Silence spread across the courtyard of Ryūsei Academy like an unstoppable wave, suffocating every murmur of anticipation. The aspiring students and their families held their breath as they watched the man standing on the podium, his very presence commanding immediate respect. Beside him, a legendary beast, the Caninferno, stood tall with a fierce elegance. Its fiery fur radiated an oppressive heat, and its eyes, two glowing embers, observed the crowd with a predator's patience. Even seated, its presence alone was enough to inspire both fear and reverence.
The man cleared his throat, breaking the silence with a deep, powerful voice. "Aspirants," he began, scanning the crowd with a gaze as sharp as a blade. "Welcome to Ryūsei Academy. My name is Taiga, instructor of practical combat. Some of you have heard of me; others will soon wish they hadn't."
His name echoed among the candidates like distant thunder. Taiga was not just an instructor—he was a living legend. His reputation as a warrior and trainer was as feared as it was respected. Kenji felt a chill run down his spine. He wasn't the only one. Around him, the faces of the aspiring students reflected a mixture of awe, respect, and a hint of terror.
"Since ancient times," Taiga continued, "Ryūsei Academy has been a beacon of hope, the last line of defense against the darkness that threatens our land. Here, the warriors who protect Kazehana have been trained—those who have etched their names into history with fire and steel."
His gaze hardened, sharp as a red-hot blade. "Today, you have come with the hope of joining these ranks. But let me make one thing clear: hope alone will not lead you to victory. Only the strong, the brave, and the strategists will survive."
He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. Some swallowed hard. Others clenched their fists in determination.
"The entrance exam will be divided into two parts," he announced. "A theoretical test and a practical test."
A murmur spread again, like a swarm of restless bees.
"The theoretical test will assess your knowledge of beasts—their types, abilities, weaknesses, and combat strategies. Only those who pass this phase will advance to the next. Those who fail to meet the minimum score… will be eliminated with no second chances."
Kenji felt a knot form in his stomach. He had trained hard with Charmander, but he hadn't devoted enough time to studying beasts. "Maybe I should've spent more time reviewing the manuals," he thought, cold sweat trickling down his neck.
"And now, the interesting part," Taiga said with an enigmatic smile. "Originally, the practical test was going to consist of facing beasts trained by the academy. However, after careful consideration… we have decided to change the format."
A wave of surprise spread among the aspirants. Some exchanged uneasy glances.
"Instead of fighting beasts… you will face each other."
A deathly silence fell over the courtyard. The tension was so thick it could be cut with a knife. Kenji felt a shiver run down his spine. Battles between aspirants. Real fights.
"Each of you will be randomly paired with another aspirant. You will fight until one of you surrenders or is incapacitated."
A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd. Some looked worried, others excited.
Kenji felt his heart pounding in his chest. "Fighting against other aspirants? Like a real battle? This isn't what I expected…"
Yet, at the same time, something inside him awakened. The idea of testing himself in real combat against other young warriors, of proving his strength and cunning, filled him with an unfamiliar fire.
"I know what you're thinking," Taiga said, crossing his arms. "Some of you are scared. Others are eager. But let me remind you of something: fear is a tool. It can crush you… or drive you forward. It's up to you to decide how to use it."
His voice rang out like a sharp strike. The entire crowd remained silent.
"Why this change?" Taiga continued, scanning the aspirants with his piercing gaze. "Because we have seen generations of students excel in battles against beasts… only to fail miserably in real fights against other humans. Strength isn't everything. Without cunning, strategy, and adaptability, even the strongest can fall."
Kenji furrowed his brow. He understood the reasoning behind the change. It wasn't enough to know how to fight monsters; he had to learn to face intelligent, unpredictable, and ruthless enemies.
"The theoretical test will begin in two hours," Taiga concluded. "Use your time wisely. Say your goodbyes, review your notes, or prepare mentally. But remember: time is a valuable resource. Do not waste it."
With one last evaluating glance, Taiga stepped down from the podium, followed closely by his imposing Caninferno. The crowd erupted into a clamor of voices as the aspirants scattered in all directions.
Kenji closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. "There's no turning back," he thought. "It's now or never."
The exam had begun.