So this is Libra?
At the heart of the Pallarest Mountain Range stood a colossal structure.
Rather than an educational institution, it looked more like a fortress built to repel invading armies.
“Invitation Number 001, Nerha Radeus. Your passage has been confirmed. Congratulations.”
The moment he arrived at Libra’s massive open gates, a middle-aged mage wrapped in thick fur clothing emerged from within.
“Welcome. I am Gazelle, the admissions officer of Libra.”
“A pleasure.”
At a glance alone, Nerha could tell the man was no ordinary mage.
The pressure of his mana was overwhelming.
Gazelle checked the document in his hands where Nerha’s name was written, then widened his eyes slightly in surprise.
“Forgive me for asking, but… did you come here without attendants?”
“I did. Is there a problem?”
“No, not at all. I simply find it interesting.”
With a strange smile, Gazelle said:
“Bonus points. Twenty points.”
“…What?”
“Whether through artifacts, equipment, or sheer endurance, arriving at Libra entirely through one’s own ability without help from others… only those who truly understand the purpose behind Libra’s creation can accomplish that.”
“Heh. So I was right after all…”
A satisfied smile spread across Nerha’s lips as his prediction proved correct.
He was probably among the later arrivals overall, but among those who had climbed the mountain entirely on their own, he was certain he was the first.
“Well, honestly, that’s just the official explanation. Most of the people who earn those bonus points are penniless nobodies challenging Libra with nothing but stubbornness and grit.”
“You have a talent for dumping cold water over a good mood.”
Just as Nerha began wondering whether the bonus points were actually worthless, Gazelle continued.
“Still, someone with your background arriving alone like this… that hasn’t happened in almost ten years. Truly fascinating.”
“So there was someone like me before.”
“Yes. One of your siblings.”
That was interesting.
Since Libra only accepted students twenty years old or younger, the candidates were fairly limited.
If that person had truly understood Libra’s purpose and followed its principles as thoroughly as Nerha had…
…then he might become the greatest obstacle standing in Nerha’s way.
“In any case, keep the existence of these bonus points strictly confidential. As time passes, those twenty points will become increasingly significant. You wouldn’t want your peers targeting you out of jealousy, would you?”
“Hmph. I don’t particularly care.”
Despite his words, Nerha immediately realized just how carefully hidden this “bonus point” system was.
If rumors of it had spread, then the number of pampered nobles arriving with swarms of attendants would have been cut in half at minimum.
“This way. I’ll guide you to the dormitory. Room assignments haven’t been finalized yet, but the lounge is open, so you may rest there in the meantime.”
Since he had departed with plenty of time to spare, he still had four or five hours of leeway remaining.
Following Gazelle, Nerha stepped into Libra.
“…Remarkable.”
Contrary to its old and barren exterior, the inside of Libra was astonishingly luxurious—almost enough to resemble a major city.
“This is still an educational institution, after all. Most facilities necessary for education are available here.”
Naturally, it wasn’t truly on the scale of a city.
Still, constructing something of this magnitude in the middle of a high mountain region spoke volumes about the power of the Radeus family.
Yes. This is how it should be.
A grin naturally spread across Nerha’s face at the sharp, thrilling killing intent he sensed around him.
Though not quite on the level of Manhwaseong—the main stronghold of the Radeus family—Libra was still one of their most important facilities.
Powerful figures dispatched directly from the main house were stationed everywhere.
“We’ve arrived.”
Before leaving, Gazelle gave him another strange smile.
“Even aside from the bonus points, climbing this harsh mountain range on your own will soon become a tremendous advantage.”
“…What do you mean by that?”
“If I told you now, it would ruin the fun. Feel free to look forward to it.”
“……”
Nerha chose not to dwell on the words.
If what Gazelle said was true, he would naturally understand in time.
At the entrance of the dormitory Nerha arrived at, dozens of successful applicants were already unpacking their belongings.
Since attendants were forbidden from entering the interior, everyone was alone now. Some openly complained about having to handle their own luggage personally.
“Nerha.”
“Nerha Radeus…”
“Isn’t he the failure of the Radeus family?”
As expected, the Radeus name carried immense fame.
The moment Nerha entered the dormitory, eyes immediately turned toward him.
“No need to be intimidated. According to the information, he’s still a loser who hasn’t even reached Level 2.”
“…He’s still only Level 1 at that age?”
“He might act arrogant now thanks to his family’s prestige, but once people start separating gems from stones, he’ll be kicked out in no time.”
Whispers evaluating Nerha spread throughout the dormitory.
Naturally, almost all of them were negative.
Not a single favorable comment could be heard.
Separating gems from stones, huh? That’s exactly what I want too…
Silently listening to the criticism ringing in his ears, Nerha entered the temporary room assigned to him.
The moment he set down his luggage, a chilling smile appeared on his face.
“The ones mocking me… I suppose I should personally observe whether they’re truly worthy of running their mouths.”
If they met his standards, he could generously forgive them.
