Becoming the Wind
Chapter 18 - 17 The Selection Exam

Chapter 18: Chapter 17 The Selection Exam

Morning arrived gently. Sunlight crept shyly through the soft dormitory curtains. Dew still hung in the air, and birds chirped as if singing a hymn of encouragement for the Lumenvale Academy applicants.

But in one quiet room, a girl still lay asleep in silence.

"Sylphia~" a gentle voice whispered from the wind, "It’s morning, dear. A big day awaits you."

No response.

Reyhan smiled and blew a light breeze that tickled her ear.

Sylphia slowly opened her eyes. No look of surprise. No tangled hair like a mop. No drool on the pillow. Just elegant stillness and a face that... remained beautiful. Beautiful in the kind of annoying way that makes every other girl who wakes up like a thirsty zombie feel personally offended.

She sat up straight, her silver hair falling neatly over her shoulders as if combed by the midnight wind. Her gaze stared forward, calm, emotionless, like the surface of an undisturbed lake.

Reyhan clapped inwardly.

"If that’s not divine talent, I don’t know what is."

Without a word, Sylphia rose and walked to the bathroom. She knew—today was the entrance selection day.

After bathing with her usual flawless grace, Sylphia opened the wardrobe and took out her prepared outfit.

The Lumenvale Academy Selection Uniform—specially designed for female applicants.

A white blouse with black accents on the sleeves and collar, adorned with a light blue ribbon at the neck. The long, translucent sleeves bore embroidered patterns of wind that traced the fabric like artwork. A knee-length black skirt layered with a sheer, shimmering overskirt, making each step feel like a dance of mist. Shiny short black boots with small heels and soft fur lining for warmth.

Once dressed, she put on her Disguise Mask.

With calm steps, she exited her room.

In the dormitory corridor, she passed by a small girl with golden-blonde hair and long elf ears, wearing the same uniform. She looked around seven years old, but her demeanor—wow, like a tax princess who just abdicated her throne.

"Oh! You’re an applicant too?" she chirped.

Sylphia simply glanced. Briefly. Then nodded. Flatly.

"My name is Yurelia Vellmarin! My father is Count Vellmarin—ruler of Eltisar!" she boasted, lifting her chin. "We specialize in interregional trade! So if you ever need discounts on bags, let me know!"

Sylphia blinked slowly. "...Okay."

Yurelia giggled. "You’re funny, your expression is like my dad’s lunch plate—flat and expensive."

Reyhan nearly choked from laughing as the wind.

Without hesitation, Yurelia extended her tiny hand. "Nice to meet you. I’m a Spirit profession user. My specialization is the Spirit of Balance."

Suddenly, the air around them vibrated slightly. Above Yurelia’s hand appeared a semi-transparent image of a medieval-style balance scale, complete with chains and metal pans hanging evenly.

"His name is Valanther," Yurelia said proudly. "He can measure justice, agreements, even someone’s intentions. In battle, he can make things fair. If an enemy is stronger, their power will be reduced to match mine!"

"Unique," Sylphia said a single word, then looked directly at Yurelia.

"My name is Verin, and my Spirit... is Glacivale."

As the name was spoken, cold air blanketed the corridor.

A swirl of wind formed.

Glacivale emerged from a vortex of wind and snowflakes conjured from thin air.

"BRRR!!" Yurelia instantly hugged herself. "W-what did you do to that spirit? I-I’m freezing!"

Reyhan laughed happily through the breeze.

"Well done, child. You made a chilling first impression."

Verin only tilted her head slightly. "You’re shivering."

"OF COURSE I AM!" Yurelia cried while still hugging herself. "But... I like her. She’s so cool. Feels like she could start an ice business or something."

Sylphia nodded once again. "...Thanks, but I’m not interested."

They continued walking together, storing away their spirits.

The entrance hall of Lumenvale Academy buzzed with anxious whispers and hopeful gazes.

