The prince, Aeren’s fellow student, was first in line. Prince Kaelen Valcrest stood tall, his posture regal, exuding an arrogance that seemed to ooze from every pore. The moment he stepped forward, the surrounding students parted in admiration, especially the girls, who couldn’t take their eyes off him. Aeren noticed how they watched him with obvious admiration, their faces flushed, and their hearts clearly lost to the prince’s charm.

Kaelen, not even sparing a glance at Aeren, raised his hand with a flick of his wrist. A deep, rumbling growl echoed as fire sparked in his palm. His magic roared to life in a brilliant orange-red blaze, swirling around him before he sent a massive fireball hurtling toward the boulder.

The boulder exploded in a cloud of dust and debris, completely obliterated by the intensity of the fireball. The students around him gasped in awe, many of the girls sighing in admiration. Kaelen’s arrogant grin widened as he basked in the attention.

“I knew it,” he muttered to himself, looking around at his classmates with smug satisfaction. “Nothing can stand in my way.”

As the applause died down, Aeren stepped forward, his movements calm and composed. The eyes of the other students were now on him, some curious, others skeptical. He had already captured their attention with his display of magic earlier, but this was different. This was an exam to show strength.

Aeren closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts. He had trained in both fire and water magic, but it was time to show just how far his abilities had come. He reached within, channeling the energy inside him—his magic, his will. Fire and water, two elements, as different as night and day, yet both fueled by the same force.

Aeren's hand began to glow with a dual aura—one flame-red and the other deep, ocean-blue. The fire and water spiraled together, wrapping around each other like opposing forces bound in perfect harmony. The students watched in astonishment as the magic took shape—two elemental forces fused into something they had never seen before.

With a swift motion, Aeren thrust his hands forward, sending both elements hurtling toward the boulder. The fire surged forward, hot and ferocious, while the water followed closely behind, fierce and relentless. The two elements collided with the boulder in a destructive explosion. The heat of the fire evaporated the water, creating a steam explosion that ripped through the air, and the boulder was obliterated with a deafening roar. Not only was the boulder destroyed, but the shockwave sent trees and debris flying in every direction, creating a large crater in the earth. The power of the dual cast magic was far beyond anything anyone had anticipated.

The crowd fell silent. Even the girls who had been swooning over Kaelen were stunned, their eyes wide with awe. Aeren stood in the center of the destruction, his face calm but his heart racing. He hadn’t meant to unleash that much power, but there it was—raw, untamed magic.

Prince Kaelen, standing off to the side, scowled. His jaw clenched in frustration, a dark glint in his eyes. His fire magic had been impressive, but it was nothing compared to the force Aeren had just unleashed. His grip on his own magic orb tightened, his chest burning with jealousy. How could someone like Aeren, an unknown prodigy, overshadow him like that?

Kaelen’s eyes narrowed as he watched Aeren, his thoughts swirling with envy and resentment. He was the crown prince—he was supposed to be the strongest, the one to gain all the recognition. But Aeren, with his effortless mastery of magic, had just outshone him in front of everyone.

Aeren, on the other hand, was blissfully unaware of Kaelen’s growing animosity. He turned to face the teacher, awaiting her assessment. The teacher, still silent, exchanged a quick glance with the other staff members, all of them trying to process the overwhelming display of power Aeren had just shown.

“You… You’ve completed the task with remarkable skill,” the teacher finally said, her voice tinged with disbelief. “That was beyond expectations.”

Aeren nodded, his face calm as he looked around at the students who had witnessed the display. He felt the weight of their gazes on him but didn't allow it to affect him. Magic was simply a tool for him, nothing to be overthought.

As the test continued, Kaelen’s anger simmered beneath the surface, his mind fixated on Aeren and the power he wielded. This wasn’t over. He would make sure of that.

The day had passed in a whirlwind of tests and displays of power, and now it was time for the results. The air in the academy’s grand hall was thick with anticipation as students and faculty gathered, eager to hear who would rise to the top and who would fall short.

Aeren stood among the other students, his expression calm as always, though he could feel the tension in the air. The results would determine not just his place at the academy, but how his future would unfold. He had already caught the eyes of the teachers with his dual-cast magic, but he knew there were others whose talents were just as formidable, if not more so.

At the front of the room, Headmaster Vorlan stood with a stack of papers in his hands, his expression unreadable. He cleared his throat, and the entire hall fell silent.

“Students,” he began, his voice commanding attention. “Today, you have all faced the challenge of this entrance exam. Some have shown exceptional skill, others have proven their potential. We have seen magic in its rawest form today, and I am proud to say that each of you has the opportunity to grow in this esteemed institution.”

He paused, letting the words sink in. The students exchanged nervous glances, wondering who would be ranked where.

