In the midst of the chaos, all the professors on the podium exged shocked gnces. Principal Sylvester stroked his beard, a slight smirk pying on one side of his lips. Amidst the noise, various opinions echoed throughout the hall.

  Some whispered, “Are you sure there’s no mistake?” Others scoffed,

  “She must be using some artifact.”

  “What a monster!”

  “Impossible.”

  The students’ reas ranged from awe to fear, jealousy, and disbelief. Some stared at her in amazement, others shrank back, while a few couldn’t hide their envy. However, the professors—those who knew better—were aware that no artifact could manipute a token. A genius had truly emerged among them. All eyes now turned greedily towards Athena, eager to cim her as their own.

  This was a momentous event in the academy’s history. For the first time, the doors of House of Alpha had been opened. Sis foundation, no one had ever been deemed worthy to occupy such a prestigious dorm. Legend spoke of it shrouded in the aura of the fallen, with mana levels rivaling that of the heavenly pace itself. Its architecture mirrored the grandeur of the Heavenly Pace.

  Principal Sylvester cpped his hands, and the hall gradually fell silent. His booming ughter echoed throughout the space. “Good! Very good! It seems we’ve found an exceptional student this time. Young dy, I hope you’ll work hard iure.” Hearing the Principal Sylvester reize her as a prodigy, many students who had doubted her were silenced—for now.

  “Now, now, let’s tinue.” With that, Atheuro her spot, and the other students resumed their turn at the device to discover their dorms.

  Ayden and Julian exged proud gheir grins spreading across their faces. Meanwhile, the Northern prince gred, his expression twisted in disdain as if he had just swallowed something sour. The thought of a girl surpassing him was like a stinging sp to his pride.

  The rest of the cssification proceeded without i. Once every student had received their dorm assigs, Principal Sylvester stood once more, his anding presence drawing everyone’s attention.

  “Seniors, you will now escort the udents to their respective dorms. Csses will begin in five days. During this time, you are free to explore the academy and discover what is you. However, students in lower-level dorms are strictly prohibited from entering upper-level dorms. Your seniors will also brief you on the restricted areas within the academy. Please ensure you stay out of these areas. Additionally, no one is permitted to roam the academy grounds after 10:30 p.m.

  For detailed rules aions, a rulebook has been provided in ea room. I urge you to read it carefully. Now, seniuide the students to their dormitories.” He paused and turned his attention toward Athena. “Miss Are, please remain behind for a moment. The rest of you may proceed to your dorms or return to your csses.”

  The seniors, dressed in various uniforms, began anizing the students into groups based on their assigned dorms. Ayden and Julian lingered near Athena until their escort arrived.

  “Hello, I am Casper Evander, a fifth-year student in the House of Delta. I’ll be guiding you to your dorm.”

  The young man wore the bd-yellow uniform of a fifth-year and had an air of calm fidence. His bck hair was ly bed, and his warm brown eyes were inviting. He fshed a friendly smile, urging the boys to follow him.

  Relutly, Ayden and Julian bid farewell to Athena. Ayden turo her before leaving, promising, “I’ll e find you after I settle in.”

  With that, the boys followed Casper toward the exit. Ohe hall had emptied, silence desded, leaving only Athena and the professors behind. The way their eyes gleamed with curiosity and ambition, Athena khey wouldn’t let her leave without questioning her further. She steeled herself for whatever was to e.

  One of the professors, a stern-looking woman with sharp features, rose from her seat and approached Athena. “Child, did you use any artifact to obtain a golden token?”

  As she asked, the other professors leaned in slightly, their gazes sharp and probing.

  Athe her gaze steadily and replied, “No, Professor. If I had used any artifact, I wouldn’t have been able to ceal its traces from a mage as powerful as Vice Principal Leyni.”

  The professor studied her for a moment before shaking her head. “I sense nn mana on you. But you tell me—what did it feel like when you climbed the steps?”

  Athena nodded and answered holy, “Nothing special. Just like climbing any other steps.”

  The professor frowned in thought, then asked, “Would you sider being my disciple?”

  The room tensed slightly as Alfred shifted unfortably. The question had e from her than Professor Madeleine, a renowned expert ial magi unmatched mind reader and troller. Alfred uood that someone like Madeleine could greatly enhahena’s abilities, especially given her extraordinary mental strength.

  Athena, however, didn’t hesitate. “I’m sorry, Professor. I’ve already itted to someone else as my mentor. But I will always wele yuidance.”

  Though disappoi flickered aadeleine’s face, it was quickly repced by a small, satisfied smile. Her sharp, weathered features softened, and she nodded. “Very well. I’ll hold you to that promise.” With a graceful turn, Madeleiuro her seat.

  Principal Sylvester rose , his anding presence filling the room. He regarded Athena thoughtfully before speaking.

  “My dear child, as you may already know, no o even I—has ever ehe House of Alpha. Therefore, I will assign two of our stro students from the Beta House, along with Professor Leyni, to escort you there. They will guide you to the path leading to the dorm, but the final journey is yours to plete.”

  Athena raised an eyebrow. Why are they making it sound like a trial?

