The Adventurer's Guild was buzzing with hopeful applicants. Fresh-faced recruits lined up, some clutching weapons, others whispering nervously about the upcoming entrance exam.
Red yawned. "So, I just have to pass some tests and I'm in? Easy."
Delta, the receptionist, barely looked up. "You need to prove you're worth training. If you fail, you'll have to wait until next year."
Red waved her off. "Yeah, yeah. Just point me to the battlefield."
Delta sighed and handed him a small glowing crystal. "Before combat, every applicant must be evaluated by the Gemstone Spirits. If they recognize you, you'll receive magic skills. If not… well, let's just say you'll have a harder time surviving."
Red eyed the crystal with mild interest. "So, I get magic if some floating rock says I'm worthy?"
Delta gave him a tired look. It's a sacred tradition."
Red smirked. "Sounds rigged, but whatever." He stepped forward, tossing the crystal in his palm.
The Gemstone Spirit's Judgment
A towering archway of glowing gemstones stood at the center of the room. One by one, applicants placed their hands on the largest Spirit Gem, waiting to see if it accepted them.
- A nervous mage stepped up first. The gemstone pulsed blue, and the crowd clapped. "Water affinity. He'll be a solid caster."
- A warrior followed. The gemstone glowed red, granting him fire magic.
Then came Red. He confidently placed his hand on the crystal.
Silence.
No glow. No reaction.
Someone coughed. "Uh… is it broken?"
Delta frowned. "Unusual. Try again."
Red pressed harder. Nothing.
Whispers spread. "Did he… just get rejected?"
Delta clicked her tongue. "That's rare. Without magic, you'll be at a disadvantage—"
CRACK.
The gemstone shattered in his hand.
Everyone froze. Even Delta's usual bored expression vanished.
A faint, distorted voice echoed. "You… do not belong."
The glow from the archway dimmed, as if the very spirits refused to acknowledge him.
Red, completely unfazed, dusted off his hands. "Well. That's new."
Despite his rejection from the Gemstone Spirits, Red wasn't deterred.
The academy's entrance exam was only the beginning. Now came the shadow training drills, the bread and butter of every new recruit. The students were taught how to perfect their basic sword swings, their footwork, and their timing. Most recruits struggled with the same moves over and over again, their swings slow and unrefined.
Red, however, wasn't just looking for a way to get by. He wanted to join the class, prove that he wasn't some outsider, despite his lack of magic.
Instructor Karla, a tall woman with a stern expression, gave the recruits their first set of drills. "Form two lines. One sword, one shadow. Follow the movements. Your sword is an extension of your body."
Red, standing at the back, watched the others go through the motions. Most were struggling with their coordination. Some kept tripping over their own feet. Red couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"This is a joke," he muttered under his breath.
Then, to everyone's surprise, he stepped forward and joined the class, his posture upright, his sword ready in hand. He mirrored the instructor's movements effortlessly, cutting through the air with the fluidity of someone who had been trained for years.
Karla's eyes narrowed. "You! Stop."
Red froze. "What? Too fast?"
Instructor Karla didn't respond immediately. She just stared at him, then gestured for him to continue. "You've got talent, but don't think you can just waltz through my drills."
Red smiled, acknowledging her challenge. "Of course. I'm just here to learn, right?"
But deep down, he knew this was just another step in his journey. "Level 7. Not much, but I'm getting better."
Blue's Watchful Eyes from Above
High above in the observation tower, Blue stood with a keen eye trained on Red. The Adventurer's Academy grounds sprawled below her, and she kept her distance, hidden from view. She had already seen enough of Red's antics to know he wasn't like the others.
She had noticed how he moved during the exam—his unorthodox fighting style. It was raw, but it was effective. And despite being rejected by the Gemstone Spirits, he still stood tall, eager to prove himself. He was different.
She couldn't deny the curiosity bubbling inside her. "Who exactly are you, Red?"
But for now, she remained silent, hidden in the shadows above, watching as Red continued his drills with an unyielding spirit.