the night before test..

Raze sat cross-legged on the wooden floor of the dimly lit inn, eyes closed, his breath steady. The faint glow of a single candle flickered beside him, casting long shadows across the small room. The scent of old wood and burning wax filled the air, but Raze ignored it. He was focused completely absorbed in his training.

In his mind, he could feel the mana around him, moving like unseen currents in the air. He reached out, trying to pull it into himself, but as always, the process was agonizingly slow.

Mana Absorption: 18/100

His frustration boiled beneath his calm exterior. Hours of meditation, yet his progress was barely noticeable. He had expected Void Mana Gathering to be slow, but this… this was like trying to fill a lake with a single raindrop at a time.

Kael, lying on the bed nearby, was staring at the ceiling. Unlike Raze, he wasn't struggling with mana. As someone born with a natural mana core, he didn't need an absorption technique to gather energy, it happened on its own. But that didn't mean he had it easy, it was even slower, if not the slowest. Kael was trying to refine his control over his light and lightning elements, pushing his limits before the exam tomorrow.

"Still at it, huh?" Kael finally spoke, turning his head toward Raze "You're gonna burn yourself out before the test even starts."

Raze exhaled slowly, opening his eyes "I don't have a choice. I need to get stronger."

Kael smirked "We both do. But unlike you, I'd rather sleep and be well-rested than show up half-dead."

Raze shot him a look but didn't argue.

They were different in their training methods, Kael focused on efficiency, while Raze was relentless.

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Their mother, Nyx, stepped inside, her gentle smile filled with warmth. She placed a tray on the table, two bowls of hot stew with freshly baked bread on the side.

"You boys need to eat," she said

"Tomorrow's a big day."

Kael immediately sat up, grabbing his bowl "Now that's what I'm talking about."

Raze, however, hesitated. His mind was still focused on training.

Nyx sighed, sitting beside him. "Raze, pushing yourself is good. But starving yourself won't make you stronger overnight."

Raze clenched his jaw but nodded, finally taking the bowl from her hands.

As they ate, Nyx watched them with a thoughtful expression. "I remember when your father took the entrance test… He used to tell me stories about it. It was one of the hardest challenges he ever faced."

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What was it like?"

Nyx leaned back, her gaze distant. "The entrance exam has three stages—each one designed to test a different aspect of a warrior or mage. The first stage is The Labyrinth of Trials—a maze filled with magical traps and illusions. Only those who can navigate through it make it to the next round."

Raze frowned. "A maze? So it's not just about strength?"

Nyx shook her head. "No. The Royal Academy doesn't just want strong students—they want clever ones. Anyone can swing a sword or cast a spell, but if you don't have the intelligence to adapt, you won't survive."

Kael smirked. "Sounds fun."

Raze, however, wasn't as excited. He had never been the most tactical—his strength came from pure determination. If this test required strategic thinking, he would need to be careful.

Nyx continued, "The second stage is The Arena of Might. It's exactly what it sounds like—a battle test. You'll have to fight against another applicant. They'll be chosen randomly, and the match doesn't end until one side is either defeated or forced to surrender."

Kael's grin widened. "Now that is my kind of test."

Raze, too, felt a surge of anticipation. He had been waiting for a real fight, a chance to prove himself in battle.

Nyx's expression, however, darkened. "And then… there's the final stage. The Judgment of the Elders."

Both brothers paused.

"What's that?" Raze asked.

Nyx sighed. "It's different for everyone. The Academy Elders will judge you based on your potential."

"They will see if the fire that burns within you has the potential to burn in the future, also or not it has nothing to do with your current strength."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Raze clenched his fists. "So, we just have to pass all three stages… then we're in."

Nyx smiled softly. "Yes. But remember, not everyone makes it past the first round."

Kael leaned back on the bed, arms crossed behind his head. "Well, we're not 'everyone.'"

Raze didn't say anything, but his determination burned even hotter. He couldn't fail—not after everything he had been through.

Nyx stood up. "Get some rest. You'll need it."

As she left the room, Kael stretched. "I'm actually excited now. A giant maze, a battle arena, and some weird final test? This is gonna be fun."

Raze didn't respond. He was already back in his meditation stance, eyes closed, drawing in the mana around him.

Kael sighed. "You never stop, do you?"

Raze smirked slightly. "You'll see tomorrow why I don't."

Kael chuckled but didn't argue. The candle flickered one last time before the room fell into complete darkness.