  As though reading her mind, Sylvester chuckled. “I sense your thoughts, child. Let me expin. Eaitory path includes a trial desigo gauge the potential of udents. It’s nothing overly strenuous, but it is a necessary tradition of the academy. When the first bell rings, your challenge will begin. You must reach your destination before the sed bell.”

  He paused, his expression turning serious. “Normally, we don’t disclose these trials to newers—it’s part of the surprise. However, in your case, an exception has been made. Still, surprises often bring out the best results.”

  With that said, Principal Sylvester rose from his seat, patting his beard as a small smile pyed on his lips. He walked toward his office, followed closely by the other professors, except Alfred.

  Alfred approached Athena, his expression warm. “Shall we head outside? Your seniors are waiting for us.”

  Athena gave him a small smile and nodded.

  Wheepped outside, two girls were waiting. One wore a bd-red uniform with a matg cape, and the other was dressed in the bd-purple uniform of a fourth-year student.

  The first girl, with almond-shaped golden eyes and long ptinum hair, exuded a gentle aura. A small mole beh her lht lip atuated her soft features. Her eyes held a warm affe as they settled on Athena.

  The sed girl stood in stark trast. Her dark hair framed her face, and her pierg red eyes gave her an air of seriousness. She looked at Athena with indifference, her posture calm but intimidating.

  The gentle senior stepped forward to introduce them both. “Hello, little princess. You may not remember us, but I certainly remember you. I’m Galena Damarius, and this is Ange Bhildr. If you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask us.”

  Alfred, watg the iion, raised an eyebrow. “Saintess, have you met Athena before?”

  A out a derisive snort, her expression cold. “Unlike a certain no-show godfather, we actually attehe little princess’s naming ceremony.”

  Athena turo Alfred, curiosity evident in her eyes. “So, you’re my no-show godfather who always sends me mana stoo practice making runes on?”

  Scratg his head, Alfred sighed. “I am. And I’m sorry for missing all your birthdays. I promise to make up for it.”

  Athena looked him up and down, assessing him with an air of pyful authority. “Alright, just don’t fet ever again.”

  Alfred gave her a rare smile, patting her head affeately.

  Galena sighed dramatically, watg the usually stoic professor soften. “So, you smile. That’s o me.”

  Ange rolled her eyes, clearly impatient. “If everyone’s done wasting time, let’s get to it. Princess, shall we?”

  Athena smiled at both seniors and replied, “Please don’t call me ‘princess.’ Just Athena is fine. Here, we’re all equals. There are no royals or nobles—just fellow students.”

  Galena crouched slightly aurhe smile. “Of course, Athena.”

  She extended her hand toward Athena, who hesitated for a moment before taking it. Athena theended her other hand toward Ange. Ange looked at the small, outstretched hand for a long moment before g it. The strength in Athena’s grip surprised her, far surpassing that of a typical student, but she showed no outward rea. As expected from the daughter of the Demon King and the Steel Lady, she thought.

  Together, they began their walk toward the dorm area. Galena chatted animatedly about the academy’s flora and fauna, while Ange only spoke when necessary, such as when pointing out the teen and expining meal schedules. Alfred followed silently, watg Athena i with her seniors with ease.

  When they reached a fork in the road, Galena and Ange instinctively turoward the House of Gamma. Alfred stopped them. “No, we’re heading to the House of Alpha.”

  Both girls froze, their voices overpping in shock. “What?”

  Alfred cleared his throat. “Ladies, allow me to introduce our first-ever student to ehe House of Alpha on her first day.”

  The two seniors turo Athena with wide eyes.

  Galena broke the silence first, her voice filled with awe. “Wow. I knew you were a genius, but this… This is beyond anything I expected. Just… wow.”

  With newfound amazement, the group tinued walking. When they finally reached the entrao the House of Alpha, Alfred stopped.

  “Athena, we only apany you up to this point. The rest of the path is yours to walk alone.”

  Turning to the seniors, he instructed, “Please provide her with a on.”

  Without hesitation, both girls summoned swords from their dimensional rings, their gazes expet as they hahem to Athena.

  Athena g the swords before taking both and sheathing them on her back. The seniors exged pleased smiles at her decisive a.

  Meanwhile, at the Delta trial, Ayden and Julian stood before Casper, their faces a mix of shod disbelief.

  “What do you mean there’s arial?” Julian asked, incredulous.

  Ayden, clutg Julian’s arm as if heartbroken, wailed, “There are more trials?!”

  Casper, uo bear Ayden’s despair, tried to sole him. “It’s nothing serious, just a little challerust me.”

  Ayden tightened his grip on Julian’s hand. “Brother, I miss my sister.”

  Julian sighed, his voice tinged with exasperation and fondness. “I miss your sister too. Let’s just stay optimistic.”

  With renewed determination, the pair took the swords Casper provided and stepped forward bravely.

  Back at the House of Alpha, Athena sneezed. A thought crossed her mind: Ayden and Julian must be starting their trial.

  Smiling, she bid farewell ter seniors and Alfred. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward.

  In an instant, her surroundings shifted, transf entirely.

  As if of one mind, three voices echoed in disbelief. “What in the world?”