Raven's Pov
After waking up and finishing my usual routine, I put on my black combat outfit. It had a single sleeve that covered my right arm, hiding the scar beneath it.
I fastened my katana to my waist, while three daggers rested along my left thigh.
Then I wrapped a black scarf around my mouth, covering half of my face.
Only my silver eyes and strands of black hair remained visible.
It has begun.
I thought as I stepped outside.
The Academy.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6:00 AM
A massive hall stood before me.
It was enormous and beautifully decorated, with many people around my age gathered outside.
Some looked extremely nervous.
Others wore expressions full of confidence.
I waited for nearly ten minutes while quietly observing everyone around me.
None of them are here...
I did not notice any of the main characters.
But then...
"Renee?"
The girl with pink hair and red eyes stood not far away.
She wore a black combat uniform, with a dagger resting at her waist and a bow hanging across her back.
"Hm?"
She turned toward me after noticing my gaze.
Then she raised her hand and waved.
I returned the greeting, only to see her begin walking toward me.
"Raven, it has been a while."
Her beautiful voice reached my ears as she stopped in front of me.
"Hello, Renee."
I answered while thinking to myself.
I had seen Renee many times during the past few weeks ...whether in the tavern or around the apartment building.
She always recognized me, even when I wore the scarf.
Although I was curious how... or why... I never asked.
We talked for a few minutes.
Mostly about small things ...what the entrance exam might be like, who the professors would be, and other meaningless topics.
Even though I already knew much of it.
Still...
Renee did not seem truly interested in those questions.
It felt more like she simply wanted an excuse to talk with me.
Impossible... right?
I quickly threw the absurd thought out of my head.
"Greetings, applicants."
A voice suddenly cut through my conversation with Renee.
At the same moment, I felt a faint pressure.
My danger sense immediately warned me.
The massive doors of the hall slowly opened.
Three figures stepped out.
At the rear were two people.
A man who looked to be in his thirties, with dark wine-red hair resting on his shoulders and blue eyes calmly observing the applicants.
Beside him walked a woman with long black hair reaching her waist and violet eyes fixed ahead with complete indifference.
They were professors of Erthina Academy.
The man belonged to the Elemental Department.
The woman taught in the Combat Department.
But my eyes were drawn to the one walking in front of them.
He moved with complete confidence, wearing a long white robe.
A faint aura surrounded him.
Even his footsteps felt as though they belonged to someone from another world.
Short silver hair.
Gray eyes.
The moment I looked at him...
I felt it.
My very being warned me.
My instincts screamed.
Danger.
He was the Gray Sovereign.
Vice Director of the Academy.
Ryan Kizas's closest friend.
The Ruler of the Sun.
The White Silver.
Clayman Kleint.
His silver eyes swept across the applicants with indifference.
Then, whenever his gaze paused on certain students...
He smiled slightly.
Each time he looked at someone, that faint smile appeared.
I could not see who they were from where I stood.
But I understood.
Those were the main group.
The strongest among the new applicants.
"Hm?"
His gaze suddenly landed on me.
Then on Renee beside me.
His smile widened just a little.
Terrifying...
If nothing can hide from old Marcus's eyes...
Then nothing around Clayman escapes his notice.
A moment later, he looked away.
"To all applicants."
His deep voice slowly left his lips.
A faint aura spread from him, tearing lightly through the air itself.
"I hope each of you gives your very best..."
"In the coming examination."
His voice echoed across the entire plaza.
"I will not speak for long."
"I am not particularly skilled in social matters."
He seemed to attempt a joke.
No one laughed.
Everyone simply stared at him with complete focus.
"Ahem."
He placed a hand on his head and smiled awkwardly.
"It seems everyone is quite excited."
"In any case, you may now enter the hall."
"Professor Allen and Professor Maria will explain the structure of the upcoming test."
"Do your best."
His final words came out deeper than before.
The massive doors of the hall opened fully.
Golden flames suddenly surrounded the White Silver..
Then
He vanished.
"How did he do that...?"
I stared in confusion.
His element was fire, yes...
But I could not imagine how he had used it in such a way.
Then again... he's a Sovereign. What did I expect?
"Come on, Raven. Let's go."
Renee's cheerful voice pulled me from my thoughts.
She was smiling brightly, her red eyes curved into crescent moons.
"Ahem."
I coughed lightly, trying to hide my embarrassment as I followed after her.
I could feel my ears turning a little red.
But...
Maybe it's just my imagination?