Chapter 2: The Placement Exam

The morning sun shone brightly in the sky of Stellar Academy, marking the day that all the new students had been eagerly waiting for. The class placement exam was about to begin, and an atmosphere of tension was visible on everyone's face. Raka stood among the crowd of students, trying to calm his heart. Today was the day his fate at this academy would be determined.

Airi: "Attention, students," the voice of Headmaster Prof. Airi sounded loudly from the podium.

Airi: "Welcome to the class placement exam. Today, you will enter Monolith World, a world that we have created using magical technology learned from the sacred artifacts of the Monolith world. There, you will participate in a Battle Royal. Remember, this is just a simulation. You will not be truly killed, but will be immediately sent back to the original world once you are 'killed.'"

The students exchanged glances, some looked enthusiastic, while others looked tense. Raka himself felt mixed emotions.

Raka: "A Battle Royal?" That wasn't the kind of exam he was expecting.

Airi: "You will be divided into teams of two, rankings will be determined based on your group's performance, not individual. So, work well together."

Raka waited anxiously, trying to guess who his partner would be. He hoped it wasn't someone who would look down on his abilities, as he usually experienced.

Assistant 1: "Raka, your partner is Lily Evernight," (Reading the names from the list.)

Raka turned and found a girl standing not far from him. Her hair was as white as snow, contrasting with her cold and sharp blue eyes. Raka recognized that distinctive feature, she was from the Demon Race.

Raka: (Trying to start a conversation.) "Lily, huh? I'm Raka. Nice to meet you."

Lily looked at him with a cold stare, then nodded briefly.

Lily: "Nice to meet you too. So, what's our plan?"

Raka scratched his head, a little confused by Lily's direct attitude.

Raka: "Well... I can only use basic Telekinesis. No special attributes, and my talent... well, it's F. So, I can't help much. Sorry."

Lily's eyes widened slightly upon hearing that.

She repeated, her tone sounding skeptical

Lily: "Basic Telekinesis? F Talent? How could someone like you be accepted into this academy?"

Raka felt a little annoyed, but he tried to remain calm. It was common for others to underestimate him.

Raka: "Well, maybe I was lucky,"

Lily: (Snorted and said coldly) "Hmph. Don't hinder me then, I have Cryokinesis ability and master Ice and Darkness attributes. My talent is A, my power is influenced by my emotions. So, we'll make a plan based on that."

Raka: "Understood,"

Raka could only nod in agreement, trying not to feel too disheartened.

On the other side of the field, Alya had been told who her partner was. She saw Kris, a student of the Sword Saint Lucas, standing not far from her. Kris was Lucas's student and had been ordered to guard Alya, just like his teacher who served as the personal guard of the Saintess, Stella. Alya stared at Kris sharply, her eyes full of suspicion.

Alya: (She asked in a cold tone) "Was this exam rigged?"

Kris: (Smiled slightly, unaffected by Alya's sharp gaze) "I don't know what you mean, Miss Alya, I was only ordered by my teacher to ensure your safety during this exam."

Alya frowned, unsure whether to feel relieved or annoyed. She sighed, deciding not to prolong the matter.

On the podium of honor, Stella Celestia, the Saintess, sat with her guard, Lucas Von Celestia. Beside them, Headmaster Airi sat gracefully. Although she was a former Great Mage of the White Tower, her youthful appearance made it hard to believe that she was actually old.

Airi: (Asked with a meaningful smile) "So, your presence here is to see your successor, Saintess?"

Stella: (Didn't deny it) "Alya has extraordinary potential, I want to see how far she can go. However, the academy must remain neutral in this exam."

Lucas, who was standing behind her, looked away nervously. Airi smiled doubtfully, immediately changing the subject.

Airi: "This time's student candidates are very promising. It seems we will have an extraordinary new generation."

Stella: "Yes, they are full of surprises," (While looking towards Raka, as if there was something that caught her attention)

Meanwhile, the warning bell was sounded, a sign that the exam was about to begin. All the students began to prepare, including Raka who stood beside Lily.

"10... 9... 8...," the countdown began. All the students concentrated, making final preparations to enter Monolith World.

"3... 2... 1..."

A flash of light enveloped them, and in an instant, Raka felt his body lifted and thrown into darkness. When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a completely different place. Monolith World, the battlefield of their exam, stretched out before him. Around him, the landscape changed rapidly from a peaceful meadow to a mysterious dark forest.

The battle was about to begin, and Raka knew that this was not just about proving himself, but also about surviving among the other talented students.

[To be continued ]