If not…
…then they would experience a rather merciless hell.
As a side note, after seriously practicing the newly developed mana cultivation method, Nerha’s memory had improved dramatically.
Now then… I wonder if I’ll meet that girl again.
Recalling the blonde girl Lucia, who had once used him for her own ends, Nerha grinned broadly.
So far, he still hadn’t found anyone more talented than her.
About half a day later—
—The entrance examination has concluded. All successful applicants are requested to gather in the central plaza immediately.
After briefly dozing off, Nerha awoke to the announcement declaring the end of the exam and summoning the successful candidates.
Still shaking off his drowsiness, he headed toward the plaza he had passed earlier.
Oh, there she is.
At least several hundred staff members surrounded the area.
Between them stood roughly 120 successful applicants who had ultimately earned admission into Libra, all standing apart from one another with tense expressions.
Finding Lucia among them wasn’t difficult at all.
Lucia noticed Nerha as well and lightly bowed her head in greeting.
And surprisingly, besides Lucia, there were several other familiar faces too.
Baker… and Zechron as well.
Even Baston Pereira—the one Nerha had personally tried to recruit—had entered Libra in the same class as him.
“Everyone, attention.”
The moment someone appeared atop what looked like a podium on the northern side of the plaza, the noisy atmosphere instantly quieted.
At the same time, Nerha’s eyes snapped toward the figure.
Strong. At minimum, a master of the Hwagyeong realm!
The man standing on the platform looked to be in his mid-fifties.
With silver-gray hair, he was unmistakably a direct descendant of the Radeus bloodline—likely someone very close to the family head.
This was the first true powerhouse Nerha had encountered since coming to this world.
“Ludwig Radeus!”
“One of the only five Level 8 Archmages on the continent…!”
Just as expected, the man was an enormous figure.
“Welcome to Libra, members of the 137th incoming class.”
Ludwig Radeus’s deep, heavy voice echoed across the plaza.
“Libra is an institution that trains the ‘spears’ and ‘shields’ of the greatest magical family, House Radeus. If you came here expecting the life of a normal magic tower or academy, turn around and leave now. No one will stop you.”
Ludwig did not speak for long.
In fact, his speech lasted less than a minute.
“You will spend the next five years here honing your abilities as battle mages.”
His calm gaze swept across the hundred-plus young students gathered below.
“But I can promise you this: if you complete every training program Libra has to offer, then by the time you leave this place, every one of you will have reached at least Level 5.”
Level 5.
A rank commonly known as a True Mage—a level where one could proudly call themselves a genuine magician anywhere in the world.
Even among the talented elite capable of entering the profession of magic at all, common knowledge dictated that reaching Level 5 usually required at least twenty-five years of dedication.
By ordinary standards, even reaching Level 4 was enough to serve as an advisor to a regional lord.
Graduates of normal academies or magic towers often didn’t achieve Level 5 until their forties.
In many cases, some failed to surpass Level 4 even after passing middle age, retiring in obscurity.
That was why Level 5 served as a symbol.
A measure of true talent.
Looking over the plaza filled with tension and excitement, Ludwig grinned.
“Then I wish you luck.”
After Ludwig’s brief speech concluded, Nerha unpacked his belongings in his officially assigned room.
He then opened the guidebook containing a general explanation of life inside Libra.
[Daily life at Libra consists of theoretical studies, training, combat practice, and external missions.]
[Normal classes and training conclude within scheduled hours. Afterward, you are free to do as you please, but curfew begins after 9 PM, so please take note! → Violations will result in penalty points. ♡]
[Theory and combat tests are held every three months, and points are awarded according to results. Achieve enough points and you’ll earn wonderful benefits such as elixirs and high-level magic formulas! → But don’t go overboard! ]
[Violence and inciting conflict will result in penalties, while murder leads to immediate expulsion! Absolutely forbidden.☆]
[The magical library and physical training facilities are available anytime after hours! Raise your level as much as you can!]
“……”
Like the previous admission documents, the cute symbols and decorations still felt completely out of place.
Besides that, there were around twenty additional rules, but the truly important part was the rewards tied to accumulated points.
And the combat training.
And external missions.
This is going to be fun.
At Libra, missions did not simply refer to mock battles between trainees.
Students were actually inserted into operations conducted by House Radeus itself, carrying out missions where their lives were genuinely at stake.
Naturally, deaths and crippling injuries occurred every year in alarming numbers.
And Libra accepted absolutely no responsibility for them.
Yet talented youths still flocked here in droves.
Because if one endured to the very end, a brilliant future awaited them.
Only after repeated hammering, tempering, and cooling does a proper blade emerge.
That applied to Nerha himself as well.
No matter how much experience I carried from my previous life, one moment of carelessness is enough to get you killed in real combat.
Hadn’t he learned that lesson countless times while fighting demonic cultists as part of the Murim Alliance?
“Well then… let’s do our best.”
Stretching lazily, Nerha passed his first day at Libra.
