The bus groaned as it climbed the winding mountain road.
Thirty students filled its narrow rows, packed together with backpacks, nervous energy, and quiet conversations that rose and fell like restless waves. Outside the windows, the world had long since turned into endless forest and jagged mountains.
Civilization had disappeared hours ago.
At the back of the bus, a broad-shouldered boy with dark hair leaned into the aisle, stretching lazily as if this were a weekend road trip instead of the final trial of the most brutal academy in the world.
"So this is it," he said with a crooked grin. "Last step before we become Helios students."
Across from him sat a girl with calm eyes and a notebook balanced neatly on her knees. She flipped a page without looking up.
"Statistically," she said in a measured voice, "only twelve percent of applicants pass the final examination."
The boy slowly turned toward her.
"…Why would you say that?"
A third student leaned over the seat in front of them. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes carried a quiet sharpness.
"You're assuming the test is straightforward," he said casually. "Helios doesn't do straightforward."
The broad-shouldered boy groaned.
"That's worse."
Several rows ahead, laughter rippled through a small crowd gathered around a tall blond boy sitting sideways in his seat.
He seemed completely at ease—one arm slung over the seat, chatting with anyone who spoke to him.
"I'm serious," he was saying with an easy smile. "If the test involves combat, I'm fine with it."
"Of course you are," someone laughed. "You look like you wrestle trucks for fun."
He laughed along with them.
"Only on weekends."
Another student leaned forward eagerly.
"So what kind of ability do you have?"
The blond boy shrugged.
"Elemental stuff."
"Elemental what?"
"Mostly water."
The group murmured in appreciation.
Meanwhile, near the back window, a very different atmosphere hung over a single seat.
A silver-haired girl sat by the glass, her gaze fixed on the passing wilderness outside.
She had not spoken once since boarding the bus.
The student who had eventually taken the seat beside her shifted awkwardly.
"So… first time heading up this far north?"
Silence.
He tried again.
"You nervous about the exam?"
Slowly, the girl turned her head.
Her pale eyes met his.
"Do I look nervous?"
He stiffened.
"…No."
"Then why ask?"
Her tone was quiet.
And colder than the mountains outside.
The boy shifted in his seat.
"Alright, sorry. Just trying to talk."
She turned back to the window.
"Try somewhere else."
A few nearby students glanced over.
The boy scoffed under his breath.
"Wow. Someone woke up angry today."
The girl turned again.
This time there was a sharp edge in her expression.
"If conversation is this difficult for you," she said flatly, "silence might be a better option."
The surrounding seats fell quiet.
The boy straightened, irritation flashing across his face.
"Oh yeah? And who exactly—"
"Hey."
The voice cut smoothly through the moment.
The tall blond boy had leaned over the seat in front of them, resting his arms across the backrest.
He gave the irritated student an easy smile.
"Don't mind Sera."
The silver-haired girl shot him an annoyed look.
But he continued anyway.
"She's like that with everyone."
The boy frowned.
"And why are you defending—"
The blond boy tilted his head slightly toward the window seat.
"You really shouldn't start trouble, that's the Valehart heir."
The name traveled through the nearby rows like a spark through dry grass.
"…Wait."
"Valehart?"
Someone leaned forward.
"As in Aurora Valehart?"
Now several students were staring openly.
The boy beside her slowly turned.
"…You're serious?"
The blond boy nodded casually.
"Heir of Light."
Whispers spread instantly.
"No way…"
"I heard she can turn light into solid weapons…"
"Her mother's the number 2 hero…"
"Isn't she supposed to be terrifying?"
The silver-haired girl looked like she regretted not remaining silent.
Her eyes shifted toward the blond boy.
"Must you always make my life difficult ?"
He shrugged.
"Just preventing a fight."
Across the aisle, another student suddenly squinted at him.
"Hold on."
The student pointed.
"You said your last name earlier, right?"
The blond boy blinked.
"…Yeah?"
"Stroud."
Now it was the rest of the bus turning.
"Wait."
"Stroud?"
"As in Cecil Stroud?"
The blond boy scratched the back of his neck.
"…That's my dad."
The reaction was immediate.
"You're kidding."
"The Stormbreaker's son?"
"The Storm Prince?"
"I heard he can control three elements."
From the back of the bus, the sharp-eyed boy leaned over his seat again.
"Four," he said lazily.
"If he doesn't panic."
The blond boy groaned.
"Oh come on."
Laughter rippled across the bus.
The tension had completely vanished now, replaced by excited whispers.
The broad-shouldered boy leaned toward the girl with the notebook again.
"Well," he muttered.
"This year's class is stacked."
The girl glanced around the bus, quietly observing the gathered applicants.
"Yes," she said.
"It is."
Outside, the forest had grown darker.
The road narrowed.
Eventually the bus slowed.
Ahead, a massive steel gate stretched across the road.
Beyond it lay miles of untouched wilderness surrounded by mountains.
The gate slowly creaked open.
The bus rolled through.
No one was talking now.
Even the blond boy had gone quiet.
Minutes later the vehicle pulled into a wide clearing surrounded by towering trees.
The doors hissed open.
Cold mountain air rushed inside.
One by one, the students stepped onto the ground.
The moment the last applicant left the bus, a voice echoed across the clearing.
Calm.
Cold.
Unwelcoming.
"Good."
All thirty students turned.
A tall examiner stood on a raised metal platform overlooking them.
His gaze moved slowly across the group.
"You made it this far."
A long pause followed.
Then he gave a faint smile.
"Welcome to hell."