Grand Arcanum Academy – VR Capsule Room
The VR Capsule Room was one of the most advanced training facilities in Grand Arcanum Academy.
It was a massive, circular hall, with hundreds of VR capsules neatly arranged in rows. Each capsule was sleek, crafted from mana-infused alloy, engraved with ancient rune formations that allowed full mana synchronization within a simulated battlefield.
Unlike regular virtual reality, this wasn't just an illusion.
Every sensation—pain, exhaustion, weight, and impact—was replicated with mana feedback technology, making it the closest experience to real combat without actually risking death.
And today, it would serve as the battleground for the first-year Ranking Examination.
Alistair entered the hall, his cold black eyes scanning the crowd.
208 first-year students had gathered, their whispers filling the chamber as they observed the capsules and the numerous professors watching from above.
The tension was heavy.
Everyone knew that this test would determine their initial ranking in the academy.
Failure here meant falling behind the elite students immediately.
And no one wanted that.
Standing on an elevated platform, several high-ranking professors observed the students.
Among them were:
Headmaster Magnus Everhart – A silent observer, his imposing presence alone making students uneasy.
Professor Selena Loventis – The one leading today's exam, her golden eyes filled with amusement.
Instructor Ignatius Pyros – Arms crossed, clearly eager to watch students struggle.
Professor Aerith Sylphara – Serene as always, but interested in how students would use magic in battle.
Lord Lucian Valtrix – The Trickster Sage, already grinning as if he knew the chaos about to unfold.
And many more.
Even the higher-year students were watching from above, curious to see the talent of the first-years.
After a few moments, Professor Selena Loventis stepped forward, her enchanting voice echoing throughout the hall.
"Welcome, my lovely students, to your first Ranking Examination."
The room fell silent.
"Today's test will be a Battle Royale Tournament held within the academy's VR battlefield simulation."
At her words, murmurs spread among the students.
A Battle Royale?
This wasn't just a one-on-one duel—this was a mass elimination test.
Professor Loventis smiled at the reaction but continued.
"To ensure fairness, the 208 students will be divided into 16 groups, each group containing 13 participants."
She gestured toward the large projection behind her, showing a holographic display of the tournament system.
---
Tournament System: Rules & Format
- Each round, two groups of 13 students will be transported into a VR battlefield.
- Teams will be assigned randomly, but will be balanced in power.
- If a team has two strong members, the rest will be weaker to ensure fairness.
- The winning team advances automatically, while the losing team faces elimination.
- However, individual performance matters—even if your team loses, you can advance if your strength is deemed sufficient.
- After every match, the teams will be reshuffled, ensuring new combinations each round.
---
This wasn't just a battle of strength—it was also a test of adaptability.
Alistair narrowed his eyes slightly.
This meant that no alliances would last—your teammates today could be your enemies in the next match.
It was a brutal but efficient way to test the true combat ability of each student.
Professor Loventis gave a pleased smile at their reactions.
"This exam will determine your initial rankings in the academy. Your performance will affect your future training resources, privileges, and status."
She clasped her hands together.
"Now then, let's not waste any more time. Check your academy smartwatches—you have been assigned a capsule number. Please enter your designated VR capsule at once."
With those words, the first test of the year had officially begun.
A notification appeared on Alistair's academy smartwatch.
[ VR Battle Royale Exam – Capsule Assignment ]
[ Your Assigned Capsule: #47 ]
He glanced around and quickly located the capsule with his number.
All around him, students were moving toward their assigned capsules, some talking excitedly, others visibly nervous.
Leon Valerius, standing nearby, had a confident smirk on his face as he made his way to his capsule.
Rael Thunderfang cracked his knuckles, eager to fight.
Elaine Vaelthorne, Morganna Draven, and the rest of the elite students remained composed, their eyes already analyzing possible strategies.
However, some lower-ranked nobles and commoners looked anxious.
Not everyone here was a fighter.
For many, this test would be the harshest battle they had ever faced.
Alistair ignored the others, stepping into Capsule #47 and lying down.
The moment he did—
A soft hum filled the air as the capsule activated.
[ Initiating Virtual Reality Synchronization… ]
[ Linking Mana Circuits… ]
A brief sensation of weightlessness overtook him—
And then—
The world shifted.
******
When Alistair opened his eyes, he was no longer inside the capsule.
He was standing in a vast open landscape, surrounded by massive ruins, forests, and broken stone pathways.
This was the VR battlefield, an ever-changing simulation designed to mimic real-world combat environments.
Around him, 12 other students appeared, blinking into existence as the system finalized their team.
A blue holographic timer hovered above them—
[ Next Battle Begins in 60 Seconds… ]
Alistair scanned his team.
As expected, his group was balanced—aside from himself, there was one other strong fighter, but the rest were clearly weaker students.
Across the battlefield, another team of 13 students materialized.
Their opponents.
He spotted Rael Thunderfang among them.
So they placed both of us in separate teams for balance…
Alistair sighed.
This would be interesting.
As the countdown continued, he flexed his fingers, feeling his mana respond perfectly within the simulation.
Everything was just like the real world.
No difference.
Which meant there were no excuses.
His cold black eyes locked onto the enemy team.
The test was about to begin.
To Be Continued…