Applicants stood in groups across the courtyard. Yudo stood far away from the crowd as his eyes scanned the area constantly. More importantly… his senses did. Hundreds of different Trait signatures surrounded him. Some of their energy flickered weakly, barely controlled. Others were steady.

Yudo’s eyes narrowed. Not everyone here knows what they’re doing.

One boy nearby seemed to have an unusual Trait signature. Another applicant had a massive blade strapped across his back. A third was loudly boasting about his abilities to anyone who would listen.

Yudo rubbed the back of his neck. That guy looks like a hothead.

Then suddenly, the pressure in the plaza changed. A wave of energy spread through the courtyard. Not violent or overwhelming.

Just… incredibly stable.

Yudo’s head turned immediately. What the hell…?

Several meters away stood a girl with long white hair that flowed down her back. The breeze gently stirred the ends of her hair as she walked in the plaza. Her posture was relaxed, almost bored, as she looked across the crowd. Her golden eyes slowly moved from applicant to applicant. Observing and measuring.

Yudo froze. That girl is incredible.

The other applicants had noticed her too. Whispers spread quickly. Some girls whispered bitterly about how much she stood out. Some of the other applicants seemed genuinely uneasy. But one girl didn’t look intimidated at all.

She suddenly pushed through the crowd and walked directly toward the white-haired girl. “Heyyyyy!”

The white-haired girl stopped walking as the pink-haired girl smiled brightly. “Why are people so afraid of you?”

The white-haired girl blinked in surprise.

“My name is Lillie,” the girl continued cheerfully. “What’s yours?”

“Elaina.”

“That’s a pretty name!” Lillie said with a huge smile. “You seem pretty cool. Let’s be friends.”

Elaina looked confused. Then smiled slightly. “No one has ever talked to me like this before.”

Lillie grinned even wider. “Well, get used to it. That’s just who I am.”

The two girls began walking forward together. Then suddenly, Elaina’s gaze shifted. Her golden eyes locked onto someone standing near the edge of the plaza.

Yudo.

For a brief moment, the golden glow in her eyes intensified. It felt like a silent warning.

Yudo stiffened. Can she tell that my Traits are different?

Before anything else could happen, a sudden pressure filled the courtyard. This time it was overwhelming. The conversations stopped, the laughter vanished, and the entire crowd fell silent. Every applicant turned toward the academy gates.

Yudo squinted upward. No way…

Standing atop a massive stone platform, above everyone else, was Shujiro. Their eyes locked. Shujiro had a smug grin on his face.

Yudo stared back, unimpressed. Of course he’s up there. Doesn’t change anything.

Another instructor standing nearby leaned toward Shujiro. “Tsunemori.”

“What?”

“Idiot. You’re the top Guardian here. The applicants are waiting for you to give them words of encouragement.”

Shujiro grinned widely.

He stepped forward. “Applicants from all across Tutela.” His voice echoed through the courtyard. The sound bounced off the academy walls and carried all the way across the plaza.

“I applaud your bravery for taking the first steps toward becoming true Guardians!” He raised his hand dramatically. “Let me be the first to say…”

“Welcome to the Aegis Academy Entrance Trial!”

A wave of excitement rippled through the plaza. Cheers erupted from some applicants while others tightened their fists in anticipation.

Yudo snorted quietly. You are such a show-off, Shujiro.

Shujiro glanced in Yudo’s direction. I bet that kid is thinking of some smart-ass comment right now.

Yudo could feel his heart beating faster.  This is it.

Another instructor stepped forward. “You all stand here today because you believe you have what it takes to become Guardians.” His gaze sharpened. “But belief alone means nothing in combat.”

The man raised his hand. Behind him, a massive projection appeared showing the surrounding forest. Gasps spread throughout the crowd. Applicants began whispering immediately.

Yudo recognized the environment instantly. Corrupted Beasts.

The instructor continued. “There is a location inside the forest that you must reach within the allotted time.” He paused. “But before you may leave the forest… you must complete a requirement.”

“Each Corrupted Beast in the forest possesses a jewel embedded in its neck and each one is worth a certain number of points based on the strength of the Beast.”

“After three hours, the exam will end and we will see the points that each applicant has.”

Three hours? Yudo cracked his knuckles. That’s plenty of time.

The crowd erupted into noise. 

“We have to fight Corrupted Beasts already?!” one applicant shouted nervously. 

“Aren’t we supposed to learn how to fight them first?!” another yelled.

Yudo’s mind moved quickly. The Corrupted Beasts, time limit, and competition made it clear to him that this wasn’t a test of strength alone but of decision-making. The exam required speed and awareness, which Shujiro had been training him for. One mistake and you were out.

The instructor didn’t look impressed. The gates behind the applicants slowly began to open with a deep rumbling sound.

“Anyone who is afraid of this first trial is free to leave.” His eyes hardened. “If this scares you… save us the trouble of dealing with you or your corpses later.”

The courtyard went silent again.

He continued. “There are only a limited number of beasts in the forest. If you do not act quickly, you will fail. A loud siren will go off after the time is up.” Then the instructor added one final sentence. “You are also permitted to steal jewels from other applicants.”

The plaza exploded into chaos. Some applicants looked thrilled. Others suddenly looked terrified. Several groups immediately started discussing alliances.

So it’s not just survival. Yudo grinned. It's a competition.

There were hundreds of applicants here, which meant that most of them would fail.

The instructor raised his hand again. “The trial begins in five minutes.” 

The massive gates beside the academy opened fully. Beyond them was a hill that led down to the dark forest.

“Make your way to the starting point at the bottom of the hill and wait for the signal.”

Applicants began walking through the gate. Yudo stepped forward.

“Hey.”

Yudo turned. Elaina stood behind him. Her golden eyes studied him carefully.

“Something is strange about your Trait.”

Yudo struggled to respond. “Y-yeah, you’re not wrong…”

Her expression remained completely calm. “If you try anything...” Her voice was cold as she started to walk past Yudo. “Just stay out of my way.”

Yudo sighed. He didn’t know how to respond. Elaina continued walking toward the forest. Yudo watched her for a moment. Then looked toward the trees beneath him. 

The Corrupted Beasts waited.

And the entrance trial…

Was about to begin.