The arena was massive—one of the few places in the Academy Damon had never set foot in before.
It wasn’t just a training ground. It was an entire facility equipped with all manner of advanced artifacts: devices for asuring stats and mana aptitude, automata for simulated combat, and small dueling rings—rings that, if he rembered correctly, could combine into a massive coliseum-sized stage.
The place gave off the air of an ancient colosseum, yet its design was modern and refined. Still, the resemblance was close enough that Damon couldn’t help but feel like a gladiator walking into a public spectacle.
Following behind the Headmaster after finishing his oral report, Damon was now on his way to undergo his stats evaluation. Apparently, the ntal health departnt wanted to use so kind of machine on him as well—just to be safe, they’d said.
Naturally, being escorted by the Headmaster—and trailed by over a dozen professors—drew attention. A lot of attention.
By the ti they approached the arena gates, Damon already had a trail of curious students following behind him like he was so rare magical beast on parade.
The arena was already packed—students everywhere were training in anticipation of the upcoming War Gas. Everyone wanted a shot at glory.
And as expected, the whispers began.
"This guy’s unbelievable... just got back to the Academy and he’s already causing trouble."
"I hope the Headmaster brought him here to beat him to death ."
"Co on, he can’t be that bad. He’s kinda handso..."
"Hey, Sisali, don’t let the pretty face fool you!"
"More importantly, why the hell is a commoner wearing a crown?"
"He’s still a lunatic, no matter what."
Damon wore the sa plastered smile he always used in public. His infamy was still burning hot, it seed. He was still trending.
He almost shot a look at the naive girl defending him. How dare she go against the trend?
"Huh. Can’t a guy just have haters?"
The Headmaster caught the look, shaking his head slightly. He could tell Damon was secretly pleased that so students had good things to say about him.
’I suppose he’s at that age...’ the Headmaster mused.
Inside the arena, academy staff had already set everything up. Damon nearly sighed—it reminded him of his first quarter-sester evaluation.
Except back then, there wasn’t such a massive crowd.
He stepped forward, the weight of all the stares settling on his back.
The Headmaster brushed his beard thoughtfully as he addressed the group.
"We’ll be testing you both on various factors. Mana levels may seem secondary, but they still matter—particularly for mage-type classes. The real focus, however, will be your combat aptitude."
Damon nodded once, his eyes flicking to Matia, who stood beside him still in her black armor, refusing to wear the academy uniform.
At this point, the professors had long given up trying to persuade her otherwise. The sester was on break anyway—there was no need to force compliance.
Damon glanced at her figure... though really, it wasn’t like her old uniform would fit her anymore.
She had... grown.
Erm... significantly.
The Headmaster spoke again, drawing him back.
"Now then, we’ll start with mana levels—"
His words were cut off as a familiar redhead arrived.
"My apologies for being tardy," Lilith Astranova announced, walking forward with a stack of docunts in hand.
"I’ve brought the files, Headmaster."
She handed them over, and the Headmaster nodded, passing them off to one of the waiting professors.
Damon glanced at her and gave a thin, guilty smile—the kind that said, I probably caused more trouble, didn’t I?
Lilith sighed. She could already imagine what he’d done—especially after seeing that cleric from the Temple storm off earlier, muttering curses under his breath.
Then her expression stiffened. She sensed a familiar, irritating presence approaching.
Footsteps echoed.
"Astranova... my, you’re here too?" a sweet voice rang out. "What’s the commotion?"
Lilith’s eyebrow twitched. As if she believed that nonsense. Renata Malcrist was definitely here just to stir things up.
’She wants to show off her new class,’ Lilith thought, rolling her eyes.
"What do you want, Renata?" she muttered flatly.
The violet-haired girl ignored the jab, breezing past Lilith with a polite smile and stopping just before the Headmaster to offer a flawless, courteous bow.
Lilith sighed. Annoying as ever.
"Wow, Headmaster! What’s all this?" Renata asked with fake awe.
"What could be so interesting that even our elusive Headmaster makes an appearance?"
The Headmaster gave a genial smile. Ah, the energy of youth...
"Damon Grey and Matia Faldren have returned," he replied. "We’re simply running a little aptitude test."
Renata’s eyes sparkled with mischief when she spotted Damon. She strolled closer, waving.
"Hi there, Damon. Did you miss ? I’m sure you’re tired of that scheming bore you’re always with..."
Lilith gritted her teeth.
Damon tilted his head slightly.
"Miss... do I know you?"
Silence.
The crowd went dead quiet.
Damon’s expression remained blank—genuinely confused.
It was like he had no idea who she was.
"Wait—he doesn’t know her?"
"Guess she’s not as famous as she thinks."
"No, I think he’s just so out of touch with reality he forgot what the beautiful girls in our school even look like..."
"I see, so it’s the trauma of surviving three death zones..."
"Then why is she acting like they were close? Yikes."
Renata’s lips twitched as the murmurs grew louder.
And then—
"Pfft—!" Lilith couldn’t hold it in. She laughed, covering her mouth, but the mockery in her eyes was vicious.
Renata’s face turned red. Her teeth clenched.
The Headmaster cleared his throat.
"Ahem. Damon. Please proceed."
Damon gave a polite nod, glancing at Matia. He’d let her go first. She had advanced to third class, after all—he was curious how much her mana levels had grown.
In terms of quality, hers should exceed his. But in terms of volu, he likely still held the lead.
Matia stepped forward with the sa cold indifference as always, placing her hand on the crystal surface of the mana reader.
A faint glow appeared... then frost spread across the machine.
The academy staff monitoring the readout gasped.
"Mana... eleven thousand?!"
The Headmaster stroked his beard, nodding with satisfaction.
"Not bad at all. I expected less, considering she’s a knight-type."
He turned his gaze to Damon.
"Well, boy... let’s see yours."
Damon nodded and stepped up to the device, placing his hand over it.
Now ca the question.
Should I hold back?
Or show them everything?
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