Astoria
Athelguard Academy Main Gate
07:45 AM
Leon's POV
"Here we are... Athelguard Academy. Good luck with your exams," the taxi driver said with a supportive smile.
"Right. Thank you, sir," Marcus replied as we stepped out of the vehicle.
We stood before the academy's gates, which remained closed as the examination was scheduled to commence at 08:00 AM. The gates were massive and opulent, resembling the entrance to a royal palace rather than a school. In the distance, the academy's main building pierced the skyline—a colossal white tower soaring through the clouds. Wrapped in the morning mist, every inch of the exterior exuded a sense of nobility and grandeur accumulated over centuries.
"So this is it... Athelguard. The top-ranked academy for humanity," Marcus remarked, his voice laced with awe and reverence.
"Yeah... this is the place," I replied, taking in the view.
As I surveyed our surroundings, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Like Marcus and me, most applicants had arrived early to avoid any delays. About eighty people were gathered before the gate, some in groups and others standing alone. It was clear from their expressions that anxiety was the dominant emotion.
"Hey, look over there!" Marcus pointed toward the road.
I turned my head and saw a luxury carriage pulled by two massive lizards acting as horses. It was a blatant display of power and status.
"That crest...? It's the House of Castillad," I muttered, my eyes narrowing as someone stepped out of the carriage.
"Castillad?! You mean the duchy whose members possess the Gravity element?!" Marcus exclaimed.
Third Person POV
Upon the arrival of the Castillad carriage, a young man descended. His mere presence radiated nobility and strength. Instinctively, the students nearby cleared a path, many avoiding eye contact with the youth, whose hair shimmered with a distinct purple hue.
Following Arthur Castillad were three other young men, clearly nobles themselves, acting as his sycophantic entourage.
"Hey, look, it's the heir to the Castillad Duchy."
"Shhh, don't stare. I heard he's like a mad dog; he'll strike anyone who offends him."
"Young Master Arthur... he's actually quite handsome."
Whispers rippled through the crowd as the group cut through the mass of students and took their place by the gate.
Leon's POV
I fixed my gaze on Arthur, recalling what I knew about him.
Arthur Castillad. He was the classic rival—or villain, depending on how you looked at it. A user of the rare [Gravity] element and the top scorer of the entrance exam. He was destined to be the rank one student of the first-year class.
"Well, well, look who's here. Young Master Arthur, what a coincidence!"
I shifted my focus to the speaker—a tall, muscular youth with flaming red hair.
"Tsk. Just my luck to be in the same batch as this muscle-head," Arthur muttered, looking visibly annoyed.
That was Michael. He hailed from a rising merchant family and was exceptionally gifted, possessing the [Sound] element. He would go on to rank fifth in the entrance exam. His rivalry with Arthur was a recurring theme throughout the novel.
"Hey, look! The Rochefield carriage!" a boy with a long face and lanky hair shouted suddenly.
As I was considering Michael and Arthur's dynamic, another carriage arrived.
"Oh... so that's Arthur's fiancée," I whispered.
A girl of extraordinary beauty stepped out. She had porcelain skin, deep black eyes, and raven hair. Her movements were graceful as she descended, though her eyes held a complex, lingering look as she glanced toward Arthur. That was Jill Rochefield.
"Hey Arthur, your dear wife is here," Michael teased.
"I know, you bastard. I'm not blind. And she's not my wife," Arthur snapped.
Listening to them, the plot of the novel flashed through my mind. The relationship between Arthur and Jill was tragic. They were childhood friends, and Jill truly loved him, but Arthur constantly ignored and mistreated her. It wasn't until they arrived at Athelguard that Jill, exhausted by Arthur's neglect, began to fall for the novel's protagonist.
Only after Jill left him did Arthur realize her value—and his own feelings. Drowned in grief, regret, and rage, he would eventually turn into a recurring antagonist, obsessed with getting revenge on the protagonist who had taken both his rank and his woman.
"Tsk. What a mess," I muttered.
"All applicants, please line up for ID verification!" a deep voice boomed.
The gates had opened. Standing there was a middle-aged man with slicked-back hair streaked with grey. He wore a sharp suit and spectacles, radiating a strict, professional aura.
"Move it, Leon! Get your phone out and let's get in line!" Marcus urged.
After completing the entry formalities, we were escorted to the examination hall for the written test. The academy was crawling with staff members maintaining perfect order.
"You have one hour to answer. After that, you head to the real test," an instructor announced.
The exam was a dense mix of subjects: Mana Flow Theory, political science, and geography. However, the core of the test focused on Mana combat and various strategic applications.
I had studied hard, and with the new memories and enhanced cognitive abilities I now possessed, I was certain I could achieve a score well above average. Around me, the other candidates were immersed in their papers—some looking frustrated, others hopeful.
One hour later.
The written exam concluded. Now, it was time for the real test.