With the combined might of his enhancements, Kinetic Burst propelling him forward like a phantom, and his naturally high attributes, William became an unstoppable force. The prince, despite his royal lineage and privileged training, was utterly outmatched.

William’s speed drew gasps from the audience. He moved with a blurring swiftness that defied expectations, appearing before the prince in the blink of an eye, his sword a hair’s breadth from the royal throat.

“Yield,” William commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.

The prince, his pride wounded, refused to surrender. He gripped his staff, his fingers dancing as he attempted to weave a counterattack.

“I apologize for this,” William said, a hint of regret in his voice. But his actions were swift and decisive.

With 52 points in Strength, amplified by Enhanced Strength, his power was monstrous. He unleashed a precisely targeted punch to the prince’s gut, the impact echoing through the silent gymnasium. Even holding back, the blow was devastating.

The prince crumpled, his staff clattering to the ground. He lay unconscious in the dust of the arena. A concerned professor rushed forward to examine him.

“He’s fine,” the professor announced after a brief examination. “Just needs some rest.”

William exited the ring, deactivating his spells with a flick of his wrist. The runes faded from his skin, his muscles returning to their normal size. He approached Altair, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

“What did you think?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

Altair, overwhelmed by the sheer dominance of William’s victory, could only gape in response.

The atmosphere in the gymnasium crackled with a newfound respect for William. Whispers followed him as he moved through the crowd, the other participants and onlookers casting awed glances in his direction.

His victory over the prince had shattered their preconceived notions, proving that strength and skill could emerge from unexpected places.

“I told you he was strong!” the noble William had defeated in last exam boasted to his companions. “That’s why he beat me!”

The remaining duels proceeded, but the excitement had waned. William’s stunning performance had set a high bar, leaving the other participants struggling to capture the attention of the audience.

Word of William’s feat spread like wildfire throughout the academy. He had become a legend in the making, his name on everyone’s lips.

As predicted, no one was disqualified from this stage of the exam. Even the prince, despite his lackluster performance, retained his place. William couldn’t help but feel a twinge of cynicism.

‘Of course he wouldn’t be disqualified,’ William thought, rolling his eyes. ‘He’s royalty.’

The final stage of the exam loomed, the one that would shatter the dreams of many and pave the path to glory for a select few.

With only thirty spots available and sixty hopefuls remaining, the competition was fierce. But a sudden announcement from Headmaster Tholfnir threw the applicants into disarray.

“Regarding the available places,” Tholfnir began, his voice resonating with an unexpected gravity, “a change has become necessary. Instead of thirty, we now have only fifteen spots available for this year’s intake.”

A collective gasp arose from the crowd. Anxiety etched itself onto every face, the weight of the announcement pressing down on their hopes.

“Headmaster,” a young woman’s voice called out, trembling slightly, “why were the spots reduced so drastically? Could you please explain?”

Tholfnir’s smile held a hint of apology, but his eyes remained guarded. “I had a rather…urgent meeting yesterday,” he revealed, “and the decision was made to limit enrollment. This is not unique to our academy; other institutions are facing similar restrictions.” He paused, his gaze sweeping across the sea of anxious faces. “As for the reasons behind this sudden change…that, I’m afraid, I cannot divulge at this time.”

The weight of Tholfnir’s words settled upon the applicants, a stark reminder of the fierce competition they faced. William’s determination burned brighter than ever. He would not be denied his chance to enter the academy.

Tholfnir gathered the participants in the courtyard, his presence commanding their attention. “One by one, step forward,” he instructed. “I shall assess your magical repertoire.”

The final exam, the ultimate hurdle, was designed to gauge their ability to learn and master spells. Each spell, categorized by rank and complexity, would be assigned a point value.

Only the top fifteen scorers would earn a coveted place at the academy. This trial was a true measure of their potential, a glimpse into their future as mages.

William watched with a mix of awe and apprehension as Tholfnir effortlessly assessed each applicant, a mere touch revealing their magical knowledge. The headmaster’s power was undeniable, a testament to decades of mastery. When it was William’s turn, a flicker of surprise crossed Tholfnir’s face, but he remained silent.

“Next,” Tholfnir said, his voice betraying no hint of his thoughts.

William waited patiently as the remaining students underwent the assessment. Finally, Tholfnir addressed the group, outlining the rules of the final trial.

“You have one month to learn as many spells as possible,” he explained. “An A-rank spell is worth fifty points, a B-rank spell is worth five points, and a C-rank spell earns a single point. Lower-ranked spells do not count.”

The vast difference in point values reflected the difficulty of mastering higher-ranked spells. William knew firsthand the challenge of learning a B-rank skill like Kinetic Burst.

His other spells were all C-rank, mere stepping stones compared to the complexity of A-rank magic.

He had never even attempted such a feat; those spells were typically reserved for advanced students in their second or third year.

“You will remain in the dormitories I assigned yesterday,” Tholfnir continued. “Meals are provided in the dining hall three times a day, and you have full access to the library. That is where you will find the spells you seek.”

The challenge was set. One month to prove their worth, to delve into the depths of magical knowledge and emerge victorious.

“However,” Tholfnir added, his voice taking on a sterner edge, “you are forbidden from seeking assistance from the academy’s students or professors. Should I discover any such collaboration…well, you know the consequences.”

The warning hung heavy in the air. They were guests within the academy walls, not yet students entitled to guidance. William, however, had anticipated this restriction. He was confident in his ability to learn independently.

With the rules laid bare, the applicants surged towards the library, eager to begin their month-long quest for magical knowledge. Altair, his admiration evident, kept pace with William.

“You’re a legend, you know,” Altair said, his voice hushed. “Everyone’s talking about how you stood up to the prince.”

“That won’t mean much if I don’t secure a spot in the academy,” William replied, his focus unwavering. “Let’s concentrate on the task at hand.”

“Right, right…” Altair agreed, his gaze already darting towards the towering bookshelves.

The library was a sight to behold. Its vastness dwarfed any William had encountered on Earth, rows upon rows of books stretching towards the vaulted ceiling.

He estimated there were at least fifty thousand volumes within its walls, perhaps even more. A treasure trove of magical knowledge awaited, and William, his thirst for power insatiable, was ready to delve into its depths.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep