The buzz inside Star Academy was electrifying. The instructors had gathered in the council room, each replaying the entrance ceremony in their minds. A cadet ranked Level 5 on day one—unheard of. Lee Yujin, a name already echoing through the academy's halls, had sparked conversations among the highest ranks.
The heavy doors creaked open, and silence fell. In walked Headmaster Mardun Arkwright, the SS-rank wizard known as Stormmind. His long silver robe shimmered faintly with mana, and his presence demanded attention.
"He's the one," Mardun said without preamble. "Yujin. I want him monitored, but more than that… guided."
He turned toward a tall, composed man in a dark coat. "Send Gunmaster Rowel Vayne. S+ rank, expert in dual-gun wielding."
Rowel gave a nod. "It will be done."
"And for Kain Vagor," Mardun added, glancing toward the window, "the Sword Saint's son… Let him be trained by Avelyn Drake, the S+ ranked Swordmaster."
Meanwhile, Yujin was directed to his first theory class. The room was grand, walls lined with floating books and projection scrolls. His classmates, too, were anything but ordinary. Among the top 10 cadets were:
Sylva Estelle, daughter of the Moonlight Guild's grand mage.
Ren Arclight, from the renowned Arclight family of spelltech engineers.
Mira Kisaragi, granddaughter of the Dragonshot Guild's sniper.
Taro Blaze, heir of the Infernal Arms Manufacturing Conglomerate.
Juno Rave, a mysterious cadet rumored to be related to the Divine Church.
And of course, Kain Vagor, Yujin's rival, stood silently near the window, golden eyes watching.
Training with Gunmaster Rowel began immediately. "Come at me," Rowel said, tossing Yujin his new weapon—a pair of gleaming gold-trimmed pistols: Duel Golden Eagle. As soon as Yujin aimed, Rowel vanished. One second later, Yujin found himself flat on the ground.
"Your reflex is good. But survival? That's instinct."
Across the courtyard, Kain's sword clashed with Avelyn's in a dazzling display. Both students began their long journey under impossible standards.
Later that week, during an outdoor combat exercise, the sky turned black. A shriek echoed through the air, and from a crack in space, a Devil's servant descended—disfigured, humanoid, and pulsing with demonic mana.
Yujin, Kain, and the others leapt into action. Blasts of elemental magic, sword slashes, and bullet trails filled the air. It was chaotic, raw. Yujin's instincts kicked in, his new pistols glowing faintly.
With a perfect shot, Yujin stunned the creature. But just as it lunged again, the instructors arrived. Rowel, Avelyn, and others decimated the demon in seconds.
Yujin, breathing heavily, looked at his status screen.
[Mistake Solved: 1]
The fight was just beginning.