Langard.

  Capital of the Parasa Empire—one of the world’s most powerful nations.

  As usual, it greeted a bright, sunny morning.

  Squeak~!

  In a hotel in the Middle District, a young girl pushed open the window she’d kept closed all night, letting golden sunlight flood the room.

  Leaning on the windowsill, she watched the bustling streets—already crowded even though the sun had just risen.

  "Has the day finally come?"

  She patted her cheeks to shake off the last of her drowsiness, then turned and walked into the bathroom to clean up thoroughly. After changing into neat clothes, she stood in front of the mirror for a final check.

  "Admission recommendation letter—ready!"

  "Tuition fees—should be enough!"

  "Mental state—excellent!"

  With everything prepared, Hulim Heyerar pushed open the door.

  "Alright! Let’s go—Manacos Magic Academy!"

  ......

  Manacos Magic Academy was one of Himmler’s top-tier magic institutions. It only admitted gifted students with Rank B talent or higher. Throughout its long history, it had nurtured countless world-class mages, making it a sacred place in the hearts of magicians everywhere.

  Today, this ancient academy opened its doors for its annual enrollment once again.

  "Wow, so many people......"

  As soon as Hulim Heyerar arrived at the main gate of Manacos Magic Academy, she was shocked by the sea of people.

  Countless teenagers and girls around her age had gathered here from all corners of the world—humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, and even some uniquely dressed minority races.

  Even though Manacos only accepted geniuses with a minimum of Rank B talent, when the recruitment scope expanded to the entire world, the number was still staggering.

  In front of the bustling academy gate—

  Unlike the new students, who wore a wide variety of outfits, the senior students responsible for guiding them all wore unified academy uniforms regardless of race, looking highly organized.

  "......New students here for enrollment, please come this way~!"

  "There are ten reception desks at the main gate—everyone take your time, no need to crowd~!"

  "For those who don’t know the way, check the map posted at the gate~!"

  Some senior students held signs, guiding the way while sharing important information with the new students.

  "After registering, please follow the signs to the training grounds for the admission assessment and class placement test~!"

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  "......Hey, we’re short on volunteers at the west gate. Can some of you come help?"

  "Huh? It takes an hour to get from here to the west gate! Why don’t you recruit people there directly? We’re short-handed here too......"

  Manacos Magic Academy covered an enormous area—larger than any other institution in Langard, even surpassing the imperial palace.

  Thanks to its massive size, the academy spanned both the Lower and Middle Districts. Standing atop the tall buildings in the center of the academy, one couldn’t even see the edges of Langard’s urban area—it was like a city within a city.

  Following the signs, Hulim Heyerar quickly reached a reception desk.

  "Hello, this is my admission recommendation letter!"

  She handed the letter to a gray-haired staff member, who used a magic tool to verify its authenticity. After confirming it was genuine, he collected the letter.

  "Verification complete. Welcome to Manacos Magic Academy~!"

  The staff member smiled at Hulim Heyerar.

  "Hmm, right, and this...... let me see——"

  He took out a number plate just assigned by the magic tool.

  "No.1 Training Ground?"

  He paused for a moment, then looked up at Hulim Heyerar and back at the number plate. Seemingly understanding something, he smiled even more warmly.

  "Ms. Hulim Heyerar, this is your test number plate. Your admission assessment will be at No.1 Training Ground. Please keep it safe! Wish you every success in your studies!"

  "Thank you!"

  Hulim Heyerar took the number plate and left the reception desk.

  "Hmm, No.1 Training Ground. Let me check the map......"

  She glanced at the map and quickly found the location of No.1 Training Ground.

  "It’s quite far."

  Not in a hurry, Hulim Heyerar followed the map’s directions toward the training ground, taking the opportunity to tour the scenery of this world-class academy along the way.

  It was truly deserving of its reputation as a top academy. Every building and every landscape was meticulously designed—not only artistically pleasing but also emanating the faint hum of magic circles everywhere. Clearly, Manacos had an extremely sophisticated magic defense and functional system.

  After about half an hour, Hulim Heyerar arrived at No.1 Training Ground.

  As soon as she got there, she sensed something was different.

  First, the number of people. On her way, she had passed several other assessment training grounds—crowded but not overrun.

  But No.1 Training Ground had significantly fewer people.

  Second, the atmosphere of the crowd. They were either nobles dressed in extravagant clothing or uniquely styled individuals—none looked like ordinary passersby. Even from a distance, Hulim Heyerar could feel the ferocious aura emanating from many of them—an aura only forged through countless actual battles.

  They were just eleven or twelve-year-old children, so why did they have such dangerous experiences?

  Hulim Heyerar wondered silently.

  "Dear students, thank you for waiting!"

  A man in a mage’s robe, looking like a professor, stepped forward.

  "The assessment for No.1 Ground begins now! Please proceed in the order of your number plates!"

  Ah, so the assessment for No.1 Ground hadn’t started yet—that’s why everyone was standing outside.

  Hulim Heyerar suddenly realized.

  Subsequently, the numerous candidates outside entered the training ground.

  "Students whose numbers are called, please step forward. Those not called, please wait in the waiting area."

  On the jury platform, seven or eight professor-like figures sat. Inside the training ground, many staff members were responsible for maintaining order.

  Unlike other areas, there were no senior student volunteers here—only adult staff like academy teachers.

  "No.1, please enter for the assessment......"

  As the first person was called and entered the assessment area, everyone else watched from the waiting area.

  The assessment was open to the public—everyone could observe.

  The new students were eager to see the level of their peers, all hailed as geniuses......

  "That guy is pretty strong—he cast that spell in less than three seconds......"

  "I can’t believe he dodged like that......"

  "Hmph, I can reach that level too......"

  As the assessment proceeded, more and more people showed off their skills. The initially reserved new students unconsciously began comparing themselves. The awkwardness of just meeting faded quickly as they discussed the performances.