The massive building, topped with a crystal dome, stood grand with rows of circular seating like an amphitheater. At its center floated a white platform, gently hovering above the floor as if held up by unseen winds. Upon it stood an elderly man in a long robe of bluish silver, adorned with glowing vine-like patterns that resembled starlight roots.

He was Hareth Vonzelle, headmaster of Lumenvale Academy—one of the few known in the world as a Great Spirit Sage.

Silence crept in like freezing mist.

Then he spoke.

"Good morning, future students of Lumenvale."

His voice was low, deep, and each word echoed gently like the ringing of a crystal bell.

"Today... you will all take your first step toward a life not everyone is destined to walk. Among you, some may become leaders of nations... others, mere footnotes in history."

He swept his gaze across the hall. His eyes paused briefly—on Verin.

"But before you dare to dream... prove you are worthy of standing here."

The atmosphere tightened. Smiles tensed. Some swallowed nervously. Others... remained still, like Sylphia.

"From the 1,539 participants today, only those with a minimum Rank of Spirit Initiate stage 5 will proceed to the theory exam. The rest... will be sent home immediately."

Hareth raised his hand, and a glowing screen appeared above him, displaying the class names, theory exam schedule, and a clearly laid-out but complex selection structure.

"The theory exam will be held after the rank selection. Then, the combat trials. Those who pass both... will find their names on the announcement board tomorrow morning."

He lowered his hand, and the light screen vanished.

"Now, prove your worth. Lumenvale does not seek numbers. We only accept quality."

He gave a slight bow. "May your Spirits be with you."

Applause erupted across the hall—some from excitement, some from nervous hysteria.

Seconds later... thousands of glowing sheets appeared in the air and began floating toward each participant.

The translucent sheets drifted down gently like autumn leaves.

Sylphia received hers—Number 1001. A round, symmetrical number. She gave a small nod.

Beside her, Yurelia nearly bounced. "Ah! 568! That’s close to my lucky number!" she said while waving to the sky as if saluting the universe.

But their time together had to pause for now.

"Rank selection groups 1 through 5 to Hall A. Groups 6 through 10 to Hall B. Groups 11 through 15 to Hall C," spoke a magical voice from the sky.

Their numbers fell into different groups.

Yurelia hugged her little bag. "Aw, we’re splitting up? Hope we meet again during the theory test!"

Sylphia nodded. "...We will."

Yurelia was about to turn away, but paused when she heard Verin’s voice.

"Don’t worry, dear. You’ll pass. If not... well, I guess you’ll have to live in the Absolute Dimension with Father."

"Don’t mind, as long as it’s with Father," Sylphia showed... a tiny smile.

Yurelia turned back. "Huh? Who were you talking to just now?"

Sylphia looked slightly over her shoulder. "Oh, just... a habit. Sometimes I talk to myself."

Yurelia blinked. "Whoa. That’s cool. Teach me how to talk to myself elegantly later."

Reyhan chuckled lightly in the air, a thin breeze brushing Sylphia’s temple like a gentle caress.

"You’re getting better at talking."

’Father, we almost got caught,’ Sylphia whispered in her heart, her eyes still facing forward.

The wind stirred gently beside her ear. "Relax," came Reyhan’s soft laugh, carried through the breeze.

Verin—Sylphia’s alias—walked slowly toward Hall C, where the spirit rank assessment would take place.

The building resembled a massive meditation hall, surrounded by semi-transparent white crystal walls that reflected the morning light. At its center stood a perfectly clear crystal orb, as pure as morning dew. This was no ordinary object—it was crafted by spirit masters, capable of detecting and evaluating the strength of a person’s spirit through the most accurate resonance known on the continent.

One by one, participants began entering the hall. The air buzzed with eager whispers. Some had even started betting quietly on who would score the highest rank. The name Velissa Arwyndel came up most often.

"See her? That’s Velissa from the Arwyndel Family. They say she can create triple-layered illusions!"

