The day of the test had finally arrived.

The students of Class S were gathered in a spacious room, their faces a mixture of anticipation, focus, and a touch of nervous energy. The usual chatter was subdued, replaced by tense glances exchanged between classmates.

Suddenly, the heavy doors of the room opened. A group of individuals in hooded cloaks entered, their presence immediately commanding attention. Leon’s sharp eyes studied them carefully — the robes, the way they carried themselves, the aura of authority. These must be the seniors overseeing the test, he thought.

The tallest figure, clearly the leader, remained in the shadows beneath her hood, her face still unseen. Her voice, calm but firm, echoed through the room.
“One by one, S Class, step forward and follow the designated guide outside.”

Students rose obediently, each called by name. They followed a hooded figure silently, leaving the room in an orderly line. Whispers died down, replaced by the sound of boots against the floor.

Soon, only Leon and the leader remained inside. The leader stepped forward, the soft sound of her movements echoing in the empty space.
“Leon Milford,” she said, her voice calm yet sharp. “You will follow me.”

Without another word, she turned and began walking through the corridor, the silence between them heavy. Leon followed, his mind already analyzing the situation. The corridor seemed endless, the dim light casting long shadows on the walls. No one spoke; no one needed to.

Finally, they arrived at their destination. The leader opened the door, and they stepped into a room unlike anything Leon had ever seen.

The walls were lined with intricate machinery, wires intertwining with glowing runes, and crystalline structures pulsating with light. The hum of magical energy filled the air.

“What is all this?” Leon asked, stepping forward, eyes scanning the complex devices.

The leader removed her hood, revealing a composed woman with sharp features and piercing eyes. “This,” she explained, gesturing to the machines, “is the magical apparatus that will transport your consciousness into a controlled virtual space. Here, you can display your full potential without risking injury.”

Leon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “So… the Battle Royale won’t be in the real world?”

The leader nodded.
“Correct. This method ensures that the students can push themselves to their limits safely. Every spell, every maneuver, every tactic will be recorded and assessed. Your true abilities can now be tested without physical consequences.”

Leon’s eyes flicked over the machinery with quiet recognition. I know this device. It was one of the newest magical creations by Alain Cobalt, the current head of Cobalt Industries, the largest and most influential corporation specializing in magical artifacts. The device was designed to transport the user’s consciousness into a virtual space where magic could be used freely — a perfect environment to gauge a mage’s true potential.

But it wasn’t public knowledge. The device was still in its testing phase, hidden from the general world. In his past life, Leon had only discovered the truth a year after this event, when Alain Cobalt had finally unveiled the technology to the public. And yet, here it was, in front of him, operational and ready for the Battle Royale.

The guide gestured toward a crystalline console in the center of the room.
“Step here,” she instructed. “Once you synchronize with the device, your consciousness will be transported. The arena will appear before you, and the test will officially begin.”

Leon approached calmly, studying the runes etched into the console. He noted the precise arrangement of magical circuits and mana conduits. Even with my knowledge from the past, this setup is more sophisticated than I remember.

The guide’s eyes met his once more. “Are you prepared, Leon Milford?”

He nodded. “I am.”

The guide paused, then slowly put down her hood, revealing her face.
“Good luck,” she said calmly.

Leon’s eyes widened slightly, and a faint smile crossed his lips. I know that face…

Yes — she was none other than Ryna Elsgard, the current president of the academy’s student council, and one of the companions that accompanied him during his final confrontation with the Demon King in his past life. Though she looked ten years younger here, her presence was unmistakable.

Ryna was also Elena’s older sister, a princess of the kingdom. Leon felt a pang of nostalgia as he looked at her — memories of the battle, her unwavering resolve, and the fleeting moments of camaraderie all returned to him.

Before he could speak, a soft hum filled the room. The machinery pulsed with light, and Leon felt a gentle tug at his consciousness. The world around him blurred and stretched.

When his vision cleared, he found himself standing alone in the middle of a forest. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy above, and the air was thick with magical energy — a clear sign that the virtual arena was active.

Leon took a deep breath, steadying himself. He was alone for now, but the Battle Royale had officially begun.