The trial continues

As Rin returned his empty bowl of noodles, the chef caught his eye.

"Hey, that bowl of ramyeon was delicious," Rin said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Best food I've had all week."

The chef grinned, wiping his hands on his apron. "Glad to hear that. You can have it anytime—just make sure you pass the Hunter Academy entrance exam. Every chef here is superb."

Rin took the hint. Encouragement flickered in the chef's words, and his determination burned brighter. He adjusted the katana on his back, the blade whispering against its sheath as he secured it. Without hesitation, he sprinted forward, closing the distance between himself and Min-Soo.

By the time he caught up, Min-Soo was already pacing toward the main hall. Seeing Rin approach, he arched a brow.

"Done chatting with the chef?" Min-Soo asked, his tone laced with amusement. "Just so you know, that level of food? It's standard here. This place serves royalty, so nothing less than perfection is allowed."

Rin's lips formed an "O" as realization dawned on him. No wonder the food was so good.

As they reached the hall, the space was already packed with candidates anxiously awaiting their exam results. The low murmur of chatter filled the air, though some students had yet to arrive. The tension was palpable.

Rin and Min-Soo found a place to sit, and their conversation shifted to the written exam. They quietly discussed some of the more difficult questions, speculating about their answers. However, their conversation was cut short when the director of the academy, Li Chen, entered the hall.

The moment Li Chen stepped inside, silence swept over the crowd like a cold wind. The faint thud of his polished shoes against the marble floor echoed through the vast hall. His presence alone commanded respect.

A group of proctors followed him, each step measured and deliberate as they ascended the elevated platform.

Once at the podium, the director's voice rang out, amplified by the built-in microphone.

"I welcome you all to the prestigious Hunter Academy entrance examinations. First, let me congratulate you—each of you performed admirably in the written exam. However, I must deliver some difficult news."

A pause. Then, his gaze swept across the room.

"This year, we are only accepting one hundred students. Five hundred of you applied, but only the top two hundred scorers will advance to the combat trials. If you do not rank among them, I'm afraid your journey ends here. You will have to return home."

The moment those words left his lips, the hall erupted in murmurs of discontent. Candidates whispered among themselves, their voices a mix of frustration and disbelief.

One student, braver than the rest, spoke up. His voice was sharp, cutting through the murmur like a blade.

"Are you seriously deciding our fate based on a set of questions on paper? What about the other three hundred students? Shouldn't they at least get a chance to showcase their skills?"

A ripple of interest spread through the crowd. The challenge had been issued.

Li Chen's eyes gleamed with amusement. He scanned the hall, then smirked. "Where's the kid who just spoke?" he asked, feigning confusion. "I can't see him."

A low chuckle spread through the room. The remark was a jab—subtle, yet clear.

The boy in question, Lin-Feng, had a compact build, short dark hair, and a pair of green eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses. Among the sea of students, his small stature made him easy to overlook.

"Ah, there you are," Li Chen said with a sly smile. "Sorry about that—old habit of mine."

The laughter died down. The director's tone grew serious once more.

"In response to your question," he continued, "strength without intelligence is nothing more than brute force. And brute force alone won't get you anywhere. Here at Hunter Academy, we demand both power and the wisdom to wield it. That is why we are the best. We cannot place weaklings in charge of protecting humanity."

A weight settled over the room as his words sank in.

"Now, the results of the written examination will be sent to your mail shortly." With that, Li Chen turned and exited the hall, his coat billowing behind him. The proctors followed, except for one, who remained behind to guide those who had passed.

Minutes later, a notification chimed on Rin's device. One by one, the top candidates received their results.

The first to receive his acceptance mail was Seung-Ho, the representative of the mages. He was instantly teleported away.

Rin, to his astonishment, was next. His name flashed in second place. Before he could even react, his surroundings blurred, and he found himself standing in an arena.

Following him was Princess Deokan, the representative of the ice elves. Then came Kim Tae-Hyun and Park Min-Ho, who had tied in rank. Finally, Min-Soo arrived, securing the fifth position.

Eventually, the two hundred applicants needed for the combat trials were selected. The remaining three hundred were dismissed, their dreams cut short.

As Rin's eyes adjusted to the arena, a woman stepped forward—the proctor overseeing this phase of the exam.

Her expression was unreadable, lips pressed into a firm line. When she spoke, her voice was calm, yet laced with authority.

"Congratulations on making it this far," she began. "This phase of the examination will be the combat trials. You will be divided into groups of four and compete for points. The top two in each group will be admitted into the academy."

A hushed murmur passed through the students.

"Before we proceed," the proctor continued, "we need to assess your skills and mana levels. Step forward in the order you received your mail."

She gestured toward two crystals—one blue, the other red.

"The blue crystal will determine the classification and rank of your skill. The red crystal will measure your mana. Once evaluated, you will be assigned to your respective groups."

The first student stepped forward, placing his hand on the crystal. A glow pulsed through the air as the assessment began.

Rin's breath hitched.

His heart pounded in his chest.

He had no skill. No ability.

Would they discover his secret?

Would he be expelled on the spot?

He clenched his fists, willing himself to remain calm. Yet, the dread gnawed at him as the first student took each step.