Chapter 15 — He Is Scary (Part 1)
Silence settled over the reception grounds after the confrontation came to an end.
Thousands of candidates stood quietly beneath the vast sky, their attention fixed upon the white-haired elder floating above them. Even those who had been whispering moments earlier no longer dared to speak. The pressure surrounding the old man wasn't oppressive, yet it naturally commanded respect.
He waited until the last murmur disappeared before slowly looking across the enormous gathering.
His calm gaze swept over nobles, commoners, merchants' children, and wandering cultivators alike.
"In Vidya Academy," he began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the entire reception grounds, "your family name, your birthplace, your wealth, and your status are meaningless."
Many candidates instinctively straightened their backs.
"The only things that matter here are your talent, your determination, and your strength."
Several noble youths who had been standing proudly lowered their heads slightly. At the same time, quite a few common-born candidates unconsciously clenched their fists.
The old man continued.
"This year's entrance examination consists of three rounds. Only those who successfully pass all three will earn the right to enter Vidya Academy."
His words remained calm, yet every sentence carried unquestionable authority.
"Furthermore, your final ranking will be determined by your overall performance throughout these examinations. A single outstanding performance cannot compensate for repeated failures, nor will one poor result erase exceptional ability elsewhere."
No one interrupted.
No one even dared to whisper.
"The academy nurtures many kinds of mages," the elder continued. "Combat mages, support mages, alchemists, formation masters, healers, beast tamers, illusion specialists, and many others. Therefore, each path follows its own examination."
With a gentle wave of his hand, several academy instructors appeared from different directions.
One group wore deep blue robes embroidered with silver patterns.
Another group wore emerald-green robes.
The remaining instructors quietly waited near a large stone gate at the rear of the reception grounds.
The elder pointed toward them one by one.
"Support mages, healers, and those specializing in non-combat professions will proceed with the instructors waiting beyond the rear gate."
His gaze shifted again.
"Non-combat researchers and scholars should follow the instructors wearing blue robes."
Finally, he looked toward the largest group remaining.
"As for the combat mages..."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You will stay."
Movement immediately spread throughout the grounds.
Groups naturally separated according to their chosen paths.
Veneela adjusted the strap of her small shoulder bag before turning toward Jayant and Meenakshi.
"I suppose this is where we separate."
Her voice remained gentle, but traces of nervousness couldn't be hidden.
Meenakshi smiled reassuringly before placing a hand upon her shoulder.
"You've healed us countless times during the journey. If anyone deserves to stand inside this academy, it's you."
Jayant nodded in complete agreement.
"Our healing queen doesn't lose."
Veneela couldn't help smiling.
"That's a lot of confidence."
Jayant looked genuinely puzzled.
"Shouldn't I?"
That simple answer made both girls laugh.
The tension surrounding the examination eased slightly.
Veneela looked at both of them one last time before bowing lightly.
"Then... good luck."
"You too."
"See you inside the academy," Meenakshi replied.
Watching her disappear among the departing support candidates, Jayant quietly folded his arms.
"I hope she passes."
Meenakshi glanced sideways.
"You're worried?"
"Of course."
"You don't look worried."
Jayant thought for a moment before answering honestly.
"Looking worried won't help her pass."
Meenakshi blinked.
Then she smiled.
Sometimes his way of thinking was strangely simple.
Yet difficult to argue against.
Before long, nearly half the candidates had departed, leaving the enormous reception grounds far less crowded than before.
The white-haired elder once again stepped forward.
"My dear combat mages..."
His voice immediately drew everyone's attention.
"Let us begin the first round."
A faint ripple of anticipation spread through the remaining candidates.
The elder slowly raised one hand.
"Traditionally, Vidya Academy only accepted candidates who had reached C-Rank."
The announcement immediately caused many people to tense.
Especially those standing at D-Rank.
Jayant quietly listened.
He had heard countless rumors during the journey claiming that this year's academy would accept D-Rank candidates as well.
Rumors, however, remained rumors.
Until now.
"Beginning this year," the elder continued, "the academy has decided to accept exceptionally talented D-Rank candidates."
Relief spread across numerous faces.
Several candidates visibly relaxed.
Even Jayant felt his shoulders loosen slightly.
Meenakshi noticed immediately.
"You were worried."
"I was."
"You never said anything."
"I couldn't change the rules."
She laughed quietly.
That answer sounded exactly like something Jayant would say.
