The first thing Noah noticed...
Was the sunlight.
Warm.
Gentle.
Real.
After days beneath Blackthorn Forest’s crimson sky, the morning sun almost hurt his eyes.
He stood at the edge of the forest.
Behind him, the twisted black trees were silent.
The mist no longer chased him.
It was as if Blackthorn Forest had swallowed its secrets once again.
Noah looked down at his right hand.
The Broken Crown Mark had faded.
Only a faint crimson outline remained beneath his skin.
The First Successor’s Core rested inside a small leather pouch hanging from his belt.
The System had warned him not to absorb it yet.
He intended to listen.
For once.
[Main Trial Completed]
Rewards Distributed.
New Main Quest Available
Enter Valhalla Imperial Academy
Noah stretched.
Every muscle protested.
His ribs still ached.
His shoulder hadn’t fully healed.
His mana was crawling back painfully slowly.
"So..."
He sighed.
"Back to civilization."
Three hours later...
The academy finally came into view.
Noah stopped walking.
"...Holy shit."
Valhalla Imperial Academy wasn’t a school.
It was a city.
Towering white walls surrounded an enormous campus.
Seven colossal towers pierced the clouds.
Floating islands drifted above the academy.
Bridges of light connected buildings suspended in midair.
Students filled the massive entrance plaza.
Some wore robes.
Others carried swords.
Spears.
Bows.
Magic staffs.
Everywhere Noah looked...
There were geniuses.
Some radiated mana powerful enough to make his skin crawl.
Others walked with entourages of noble guards.
Carriages arrived every few minutes.
Each more extravagant than the last.
He immediately recognized what this meant.
"The rich kids..."
Noah muttered.
"...are going to be annoying."
A familiar voice interrupted him.
"I knew you’d survive."
Noah turned.
Eric Walker jogged toward him.
The blond swordsman looked exhausted.
His armor was dented.
His left arm was wrapped in bandages.
But he was smiling.
"I heard Blackthorn Forest only had one participant."
Eric looked Noah up and down.
"You look like shit."
Noah smirked.
"You should see the other guy."
Eric laughed.
"Good."
"I was worried I’d lose the only person around here who doesn’t kiss noble ass."
Before Noah could reply—
A luxurious golden carriage rolled through the academy gates.
The crowd immediately parted.
Students whispered excitedly.
"No way..."
"She’s here..."
"So that’s the Frost Princess..."
The carriage door opened.
A young woman stepped out.
Long silver hair shimmered beneath the sunlight.
Ice-blue eyes.
Elegant academy uniform.
Every movement carried effortless grace.
She looked completely untouchable.
Noah recognized her instantly.
Luna Frost.
One of the strongest students in the academy.
One of the heroines.
And—
Someone who was supposed to hate him.
"...Great."
Eric noticed his expression.
"You know her?"
"No."
"I just have a bad feeling."
As if hearing him...
Luna turned.
Her icy blue eyes met Noah’s crimson ones.
Time seemed to stop.
A strange feeling passed between them.
Recognition.
Confusion.
Curiosity.
Luna frowned.
Very slightly.
Then she looked away.
The moment ended.
Noah quietly released the breath he’d been holding.
"That..."
"...was weird."
He didn’t know it.
But beneath Luna’s uniform...
Hidden beneath the sleeve on her left arm...
A faint silver rune had begun glowing for the first time in years.
A bell echoed across the academy.
A man’s voice boomed through the plaza.
"All new students!"
"Proceed to the Grand Hall immediately!"
"The Entrance Ceremony is about to begin!"
Thousands of students surged forward.
Noah and Eric exchanged a glance.
Eric grinned.
"Ready?"
Noah looked toward the towering academy.
Toward the place where the strongest geniuses on the continent gathered.
Toward the place where rivals, allies, betrayals, and impossible opportunities awaited.
He smiled.
"Let’s see if this place is worth all the trouble."
Together, they stepped through the gates of Valhalla Imperial Academy.
Neither of them noticed the figure watching from the highest tower.
An old man in crimson robes.
His eyes never left Noah.
He whispered to himself.
"...Another one."
Then he disappeared.