Emma was stunned to see who had just appeared.
A member of the Round Hall—none other than Lancelot, the Knight of the Crown.
He ranked third among the seven and was known as the true prodigy of the century.
Though a martial artist who created his own battle stances, Lancelot had faced off against powerful mages during his academy years and held his ground every time.
Normally, only those who failed to awaken a skill would pursue martial arts. But Lancelot was different—he had awakened a skill. He simply chose the harder path.
Why? Because he believed in absolute strength—a kind that no spell or weapon could challenge. His goal was simple: to stand at the very top, untouchable.
Emma remembered reading about him in the novel. Ambitious, unpredictable, and relentless.
But she didn’t recall him ever appearing before the Goblet of Honor.
’First, this anonymous assessment the Academy threw at us... and now this guy shows up?’ she thought, narrowing her eyes at the redhead grinning at William.
"You’re mistaken, Delimore," Lancelot said calmly. "The reason you’re being pushed off the team isn’t Kevin—it’s the girl beside you."
Emma froze. Even William raised his brows in surprise.
A moment later, Lancelot added, "However, Miss Russel, I believe it’s unnecessary."
Russel’s brows lifted slightly, but before she could ask, he continued, "If she’s truly as talented as Merlin says, then no one will outshine her anyway."
William let out a quiet snicker. ’So that’s it, huh?&
The old man wasn’t removing him because of a weak link—he was afraid of his strength.
’Fucking senile old geezer.’
Russel let out a tired sigh. "But the headmaster—"
Lancelot cut her off with a grin. "Don’t worry, I’ll handle the old man."
A few girls nearby couldn’t help but sigh softly, admiring how effortlessly charming he looked even when interrupting a teacher.
Russel bit her lip, then shrugged. Honestly, she was just as annoyed as anyone else that a student was being replaced because of the headmaster’s bias.
"Alright, students," she said at last, her tone firm. "No changes will be made. You’ll stay where you are. In a few minutes, meet me outside the school gates."
With that, Russel turned and walked away.
Lancelot’s eyes drifted to Emma.
The silver-haired girl was already looking back, her expression sharp and wary.
The redhead grinned and gave her a playful wink before heading off.
Call it a tactical retreat—he could already sense how quickly Emma was about to cringe.
Kevin turned to the silver-haired girl with a smile. "Congratulations, Emma. There’s a chance the Round Hall might recruit you."
Natalie nodded in agreement. "They never show interest in anyone unless they already have a spot reserved for them."
Emma shrugged lightly. "Well, good for them. But that’s not where I see myself in the future."
Joseph’s mouth fell open, while William just gave a faint smile.
"You... really don’t want to join the Hall?" Natalie asked, wide-eyed. "Do you even know what it means to be one of the seven council members?"
Emma let out a calm sigh. "I do. We’ve all been told about it countless times at the start of every year. But I just... don’t want to work for them—or for anyone, really. I want a normal, peaceful life."
As she spoke, her eyes drifted to William—and he was already looking at her.
That glance carried more than words ever could.
They both shared the same dream. And in that moment, Emma had unknowingly voiced the very wish she was aiming for.
A peaceful life with him.
...
Not long after, the students gathered at the academy’s main entrance, where several carriages awaited them. They boarded quickly and began their journey toward the island located on the southeastern side of the academy.
That entire region—the south and southeast—was surrounded by water.
A vast ocean stretched endlessly, connecting two continents.
Fortunately, the island wasn’t too far—about fifty rootmiles (0.8 kilometers) away. Within three hours, the students stood at its center, their boots sinking slightly into the soft earth.
The island was wide and lush with greenery.
In the distance, the faint cries and roars of unseen animals echoed through the trees.
Those with sharper senses could also feel it—the subtle weight of multiple gazes watching them from beyond the thickets.
The heat was stifling, and the humidity from the nearby sea made the air thick and heavy. Sweat clung to their skin even when they stood still.
William glanced down at the soil. It was softer than he expected. Closing his eyes for a moment, he reached out with his mind, trying to connect with any nearby living presence.
But aside from the students standing around him, there was nothing—no trace of another human consciousness.
Only animals lurked in the wilds.
"Alright, students," Russel’s voice rang out clearly, snapping their attention back to her. "Once the assessment begins, the staff and I will be stationed on the mainland to monitor your progress."
That drew a worried murmur from the group, until one student finally spoke up.
"But, Instructor," she asked, "what if we run into real danger? Is there no one nearby to help us?"
Russel shot a sharp glare at the girl. "This isn’t a training program, Mavil. This assessment is meant to prepare you for situations where you can trust no one but yourself. You should consider yourself lucky—the danger here is still predictable."
Mavil quickly fell silent. She wasn’t the only one uneasy about what awaited them inside the dome, but after that response, no one else dared to speak up.
Moments later, Russel gave a firm nod. "Now, take your positions and get ready."
The students began to move in groups, forming small clusters as they advanced toward the massive dome looming in the distance.
William walked at the rear, a faint frown creasing his face as the structure grew clearer in view.
Something about it didn’t feel right.
The moment they drew close enough, a wave of unsettling energy brushed against his senses.
An ominous aura.
’Don’t tell me... they’ve actually decided to throw us against real Devils?’
William’s frown slowly turned into a grin. ’Now that might actually be fun.’
Devils were nothing like corrupted beasts or mutated creatures. Even the weakest among them could twist the air with their presence alone. They exuded an unnatural pressure—one that clouded the mind and disrupted instinct.
To fight a devil was to battle not just a monster, but your own fear.
And for most academy students... that was a nightmare.
However, at that time, little did William or anyone else think what kind of danger they might be coming across today.
Something far beyond their expectations.
°°°°°°°°
A/N:- Thanks for reading.