Julius found himself in the academy's dueling zone, a large open arena where students could test their combat skills before the entrance exam. The area was surrounded by stone bleachers, and the ground was reinforced with magic to withstand powerful attacks.
"Well, the plan was to gather information on my competitors... Even though I don't know how useful that will be. I've pretty much done everything else regarding preparing for this exam."
All around him, students were practicing magic, sparring with weapons, or simply observing their potential competition. Some were clearly experienced fighters, while others looked just as nervous as he felt.
But then, a commotion started.
"Whoa, it's him! He's insane with magic!"
"Yulestroth? No way, a member of that family is here?"
"Isn't his father a duke?"
Julius turned to see a short, blonde-haired boy casually making his way toward the appraisal station. Despite his small stature, he carried himself with a laid back, confident air, as if the world itself bent to his presence. In his hand a white wand was being spun.
I guess magic can't fix every problem.
"Yevian Yulestroth..." someone whispered in awe.
The Yulestroth family—Julius had never heard that name before. But supposedly they were one of the great noble houses.
Yevian stepped up to the appraisal stone, placing his hand on it without hesitation. The floating crystal flickered for a moment before displaying a bright number.
[Level 45]
A murmur ran through the crowd.
"Pretty good." Julius muttered.
"Pretty good? That's crazy for a third year student! That's like Sunday level!"
Who's Sunday?
"Damn, he's strong!"
"A third year with that level? That's insane!"
"He's practically already qualified for the academy!"
Julius gulped. His turn was coming up.
One by one, students stepped forward to get appraised—it was mandatory. The exam staff wanted to confirm each student's strength before the entrance exam began. Julius had looked for every way out but they were extremely stubborn on the matter.
Alas, it was Julius' turn.
He hesitated before placing his hand on the crystal.
"Wow. I wonder how this is gonna go." He spoke brazenly, with the air of someone aiming for gold or coal.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" The crystal spoke in his head, it's voice was robotic.
"Just get it over with." Julius grimaced.
It flickered weakly before displaying the result.
[Level 1]
Silence.
For a moment, no one reacted. Then, someone chuckled.
"Level 1?"
"Are you serious?"
"How did this guy even get here?"
"Is he statistically challenged?"
"I totally didn't expect those reactions!" Julius walked off the stage with a slouched back.
Julius felt his chest tighten. He had expected this reaction, but actually experiencing it hurt more than he thought. Have a heart people! What happened to empathy?
The whispers grew louder.
"Must be a mistake."
"Did he get lost? Is he even meant to be here"
Jokes on you... I don't know why I'm in this world either.
"Probably a commoner trying to sneak in."
Isn't that better than a peasant? Are we upgrading?
Julius clenched his fists. He wanted to say something, but what could he even say?
Then—
"Why are the idiots talking? Let his strength speak for itself in the exam."
A sharp voice cut through the crowd.
Yevian Yulestroth had stepped in front of him, arms crossed, looking annoyed.
"The celebrity?" Julius was shocked. So there is light in this beautiful world!
"The fact that he's level 1 and still had the guts to come here means he's braver than any of you. Honestly, whisperers are pathetic..." The whispers stopped.
Yevian glanced at Julius, raising an eyebrow. "Though, seriously... Level 1? How the hell did you even get here? Did you bribe them? Did you mean to be here?"
Julius exhaled, relieved that someone wasn't mocking him. "I ask myself that every day."
Yevian smirked. "Well, whatever. Just try your best so you don't end up dying too fast in the exam."
Julius wasn't sure whether to be grateful or offended.
As Julius stepped away from the crowd, someone else approached him.
A cheery, grey-haired student with amber eyes.
Silleto.
She looked Julius up and down before speaking.
"How did you do it?"
Julius blinked. "Huh?"
"You know... Hiding your level..."
"You think I hid my level?" Julius stared at her, his face deadpanned.
Silleto narrowed her eyes. "I don't know how, but there's no way you're actually Level 1. Either you're hiding your real strength, or you have some kind of trick. I'd expect no less from a hero."
Julius sighed. He was so tired of this.
"Ahem... Just call it my ultimate skill. Acting weak. When your enemy is in the open, you want them to underestimate you. You see what I'm saying?"
"Yes, yes. It makes sense." She smiled. Wait is she actually buying this?
Silleto seemed a little convinced, but before she could say anything else, a loud voice interrupted.
"Sunday and Yevian are going to duel?"
Julius had no idea who Sunday was.
