The entrance exam II

I stood in the clearing, still reeling from the events that had unfolded with the elves and the demonic human. My body ached, but the newfound power coursing through me overshadowed the pain. Somehow, I could feel it, the Flash Steps had become ingrained into me and ready to be unleashed at a moment's notice. Even though it was exhilarating I was still confused as how I could learn flash steps, it should be impossible for someone like me. I guess I would have to figure this out later when I'm inside the academy because there was no time to revel in this discovery. I had a destination in mind, one I couldn't afford to miss.

The **World Academy**.

Time was slipping away, and I realized how close I was to being late. I cursed under my breath, my heart racing as I broke into a sprint. The academy gates were far, and with each step, I could feel the minutes ticking by like a countdown. There was no way I'd make it at this pace.

I closed my eyes for a moment, focusing on the strange energy inside me. Activating Flash Steps, it had worked before, and I needed it now more than ever. I let the power flow through me, and suddenly, the world around me blurred. Trees, rocks, and even the sky seemed to rush past as I moved faster than I thought possible.

I was almost flying, my body darting across the landscape like lightning. The world around me blurred as trees and bushes rushed past in streaks of green. Every muscle in my legs burned, but I could feel the power of Flash Steps propelling me forward, faster than I'd ever moved before. The technique was still new, and I stumbled a few times, nearly losing control as my foot caught a root or my momentum made me veer off course. But I couldn't stop now.

The forest was dense, the canopy above filtering out most of the sunlight, casting long shadows that twisted with each step I took. My heart pounded as I kept my eyes on the path, barely catching glimpses of familiar scenery. I knew I was close when the trees began to thin, and in the distance, I could see it—the Landmark of Heroes.

The towering statues of legendary figures stood like silent sentinels at the edge of the forest, their stone faces etched with the courage and power they had once wielded. Each hero had contributed to a time of peace and prosperity, their battles shaping the world as it was today. Their eyes seemed to follow me as I approached, their stone swords, shields, and staves raised high as if guarding the path to the World Academy.

I slowed for a moment, staring up at them. Their presence was awe-inspiring, a reminder of the journey I was about to embark on. I wasn't a hero like them, nor do I want to be one, be it in this life or my previous, my motives remained the same. 'Never let yourself be humiliated or trampled ever again'. It is better to live as a genuine failure then wasting your time trying to be someone you're not meant to be. A wolf can never be a lion, no matter how hard it tries. It is better to accept who you are then live a miserable lie. Only by accepting who you are can you truly grasp your potential.'

Beyond the statues, I could see the long road that led to the academy. It was lined with students, all heading the same way, their footsteps echoing in the crisp morning air. Some were in groups, chattering excitedly about the entrance exams, while others, like me, moved alone, their faces set in determination.

I felt a strange sense of belonging as I joined the stream of students. The anxiety I'd carried about the exam faded for a moment, replaced by the reality of where I was. These were my peers, all gathered with the same goal—to be accepted into the academy. Some of them wore fine clothes, their faces showing the kind of confidence only noble blood could give, while others had a rougher edge to them, like me—commoners hoping to prove their worth.

The academy gates loomed in the distance now, massive and imposing, standing at the end of the long road. The pristine white walls gleamed in the sunlight, a stark contrast to the dark trees of the forest behind me. I could see students already beginning to file through the gates, and I couldn't afford to be late.

Breathing heavily, I came to a stop at the academy gates, my heart still racing from the effort. I had made it just as the gates began to close behind me. I stopped in front of the towering gates, breathless from both the exertion and the sight before me.

The World Academy stood like a monument to power and knowledge, its design unlike anything I had ever seen. The structures gleamed in the sunlight; their pristine white surfaces almost blinding. It wasn't just the size that took my breath away; it was the sheer scale of it all. The buildings stretched high into the sky, and their sharp, sleek architecture was more advanced than anything in my world.

The material looked like something more durable than concrete, yet it shone with a brilliance that made it seem untouched by time or wear. Everything about the academy felt… superior, otherworldly even.

But I couldn't linger. The entrance exams were about to begin, and I couldn't afford to be late after coming this far.

The entrance exam was divided into five parts, each designed to test every aspect of a candidate's potential. I followed the crowd of applicants into a grand hall where the first stage was about to begin—the written exam.

After paying the entrance fee that I—or rather Darius—had saved up for, I decided to review all the knowledge I had of this world from both my own experiences and Darius's memories. Darius was a typical musclehead, focusing mainly on the physical aspects of his training. He had studied for the written exam, but only based on whatever information he could scrape together.

I sat at a small desk, surrounded by others, some of whom were clearly from noble households. Their air of confidence was palpable. Some even resembled the descriptions of the future heroes I knew from the novel. The exam covered basic knowledge: mana theory, world history, and combat strategy. I had never been the best student, but I was quick to pick up what I needed. The questions were tough, but I managed to scribble my answers, hoping that my knowledge from the novel would outweigh the gaps in theoretical knowledge. The exam was four hours long, though some students left early, exuding absolute confidence. 'They probably already knew all the answers.'

As we exited the exam room, we were given a brief moment to rest before continuing with the physical endurance and strength test.

We were led outside to a massive training ground, where we were put through a grueling series of exercises—sprinting, climbing, lifting heavy weights. It was a test designed to push us to our limits, and it certainly did. My muscles screamed in protest, but I gritted my teeth and pushed through. The earlier battle had left me sore, but it had also given me a strange kind of edge, as if the fight had awakened something deeper inside me.

After what felt like an eternity of physical testing, we moved on to the part that had most people anxious—the mana affinity and quality examination.

This was where the nobles usually stood out, their mana pools larger and more refined than those of commoners like me. The examiners called us up one by one, placing a crystal in front of us that would measure both our affinity and mana levels.

It was there that I first saw him—the hero chosen by this world, destined to fight the Demon Emperor: Arthur Ashford. He had blonde hair and a sleek build. Taller than me, he possessed a face that would surely cause scandals in the future. If I wasn't mistaken, this was the stage where he would start attracting attention due to his talents—able to harness all elemental mana and wield holy energy on top of that. His mana quality was also higher than the prince of the Holy Empire, Jayden Ingrail. Though Jayden was also a once-in-a-lifetime genius, possessing affinity with all the elements and holy energy, he couldn't use the holy energy itself. In the novel, it was suspected this had something to do with the neglect he suffered as a child.

When my turn came, I stepped forward, feeling the weight of the other candidates' stares. I placed my hand on the crystal and waited. It glowed softly, the light flickering and changing colors as it analyzed my mana. After a moment, the crystal pulsed with a bright yellow light—the color of lightning.

Whispers broke out among the other applicants.

Lightning affinity was rare.

The examiners seemed surprised, though my mana level was almost non-existent compared to some of the nobles. But I had something they didn't: Flash Steps. 'It seems I can use mana if I learn skills related to mana usage.'

I stepped back, trying not to let their reactions get to me.

Next were Arthur and Jayden's turns. I watched as Arthur, the hero destined to fight the Demon Emperor, stepped forward confidently. His aura was calm, but there was an undeniable presence about him—like he was already used to the attention. As he placed his hand on the crystal, a murmur rippled through the hall. Everyone was eager to see the result.