Morning came to Frostholm City.
Law's eyes fluttered open as he woke up, but he felt something heavy on his chest.
There was Lily, sleeping on top of him, her purple hair spread all over the place.
"Wake up, Lily…" Law muttered as he shoved her aside and got up to take a shower.
"Ugh… Brother Law, where are you…" she mumbled sleepily.
Soon, he finished bathing and put on his clothes, nothing too eye-catching, but not too shabby either.
Lily was sitting on the bed, still dazed from just waking up.
"Hurry up, Lily; we're going to be late if you stay like this."
"Ah!" She suddenly remembered that today they needed to sign in to the academy.
With that, both of them quickly got ready and checked out of the hotel.
After having breakfast and using up all their money, they didn't waste any more time and quickly headed toward a building with the Borealis Crest, with the words 'Administration Post' written across it.
This was the place where they needed to report themselves, but looking at the long line built up outside, it would probably take a long time before their turn.
Just as Lily and Law were about to line up, a commotion broke out right in front of them. A young man stood there, not far from where they were.
Dressed in lavish clothing, with a woman beside him, likely a maid. He spoke arrogantly, "Move aside! This young master has no time to waste lining up!"
He had red hair and a tall, robust build that made him look arrogant.
The maid beside him hesitated before speaking. "Young Master, this is not the Flake family's territory… we should act low-key…"
"Huh?! Who are you to lecture me!?"
He was the son of the Flake family, Zene Flake, from Snowest.
Though they were only a second-rate noble family, below the Four Great Noble Houses.
This year, he was the same as Law, just turned 16 and here to attend the Borealis Academy.
"This…" Since she was just a maid, she had nothing more to say. At least if anything happened, she had already warned him.
Just then, Zene spotted Law, or more precisely, Lily beside him.
Time seemed to stop the moment Zene saw her. 'Her watery eyes… her purple hair…' His heart raced,
Everything else around him faded away, and for a moment, all he could see was her.
His feet moved involuntarily, carrying him closer. Before he knew it, Zene had dropped to his knees, one hand stretched toward Lily.
"This young lady… may I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"
Lily turned to Law, her eyes wide, silently asking, "What's wrong with this guy?"
Just moments ago, he had been arrogantly demanding everyone move aside. Now he was…
Law turned his head away, whistling. "Your problem. Deal with it yourself."
Seeing this, Lily shook her head and said coldly, "Isn't it more appropriate to say your name first before asking someone else's?"
Zene straightened up and patted his chest.
"Right! My name is Zene Flake, young master of the Flake family!"
He raised his voice slightly on the family name, hoping to catch Lily's attention.
Yet Lily remained indifferent. "Good. My name is Lily." With that, she took Law's hand and walked inside the building, not wanting to deal with him anymore.
Zene wasn't about to give up just yet; he followed them closely, pestering Lily nonstop.
Law was getting annoyed, so he stepped forward. "Don't you know when to stop? She clearly doesn't want you bothering her."
Zene pointed a finger at Law. "Who are you?" His eyes scanned Law's plain clothes, his voice dripping with disdain. "How dare a commoner talk to me?"
Just as Law was about to respond, a chilly voice came from behind him. "Isn't this the young master from the Flake family? Why are you causing trouble everywhere?"
Zene turned and saw a girl—astonishingly beautiful. Long white hair fell to her waist, her pupils as pale as snow, and her figure perfectly proportioned.
His earlier arrogance vanished, replaced by a meek, almost reverent voice. "…Miss Aria…"
This was Aria Borealis, the Young Miss of the House Borealis.
Zene took one last glance at Lily and walked out of the building. His maid quickly bowed before following him.
Law and Lily turned to see Aria. Lily's eyes went wide. "Wow… she's so beautiful!" but Law was not shaken he thanked her.
"Thank you Miss, for helping us."
Sure, he could've handled things if it got messy, but why cause trouble when he didn't have to?
"Don't worry about it. You can call me Aria." She gave a quick glance at both of them, one looked as beautiful as her while the other… way too handsome.
Although Law didn't really know who she was, from Zene's reaction he could tell this girl is a big figure.
"Then, Miss Aria, I should get going." He walked toward the counter and handed over both his and Lily's admission letters.