The elder allowed the murmurs to settle before continuing.
"The first examination evaluates your defensive capabilities."
Several candidates exchanged confused looks.
Defensive capabilities?
The old man smiled mysteriously.
Then...
He snapped his fingers.
A tiny white creature suddenly leapt onto his shoulder.
The reception grounds instantly erupted into whispers.
It resembled a young tiger no larger than an ordinary house cat. Snow-white fur covered its entire body, while faint silver stripes shimmered beneath the sunlight. Two sapphire-blue eyes curiously observed the gathered candidates.
Rather than appearing dangerous...
It looked adorable.
Several female candidates couldn't help smiling.
Even Meenakshi looked surprised.
Jayant tilted his head.
"So small."
The little tiger yawned lazily before curling its tail around the examiner's shoulder.
The old man gently stroked its head.
"This," he announced proudly, "is my partner."
The tiger lifted its chin proudly.
"He specializes in mental and illusion magic."
Many candidates immediately became serious.
The elder continued.
"Each of you will enter an independent illusion created by him."
The little tiger blinked innocently.
"For fairness, every illusion will automatically adjust to your cultivation."
The elder slowly raised three fingers.
"The clone each of you faces will always possess strength exactly five minor stages above your own."
Murmurs immediately spread throughout the crowd.
"If you are C-Rank First Stage..."
"...you will face a C-Rank Sixth Stage opponent."
"If you are D-Rank Fifth Stage..."
"...your opponent will possess D-Rank Tenth Stage strength."
Jayant quietly calculated the difference.
Five minor realms.
Not impossible.
But certainly difficult.
The elder allowed everyone time to absorb the information before speaking again.
"Do not misunderstand."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"This examination will not kill you."
Quite a few candidates visibly relaxed.
"There will be no physical injuries."
That relieved even more people.
Then the elder calmly added,
"But your minds..."
"...may not recover so easily."
The reception grounds became silent once again.
"Mental strength is one of the most important qualities a mage can possess. Power without resolve is meaningless. Talent without composure is equally meaningless."
He looked toward the thousands of gathered candidates.
"You may attack."
"You may defend."
"You may evade."
"The longer you survive..."
"...and the fewer injuries you sustain..."
"...the higher your evaluation."
Someone within the crowd finally raised a hand.
"Elder, what if someone hides their cultivation?"
The old man smiled.
"A reasonable question."
His fingers gently scratched beneath the tiger's chin.
"Unfortunately..."
"...that is impossible."
The little tiger lazily stretched its body.
"No concealment technique."
"No treasure."
"No artifact."
"No bloodline."
"Nothing can deceive his illusion."
Several candidates instinctively glanced toward the rings on their fingers.
The elder smiled knowingly.
"Inside the illusion..."
"...you can rely only upon yourselves."
A heavy silence followed.
Even the confident candidates now wore serious expressions.
Far above the clouds...
Within the floating halls of Vidya Academy...
Dozens of elders and instructors had already gathered before an enormous crystal mirror.
Countless images slowly appeared across its surface.
Each image displayed a different candidate.
One instructor folded his arms.
"This year's examination is considerably harsher than last year's."
Another nodded.
"Good."
"If they can't overcome the first test..."
"...they have no place within the academy."
At the center of the hall, however, one elderly man remained seated in complete silence.
His robes were simple.
His expression unreadable.
Nobody disturbed him.
Because every person inside that hall knew exactly who he was.
The Dean of Vidya Academy.
The strongest mage within the academy.
Perhaps...
The strongest mage in the entire kingdom.
Below, the white-haired examiner slowly raised one hand.
"My little friend."
The tiny tiger stood upon his shoulder.
Its sapphire eyes suddenly emitted brilliant silver light.
"Begin."
The next instant...
The entire world disappeared.
One by one...
Every combat candidate vanished into a separate illusion.
Darkness.
For a brief moment, every candidate felt as though the world itself had disappeared.
Then, one by one, new landscapes materialized around them.
Each candidate stood alone inside a separate illusion.
Some found themselves in dense forests.
Others stood upon barren plains or ruined battlefields.
Yet every illusion had one thing in common.
Standing opposite them...
...was a snow-white tiger.
Although only a clone, the creature radiated the same noble aura as the original. Its sapphire-blue eyes quietly observed its opponent, as though judging whether they deserved to stand before it.
Outside the illusion, the white-haired examiner slowly closed his eyes.
His consciousness merged with his companion.
