The Gates of Sanctum

The towering walls of Libra's Capital shimmered in the golden light, their pearlescent white stone reflecting the prestige of the family that ruled from within. Kael's carriage rolled through the outer district, past floating runic sigils, magical streetlamps, and vast towers that housed nobles, officials, and legacy families.

The guards at the main gate—draped in dark blue capes and silver armor with the Libra crest—halted the carriage.

Kael stepped out silently, handing over a single parchment: his entrance permit to Astral Sanctum Academy.

The guard raised an eyebrow, studying both the seal and Kael's scarred face. After a tense pause, he nodded.

"Proceed. The gates open only today. Be late, and you're forgotten."

Kael stepped forward.

The Astral Sanctum Academy was like no school — it was the size of a small kingdom. Spires of crystal and marble rose to the clouds. Magical beasts flew above domes etched in runes. Whole buildings floated in the air, connected by sky bridges and shimmering portals. The sheer scale was humbling.

Students poured in—some arriving by teleportation circles, others on golden carriages. All wore the polished pride of nobility and old blood.

Kael, wearing his long black coat and dwarven boots, walked among them unnoticed at first. But his scar, his aura, and his silence quickly drew whispers.

"Isn't that the one who got marked by Vaelion Elarion?""I thought the entrance exam was for talented people only.""No family crest… must be from a fallen house."

Kael ignored them.

As he approached the central courtyard, a thunderous voice boomed.

"ALL GATHER!"

Students froze and turned. At the top of the steps stood a 7-foot-tall instructor, dressed in a pitch-black suit, his long black hair tied behind him. His arms crossed over his broad chest, and his eyes—silver like knives—swept across the crowd.

He looked like a retired warlord.

"I am Instructor Gairos. Welcome… to your first mistake."

Silence.

He cracked his neck.

"Many of you fools will be expelled before even stepping into a classroom. If you're weak, soft, or arrogant… do us a favor—leave now."

No one moved. But fear settled in the air like a stormcloud.

Kael swallowed dryly. Even he felt his hands sweat.

"Fine," Gairos smirked. "Let's begin."

The Written Test

The students were led into a vast hall filled with floating crystal lights and desks etched with mana circuits. Runes scrolled through the air.

"You have 3 hours. Cheating is punishable by memory wipe. Begin."

Kael sat down, flipping over the parchment. The questions hit like arrows.

Magic theory. Aura structures. Family lineages. Spell matrix design. Weapon composition. Political history of the continent.

Kael wasn't confident. He had studied what Eorun taught him—but this… this was elite-level knowledge.

"I don't need to score high," he thought. "Just enough to stay."

Three grueling hours passed. His hand cramped, but he wrote until the last bell rang.

He exhaled deeply.

An Arrogant Encounter

As students left the hall, Kael bumped shoulders with a sneering noble boy in white-gold robes.

The boy scoffed. "Watch where you walk, rat. Or did you forget how to bow in your broken little house?"

Kael didn't respond. But his eyes didn't flinch either.

The noble laughed. "What, cat got your tongue—or are you just used to being beaten already?"

Kael's fingers clenched… but he walked away.

Not yet. There would be time.

Combat Evaluation

Later, all students gathered in the sparring coliseum.

Kael's name was called. "Kael Vidarson vs. Heren Vel'Aureth."

It was the same arrogant noble.

Heren stepped forward, conjuring a glowing longsword using his ability. The crowd smirked, expecting a slaughter.

Kael unsheathed his white-bladed sword. The duel began.

Heren lunged.

Kael sidestepped, aura coating his blade—Rune Hole Slash cut across the noble's sword.

Heren gasped as his weapon cracked.

Kael followed with Fall Blade, his blade crashing down in a clean, controlled arc—stopping just inches from Heren's throat.

Silence.

The instructor nodded, impressed.

"Good control. Precise. You pass."

Some students clapped. Some whispered.

"He can use aura like that? But he's supposed to be powerless…"

Mana Assessment

Each student stepped up to the Mana Crystal—a floating stone that glowed brighter based on one's reserves.

Kael touched it. He felt the pull.

A vibrant deep blue glow erupted—not legendary, but strong.

Above average.

Gairos raised an eyebrow. "Not bad… for someone with no magic or ability."

Whispers.

"How is that possible?""He's still just a cursed child from a fallen clan…"

Kael turned. Eyes burning with determination. He said nothing.

But deep down, one thought burned inside him:

"You can talk. You can laugh. I'll keep walking until you look up and realize… I'm above you."

After that the instructor came and told out of 100000 students allover the continent only 10000 will pass, as he calls out the name he says Kael Vidarson you passed .

everyone stare at him with jealousy and hatred.