The morning sun rose over the floating kingdom.
Today, the gates of The Grand Academy of Arcanthia would finally open.
Froy made his way down to the common floor of the tower suite, where Owen and Emily were already waiting.
"Hey, kiddo!" Owen waved him over. "Come eat some breakfast. One of the staff—he's with the Academy—said the testing opens at 9 a.m. It's 7 now. You've got time, but not forever."
Emily added with a gentle smile, brushing a hand through his hair."Do your best, sweetheart. No matter what happens—we'll be here."
They shared breakfast together, just the three of them. One last quiet moment before everything changed.
When 9:00 arrived, the staff attendant from the Academy appeared, dressed in official robes laced with thin, glowing sigils.He gave Froy a nod—and led him to the warp point.
The moment Froy stepped through—
The world shifted.
Light fractured.
Then came color.Sound.And pressure like falling through water.
When he opened his eyes again, he stood in the middle of a vast ceremonial courtyard beneath the heart of Arcanthia itself.Thousands had gathered—more than he could count. Every race, every age, every air of confidence or fear stood beside him.
The courtyard was stunning—arcane symbols spiraling across polished stone, fountains of mana-light rising into the sky, and trees blooming with petals that shimmered like stardust.
Then—silence fell.
Two figures stepped forward from the grand archway above the platform.One clad in deep navy robes, arcane sparks flickering at their fingertips.The other in ceremonial armor, a greatsword glowing at his back.
A voice rang out—calm, firm, absolute.
"Welcome, applicants… to the Trial of Arcanthia."
"There are only three rules."
"First: You must demonstrate mastery—not potential, but true capability—in at least one discipline."
"Second: Killing is forbidden. Should you be caught doing so, the punishment will be absolute.(If you're not caught… well, such is the nature of battle.)"
"Third: No bloodline. No race. No wealth. No title will save you.Skill alone decides your worth.If you pass, you will learn here freely. With full access to knowledge, tools, and magic."
"So prove it."
As soon as the final word echoed, small, floating orbs of translucent glass drifted toward each candidate.
Froy barely had time to blink before the orb touched his chest——and everything turned white.
A moment later, he found himself standing in a different place entirely.
But it wasn't just a place.
It was a reflection.
The world around him twisted between polarities—bliss and torment, light and darkness, clarity and madness.It pulsed with contradiction.Heaven merged with Hell. Laughter echoed over sobbing. The walls bled colors that had no name.
This was no physical landscape.It was a mirror.
A realm forged from his mind.
Froy looked around.
"So… this is how I appear to the world?"He smirked, amused.
"No. This is how the world appears to me."
The twisted landscape around him pulsed in silence.It wasn't hostile. It wasn't kind. It simply was.
Then—without warning—light gathered before his eyes.A gentle tone chimed. Mechanical, but clear.
A translucent panel blinked into existence before him.
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[STATUS ANALYSIS COMPLETE]
– Nickname: Froy (Froyd)
– Age: 12
– Abilities:• [Unique] Miracle
→Uses: 3/3 (Refreshed Daily)
→ Rank:Lowest to Unknown
→ Upgradeable: Yes (Condition: Frequent Use)
– Talent:• [Hidden Ability]
Sixth Sense Manipulation
→ Rank: Lowest
→ Requirement: Use & Training
→ Flaw: Nullified if true name is known
→ Current Status: No "True Name" registered
– Trait: Neutral Evil / Neutral
– Potential: High+
– Threat Level: Low to Mid (Classification Adjusted by: Sethvyr)
[Processing… COMPLETE][Result:PASSED]
[Show Status: Yes / No]
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Froy smiled faintly.
Not because the result pleased him—but because it was accurate.
Uncomfortably so.
"Neutral Evil, huh?"he muttered, almost amused.
"Not wrong. Not right. Just… incomplete."
His gaze settled on the last line.
[Threat Level: Low to Mid (Adjusted by: Sethvyr)]
That name again.
As if summoned, a voice whispered inside his skull—not heard, but felt.
"A temporary misdirection, little one."
"Let them think you are harmless."
"But when the time comes…"
"There won't be anyone left to measure you at all."
Froy inhaled deeply.His smile faded.
Then, without hesitation—he tapped:
[No]
The panel dissolved.
The dream-space crumbled.
Light engulfed him.
And just like that, he was gone.
Ready for what comes next.
Not to survive.
But to take control.
The light faded.
And Froy found himself standing within a colossal hall—vaulted, radiant, and silent.
The Grand Hall of Arcanthia.
Polished white marble stretched in every direction, engraved with flowing silver lines that pulsed faintly like a heartbeat. Floating chandeliers of crystallized mana hovered overhead, casting gentle blue-gold light across the room. The air was clean. Cold. Almost reverent.
He was among the first.
Froy's eyes scanned the empty rows of obsidian benches and golden inlays. Only a few figures had arrived—each silent, cautious, watchful. Some sat tall with pride. Others leaned back, feigning ease. But all shared one thing in common:
They had passed.
Or rather—they had survived.
Froy moved quietly, stepping up the ascending tiers to the very back corner—top row, far right. A position of subtle advantage: few would notice him there, and he could observe everyone.
He sat.
Folded his hands.
And waited.
More began to appear—some in pairs, others alone. Elves with glowing tattoos. Dwarves in battle-worn armor. Beastkin wrapped in enchanted cloaks. A child no older than seven, followed by a serpent of light. Even a man whose shadow moved independently of his body.
So many races.
So many talents.
And yet—so few.
The courtyard before had been overflowing—tens of thousands, at least. But here?
Perhaps a few hundred.
So the rumors were true, Froy thought, watching another hopeful blink into the hall before collapsing to their knees, exhausted.
"Less than one percent."
The Academy had said nothing yet—but everyone understood: this was only the beginning.
The first test had measured something internal.
The second would be far less forgiving.
A soft tone rang out from the crystal array above.
Then a voice—feminine, distant, but clear.
"To those who stand here now—you have passed the first gate of Arcanthia."
"Soon, you will face the second."
"In the next trial, you must demonstrate your strength. Your gift. Your truth."
"Power without control is destruction."
"Control without power is illusion."
"Only those who embody both shall earn their place."
The voice faded.
Silence returned.
And Froy simply closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the soft pulse of mana running through the walls.
So this is the game now, he thought.
Show them just enough… but never everything.Never too soon.