"Seriously? Rumor has it she might hit stage eight... maybe even nine!"

However, a sudden silence fell as Verin entered. Her steps were light, but they carried an invisible chill. The atmosphere turned quiet in an instant—not out of fear... but curiosity.

"That’s Verin," whispered one of the participants. "They say she was personally recommended by Professor Sirton..."

"But her background’s empty. Who is she, really?"

"Probably someone’s popular father’s daughter," Reyhan muttered, faithfully floating behind Sylphia.

Sylphia gave a small smile, replying without moving her lips,

"Father, there are a lot of people here."

"Who’s she talking to?" asked one of the participants.

"No idea. Maybe her imaginary friend," another replied with a sneer.

"Tch, weirdo," Velissa scoffed, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Verin.

Each group consisted of thirty participants. Velissa and Verin were both in the first group.

Soon after, their supervisor entered Hall C—a tall, composed half-elf woman with golden blonde hair tied neatly back. Her sharp gaze could seemingly pierce through unspoken sins.

She wore the standard examiner’s uniform: an ivory-white long coat with gold stripes on the sleeves and a silver sun emblem on her left chest.

"My name is Elwenna Thiralis," she said. Her voice was flat, firm, and left no room for negotiation.

"I will be supervising your exam."

Silence.

"We begin now. Number 1000, step forward."

Velissa walked with confidence, as if she already knew the outcome.

As her palm touched the crystal, a soft blue light shone. A single star formed, with eight white points glowing at its center.

"Spirit Initiate stage 8," Elwenna announced.

Applause erupted. Some participants whistled, others looked impressed. Elwenna only gave a slight nod.

"Acceptable."

Velissa returned to her seat. Before sitting, she cast a scornful glance at Verin.

"Filthy commoner," she muttered under her breath.

Verin simply looked straight ahead, silent. When her number was called, she stepped forward calmly.

"Number 1001, step forward."

She stood before the crystal, stared at her reflection for a moment, then gently placed her right hand on its surface.

The crystal lit up... and kept glowing... brighter than before.

A soft teal-green light flickered. A star formed—this time with nine brilliantly glowing white points at its center.

Silence. You could almost hear everyone’s heartbeat.

Supervisor Elwenna read the result, her voice slightly faltering.

"S... Spirit Initiate stage 9..."

Unseen behind Sylphia, Reyhan floated in the air like a quiet breeze, arms crossed and chin lifted.

"Look at my daughter. Impressive, as expected," Reyhan said proudly—though no one could hear him.

Then, the hall erupted.

"No way... She’s stronger than Velissa!"

"They say she’s only six?!"

"She’s two years younger than me... damn..."

Velissa stood abruptly, slamming her hand onto the table.

"IMPOSSIBLE! That girl must’ve cheated! No one even knows who Verin is! There’s no way—!"

Elwenna turned sharply. Her face remained cold, but her tone was like a whip.

"Silence, Velissa Arwyndel."

Everyone froze.

"All participants have passed through the Sensor Ring—personally crafted by Headmaster Hareth Vonzelle. If any aid, item, or form of cheating were involved, the crystal would turn red."

She stepped closer to Velissa, voice still flat.

"And the color of the crystal when Verin touched it was... teal green. The highest color of purity."

She stared directly into Velissa’s eyes.

"There was no cheating."

Velissa clenched her jaw and sat back down. Her gaze was no longer just scornful—it was vengeful.

Meanwhile, Verin descended the steps calmly. Inside her mind, a soft voice echoed.

"Well done, my dear. Calm and deadly, just like always."

"Thanks, Father," Sylphia replied inwardly, like a child who had just been praised. A small smile crept onto her lips. Perhaps, to others, it looked like she was talking to herself—again.

The rest of the evaluations proceeded normally. Most participants landed at Spirit Initiate stage 4 or 5. A few reached stage 6, and only three managed stage 7.

But none came close to Velissa. And certainly... not to Verin.