“However, there can only be one ranking that truly matters, and it is based on a combination of skill, potential, and mastery of your elements.” Headmaster Vorlan’s eyes scanned the room as he continued. “The top-ranked students will be granted the most prestigious positions in our academy, with the best tutors and the most advanced training. As for those who do not meet the standard… Well, they will have to find their own path.”

Aeren stood still, his mind focused. He hadn’t come here to just pass—he had come to prove himself, to reach the very top.

The Headmaster began reading the names off the list, each student’s rank announced with a brief description of their performance. Most students had shown some degree of competence, but nothing to set them apart. The room murmured with each name that was called, the students waiting for their own turn.

"Rank 10: Linora Grell," the Headmaster announced. The girl stepped forward, her face flushed with pride as the crowd clapped politely. “A solid display of fire magic. Keep honing your craft.”

Rank after rank passed, but Aeren barely noticed as the names blurred by. His mind was on one thing: when would his name be called?

Finally, the Headmaster reached the top of the list.

“Rank 1: Aeren Valcrest.”

The entire hall fell silent. The name echoed through the chamber like a thunderclap. Aeren felt a weight settle on his shoulders, but it wasn’t one of pressure. It was the weight of recognition—of accomplishment. He had done it.

Aeren stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest, though his face remained neutral. He could feel every eye in the room on him. Whispers buzzed through the crowd, and a few students cast him envious glances. Many had known he was talented, but no one had expected him to take the top spot.

The Headmaster smiled slightly as Aeren stood before him. “An extraordinary display of magic,” he said, his voice carrying across the room. “Fire and water, two elements that most can never hope to master. Your control, your power… it is unmatched by anyone else here today. Congratulations.”

Aeren nodded silently, accepting the recognition without a word. This was only the beginning, he knew. The real challenges awaited him.

Prince Kaelen, standing near the back of the room, clenched his fists in frustration. His eyes narrowed as he watched Aeren take the top rank. His own performance had been strong—after all, he was the crown prince, the best of the best—but this… this was unexpected.

Kaelen’s face twisted in a mixture of jealousy and disbelief. He had expected to claim the top spot effortlessly, but now it was Aeren who stood there, receiving the praise he felt was rightfully his.

As the applause for Aeren died down, the Headmaster turned to the other students.

“The rest of you, do not be discouraged. This is merely the beginning. You have all shown potential, and you will have the chance to prove yourselves as you continue your studies here at the academy.”

Aeren stepped back, his eyes briefly meeting Kaelen’s. There was no malice in his gaze—only a calm determination. He had worked hard to get here, and he would work even harder to remain at the top.

Kaelen’s glare lingered for a moment before he turned away, his mind already plotting how he could one-up Aeren. He couldn’t afford to lose to someone like him, especially not in front of the entire academy.

The ceremony continued with the announcement of the other rankings, but for Aeren, the day was already sealed. He had proven himself—now, he would make sure to maintain his position and rise even higher. The academy had been his first step, but the world beyond would be the true test of his power.

And Aeren Valcrest was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the Headmaster finished announcing the first-place ranking, he paused for a moment before continuing.

"Rank 2: Prince Kaelen Valcrest," he declared, his voice carrying across the room.

The room buzzed with murmurs and whispers. Kaelen's presence seemed to command attention, as expected of a prince. He stepped forward, his chest puffed out with pride. A few students at the back couldn’t help but glance at Aeren, comparing him to Kaelen's status. To many, the ranking had come as no surprise. The prince’s talent with fire magic had always been well-known, and his performance during the exam was nothing short of impressive.

"An impressive showing, Your Highness," the Headmaster continued, nodding in approval. "Your fire magic was potent and controlled. You have great promise."

Kaelen gave a respectful bow, though his smirk remained. He had expected to take the top spot, but second place wasn’t too bad. Not when his name was already known throughout the kingdom.

As he turned to return to his position, Kaelen's eyes met Aeren’s once again. There was no mistaking the sharp edge in his gaze. The rivalry was now official, and Kaelen could not ignore it.

Aeren, still standing tall and unflinching, didn’t react. His gaze remained cool and collected, but inside, he felt the weight of Kaelen’s jealousy. He had taken the top spot, and that, in Kaelen’s mind, was a challenge.

With the two of them standing at the top of the list—Aeren in first, Kaelen in second—there was no question that the rivalry between them was only beginning. The students around them continued to murmur, some excited by the tension, others anxious about what would come next.

Aeren’s mind, however, was focused elsewhere. He had earned this position, and now he needed to prove himself worthy of it. Being ranked first at the academy was just the beginning of a much greater journey. The world was full of challenges, and now that he had Kaelen’s attention, he knew that his strength would be tested time and time again.

But Aeren was ready for whatever would come next.

The Headmaster finished reading the rest of the rankings, but the crowd’s eyes kept returning to the top two—Aeren and Kaelen. They were destined to clash, but for now, they were united in their standing at the peak of the academy’s entrance exam.

Aeren, however, couldn’t help but feel that the real test had only just begun.