Wind howled in Leon’s ears as the ground vanished beneath him. Screams echoed from every direction as hundreds of examinees plummeted toward the glimmering pool below — a vast expanse of liquid mana that shimmered with an eerie blue light.

Leon didn’t panic.

He knew exactly what this was.

The first trial of Elsgard Academy… he thought. “Don’t get wet.”

It sounded deceptively easy, but it had crushed more dreams than any other test. The water wasn’t ordinary — it was enchanted to detect mana contact. Touching it, even for a second, meant instant disqualification.

He knew, because in his past life… he had failed here.

Back then, ten years ago, he had panicked.

His spell had misfired, his control had wavered, and he had splashed into the mana pool before he even realized what happened.

Not this time.

Leon drew in a calm breath and extended his hand. “—Wind Veil.”

A soft emerald glow surrounded him, slowing his fall immediately. The air bent to his will, coiling beneath him like invisible threads. Around him, students screamed and flailed, trying to form barriers or cast levitation spells, but most were too panicked to focus.

One by one, they struck the glowing surface below.

Splash.

Splash.

Splash.

Each sound was the death knell of a dream.

Leon kept his gaze steady. His magic control was sharp — steady as steel. The wind obeyed him completely now, flowing naturally as if it were part of him.

“Wind Arc—Redirect!”

He shifted the currents under his feet, gliding through the air with perfect balance. The panic below didn’t reach him.

Then he spotted Raine tumbling past, arms flailing wildly.

“Leoooon! I can’t—ahhhhh!”

Leon sighed softly and extended a finger. A focused current shot downward, cushioning Raine’s fall and pushing him toward a floating slab of broken stone.

Raine landed with a heavy thud, coughing. “I-I didn’t drown?! You saved me!”

Leon smiled faintly. “You’re welcome. Try not to fall again.”

Within moments, the screams began to fade. When Leon finally looked down, more than half the participants had already been pulled from the glowing water by the academy’s recovery spells.

Only a fraction remained above — those who had managed to stay dry.

Professor Elara Vaunt observed silently from her floating podium high above, her dark hair fluttering in the wind. Her sharp eyes moved from student to student, finally lingering on Leon.

Such refined control, she thought. That’s not something self-taught students normally possess.

Leon landed gently on a circular platform of condensed wind, his boots barely making a sound. He glanced around. Out of nearly two hundred candidates, fewer than fifty remained.

About the same number as last time, he noted. Except this time, I’m still here.

He looked down at his reflection in the mana pool below and exhaled softly. I won’t repeat that failure again. Not ever.

A resonant chime filled the air, signaling the end of the first trial.

Professor Elara’s voice echoed across the plaza. “Those who remain dry, congratulations. You have passed the first phase of the entrance examination.”

The exhausted cheers and sighs of relief from the survivors filled the air.

Elara’s expression softened slightly. “But don’t celebrate yet. The next part of your test will begin soon. Follow the attendants to the next venue.”

A group of academy staff appeared through shimmering teleportation circles, their robes bearing the silver insignia of exam proctors. They gestured for the surviving students to gather.

Raine stumbled over, still pale from shock. “That was insane! Is every test like this?”

Leon chuckled quietly. “You’ll see soon enough.”

The surviving candidates followed the proctors down a glowing bridge of magic that connected to another tower on the academy grounds. In the distance, Leon could already see it — the next arena, vast and circular, surrounded by high stone walls etched with runic symbols.

The second trial awaited them there.

As Leon walked among the other survivors, the morning sun warmed his face.

Ten years ago, he had walked this same path in defeat.

Now, he walked it as someone who knew the future — and carried the weight of it.

This time, he thought, his eyes narrowing with quiet resolve, I’ll make sure I never fail again.