Magic Stone

"It's been a while, Hel… You still don't talk much, huh?"

"You've gotten stronger, Lillith."

"Of course. It's not like I was wasting my precious time. Ever since that day, I've been training nonstop."

"No matter how much you train, you'll never surpass me. I'll always be stronger."

"Ah? Aren't you a bit too cocky? I think I'm stronger than you right now."

"Want to test that theory? I'll shut that mouth of yours right here."

Just as they were about to fight, the atmosphere in the stadium shifted. The teachers had arrived. But more importantly, she had arrived—the Witch of Curse.

A hush fell over the crowd. Even Hel and Lillith stopped, not out of fear, but because they knew this wasn't the time.

Then, her voice rang out, amplified by magic.

"Welcome, students of KIPS, the greatest academy in the Undead Continent." Her tone was sharp, cutting through the silence like a blade. "We produce the best necromancers in the world, but you already know that. So I'll get straight to the point. Try to survive."

Her cold words sent a chill down the students' spines.

"There are one thousand of you now," she continued, "but by the end of your third year, only one hundred—maybe one hundred fifty—will still be standing. So don't die too early on me."

The stadium erupted into chaos.

"Wait, what!?"

"They're serious about this!?"

"I don't wanna die yet!"

Only three people remained unaffected—Hel, Lillith, and Ken.

"Now, now," the Witch of Curse said, watching the panicked students with amusement. "We're necromancers. If we feared death, that would be a serious problem, wouldn't it?"

The room fell silent again.

"If you're afraid, you can leave now."

No one moved. No one wanted to give up the chance to attend KIPS, no matter the risk.

"Good," she said. "It looks like no one wants to back out. Then, let's begin the real test. Bring in the Magic Stone."

"Yes, ma'am!"

Two men in black suits brought out a massive Magic Stone—at least seven feet tall—and placed it on the stage.

"Most of you already know how this works," she said. Then, her gaze landed on Ken.

The students snickered.

"Who doesn't know about Magic Stones?"

"Seriously, someone here must've been living under a rock."

Ken didn't mind the laughter. In fact, he was glad she was explaining it.

"Place your hand on the stone and release your dark energy into it. A number will appear, representing your potential—the strength your energy can reach in the future.

90 or above? You're in Class A.

80–89? Class B.

And so on.

Now, let's begin."

One by one, students were called up.

The first student placed his hand on the stone.

Ken's heart started pounding. His blood boiled, his mind racing. It's happening again.

Then, suddenly—he knew the number. Before it even appeared, he saw it in his mind.

"Sixty-six," he whispered.

A moment later, the number 66 flashed on the Magic Stone.

Ken blinked.

The next student stepped up.

"Seventy-four."

The stone displayed 74.

He whispered every number before it even appeared, his voice barely audible. His black eyes suddenly turned pure white, as if he had entered a trance.

Lillith, sitting beside him, noticed immediately.

"Can you… see the future?" she asked, surprised. "And were your eyes always white?"

Ken didn't respond. He couldn't hear her.

Hel, on the other hand, simply watched, a rare smirk forming on his face.

So, he really is his son…

Lillith raised an eyebrow at Hel. She had never seen him smile before.

"Who is he?" she asked.

"Special Admission Case Two," Hel replied.

Her eyes narrowed.

"So he's the one who took my spot."

Lillith was Special Admission Case Three. She had fully expected to be Case Two, but when the results came out, she found out someone else had taken that title. She had been furious.

But now? Now she was… intrigued.

Then, the minion called out:

"Special Admission Case Two, Ken!"

But Ken was still lost in his trance.

Hel reached out and shook him awake.

"Ah… Thanks, Hel," Ken muttered.

Hel didn't reply.

Ken stood up and walked toward the stage, ignoring the whispers.

"Tch, look at him. So arrogant."

"Making us all wait like he's someone important."

"What a weirdo."

Ken didn't care. None of it mattered. He placed his hand on the stone and released his dark energy.

The numbers climbed.

1… 10… 20…

Faster.

50… 70… 80…

Faster.

99…

Then—

100.

The stadium fell into stunned silence.

But it didn't stop there.

The stone flickered, glitching like it couldn't comprehend the energy inside it. Then, the numbers vanished entirely.

Instead, one word appeared.

"UNKNOWN."