GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 18.1: Processing

The crowd began to stir as her speech concluded, conversations resuming in hushed tones.

Archmagister Elyssia stood before them, her silver-embroidered robes catching the morning light. When she continued, her voice carried a resonance that seemed to reach each candidate individually.

"You will be measured in Strength, Knowledge, and Strategy. Where you belong will not be decided by me, nor by your family name, nor by the wealth of your house. It will be decided by your own ability."

Around Vel, the crowd shifted. Some students stood taller with determination, others exchanged nervous glances. He noticed several noble-born candidates maintaining practiced confidence that didn't quite reach their eyes.

"Know this: Those who excel will receive the training they deserve. Those who struggle will receive the training they need. But those who fail to meet expectations—those who cannot keep up—will be removed."

The final word hung in the air like a death knell. Several students visibly paled.

"This is not cruelty. This is not unfair. This is the nature of power."

Even the wealthy seemed to understand that privilege alone wouldn't guarantee survival here. Vel's gaze drifted toward Kein's distant figure among the noble cluster. His former friend's expression remained impassive, almost bored, as if these warnings meant nothing to him.

The Archmagister paced to the platform's center, raising her arms toward the Academy's three distinct sections.

"Every empire stands upon three great pillars, and it is through these that civilization thrives. Strength. Knowledge. Strategy."

She turned left, gesturing toward the martial complex.

"Strength—The Shield and Sword of the Realm. The warriors of this land are its foundation. Without those who take up arms in service to crown and country, all else crumbles." Her voice swelled with conviction. "The knights, duelists, and vanguard of our great kingdom stand unyielding against those who would threaten our prosperity. To wield a blade is not merely to fight—it is to uphold duty, honor, and the order that sustains our way of life."

The students with noble bearing straightened at these words, pride evident in their postures.

She turned toward the cathedral structure.

"Knowledge—The Flame That Lights the Path Forward. Yet strength alone is blind without wisdom. It is the scholar, the mage, and the innovator who ensure that our people do not merely survive, but ascend to even greater heights." Her hands traced complex patterns in the air, leaving faint trails of magical light. "Through the mastery of the arcane, through invention, through the relentless pursuit of understanding, we push beyond the limitations of today and carve a path into the future."

Vel noted how she balanced Church faith-based magic with Guild innovation without explicitly favoring either faction.

Finally, she faced the students directly.

"Strategy—The Hand That Guides, the Mind That Rules. But what are strength and knowledge without guidance? Without leadership, a warrior is but a blade with no hand to wield it, and knowledge is but a tool with no mind to command it." She clasped her hands before her. "The future of our realm belongs to those who can see beyond the battlefield, beyond the throne, beyond the present. For it is the tactician, the commander, the ruler, and the diplomat who will ensure that these forces work together, rather than against each other."

The noble students stood even taller, as if their birthright had been confirmed.

"Today, you will be tested in all three pillars. But before we begin those trials, we must understand the foundation upon which your abilities rest."