Countless streams of information flowed into his mind simultaneously.
Every battlefield.
Every candidate.
Every movement.
Far above the clouds, inside the grand observation hall of Vidya Academy, the enormous crystal mirror divided into hundreds of smaller screens.
Each screen displayed a different illusion.
The gathered teachers immediately focused their attention.
One elderly instructor stroked his beard and smiled.
"It begins."
Another folded his arms.
"This year's first round is much harsher than last year's."
"Naturally," a middle-aged female instructor replied. "Mental strength separates true mages from ordinary spell casters."
Another teacher nodded in agreement.
"The white tiger's examination has always been the most unforgiving."
Without warning...
Hundreds of white tigers opened their eyes simultaneously.
A terrifying pressure exploded across every illusion.
ROAR—!
The roar never reached the real world.
Only the minds of the candidates.
Several students froze instantly.
Their faces turned pale.
Some couldn't even breathe.
One young noble collapsed onto his knees before the tiger had taken a single step.
His consciousness shattered.
Outside, his real body trembled violently before his eyes rolled backward.
An academy instructor immediately caught him before he struck the ground.
"Eliminated."
Another illusion.
A female wind mage desperately tried to release a spell, but her hands continued trembling beneath the overwhelming pressure.
The spell collapsed before it could even form.
The tiger calmly walked forward.
One swipe.
Darkness.
Another body appeared outside.
"Eliminated."
The teachers weren't surprised.
"This year's aura alone has already removed several candidates."
"Those who cannot withstand pressure would only lose their lives on a real battlefield."
The eliminations continued.
Some failed before taking a single step.
Some lost the will to fight.
Others surrendered without resisting.
Within only a few minutes, dozens had already been removed from the examination.
But not everyone struggled.
On another screen, a broad-shouldered young man calmly planted both hands upon the ground.
The earth shook violently.
Massive stone walls erupted around him, forming layer after layer of defense.
The tiger repeatedly slammed against them, shattering one wall after another.
Yet another immediately rose to replace it.
One instructor nodded approvingly.
"Excellent defensive instincts."
"The earth attribute suits him well."
Another teacher glanced at the candidate list.
"Parthiv Deshmukh."
"A solid foundation."
"He may not be flashy, but he'll become a dependable combat mage."
Nearby, another illusion displayed a completely different style of battle.
A young woman with long silver-blue hair calmly extended one finger.
Frost spread silently across the battlefield.
Before the tiger could even complete its charge, countless ice crystals erupted beneath its feet.
Its movements slowed.
Then stopped completely.
A single ice spear pierced through its chest.
The illusion dissolved.
Several teachers smiled.
"Vaidehi Rao."
"Outstanding control."
"Her ice affinity is remarkable."
Elsewhere, the battlefield itself seemed to become heavier.
The white tiger's movements gradually slowed as though invisible chains wrapped around its body.
A quiet young man simply stood still.
Gravity itself obeyed him.
The tiger struggled.
One step.
Two steps.
Then...
It collapsed beneath unbearable weight.
The illusion ended.
"A gravity mage..."
One instructor raised his eyebrows.
"Those are rare."
Another checked the records.
"Agastya Kulkarni."
"Interesting."
Meanwhile, another battlefield erupted into brilliant flames.
A crimson inferno swallowed the charging tiger before it could even reach its target.
The fire didn't explode wildly.
Instead, it moved with terrifying precision.
Every flame struck exactly where intended.
Not a single movement wasted.
When the fire disappeared...
The tiger had already fallen.
Several instructors exchanged glances.
"Excellent mana efficiency."
"Beautiful control."
"Who is he?"
One teacher immediately checked the candidate roster.
"Adhrit Varma."
The name caused several instructors to nod.
"So he's from the Varma family."
"No wonder."
Another teacher smiled.
"Their fire lineage truly hasn't declined."
Far across the observation hall, another battle drew even more attention.
Lightning flashed across the battlefield.
The white tiger had barely released its aura when thunder erupted from the sky.
The entire illusion became blindingly bright.
A massive bolt descended with terrifying force.
The tiger never even managed to attack.
Its body instantly shattered into countless particles of light.
Silence followed.
Then one instructor chuckled.
"Still as decisive as ever."
Another smiled.
"That boy doesn't waste time."
The candidate information appeared.
Yashvardhan Veerendra.
Third son of the Grand Minister.
One elderly instructor slowly nodded.
