The arena had barely settled when the headmaster began to descend.
He didn't fall—he floated, slow and controlled, as if the air itself welcomed him. His long robes drifted gently, untouched by wind, their edges shimmering faintly with embedded magic.
The moment his feet neared the ground—
Stone rose.
A circular stage formed beneath him, smooth and flawless, pushing upward from the arena floor like it had always been there, waiting.
The murmurs of the crowd faded.
Even the most arrogant students instinctively straightened.
The headmaster smiled.
"Everyone," his voice rang out clearly, carrying to every corner without effort, "please proceed to the interview."
A collective groan followed.
Lily barely reacted.
She was still thinking.
About the fight.
About that moment—
The way her magic had changed.
Before she could fully process it, a hand lightly grabbed her sleeve.
"M-Miss Lily!"
She turned.
The advisor stood there, slightly hunched, eyes darting around as if worried someone might overhear.
"Yes?"
"Um—after your interview," he said quickly, words almost tripping over each other, "please remain. You will receive your high-rank item… and… a legendary tool of your choosing."
Lily blinked once.
"…Okay."
That was it.
No excitement. No curiosity.
The advisor froze for a moment.
That's it?
Does she even understand what that means?
He opened his mouth as if to explain further… then stopped himself.
"…Please don't leave early," he added weakly.
Lily had already turned away.
The main hall was massive.
High ceilings arched overhead, supported by tall pillars etched with glowing runes. Light filtered in through long windows, casting soft patterns across the polished floor.
Students formed a long, uneven line leading to a single door at the far end.
Some whispered nervously.
Others bragged loudly about their performances.
A few sat silently, replaying their fights in their heads.
Lily stood at the very back.
The advisor had delayed her just enough.
She didn't mind.
Leaning slightly against a pillar, she watched.
One student walked out of the interview room, shoulders slumped.
Another came out grinning.
Another looked like they had just been interrogated for a crime they didn't commit.
Time passed.
Slowly.
Step by step, the line shortened.
Lily's gaze drifted.
That spell…
She lifted her hand slightly, staring at it.
I didn't plan that.
It just… happened.
She replayed the final moment of the battle while she waited
"Next!"
The voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
She stepped forward.
The door creaked open.
Inside, the atmosphere changed immediately.
Quieter.
Heavier.
Three figures sat behind a long desk.
The two professors leaned forward, eyes locked onto her the moment she entered.
Excited.
No—hungry.
The headmaster sat between them, relaxed, fingers loosely folded.
Lily sat down.
Silence—
"WHAT WAS THAT SPELL YOU USED?!"
The shout hit her instantly.
She blinked.
"YES!" the other professor leaned in, nearly standing. "That wasn't a standard construct—no, no, it shifted! It evolved mid-cast! Do you understand how impossible that is?!"
"What was the base structure?"
"Did you compress the mana first?"
"Show us again!"
"Do it right now!"
The questions came faster and faster, overlapping, stacking on top of each other until they blurred together.
Lily's fingers tightened slightly on her sleeve.
Her eyes unfocused.
Too loud.
Too close.
Too much.
I don't know…
I didn't think about it…
Why are they asking me?
She opened her mouth—
Nothing came out.
Her thoughts scattered.
So she stopped trying.
Her gaze drifted slightly to the side.
The voices became background noise.
"Enough."
The word cut through everything.
Silence fell instantly.
The professors froze mid-sentence.
The headmaster looked at Lily for a brief moment.
His gaze was calm—but observant.
She's not just overwhelmed…
She truly doesn't know.
He leaned back slightly.
"She is already enrolled."
"…What?" one professor said, stunned.
"That's it?" the other added. "We haven't even begun evaluating her!"
"There is no need," the headmaster replied simply.
His tone left no room for argument.
Lily tilted her head.
"…You can do that?"
A faint smile appeared on the headmaster's face.
"I can," he said. "I am the headmaster."
Lily accepted that immediately.
"Okay."
The professors, however, looked like they were physically holding themselves back from protesting.
The interview ended just like that.
Abruptly.
Lily stepped out into the hallway.
"Miss Lily!"
The advisor rushed over again, relief evident on his face.
"Please, follow me."
The corridors grew quieter the further they walked.
The polished floors gave way to darker stone. The walls were less decorated, the magic more concentrated.
They stopped in front of a massive vault door.
Intricate patterns covered its surface—layers upon layers of magical engravings, all faintly glowing.
The air around it felt… heavy.
Lily stared.
…That looks strong.
The advisor placed his hand on the door.
The patterns shifted.
Unlocked.
The door opened slowly with a low, echoing sound.
Inside, the room was dim.
Three pedestals stood under focused beams of light.
Each held a single item.
The advisor stepped forward.
"You may choose one."
He pointed to the first.
"A Bag of Greed. It allows you to store an unlimited number of items."
A pause.
"However… you must pay the bag the value of anything you store."
Lily's expression didn't change.
"The second—"
He gestured to a dark staff resting upright.
"The Starved Staff. It absorbs and stores mana. When used, it can amplify your spells… up to five times."
Lily's eyes lingered slightly longer.
Five times…
"And finally—"
A simple ring.
"The Promise Ring. Any promise made while wearing it becomes absolute. A binding contract that cannot be broken until fulfilled."
Silence filled the room.
The advisor explained again.
Then again.
Slower.
Careful.
He watched her closely.
Think about it… carefully…
"I'll take the staff."
Immediate.
No hesitation.
The advisor froze.
"…You're certain?"
Lily nodded.
"The bag is useless," she said plainly. "I don't have money"
She glanced at the ring.
"And that one is troublesome."
Her gaze returned to the staff.
"I need this."
Her current staff flashed in her mind.
Cracked. Worn.
It won't last.
The advisor slowly reached for the staff.
His hands trembled—just slightly.
This is the school's treasure…
And I'm handing it to… her?
What if she breaks it?
No… what if she—
He stopped himself.
Carefully, he passed it to her.
The moment Lily touched it—
A faint pulse of mana spread outward.
The staff responded.
The advisor's eyes widened.
It… accepted her immediately?
"And this as well."
He handed her the cloak from the tournament.
Lily took it without much thought.
Then—
"One more thing," the advisor added.
"You may move into the dormitories one week before the semester begins. That will be exactly one month from now."
Lily nodded.
"…Mm."
Her attention was elsewhere.
On the staff.
She lightly gripped it.
It feels… different.
Better.
"…Could you guide me to the training grounds?"
The advisor blinked.
"…Now?"
Lily was already turning.
"I want to test it."
Her voice was calm.
But there was a faint hint of something else.
Anticipation.
The advisor hesitated.
Then sighed.
"…This way."
Please don't destroy anything…
As they walked, Lily's grip on the staff tightened slightly.
Her thoughts were simple.
Let's see…
what you can do.