The Eloria Academy. Who hasn't heard of this name? The most prestigious and coveted academy of all, with unmatched popularity. However, it is also known as one of the most demanding and ruthless institutions. Many legendary figures, now myths, have passed through its gates. Those who manage to distinguish themselves in this rigorous environment possess, whether they like it or not, exceptional talent and potential. It is no surprise that all eyes, including those of the most influential guilds, are focused on its students.
While other academies also enjoy great renown, Eloria Academy undeniably remains at the top, holding the first place without any contest.
Influential personalities today — whether dwarves, humans, or elves — are products of the academy, and many continue to sing its praises. It is even said that it stands in a league of its own: not located on the continent like other institutions, but on its own island. An entire island is dedicated to it; vast, it could be compared to a true futuristic city, with cutting-edge infrastructures fully tailored to learning and development.
On this island, students live in a closed universe, a world apart, where everything revolves around the academy. The teachers, among the best in their fields, impose an unyielding level of expectation. Yet, access to the academy is not as difficult as one might think, at least on the surface. Only two conditions are required: possessing exceptional potential or talent, and... paying. And when it comes to paying, the sums are astronomical. That said, the most talented can earn scholarships by passing entrance exams so impressive they break through all financial barriers.
But entering Eloria is just the first hurdle. The real challenge begins once you are admitted. No matter how many students present themselves each year, only the most deserving survive the three hellish years that follow. The academy has no tolerance for mediocrity. A serious mistake — a failed exam, a failed mission — can lead to immediate expulsion. This constant pressure pushes students to excel; those who are not up to the task simply do not belong.
Being expelled from Eloria, however, is not a disgrace. On the contrary: expelled students are often quickly recruited by other prestigious academies. After all, just being admitted to Eloria is proof of talent.
The academy's environment is also one of its greatest assets. Everything is designed to maximize the potential of young talents. The ambient mana, with its exceptional density, is an incomparable catalyst for progress. The facilities include futuristic training rooms, capable of simulating the most extreme conditions, as well as spaces optimized for learning.
As for teachers and instructors, they are figures of elite status. Each one has their own renown and comes from the most prestigious institutions or excellence-driven environments. The pedagogy is rigorous, and an internal hierarchical system — especially through the Student Council —encourages competition and personal growth. Regular events push students to surpass themselves, whether they are academic, martial, or magical challenges.
But surviving Eloria is an achievement in itself. The first month, in particular, acts as a true natural selection. Between the many students who pass through its gates at the start of the year and those who remain at the end of the first month, there is a gulf. Many fail to meet the requirements and end up being expelled or abandoning. This period serves as a ruthless filter, leaving only true talents.
One might wonder: how did I, with a damaged core and limited potential, manage to join such an institution? Well, there are two reasons.
The first is that, despite my desperate state, I show on paper an Ethereal-ranked potential, with a double affinity for space and chaos. That alone is enough to play in my favor. Even though, in reality, my abilities are significantly reduced, it would be foolish to overlook someone with such rare affinities, naturally attracting attention. After all, who knows what such an individual might be capable of? And not everyone ends up in a guild or on a battlefield; some stand out in different, just as crucial fields.
The second reason is simpler: my perception stat. It is abnormally high, perhaps too high for someone of Novice rank. I am probably the Novice with the highest recorded perception ever. Of course, this extraordinary ability is directly linked to my trait... but they don't need to know that.
Currently, I am in one of the many buildings affiliated with Eloria Academy, located in Grelin City. This is where the portal will teleport me, along with a crowd of other new students, directly to the academy. I woke up early this morning, a little excited for the day ahead, which promised to be memorable. After all, it's not every day you experience something like this.
I put on the uniform provided in advance: a black, dark outfit, both elegant and comfortable, that instantly signals which institution you belong to. A true symbol of elite status. What's interesting is that this uniform isn't just for looks: it's enchanted. It offers light magical protection and automatically adjusts to the size and morphology of the wearer. Practical, right?
On my way, many passersby gave me lingering glances. Was it because of my uniform, or my natural beauty? I like to think it was the latter.
When I arrived at the building serving as the point of passage to the academy, I was surprised by how many other students were there. And when I say many, I mean really many. There were easily over a hundred of us, just in Grelin City. Just imagining the number of new students gathered in other cities and other domains made my head spin.
After reaching the gathering point, we had to undergo a very strict identity check. Simply wearing the uniform obviously isn't enough to prove that you are officially enrolled. Once this step was completed, my group and I were taken into a large hall to wait for our turn while the previous wave of students used the portal.
Observing the students around me, I quickly noticed the diversity of personalities. Some were exuding an almost arrogant confidence, as if they already knew they would dominate the academy. Others seemed paralyzed by stress, trembling at the thought of what awaited them. There were also those with reddened eyes, still shaken from saying goodbye to their families. They made me smile inwardly.
'Poor souls, if you get expelled in a month, I can't even imagine your reunion.'
In this crowd, some maintained an unshakable calm, almost intimidating. It was clear: either they were accustomed to pressure, or they were very good at hiding it.
The hall itself was a harmonious mix of the three major races: humans, dwarves, and elves. While humans were in the majority, there were still quite a few dwarves and elves. Of course, it wasn't the first time I'd seen these two races, but my Earth-self couldn't help but find them fascinating. There was always that little sense of wonder in observing them, as if my mind just couldn't quite get used to their presence.
By the way, people from this world are naturally beautiful, much more than on Earth. Not that I'm complaining, given my own appearance...
I carried a simple backpack. Unlike some others here, I didn't have much to take with me—just the bare essentials and this family photo. After all, once we reached our destination, we would be assigned a far better accommodation than the one I currently had.
A clear voice rang out in the room:
"It's your turn now. Prepare yourselves and proceed calmly. If you feel a slight dizziness during teleportation, don't worry, it's completely normal."
An elegantly dressed woman, who seemed to be overseeing the process, gestured for our group to move forward. Without hesitation, we filed toward the central platform that served as the portal. The floor, embedded with glowing runes, emitted a soft magical pulse that seemed almost alive.
The moment had finally come.
'Hehe, the main villain makes his entrance.'