"His thunder affinity is exceptional."
"Fast."
"Accurate."
"Decisive."
Another teacher laughed softly.
"He refused to let the illusion even begin."
Several teachers quietly marked his performance with high evaluations.
At another battlefield...
Water flowed gracefully through the air.
Unlike the overwhelming displays of thunder or fire, the battle unfolded with elegant precision.
Meenakshi stood calmly with one hand extended.
The tiger's oppressive aura swept toward her.
For the briefest moment...
A faint golden radiance shimmered above her head.
It lasted only an instant.
Then vanished.
The pressure completely failed to affect her.
Several instructors frowned.
"...Did you see that?"
"What was it?"
"I'm not certain."
Even the white-haired examiner narrowed his eyes slightly.
The tiger clone had already launched itself forward.
Without hesitation, Meenakshi responded.
Three water arrows formed almost instantly.
Not one.
Not two.
Three.
Each struck a different angle.
The tiger twisted through the air, narrowly avoiding two.
The third left a shallow wound across its shoulder.
One instructor immediately smiled.
"Excellent targeting."
"Her spell casting speed is remarkable."
The battle quickly intensified.
Water blades.
Claws.
Explosions.
Counterattacks.
Neither side gained a clear advantage.
Unlike the overwhelming victories displayed by Yashvardhan or Adhrit, Meenakshi relied upon patience.
Every spell had purpose.
Every movement conserved mana.
The teachers watched with growing approval.
"Very disciplined."
"She's thinking several moves ahead."
Then...
The tiger suddenly stopped attacking.
Its sapphire eyes began glowing.
The illusion phase had begun.
Across numerous battlefields, countless candidates screamed as their deepest fears surfaced.
Some saw the deaths of loved ones.
Others relived painful failures.
Some completely lost themselves.
Within Meenakshi's illusion...
Golden light quietly appeared once again.
This time...
It resembled a delicate crown resting above her head.
The tiger's illusion shattered before it could fully form.
Several instructors slowly leaned forward.
"...Again."
"No ordinary mental resistance..."
"No..."
"What exactly is that?"
No one answered.
The Dean remained silent.
Meenakshi calmly raised both hands.
A deep roar echoed across the battlefield.
Water surged upward.
A majestic dragon emerged from the flowing river, circling high above before crashing directly into the tiger.
The battlefield exploded.
When the water settled...
The tiger clone had disappeared.
Meenakshi exhaled slowly before the illusion faded away.
Several teachers quietly wrote notes onto their evaluation scrolls.
"Excellent."
"Outstanding control."
"High battle awareness."
"Very promising."
The Dean continued watching without changing his expression.
Around the hall, the instructors gradually relaxed.
"This year's batch is stronger than expected."
"I agree."
"We've already found several excellent candidates."
One younger teacher chuckled.
"Let's see if the remaining screens have any more surprises."
Far away...
On one forgotten screen...
A certain black-haired boy had yet to throw a single attack.
No one had noticed him.
Not yet.
Far away from the spectacular battles unfolding across countless illusions...
One particular battlefield appeared strangely quiet.
It was nothing more than an endless stretch of empty white space.
No mountains.
No rivers.
No trees.
Only a single white tiger stood facing a black-haired boy.
For several seconds...
Neither of them moved.
The tiger slowly circled its opponent.
Its sapphire-blue eyes carefully observed the young human before it.
Normally, by now, fear would have already appeared.
Sweat.
Rapid breathing.
Shaking hands.
Something.
Anything.
Instead...
Jayant simply stood there.
His expression remained calm.
Almost...
Bored.
The tiger's ears twitched.
The next moment—
A terrifying bloodline aura erupted from its body.
An invisible pressure swept across the entire illusion like a violent storm. Countless ordinary candidates had already collapsed beneath this very pressure.
Yet Jayant didn't even blink.
His clothes fluttered gently.
His hair swayed slightly.
That was all.
Outside the illusion, the white-haired examiner frowned.
"Hm..."
Several teachers finally noticed the previously ignored screen.
"What happened?"
"Did the illusion fail?"
"The aura isn't affecting him at all."
Another teacher immediately shook his head.
"No."
"The illusion is functioning perfectly."
"Then why isn't he resisting?"
Nobody had an answer.
Inside the illusion, the tiger narrowed its sapphire eyes.
It increased the pressure.
More.
More.
Its bloodline aura spread without reservation.
The entire illusion trembled beneath the overwhelming force.
