just trust me," Arzael said, his eyes locking onto Seraphina. "But the consequence is this—people will avoid you, look at you with fear. Are you prepared to accept that?"
Seraphina met his gaze calmly. "It doesn't matter. I'd prefer it that way."
Arzael gave a slow nod.
His voice dropped slightly lower. "Oh, and once we're in the academy, the dorms for boy and girl will likely be separate. We won't be sharing a room anymore."
"What?! No way?!" Puff nearly toppled from his shoulder. "Boss, don't abandon me! Don't abandon us!"
"Stop exaggerating. We're not parting ways." Arzael flicked the rabbit's ear lightly. "And don't forget your task—make sure no one touches Seraphina. If someone tries, bite them."
With a serious face, Puff raised her paw in salute. "Yes, boss!"
When they stepped out of the room, Princess Chitara, Lena, and Alicia were already waiting at the door.
"Finally," Alicia grumbled, arms crossed. Her oversized witch hat nearly slipped forward, threatening to cover her small face.
Lena's eyes were steady. "We must head to the Grand Plaza. It's already overflowing with examinees."
Together, they moved out of the inn and onto Hero's Haven's main thoroughfares. The city was alive this morning, not merely alive, but pulsing like the heart of the world itself. The wide streets were flooded with thousands of aspiring heroes from all across Illumina and even distant realms beyond the continent.
Cheers resounded from townsfolk, adventurers, even heroes who lined the roads. Banners waved, voices rose in waves, a sea of sound pressing down on every chest.
Arzael took the rear, ensuring no one brushed against Seraphina. His gaze flicked to a cluster of pale-skinned candidates. Their eyes sharp, their bearing unmistakable.
'Easily recognized' he thought. 'The Alzareth Empire. Their race is almost entirely human, skin pale as mine, eyes brimming with arrogance. Venomous serpents disguised as heroes.'
A faint, sardonic smile touched his lips.
He activated Threat Level "Scan." Instantly, everything within his vision glowed with faint hues, mostly green, some yellow, but not a single red.
'So far, no real threat' he mused. 'Aelric… where are you hiding?'
Whispers spread quickly through the crowd. Chitara's name was spoken in hushed reverence. Seraphina's white hair drew curious stares. And inevitably, wary glances always returned to Arzael, the silent figure wrapped in suffocating black aura.
"As always," Arzael muttered.
"As always what, boss?" Puff asked from his shoulder.
"Nothing."
At last, they arrived before the colossal Coliseum. The circular structure loomed high, its walls of silvery-white stone etched with ancient runes. Its diameter spanned nearly nine hundred meters, vast enough to swallow an entire sea of people.
"B-boss… wh-what is this place," Puff stammered, eyes shining pink. "It's huge!"
At the entrance, dozens of counters lined the way, each guarded by a hero. Examinees queued to receive their numbers, to be affixed to their chests.
Arzael handed Puff to Seraphina. "I'll carry out that plan."
"H-huh? That plan, boss…?" Puff couldn't finish before Arzael had already walked away.
With calm yet oppressive steps, he approached group after group of candidates. His voice was low, cold, a blade sliding into their ears.
"See that white-haired girl?" He pointed at Seraphina with a tilt of his chin. "She's cursed. Whoever touches her… your skin will burn."
Faces paled in an instant. The atmosphere shifted. Uneasy murmurs spread like wildfire. Arzael moved to another group, repeating the same words. Fear spread like flame.
When he returned to Seraphina's side, he spoke only one word. "Done."
Puff glanced at the crowd, now keeping a wide berth from Seraphina, eyes lowered in fear. "Uh… boss… I think they're not afraid of Seraphina's curse. They're more scared of you. You looked like you were threatening them."
"Correct," Seraphina added softly, her voice calm, almost detached.
Arzael only sighed.
At last, their numbers were handed out. Lena—435. Chitara—436. Alicia—437. Seraphina—438. Arzael—439.
"Number 439…" Arzael murmured, pinning the small plate to his chest.
Then they were led inside one of the coliseum vast chambers. Even the room itself was immense, and the arena beyond, even more so.
"The first test," one of the heroes announced loudly. "Each examinee will place their hand on the Crystal Orb. It will reveal the level of your mana core. After that, you will touch the Rune Stone to determine your magical affinity. Failure here means failing the exam entirely. You may try again next year."
The air grew taut with tension.
Candidate after candidate was called forward. Number 435, Lena. She stepped up, her face brimming with confidence, pressing her palm against the orb. A soft silver light pulsed, filling its surface.
"Core: Initiate," declared the hero. "Not bad. Now test your affinity."
Lena placed her hand on the Rune Stone. Ancient symbols shimmered to life. "Affinity: Enchantment. You pass."
She stepped forward.
Next was Chitara. The crystal orb flared with bright gray light. "Core: Adept," the hero announced. Then the Rune Stone rippled, shifting its form. "Affinity: Emission."
A ripple of cheers rose from the crowd.
Alicia's turn came. Her oversized hat bobbed as she approached. The orb lit with deep, piercing gray, sharp enough to sting the eyes. "Core: Expert," the hero gasped. "One rank above Adept. Affinity: Emission as well."
Applause broke out from several onlookers.
Then Seraphina's turn. Every gaze followed her, ensnared by her flowing white hair.
Her gloved hand pressed against the crystal orb.
Suddenly—
CRRRACK!
The orb shattered, splintering into shards before everyone's eyes. Gasps erupted throughout the hall.
"How is that possible?!"
"The orb… broke?!"
"Impossible!"
Only Arzael sat unmoved, as if he had anticipated it.
The overseeing hero merely nodded, composed. "An extraordinary talent. Your mana is too powerful for the orb to contain. Such cases are exceedingly rare. You pass immediately—no affinity test required."
Puff leapt for joy. "Seraphina! Did you hear that? He said it's rare! You're special, incredible!"
Seraphina's face remained calm, nearly expressionless.
Finally, the last of their group, Arzael.
Number 439 was called. He walked forward, each step deliberate. Eyes followed him, some wary, some fearful. Even the heroes guarding the area stiffened, swallowing nervously.
"Look, Seraphina," Puff whispered excitedly. "Our boss is about to cause another stir!"
A new crystal orb had been placed to replace the one shattered earlier. Arzael stretched out his hand, fingers brushing the orb's cold surface—