Chapter 13: "The Wings of Choice and Flame"
After five long hours inside the Verdant Gate, Mike and Jek found themselves enveloped in a pillar of soft, golden light.
Woosh…
With a wave of mana, they reappeared in the central plaza, along with dozens of other students who were being teleported out one by one. The bright daylight almost blinded them after the dense jungle shadows. The sensation was like waking from a vivid dream.
The ground hummed with energy as students gasped, laughed, or collapsed with relief. Victories and near-death escapes had worn most of them down.
Hovering above the crowd once again was Examiner Loreia, regal in her violet storm robes, blue lightning cracking faintly around her. Her voice boomed from the floating orb beside her.
"Very good, everyone. Your performances were commendable, especially those from Green Ant High." Her eyes flicked toward Mike for the briefest moment. "This year, your academy has earned additional allocation points for your outstanding students."
Applause burst from the crowd, especially from Teacher V and the Green Ant students.
Loreia smiled slightly. "Now that all participants have returned, I hereby declare this year's Inter-Academy Examination complete. Based on your rankings and contributions, you are now eligible to apply to the academy of your choice."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the students.
Loreia raised her hand. "A reminder: each top-tier academy has limited slots. Only students within the top fifty may apply to the top three. For those in the top ten, however, special privileges apply—including early admission, elite classes, and individual cultivation resources."
More cheers erupted, but some eyes turned toward Mike—ranked first. His calm presence amidst the crowd had not gone unnoticed.
Teacher V approached Mike, Shan, and Jek, beaming with pride. "You three… you've made me proud. Green Ant High will remember your names."
"Thanks, Teacher," Jek said with a tired grin.
Shan walked over, rubbing his neck with a sheepish chuckle. "Ckk! Fine. You win, Mike. Guess you can have Jane now!"
Shan had also achieved a good rank—he placed 14th. That was already a solid score, but the gap between him and Mike was simply too vast.
Mike blinked. "Huh? What are you talking about? I didn't even think of her that way."
Shan gave a helpless shrug. "Well, she said if I didn't beat you, I didn't stand a chance."
Jek laughed, throwing his arm around Shan's neck. "Don't worry. Mike here isn't into campus beauties. He—"
"Who's Jane?"
The air suddenly grew warm—oppressively warm.
Everyone turned.
Eira.
She stood among a delegation of students, wearing the unmistakable colors of Blue Eagle Academy. Her fiery presence made the air shimmer, eyes blazing with a phoenix's wrath.
Jek instantly paled. "Oh no..."
Mike reacted with perfect calm. He stepped forward, wrapped his arm around Eira's waist, and whispered with a smile, "Your temper's still as lovely as ever."
Eira's cheeks flushed instantly, her phoenix eyes dimming slightly. A glowing pink heart of ambient mana formed in the air above them before popping with a faint sparkle.
"Uhm… c-can you let me go?" she mumbled, embarrassed, brushing back her hair.
"You came back. That's what matters," Mike whispered before finally letting her go.
The crowd collectively coughed and looked away.
Auline, standing beside Eira in Blue Eagle robes, smirked. "Can you two save that for later? You're making us all feel single and pathetic."
Even Teacher V looked mildly amused. "Young love... right in front of the elders. How bold."
Mike scratched his head. "Sorry, Teacher."
Eira straightened her uniform and gave Mike a small nod. "You did well."
Before Mike could respond, a presence approached—a tall, slender woman in brilliant azure robes embroidered with an eagle emblem, flanked by a man in flame-patterned crimson robes and another in black-gilded gold.
These were the representatives of the three top academies: Blue Eagle Academy, Lion Roar Academy, and Black Dragon Academy.
The woman from Blue Eagle Academy stepped forward first, nodding respectfully to Loreia and then turning her gaze to Mike.
"Mike Arven."
Mike stood tall, his face calm despite the growing attention.
"You've achieved something remarkable. Your performance in the Verdant Gate, your strategic decision-making, and most of all—your unique Crystalline Mana Heart—have caught the attention of our academy."
She gestured subtly to Eira, who stood quietly behind her. "We recognize talent when we see it. You are hereby offered a full scholarship to Blue Eagle Academy. Early admission. A private dormitory. And mentorship under a Tier 4 Instructor of your choice."
Gasps spread through the crowd.
Mike didn't speak immediately. His eyes darted to the other two representatives.
The man in crimson from Lion Roar Academy narrowed his gaze. "We, too, are interested. You possess rare mana affinity and strategic skill. Join us, and you'll be forged into a warrior without equal. We offer full combat immersion—no politics, no distractions."
The black-golden-robed woman from Black Dragon Academy smiled serenely. "Your ability to remain calm and control mana under duress is rare. With us, you'll gain access to the Arcane Archives and the Mind-Focus Chambers. We cultivate mages of control and mastery."
The Blue Eagle representative added, "If that's not enough, we can offer access to the Special Class—available only to early awakeners."
The other representatives frowned. "Lina, don't you think you're overdoing it?" the Lion Roar rep asked sharply.
Lina, the Blue Eagle Academy representative and a Tier 4 awakener, responded calmly. "I'm doing this for a reason—one you may not yet understand."
Others might not have noticed it, but Lina had—Mike possessed not just rare skills, but a legacy skill. To her, this level of talent was worth the investment.
Mike looked at them all… then at Eira.
"I appreciate all your offers," he said slowly. "But there's only one path I'm truly interested in."
He turned to the Blue Eagle representative. "You mentioned special class access?"
"Yes. And we can help you reach Tier 3 as swiftly as possible. And of course…" she gestured toward Eira, "familiar faces help foster strong roots."
Mike smiled. "Then I accept."
Thunderous applause erupted from the students behind him.
Even Teacher V clapped. "Good choice."
The Lion Roar and Black Dragon Academy representatives nodded politely and turned away.
Yes, being with Eira was one reason—but Mike also considered the broader consequences.
Lion Roar Academy focused primarily on elemental specialization. Black Dragon Academy was known for raw combat. But Blue Eagle Academy, despite its reputation for research and discovery, offered the most balanced path—combining theory, field exploration, and battle readiness. It was the only academy that encouraged magical growth without forcing a rigid mold.
Jek appeared beside Mike, nearly vibrating with excitement. "Dude! You got scouted in front of everyone! And by Eira's academy!"
Eira coughed softly. "It wasn't just my academy."
Auline laughed. "You're practically glowing, Eira."
The Blue Eagle representative handed Mike a scroll infused with blue light. "This contains your credentials. Welcome, Mike Arven. May your wings soar ever higher."
Eira stepped beside him again, her voice quieter now. "I knew you'd make it."
"I promised I would," Mike said. "Didn't I?"
Her hand brushed his lightly, but she quickly withdrew it.
Mike smiled and leaned in. "You're already here. Why not visit your parents while you're in the capital?"
"…Okay," she said softly, nodding.
The two of them waved goodbye to their classmates and teachers—and together, they stepped into a future already burning with promise.