Jayant quietly scratched his cheek.
"...Is that all?"
The tiger froze.
Outside, several teachers stared blankly at the crystal mirror.
"...Did he just ask if that was all?"
One elderly instructor frowned deeply.
"Impossible."
"No D-Rank should remain this relaxed."
Even the white-haired examiner slowly opened his eyes.
Inside the illusion, the tiger finally moved.
Its body vanished.
A white blur shot forward with frightening speed.
Its claws flashed like silver lightning.
Jayant casually leaned backward.
The claws passed less than an inch before his face.
Another attack followed.
Then another.
The tiger became faster and faster.
Yet Jayant never released a spell.
He simply moved.
One small step.
A slight turn.
A tiny lean.
Every attack narrowly missed.
Outside, the teachers gradually stopped speaking.
The movements appeared ordinary.
Yet they were impossibly precise.
"He isn't dodging early..."
One instructor whispered.
Another slowly nodded.
"No..."
"He's moving at the last possible instant."
A third instructor narrowed his eyes.
"...He's used to fighting opponents much faster than himself."
Silence spread through the observation hall.
The tiger grew increasingly irritated.
Its attacks became fiercer.
Jayant continued avoiding every strike effortlessly.
At one point, he casually grabbed the tiger's tail.
The clone's eyes widened.
Jayant looked at it with genuine curiosity.
"...Can people ride these?"
The next second...
He actually tried.
The tiger exploded with rage.
Outside, every teacher widened their eyes simultaneously.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Then chaos erupted.
"Did that brat just try to ride a White Tiger?"
"Even if it's a clone, it carries the White Tiger's pride!"
"This child truly has no fear."
Even the white-haired examiner looked speechless.
For countless years, candidates had feared his companion.
Some challenged it.
Some respected it.
Never...
Never had anyone attempted to mount it.
Inside the illusion, the tiger's patience finally snapped.
Its sapphire eyes blazed brilliantly.
The illusion phase began.
Without warning...
The white world disappeared.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Jayant quietly stood within endless silence.
Then...
A familiar figure appeared before him.
A woman with long white hair.
Her face remained blurred, just as it always had.
Her entire body was covered in countless wounds.
Fresh blood dripped from her fingertips.
She stood there silently.
Before Jayant could even call out—
A tall man slowly appeared behind her.
His face remained hidden beneath darkness.
Only one feature was unmistakably clear.
A long scar stretched across his face.
In his hand...
He held an enormous black sword.
Without hesitation—
The sword pierced straight through the woman's heart.
Blood scattered across the darkness.
Jayant's pupils shrank violently.
"NO!"
He rushed toward her with everything he had.
His hand desperately reached forward.
Just before he could touch her...
The entire dream shattered like broken glass.
The tiger watched silently.
It understood.
The illusion had succeeded.
Every candidate eventually broke.
This would be no different.
The clone slowly lowered its body.
Preparing to finish the battle.
Then...
Jayant slowly raised his head.
Tears still rolled down his cheeks.
But the warmth inside his eyes had disappeared completely.
An endless coldness replaced it.
He looked directly at the tiger.
The murderous intent that escaped his body wasn't violent.
It wasn't explosive.
It was absolute.
It was the killing intent of someone who had survived years beside a true monster.
"...You..."
His voice was frighteningly calm.
"...have gone too far."
BOOM!
The entire illusion realm trembled violently.
Cracks spread across the white world.
The tiger clone froze.
Its instincts screamed.
RUN!
Before it could even react—
The illusion itself shattered.
Like a mirror struck by a hammer.
The clone disappeared without leaving behind a single trace.
Outside—
The original White Tiger suddenly stiffened.
Its playful expression vanished instantly.
Every strand of white fur stood on end.
It instinctively leaped backward from the examiner's shoulder, landing several meters away.
The observation hall fell completely silent.
The white-haired examiner immediately turned toward his companion.
"...Snow?"
The little tiger continued staring at Jayant's broken screen.
Its body trembled uncontrollably.
Even through the broken connection...
It had felt that terrifying murderous intent.
Not from the clone.
From Jayant himself.
The surrounding teachers exchanged confused glances.
None of them understood what had happened.
Only the Dean slowly narrowed his ancient eyes.
Snow swallowed with difficulty.
Its voice trembled.
"Master..."
It never looked away from Jayant's screen.
"...he is scary."
The observation hall fell into complete silence.