Two hours of sleep.
One cup of bitter, lukewarm mana coffee.
And zero hope for mercy.
It was exam day at Ashborn Academy—the most elite institution in the empire—and I was here to prove a point: Ashen Crimson is dead.
Only Ashen remains. And Ashen… doesn't lose.
The academy gates loomed tall, etched with magical runes that pulsed with judgment. The entrance alone could scare the dreams out of a weak-willed noble.
Students flooded in—some confident, some shaking, some pretending to be confident while shaking. Robes of every color and sigil marked their affiliations. Some were laughing, others were praying.
Me?
I walked through the crowd like a ghost with a grudge.
Inside, the Grand Hall was transformed into an examination arena. Rows of desks extended endlessly under chandeliers suspended with light crystals. Enchantments layered every surface—anti-cheating runes, mental focus amplifiers, even mana suppressors.
They weren't taking chances.
Neither was I.
"Mr. Ashen," a voice called.
Professor Vael, the chief examiner, stood at the entrance with his hands behind his back. Tall and lean, wrapped in indigo robes and cloaked in sarcasm, he looked like the personification of 'you're about to fail.'
"You'll be seated at 3-C," he said. "No talking, no mana manipulation. Good luck surviving."
"Appreciated," I said, voice cold and flat.
I reached my desk—and of course—was seated between two of my favorite headaches.
To my right:
Eren Whitehound, the living embodiment of noble arrogance. With silver hair tied back, blue eyes glowing faintly with mana, and a smirk that screamed, "My father can buy your soul," he looked far too ready to win.
To my left:
Aurelia. Blonde hair tied neatly in a braid, eyes that sparkled like sunlight on glass, and that same warm smile she always had for Ashen.
"Good morning," she said gently.
"Let's not," I replied, without turning.
She giggled. I hated how charming it sounded.
A holographic scroll appeared above my desk. Runes flickered as the scroll unfurled, revealing rows of intricate, soul-crushing questions.
A deep chime echoed across the hall.
[Written Examination Begins. Duration: 3 Hours.]
Q1. Identify and explain the core differences between mana-induced elemental deviation and natural affinity shift.
Q2. Define the conditions required for a dual-elemental contract between a mage and a Class B beast.
Q3. Diagram the optimal runic structure for sealing a C-rank corrupted zone.
Oh. These weren't just tough.
They were intentionally cruel.
But lucky for me, I had a little something called Ashen Crimson's full academic memory, plus two months of prep, two hours of last-minute revisions, and one rage-fueled ego that refused to settle for anything but Rank 1.
I wrote with the confidence of a man who already knew the answers. Because I did.
Pen moved. Scroll filled. Time passed.
Eren kept stealing glances. Aurelia looked occasionally surprised when I turned my scroll for a second revision, already done. Most others were still on the second page.
By hour two, I was reviewing paragraph structures. By hour three, I was staring at the chandelier.
When the chime echoed again, marking the end of the exam, I leaned back, arms crossed, satisfied.
[Exam Concluded. Results at Midnight.]
Students shuffled out like the undead—pale, stressed, empty. Even Eren looked unsettled.
"You look smug," he said, walking beside me.
"No. I look correct."
He scoffed. "We'll see tonight."
Later That Night
My hotel room was quiet. Dim candlelight. Rain tapping the window like nervous fingers.
I waited.
11:59...
DING!
[Written Exam Results Released]
Rank Achieved: #1
Reward: All Stats +10]
[Updated Stats]
Level: 4
Rank: D
Physical Strength: C
Mana: SS
Speed: C
Charm: SS
Luck: E
Affinity: Shadow, ????, ????, ????, ????
Skills: Shadow Bind, Shadow Bomb, Shadow Creation, Shadow Army
Familiars: Volkin (Silver Wolf - E Rank), Shadow Army (4 members: Goblin, Skeleton, Kobalt, Lizardman)
I sat still for a moment.
Then I let out a slow, evil smile.
"#1," I whispered. "Take that, Eren."
DING!
[New Quest Unlocked: Place in Top 10 in Physical Test – Reward: All Stats +20]
[Place 1st in Combined Rank – Reward: New Affinity + ???]
"System…" I said aloud.
[Yes, your majesty of mediocrity?]
"Charm SS. Written exam Rank 1.
I'm on fire. Admit it."
[Yes. You're a flaming trash barrel. But now you're a shiny one.]
I laughed.
Next Morning
I woke up at the ungodly hour of 11 A.M.
Dragged myself out. Trained all day.
Practiced mana control until blood trickled from my nose and puke decorated the grass.
Volkin growled, concerned.
Even the skeleton looked worried.
But I couldn't afford to fail the physical test—not when that charm penalty cost me my only excuse to flirt my way to the top.
DING!
[Stats Updated After Training Session]
Physical Strength: B
Speed: B
Mana: SS
Charm: S
Luck: E
Level: 4
Rank: D
Skills: Shadow Bind, Shadow Bomb, Shadow Creation, Shadow Army
Familiars: Volkin (Silver Wolf), Shadow Army (4)
Tomorrow, I fight.
Not just to survive.
But to prove something.
That Ashen is no longer the bullied boy from the Crimson estate.
He's the man who will burn this academy to the ground... with shadows.