"Student Law and Student Lily, your enrollment at Borealis Academy has been confirmed. Please proceed to the Teleportation Portal." The receptionist pointed toward the glowing blue portal.
After saying their thanks, they started moving toward it—but feeling a presence behind him, Law turned. "Miss Aria?"
"I'm also a student at Borealis Academy. Let's just go together." There was only calm on her face as her eyes stared at his.
Lily felt something wrong about Aria but she suppressed it thinking she is being paranoid.
As soon as they stepped into the portal, the scene shifted completely.
Students in fine clothes stayed among themselves, while those in simple outfits kept to their own groups.
Ahead, a massive gate bore the words Borealis Academy, snow-covered trees lining everywhere.
Spired towers rose in every direction, courtyards with fountains steaming softly.
Beside the gate hung a banner that read, "Welcome."
Law and Lily looked around curiously, while Aria remained calm, walking ahead as if everything here was nothing new to her.
"Brother Law, where should we go now?" Lily asked.
"This place is huge… maybe we should just follow the others. What do you think?
Aria gave a small nod.
Before long, they arrived at a vast open plaza. A raised platform stood at the front, already occupied by several figures in academy robes.
Students gathered from all directions, forming a sea of faces some excited, some nervous, others trying to act composed. The noise gradually settled as more people filled the area.
After almost all seat were filled, one of the figures stepped forward, his presence alone enough to quiet the entire plaza.
He had gray hair, his posture slightly hunched, and cane in hand to support himself.
"Welcome, new students, to Borealis Academy.
I am the Principal of this academy, Alek Borealis.
I don't want to speak much, just a little bit.
From this moment on, the instant you step here, you are all the same, no nobility, no looking down on those beneath you.
All of you stand here today because of your talent, not just hard work or strength… and because of that-
There will be a test.
Do not worry. This test is only to determine your rank and position within the academy.
Resources, opportunities, even how others treat you is decided by this.
That's all from me!
Oh! before that, l want to invite my granddaughter for her speech!"
With a light laugh, Alek took his seat and looked over the crowd, scanning all the freshmen.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Applause echoed across the plaza.
"She must be someone amazing, right… Aria?" Lily turned her head, only to find that Aria was no longer beside her.
Up on the platform now stood a girl with long white hair, Aria.
Lily froze, her mouth hanging open. "B-Brother Law… she… she's the one!"
Law, who had already guessed it, wasn't as surprised. "Close your mouth. You look ridiculous."
Around them, others stared at her as well, whispering in awe, "What a beauty…"
"...."
Soon, she finished her speech and received another round of applause.
Inwardly, Aria just wanted to stay low-key before the test, never did she expect her grandfather to expose her like this.
After she returned to her seat, Lily immediately bombarded her with questions, while nearby students grew restless, sneaking glances their way.
Aria replied casually to Lily's question, her eyes lingering on Law for a moment before drifting away.
"Quiet down! Your test will start soon enough!" a teacher on the platform called out.
"The test is simple. You'll be teleported to a Clone Space.
There's a forest there, and the deeper you go, the more dangerous the beasts become. You'll face Tyrants and Overlords.
The more you defeat, the more points you earn: Tyrants give 1 point, Overlords 4 points.
You won't die here, but a fatal injury ends your test immediately.
Before Law could react, a glowing circle appeared beneath them, and in an instant, they were somewhere else.
Inside Clone Space
Law was teleported near a river, surrounded by lush greenery.
Where's Lily?
Law looked around and couldn't find anyone.
He worried she might get eliminated early and earn a low rank.
Shaking his head, he told himself thinking like that wouldn't solve anything. He needed to find Lily as soon as possible.
Just then, a rustling sound came from behind him.
Law jumped aside instinctively. As long as it wasn't an Overlord Beast, he wasn't too worried.
From the bushes, a monster appeared, it's a Tyrant. It had four limbs and resembled a tiger, except it had three tails.
Roar!
The tiger charged straight at him.
Law didn't flinch. Without a weapon, he could only rely on his body and that was enough.
As the tiger pounced, Law sidestepped and countered with a punch to its stomach. The beast flew several meters back.
Law chased after its body and immediately stomped on its stomach.
No way, he wasn't going to risk anything if he didn't have to.
If he could kill it immediately, why not, right?
With that, the tiger turned to dust, and Law obtained his first point.
Law didn't meddle around and quickly moved to another location.