Two days later.

At the front of the Stormwatch Guild, a luxurious carriage stood waiting.

Shadow, Jane, and Talia prepared to depart, while Patrick and Yeldez stood nearby, offering their farewells.

"Don’t push yourself too hard, sweetheart," Patrick said, his tone softer than usual.

"I won’t, Father. Don’t worry," Jane replied with a small smile.

"Talia, take care of Jane," Yeldez added, her voice firm, carrying the weight of expectation.

"I will, my lady," Talia answered in her usual flat tone.

With that, the carriage door closed.

Moments later, it began to move.

---

Inside, the three of them sat facing each other—Jane across from Shadow and Talia.

Jane looked out the window, her eyes bright.

"I can’t wait to finally live my life normally," she said, almost to herself.

Shadow leaned slightly back, glancing outside as the scenery passed by.

"So... speaking of normal," he said casually, "how difficult is the Velmora Academy entrance test? I mean do they just accept normal people?"

Jane turned to him.

"The tests are known to be extremely difficult. The acceptance rate is very low," she explained. "But you don’t need to worry. My mother is close with the headmaster... so we’ll most likely be accepted regardless."

Shadow sighed.

"Well... that’s disappointing."

Jane frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Hearing you talk about Velmora for the past two days," Shadow said, his tone calm but sharp, "I started having expectations."

He glanced at her.

"But if it’s already corrupted before we even step inside... that’s just a negative point in my book."

Jane’s expression hardened.

"Do you think I need special treatment?" she shot back. "I’m an A-rank magic swordsman. I could pass those tests with my eyes closed."

She gestured slightly toward Talia.

"Talia is a talented C-rank Irregular. She’ll pass as well."

Her gaze returned to Shadow.

"It’s because of you—an F-rank mage—that my mother had to pull strings."

Shadow didn’t react immediately. He then nodded slowly.

’Rank really is the easiest way to misjudge someone. Well it’s convenient for me’

"I’m very touched. Such a generous family." he said

The sarcasm was unmistakable.

Jane blinked, caught off guard.

"You—"

But Shadow had already looked away, uninterested.

His attention shifted to Talia.

"So," he said, "what’s your Irregular ability?"

Talia looked at him.

"...Paper rolls."

Shadow paused.

"...What?"

"My magic ability is paper roll," she repeated, completely serious.

A strange silence followed.

Shadow forced a small smile.

"Well... that’s... unique."

"It is," Jane added.

The conversation died after that.

---

The carriage eventually slowed.

When it stopped, they stepped outside—only to find themselves in a vast, empty plain.

Nothing but open land stretching endlessly in every direction.

And one single tree, standing at the center.

"...We’ve arrived, my lady," the driver said.

Jane nodded. "Let’s go."

Shadow’s eyes narrowed slightly as he observed the surroundings.

’...Illusion magic.’

The moment the thought crossed his mind—

The world shattered.

Like glass breaking in silence, the empty plains fractured, peeling away piece by piece.

Reality distorted.

Then—

Reformed.

A massive flying vessel materialized before them.

A sleek, elongated structure resembling a ship—but crafted from polished white metal and engraved with glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. The air around it shimmered faintly, as if space itself bent to accommodate its existence.

Dozens of young individuals were already gathered on board.

Most appeared between twelve and eighteen.

All awakeners.

A well-dressed man stood near the entrance, hands behind his back.

"Come on. Hop on," he said.

Shadow, Jane, and Talia stepped forward and boarded.

The moment they did—

Eyes turned.

Whispers spread quietly through the crowd.

"Who are they?"

Some of the girls stared at Shadow, clearly captivated.

His long, unkempt black hair, sharp features, and cold grey eyes gave him a presence that was hard to ignore.

The boys, on the other hand, didn’t seem as pleased with exception of some having the same reaction the girls had.

A boy tried to hold Shadow’s gaze.

Three seconds later—

He looked away first.

Not consciously.

His body just... decided for him.

Jane attracted just as much attention—her fiery hair and striking appearance made her impossible to overlook.

Talia stood beside them, quiet as ever, her short navy hair, navy eyes and calm expression giving her an oddly distant aura.

Just as they got aboard, a guy called out to Jane.

"Hey, red hair—what’s your name?"

Jane ignored him.

"...I asked you something."

Shadow glanced once.

’Persistence or stupidity?’

He paused as if wondering.

’Probably both. Did he think this was a normal encounter? Like she’ll wet her pants the moment she heard his squeaky voice!?’

Once everyone was on board, the man raised a hand.

Mana surged.

The ship lifted.

Gasps spread instantly as the vessel ascended into the sky.

"This is amazing..." Talia murmured.

"I know," Jane said, her eyes shining. "This might be one of the best experiences I’ve ever had."

The wind rushed past them as the ship cut through the air at incredible speed.

Shadow remained calm, observing.

"...It is amazing," he admitted.

’Flying magic... yeah. That seems fun.’

The ship continued rising—

Higher.

Higher.

Until the clouds themselves began to part.

And then—

It appeared.

Velmora Academy.

A colossal structure suspended in the sky, floating as if it had no regard for gravity or logic. Towering spires stretched upward like they were piercing the sky, their surfaces lined with glowing runic pathways that shimmered in shifting colors.

Massive platforms extended outward, layered like a city built upon itself, each level connected by bridges of light and flowing mana currents.

Waterfalls cascaded into nothingness, dissolving into mist before they could reach the ground far below.

Floating constructs orbited the academy like silent guardians.

And at its core—

A radiant energy source pulsed, feeding the entire structure, as if the academy itself were alive.

For a brief moment—

No one spoke.

Then the ship began its descent.

---

It landed within a massive open area where multiple flying vessels were arriving simultaneously, each unloading dozens of young applicants.

Shadow looked around.

’All of these... are awakeners.’

His gaze sharpened slightly.

’With numbers like this... how are dungeons still a problem?’

’Just how many are there... and how strong are the things inside them?’

The thought lingered.

"Are you two ready?" Jane asked. "We still have to take the tests with everyone else. Even if we’re already accepted... we shouldn’t show it."

Talia nodded.

Shadow didn’t respond.

Jane watched him for a moment.

’...He’s completely different from how he acted in the house.’

---

Soon, everyone gathered in a massive open plaza.

The air buzzed with anticipation.

Then—

Eight figures appeared at the front.

No one saw them arrive.

They were simply... there.

All of them carried an overwhelming presence.

At the front stood a woman with a commanding figure and a confident posture but more importantly with a big bust.

’Well, that’s one way to draw everyone’s attention’ Shadow smirked.

She stepped forward.

"I welcome you all to Velmora Academy," she began, her voice clear and authoritative.

"We open our doors only to those who can prove themselves—through talent, through will... or even through luck."

Her gaze swept across the crowd.

"Today, you will face our trials."

A pause.

"Only the worthy will remain."

Shadow exhaled lightly.

"What bullshit," he muttered under his breath.

The woman stopped mid-sentence.

Silence fell.

Slowly—

She turned her head.

Directly toward him.

Shadow froze internally.

’...Shit. She didn’t hear me right!?’

Talia, standing beside him, looked at him and spoke quietly.

"...Save point not found."

She paused then..

"...Good luck."

Silence.

Shadow glanced at her.

"...What?"

Talia didn’t respond.

She simply stood there.

As if she hadn’t said anything at all.