Chapter 31
After surviving the brutal trials, the victorious participants were finally allowed to rest. That night, they were taken to the dormitory—a grand, towering building made of enchanted stone that hummed softly with magic. Exhausted from the trials, most of them collapsed onto their beds, too tired to even talk. Even the usual chatterboxes fell silent, their bodies too sore to entertain conversation.
Except for one.
Kaito groaned dramatically, flopping onto his mattress like a dying fish. "I swear, if tomorrow's another death trap, I'm just going to accept my fate and become a ghost that haunts this academy."
The next morning, a deafening gong reverberated through the academy, shaking the walls and jolting every student awake. Groans and muffled complaints filled the dormitories as some students bolted upright in confusion, while others desperately tried to bury themselves under their blankets, hoping the noise would stop.
Kaito lying in the bed next to him, rubbed his eyes. "We just got here. Can we get at least one day without someone trying to kill us?"
Blaze stretched lazily. "Nope. Welcome to Wizard Knight Academy, my friend. The only school where 'extra credit' means 'survive another life-threatening event.'"
Just as Kaito was about to throw a pillow at him, a deafening gong echoed through the academy. The magical bell tolled like a war cry, shaking the very walls.
Blaze groaned. "Yeah, that's about right."
---
After freshening up, the participants were led into a massive hall inside the academy. The air buzzed with an unspoken tension—everyone knew something important was about to happen. At the front of the hall stood a man with an aura so intense it felt like the room itself bowed to his presence. He was tall, clad in elegant robes, and had a perfectly round, bald head that gleamed under the magical lanterns.
His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in each student with a look that screamed, 'I know you're all disasters waiting to happen.'
"I am Head Examiner Varian," the man introduced himself in a deep, commanding voice. "You have passed the trials, but before you begin your journey here, you must be placed into a department."
The students exchanged nervous glances. This was the final step before they officially became students of the academy.
Varian continued, "Each of you will enter my office one by one. I will ask you a series of questions, and based on your answers, you will be assigned to a department. There are five departments: White, Blue, Green, Red, Purple, and Black. Your tag will determine where you belong."
The students nodded as a line began to form.
---
Kaito strutted into Varian's office first, dropping into the chair like he owned the place. "Yo!"
Varian sighed. "State your name."
"Kaito!"
"Age?"
"Seventeen! But spiritually? Probably seventy."
Varian's eyes twitched. "Affinity?"
"Earth! Also, comedy, but I don't think that's considered magical—yet."
The examiner narrowed his eyes. "Why do you want to be a Wizard Knight?"
"To be awesome, obviously."
Varian stared at him for a long moment, his patience visibly draining. "You are quite intelligent despite your behavior. You will be placed in the White Squad."
Kaito grinned. "Sweet! Also, wow, your bald head is so shiny. I could probably see my reflection if I—"
Varian's face darkened. Without a word, he grabbed his pen, scribbled something on the assignment paper, and handed Kaito a black tag.
"Black Department," he growled. "Now get out."
Kaito blinked at the tag. "Wait, what?"
"OUT."
Kaito bolted out of the room, holding up his black tag like a trophy. "GUYS! I GOT BLACK! I THINK IT MEANS I'M A SPECIAL CASE!"
Blaze and the others exchanged knowing looks. They didn't need an explanation.
---
One by one, students entered and exited the office, each receiving different colored tags. Some got white, others blue or green. Then came the turn of a mysterious figure draped in a black cloak.
The room grew silent as he stepped in. Even Varian tensed at the ominous aura surrounding him.
"Name?" Varian asked cautiously.
"Aether."
"Age?"
"Seventeen."
Varian frowned. "Can I see your face?"
"No."
A muscle twitched in Varian's jaw. He scribbled something down and wordlessly handed Aether a black tag.
"You can go."
Aether accepted the tag without another word, his presence making the air feel heavier as he passed.
---
A yellow-haired boy strode in next, answering all of Varian's questions with perfect precision. The examiner nodded in approval.
"You are an excellent candidate for the Blue Department," Varian declared, reaching for the blue tag.
Then the boy chuckled. "Wow, I didn't think bald heads could shine that brightly indoors."
Varian froze. The air turned heavy.
The boy swallowed. "Uh… did I say that out loud?"
Varian's pen scratched violently against the paper. A moment later, he lifted his hand and handed the boy a black tag.
"You. Can. Go."
The boy snatched the tag and left before he could be incinerated.
---
A brown-haired student entered, his posture stiff and serious.
"What do you enjoy doing?" Varian asked.
"Fighting."
Varian blinked. "Fighting?"
"Yes. Fighting."
Varian sighed, scribbled something, and handed the boy a black tag. "Black Department."
---
Blaze entered next, standing straight.
"What do you like to do?" Varian asked.
"Training."
Varian's hand twitched. "Why?"
"To get stronger."
Varian massaged his temples. "Another delinquent." He scribbled, then handed Blaze a black tag.
---
Nephis, a talented magic user, entered and answered every question flawlessly.
Varian nodded in approval. "You belong in the White Department."
Nephis shook her head. "I'd rather be in the Black Department."
Varian blinked. "Excuse me?"
"All my friends are in the Black Department."
Varian sighed, tossed the white tag aside, scribbled on a new paper, and handed her a black tag.
"Next!"
Akira, a yellow-haired girl, stepped in.
"You're best suited for the Green Department," Varian declared.
"I'd rather be in the Black Department."
Varian stared at her. Another sigh. Another black tag.
As the final student left, Varian collapsed onto his desk. He stared at the ceiling, his spirit shattered.
"This year… where did they even find this bunch of crazy kids?"
And so, the strangest batch of students in Wizard Knight Academy history had been assembled. The Black Department had never been this full before. But what awaited them in the days to come… was an adventure unlike any other.