The next morning, Merlin's day started with the usual bullshit. The usual shitty taxi ride…
'I swear, I'm moving into the dorms.'
Luckily, he arrived at school quickly.
He checked his schedule.
'Nothing. Not a single class.'
For a moment, Merlin almost teared up. He didn't know whether to cry or break into a victory dance. But something felt off… a few students were walking around with popcorn and candy, looking way too excited.
'Did I miss something?'
Everyone was heading toward the academy's arena.
Inside the massive arena, only one thing was displayed: the giant screen used to broadcast tournament events.
'Wait… there's an event today?'
Merlin wanted to punch himself.
'The First-Years' Battle Royale is today…'
He started walking toward the arena at a leisurely pace, unbothered.
A thin hand suddenly grabbed his shoulder from behind.
'This can't be good.'
Merlin slowly turned around, like a character in a horror movie, and saw his worst nightmare—
A vein visibly throbbing on her forehead.
"Shouldn't you be at the simulation pods?"
Her smile was twitching now. The sheer intensity in her voice sent a shiver down Merlin's spine.
"Well, technically, yes, but I forgo—"
Vivienne cut him off before he could even begin to make excuses.
"Then why aren't you moving faster?"
Steam might as well have been rising from her head.
Or was that just her affinity?
Merlin had no idea… which was ironic.
"I'm going! I'm going!"
Merlin spun around, ready to make his grand escape—
And was interrupted again.
"You'd better place in the top rankings. I heard about your deal with Lady Morgana."
Vivienne's tone suddenly changed when she mentioned Lady Morgana.
Like a crazed fanatic whispering their god's name.
Merlin simply nodded and rushed toward the arena like his life depended on it.
Weaving through the crowd, he moved effortlessly, like a swift little bird cutting through the wind.
Soon, he reached the arena's underground levels, where a guard—built like a two-door refrigerator—stood waiting.
The guard's voice was dull and lifeless, as if he hated his job.
Merlin showed his academy ID. The system scanned it, and the gate opened without issue.
"Your capsule is labeled."
The guard barely looked at him before waving him through.
The underground hall was massive, packed with hundreds of capsules and exactly 100 students.
Merlin knew it was 100 because the academy always admitted that many first-years.
'And I have to eliminate ten of them at least… that's 1/10 of the people here.'
Merlin nearly burst into laughter. Not because it was funny, but because it was depressing.
Instead, he started searching for his capsule.
Which was a lot harder than it should have been.
At this point, he found almost everyone else's capsule except his own.
"It's right here, Melrin."
An all-too-familiar voice sent a chill down his spine.
Merlin didn't even have to turn around to know who it was. The protagonist's aura was enough.
Still, he faced Nathan, his expression unreadable, then glanced at the capsule Nathan was pointing at.
His name was written on it in bold letters.
'…I walked right past it.'
With a slow nod of thanks, he moved toward the capsule.
Nathan gave him a small, knowing smirk.
Then, he turned and headed toward his own capsule.
"You too. You'll need it."
Merlin's voice was cold and flat, yet it echoed through the hall.
A few students turned to look at him.
Then—heavy footsteps.
Like a giant had entered the room.
Vivienne had arrived, holding a clipboard.
'That's even worse than a giant.'
Merlin shook his head and focused.
"As soon as you enter your capsule, put on the visor," Vivienne announced. "Pain will be simulated, but you won't receive real injuries. If you take a fatal hit, you'll be eliminated and become a spectator. Once everyone is ready, a short countdown will begin, and then—"
She paused for effect.
"The Battle Royale starts."
Some students cheered. Others, like Merlin, would rather be anywhere else.
Like an all-expenses-paid vacation in hell.
Merlin had no choice, though. His deal with Morgana made sure of that.
"Take your positions," Vivienne finished. "Good luck."
She pressed a button on the wall.
All the capsules hissed open simultaneously.
Like a scene from a horror movie.
'Feels like we're crawling into alien pods.'
Suppressing a shiver, Merlin stepped inside his capsule and pulled the visor over his eyes.
The capsule door sealed shut.
'Alright… time to go all out. Every affinity, no holding back.'
A countdown appeared.
Like he had been sent straight to heaven.
'This looks familiar…'
{Welcome to the simulation, student Merlin Everhart. Please select your weapon.}
A rapier materialized before him.
And then—nothing happened.
{The Battle Royale will begin once all students have chosen their weapons.}
'…Great. So now I wait.'
Merlin stood in the empty void for what felt like forever.
He even started practicing his sword moves out of sheer boredom.
{Battle Royale start! Good luck!}
Merlin suddenly fell.
Like he had been dropped from the sky.
He crashed onto solid ground.
'…Why am I in a damn forest? This is the worst place to start..'
Brushing himself off, he took in his surroundings.
'Screw it. I'll just start moving.'
With slow, careful steps, he picked a random direction and began walking.
Meanwhile, the massive arena was packed.
Students, parents, all sat watching.
Among them, a familiar girl had just arrived, phone in hand.
She came in secret, just to watch her little brother.
Everyone could watch every person in the Battle Royale on their phones. She could have watched Merlin at home, but she wanted to come to see it on the giant screen as well.
'Good luck brother..'
Her phone streamed Merlin's personal feed, while the giant screen focused on Nathan standing on a hill, deep in thought.
In a private room, the academy's teachers were gathered.
"So, who do you think will win this year?"
A blond elf—Aldric—grinned at Vivienne.
"You already know my answer," she said smoothly.
Aldric laughed, tossing his head back. His long blond hair covered his pointed ears, his green eyes locked onto the screen displaying Elara.
Sophia, sitting beside Vivienne, chimed in.
"Nathaniel Varen is a strong contender too."
Aldric clicked his tongue.
Meanwhile, Reinhardt watched Merlin sprinting through the forest.
'Show me what you've got, kid.'
Then, the door creaked open.
Every teacher stiffened.
Heavy, chilling footsteps echoed.
More faculty members entered, following behind a single woman.
"Let's see what the boy can do."
Her voice was a whisper, yet it sent a shiver through the room.
She stepped forward, licking her lower lip slightly as her gaze locked onto Merlin's feed.
Right as he ran straight into another competitor.