Froy had joined Han's group since Day 2. While complete trust had yet to form, they supported one another with surprising efficiency. By combining strength, strategy, and sharp instincts, they managed to survive the ongoing final trial.
They avoided unnecessary conflict but occasionally clashed with other groups in order to secure points by contesting hunting grounds. Whenever possible, they steered clear of top-ranked candidates—those whose strength was considered monstrous.
Day 3 passed without incident.
Then, Day 4 arrived.
A massive explosion rocked the center of the island. Flames and frost clashed in a brilliant display—fire and ice battling for dominance, neither side yielding. There was no doubt: this was a clash between some of the highest-ranked candidates in the entire trial.
Han's group didn't hesitate. They immediately chose to retreat and avoid any confrontation. They weren't here to prove themselves in some grand duel—they were here to survive.
Survive until the very last day.
And pass the trial.
Day 5 had become a battlefield.
It was no longer a trial—it was a warzone.
The top-ranked students, those in the upper echelons of power, had begun clashing in full force. Elemental golems collided with a seven-headed hydra. Black holes twisted through the air only to be ripped apart by dimensional blades. The sky itself seemed to tremble.
This wasn't survival anymore.
It was devastation.
Froy and the elf trio watched from afar, hidden in the forest shadows as explosions lit up the horizon.
"This… this isn't training," Lux whispered, trembling. "This is destruction."
The ground shook as titans of flame and frost battled across the landscape. The once-beautiful Garden of Eden had turned into a ruined wasteland—trees uprooted, rivers boiled dry, hills collapsed into craters.
And still, they didn't stop.
The combatants fought without rest—no sleep, no hesitation. Their powers clashed through the night and into Day 6. It was like a divine war, unfolding across the island.
Each battle more intense than the last.
Each attack more terrifying.
As Day 6 dawned, the scale of power only escalated—multi-layered spells stacked on top of summoned beasts, time loops barely stable, even mana storms formed from raw magical backlash.
The world shook with every exchange.
And amidst all this chaos…
Froy stayed hidden.
Watching.
Waiting.
Calculating.
Because while the monsters fought each other…
The real predator still hadn't moved.
And finally—Day 9 arrived.
The storm of madness, blood, and battle had come to an end.
As the morning sun rose over the shattered remnants of The Garden of Eden, a soft pulse of mana swept across the island. One by one, all remaining students—those who had endured, survived, and clawed their way through chaos—were enveloped in warm light and teleported away from the broken land.
They reappeared in a vast chamber made of marble and skyglass, suspended high above the clouds: the central hall of the Academy's Examination Spire.
There, waiting for them, stood the exam proctors.
Calm. Composed. Almost proud.
One of the senior professors stepped forward, his robes shimmering with golden inscriptions. His voice echoed, soft but commanding.
"Congratulations, students. You have endured the final trial of Arcanthia."
He waved a hand—and from thin air, a series of enchanted bags appeared, one floating toward each survivor.
"These contain your initial supplies and a few essentials. But more importantly… surviving all nine days of the trial has earned you privileges."
He raised his hand, fingers glowing as he listed each benefit.
"One: All mission rewards for you will be doubled."
"Two: All Duel Point purchases will receive a permanent 20% discount."
"Three: You have received a bonus of 100,000 DP… multiplied by two. 200,000 Duel Points will be credited to your account."
"Four: As a recognized survivor, you will receive long-term protection from Arcanthia—should you ever be in danger beyond these walls."
With a flick of his wrist, elegant silver brooches materialized in midair and floated to each student. The center of the pin held a glowing rune—ancient, divine.
"A teleportation glyph. A ward of protection. Do not lose this badge. It will mark you as one of Arcanthia's chosen… and summon aid should your life ever truly be in peril."
He paused.
Then bowed his head slightly.
"Welcome to the Grand Academy."
"May your future be brighter than your trials."
And with that—students began to vanish once more, each transported to their assigned dormitory.
Froy, too, felt the pull of teleportation—and a heartbeat later, found himself in a quiet room. Clean. Well-lit. Ordinary.
A translucent window shimmered before his eyes.
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
[FINAL TRIAL COMPLETE]– Status: Passed
– Survival Bonus Applied
– Final Rank: 996
– Class Assignment: Ordinary Class
▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
He stared for a moment.
996th.
Just barely.
"Looks like I wasn't the only monster," he whispered to himself, the faintest smile creeping across his lips.
Four had died—accidents, the professor had said. No further explanation given.
But for the 996 survivors, their journey had only just begun.
Special Class was reserved for the Top 30.
Elite Class for ranks 31 through 100.
And the rest?
Ordinary Class.
Like him.
He reached up and touched the rune-inscribed brooch now pinned to his chest.
"Not bad for a nobody."
He turned toward the window—outside, the sun was rising over Arcanthia.
A new chapter had begun.