The Aether Knight Exam was the most anticipated event of the year, drawing massive crowds to the capital. People from all walks of life gathered, eager to witness the spectacle. Some filled the grand colosseum, where a massive enchanted screen displayed the first exam’s location, highlighting key moments and intriguing developments. Others watched from the city streets, where magical screens were set up at strategic points, ensuring even those without wealth could partake in the excitement.

Each audience member inside the colosseum received a magical bracelet that allowed them to switch channels and monitor their favorite participants in real time. Tourists and dignitaries from neighboring kingdoms had also arrived, further proving the event’s significance.

In the VIP section, the King and Queen sat alongside the generals and former generals, their presence guarded by the tightest security. No one was allowed entry without authorization, ensuring the royal family’s safety.

Seated among the generals, Althea casually leaned back, glancing between Eclipse and Sunshine, who were both visibly annoyed. "Hey, you think Mixarnt will do well on the endurance exam—er… wait, what’s with you two?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at their sour expressions.

"Nothing," Eclipse replied flatly, her arms crossed. "Someone’s just acting like a leech on my property."

Sunshine scoffed, flipping her hair with a smug grin. "Yeah, right. And someone’s just acting like a loser because she doesn’t have the same sex appeal as me."

A tense silence followed, with sparks practically flying between the two women as Althea sighed, realizing she had walked straight into something far more complicated than a simple tournament discussion.

Around 3,000 participants had gathered for the Aether Knight Exam, a number that took Mixarnt by surprise. The atmosphere was thick with tension—some were stretching and preparing, others were filled with nervous energy, while a few stood with unwavering confidence.

He had heard the grim rumors before—many had died during this brutal trial. Though knight captains and their squads were stationed at various points to assist struggling candidates and retrieve those who could no longer continue, casualties were still common. This year, however, the cleric knights under Isolde’s command were present, ready to intervene immediately to minimize fatalities.

A mocking laugh suddenly rang out.

"Hahahaha! Would you look at that!? I can’t believe they allowed a kid into the exam," sneered Alarac of House Drakenshade, a noble participant. While the exam did not discriminate by age or gender, most participants ranged from 14 to 30, with the majority—around 2,200 out of 3,000—being commoners.

Lady Juliana of House Ironwood, another noble under General Xarion, wrinkled her nose. "There are far too many filthy commoners here," she muttered in distaste.

"What did you just say?!" Cooper, an 18-year-old commoner, glared at her, fists clenched.

"Easy, Cooper," his friend Carter cautioned, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "They're nobles. Fighting them now won’t do us any good."

Rosalind of House Rosaria, smirk. "That’s right. You’ll die if you pick a fight with a noble."

Meanwhile, Mixarnt completely ignored Alarac’s provocation. Instead of responding, he simply stretched, as if the noble’s words weren’t even worth acknowledging.

This only made Alarac’s annoyance grow.

Before the tension could escalate, a powerful voice echoed through the sky.

"Hey, you lot, shut up."

A figure floated above them, clad in black armor, his presence alone exuding authority. He looked like a seasoned warrior, clearly a veteran. It was none other than Retired General Lancelot, a legendary figure known as Aetherlight's God of War. Though retired, he had been personally requested to oversee the first round of the exam, making this year’s trial even more significant.

The moment they recognized him, the participants immediately kneeled, bowing their heads in respect.

"Who's that old guy?" Mixarnt asked casually, unfamiliar with Aetherlight’s heroes.

"You idiot! Bow your head!" hissed Cobbler, a shoemaker and fellow commoner, as he yanked Mixarnt down into a bow.

Lancelot's gaze swept over the kneeling participants. "Listen carefully," he commanded. "The first exam is an endurance test. The armlets you're all wearing will soon increase in weight, distributed evenly across your entire body. Your goal is to reach the top of Glacier Mountain within three days. Once there, you must enter the cave leading to the orb that when touched will make you pass the exam. Fail to make it in time, and you’re disqualified."

A murmur ran through the crowd as Lancelot continued.

"However, there are alternative ways to pass. First, you may challenge me. If you can land a single hit on my armor, you pass. Second, there is a hidden Holy Grail within a dungeon along the mountain. The grail has no power, so don’t get any ideas—but whoever finds it will automatically advance."

Participants whispered among themselves. Some, like Fisher, Shepherd, and Potter, grinned in anticipation, having prepared for extreme climates. Nobles and commoners alike mentally assessed their chances, each weighing their strengths and strategies.

Mixarnt, still taking everything in, raised a hand. "Uh… so, can we form groups?"

Lancelot's eyes narrowed slightly. The endurance test was designed to push individuals to their limits, prioritizing survival above all else. While it wasn’t against the rules to form teams, very few thought to ask.

"Interesting…" Lancelot muttered, intrigued by Mixarnt’s question. Then, after a moment, he answered crossing his arms, observing the boy with a keen interest. "Yes, you can form groups," he finally said. "There's no rule against teamwork but remember—only those who endure will pass. If your team slows you down, that’s on you." His piercing gaze swept over the participants. "There will be no exceptions. If you fail to reach the peak in time, you’re out. No matter who you are."

The weight of his words settled heavily on the crowd. Some participants glanced at each other, reassessing their strategies. Others scoffed, convinced they could reach the summit alone.

Mixarnt, on the other hand, nodded thoughtfully. "Forming a group could increase our chances... but if we pick the wrong people, it'll just drag us down."

Before he could dwell on it further, Lancelot raised his artifact blade and spear into the sky.

"Let the first exam BEGIN!"

The moment he spoke, a surge of magic pulsed through the field. The armlets on every participant's wrist shimmered, and instantly, a crushing weight pressed down on their entire bodies. Gasps and grunts filled the air as many staggered under the sudden pressure. Some even collapsed to their knees, caught completely off guard.

Mixarnt clenched his teeth, feeling the weight settle evenly across his limbs. It wasn’t unbearable—but it was definitely going to slow him down. Around him, other competitors struggled to adjust.

"Move, move!" someone shouted as the first wave of participants began sprinting toward the base of Glacier Mountain, hoping to gain an early advantage.

Shepherd and Potter moved swiftly, clearly accustomed to harsh terrain only to get attacked and killed by monsters hiding in the icy forest. The nobles, dressed in fine armor, sneered at the scrambling commoners and started at their own steady pace.

"Tch, fools." Alarac smirked, effortlessly adjusting to the weight on his body using wind magic. "They’ll burn out before they reach the real challenge."

Mixarnt took a deep breath. "No time to waste."

He turned to Cobbler, Cooper, and Carter. "You guys want to work together?"

Cobbler wiped sweat from his brow. "Yeah, but let’s not slow each other down."

Cooper cracked his knuckles. "Agreed. No dead weight."

Carter adjusted his gear. "Then let’s go!"

The four of them took off, keeping a steady but urgent pace. The mountain loomed ahead, its icy peaks promising brutal trials ahead. The real test had just begun.