"Who is Sunday? Or is that Yevian guy challenging the concept of the 7th day of the week?"
Silleto looked at him with pity.
"Of course, you aren't from here. You wouldn't know because of your mission... Sunday is the daughter of two famous heroes, she's seen as the next best upcoming talent. That's why she's so popular that alongside her..."
Silleto went red.
"Something something something."
Sunday.
The girl everyone saw as the next best hero.
With purple, flowing hair and an imposing presence, Sunday was already a legend among the students. She carried herself with complete confidence and a sour mood, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she faced Yevian across the battlefield.
She was skinny, almost to the bone. Yet what little fat she had on her body was clearly toned and trained. She was obviously fast. Julius worried for the person who had protected him.
"So he has to go up against her? Isn't he done for?"
"Yup." Silleto smiled. "Let's watch the show, maybe you can reveal stuff only a hero would know."
"Don't count on me for that..."
"She's going to win, obviously," someone whispered.
"Both combatants ready?" The instructor overseeing the duel looked at them.
Sunday smiled. "Of course." Her thin figure was matched with a thin katana, the hilt purple to match her hair.
Yevian rolled his shoulders. "Hurry it up. I can't wait to shut her up once again. Even since I was young she was always this annoying."
"Begin!"
The moment the match started—Sunday vanished.
Julius barely saw it—one moment, she was standing there, and the next, she had launched forward at inhuman speed. Purple thunder followed in her wake.
Her blade flashed in the sunlight.
Julius' heart jumped.
"Is it over?"
CLANG!
A golden barrier materialized around Yevian just before the sword could strike him. The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but Yevian remained standing, his expression completely calm.
Sunday smirked. "You're still able to block my hits... I guess you didn't stop-."
"Training." Yevian sighed, as if shocked by her weakness. He finished her sentence almost instantly.
"Do you know any other attacks?" Yevian queried. Then he raised a single hand. "You're just so predictable."
Magic circles formed in the air.
Before Sunday could react—a barrage of golden fireballs erupted toward her.
To make up for their quantity, they were all quite small, yet equally destructive.
She dodged and weaved between them, but Yevian wasn't done.
With a flick of his wrist, the fireballs curved midair—chasing her down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions tore through the battlefield as Sunday desperately tried to close the distance. She was fast—but Yevian's balls were faster.
With one spell, he had already seized control of the battlefield.
Julius couldn't believe it.
The way he controlled his magic was on a different level. It reminded him of Aldric.
Sunday's speed was impressive, but it was clear Yevian was just built different.
As the fight continued, Julius found himself gripping the betting slip in his pocket.
He had placed his money on Yevian winning secretly.
The odds were tilted against him. Yet the potential winnings were nigh-holy.
And it looked like…
That was the right call.
Sunday tried to close the gap once more.
She launched herself forward—her sword igniting with thunderous energy.
It was her strongest attack.
"Cutting Edge."
The moment her blade swung down to deliver a dangerous slash-.
Yevian smiled as if it was child's play.
"Always the same, you never changed Sunday."
And then—he vanished.
Julius barely had time to process it—Sunday swung at empty air. Her strike was so powerful that it scarred the ground beneath, carving out multiple chunks of stone.
Dust rose.
Yevian reappeared behind her.
A golden magic circle formed at his fingertips—
"Light pulse."
A golden shockwave blasted Sunday off her feet, sending her skidding across the battlefield and eventually off the platform.
Better protaganist wins...
The instructor raised a hand.
"Winner—Yevian Yulestroth!"
The crowd erupted.
Julius did too—because he had just won his bet.
"YES! Let's go!"
Others in the stands cheered alongside him.
Yevian smirked, casually brushing dust off his robes. "What use is speed? What use is power? When you lack the brains to use it...", he said to Sunday.
Sunday, panting on the ground, glared at him. "...Next time, I'll win. There's a reason you're seen as a failure in your family."
"Sure," Yevian grinned. "But I guess the failure has suceeded once again."
Julius exhaled in relief, feeling his mood slightly improve.
He was still the weakest person here.
But at least, for now…
He had some extra money in his pockets.
Maybe today wasn't such a bad day after all.
He went to sleep knowing that tomorrow would mark the last day before the entrance exam.
As he slept in the dorms of Ruloy set up just for this batch of examinees, he looked around. Polished furniture. Walls littered with paintings. Books stacked on books.
"Why do I get the feeling I'm a little outclassed?"
With that thought, he slept.