Immediately, Leo got to the academy. He encountered some jerks bullying a girl. He wanted to act like it wasn't his problem, but something in him couldn't let him—so he rushed there, giving one of the bullies a blow. The jerk flew far. Leo said, "Who's next?"
The other bullies coughed up some mind. They all decided to gang up on him. Leo was surrounded, but he decided to use his training techniques to tackle the bullies. The first bully landed a punch—Leo shrugged. He wiped his mouth with his other hand. The bully tried to trash‑talk, but Leo said to them, "This is the only time I will let you hit me," as he leapt forward, delivering a feint as he reached his back and setting up the chance for a cross‑cutter. He did it. The bully was left with blood on his forehead (my fellow readers, every wrestling move is fatal; it seems weak only because it is done in the ring, but if it is done in a real setting it could do a lot of damage—in short, don't try this at home) and his neck and back were heavily injured.
Leo stretched as he dashed to the next bully. He used his technique to deliver a huracán‑rana, then turned it into a guillotine choke, fainting his ass. The next villain was taken out by Leo's drunken‑master technique. The next villain pleaded for mercy, but Leo almost wanted to finish him—until he was hugged by the girl who had been bullied. She pleaded with him to forgive them and take pity on them. Leo didn't want to agree at first, but when the girl shed tears he allowed them to run along, but not without a warning.
After they went away, Leo seemed to be bleeding in his forehead and his hands. Leo stood with a dirty uniform. The girl ran toward the infirmary. Leo said, "Oh—she's gone. So much for being a goody‑goody." He just sat there.
The scene shifts to Vultra, who had just gotten onto the academy premises. He saw a particular person who caught his eye—his aura almost felt like that of Leo. He wouldn't know until he found out, so he changed his direction toward him. Leo saw someone coming. He still sat, waiting to see which direction he would follow. He was surprised when the boy approached him. "Yo," he casually greeted.
Leo said, "Who are you?"
"I'm Vultr—emmm, I meant I'm Gale."
Leo said, "Wait," conceding his identity suspicious, "but that name… are you?" He figured it out. "Drop the act, Vultra."
Vultra said, "Oh, so you know—and since you were able to figure me out, I'll take it you're Leo, right?"
"Well…" Leo answered, "you're also smart." They both stared at themselves for a while before the academy bell rang.
When the tests came, the headmaster prepared a speech. He said, "All students, welcome to the Fiery Blade Academy. We don't rear weaklings here, and we don't train blockheads here—we only train the best of the best. Even if you don't get in, our uniform is a free gift; it can fetch you a huge sum of money in the markets. If you have the guts to be here, get your ass out of this academy—the gate is that way," he pointed to the gate, "but if you want to stay here…" He adjusted his glasses, casting a bloody glare. "…prove your worthless ass. I'll give you guys two hours to make your decision. Until then, bear this in mind: this year's entrance exam is not for freshmen. We target nobles; for a commoner to be among them, you will have to display extraordinary talent."
The students jeered and talked amongst themselves, some saying, "This is not fair!" "This is cheating!"
The headmaster said with authority, "Anyone got a problem? Come face me and talk one on one." The students who were talking suddenly became silent. The headmaster mockingly said, "Just as I thought." Suddenly, a commoner raised his hand. The headmaster turned. "Ehem—who is it?"
"Gale," said Vultra.
"Oh," the headmaster said, "then who are you?"
"I'm Vul—" he was then put to sleep by someone who replied, "It's nothing, sir—my apologies."
The headmaster said, "Fine. I'll take your apology since you dealt with the loudmouth."
"Yes, sir," Leo said, biting his lip. "That arrogance…" He thought, I can't do anything yet, since it is the most logical decision at the moment, but in the test I'll show him. "For now, let's retreat."
Vultra dozed off. In his dreams, he was in a never‑ending void. He was moving through the void when he came across a door. When he opened it, he saw himself—but when he was Vultra, he was sealed in a cage with a seal which he couldn't transcribe. His past self suddenly began to speak. Slowly, he started, "I'm the one that brought you here. This is the realm I was sealed in. I'm not you—I'm just the essence of your powers. I took this form. Release me and this dormant power will be yours."
Vultra said, "No. I will attain new heights on my own. You're just a fragment of my past. I'm done with you."
"Well," his powers answered, "in time you will come to a realisation of your original aim and purpose."
Leo slapped his cheeks. He woke up saying, "Why?"
Leo said, "You were excluding leaks of your previous powers. If this goes on, you would be suspected. Try to control it."
Vultra now asked him, "You know, Leo, I didn't get your name."
"Fine," he shrugged. "Call me Nicole when we're in public, but if we're alone, call me the usual—Leo. I'll do the same for you, Vultra."
Vultra now asked Leo, "Have you gotten in touch with your previous powers?"
Leo said, "Well, I wouldn't say I haven't touched it ever since that day."
"Well, Vultra, have I answered your questions?"
"That will do."
"But Leo," Vultra asked, "I got in touch with my powers—they were sealed in a cage, they took the form of my previous body, and they had a conscience."
"Hmm," Leo said, "okay, let's leave it at that for now."
When the headmaster said the two hours were up, "Rags, which decision have you come up with?" Half of the students left. "Oh, the rags are truly displaying their talents. Well, to all the rags who haven't left, I commend your determination. You aren't worthy to be called rags anymore—you will be called bugs, since you have displayed bits of courage. But I hate to break it to you: this is where it all ends. Your determination and courage mark the beginning of your suffering. You all should have left with those rags. I'm pleased to officially announce: welcome to the Academy Entrance Test. If you can see closely, the only qualification to have is to survive—be among the first 1,000, or go cry to your mama. All candidates will be attached with a magic sensor; when a candidate is heavily injured, forfeits, or is close to death, they will be officially teleported to the academy infirmary. Consider this your luxury service, you weaklings. The only rule: anything goes—but no murder. We don't want blood on our hands. With that, I declare the entrance officially begin!