Sky Academy's Survival Test
Sky Academy.
Why was it called Sky Academy?
Because of its location, of course.
"Ugh... motion sickness..."
"Hang on, how are you built like a tank but get airsick?"
"I don't know, fuck..."
Sky Island.
The academy wasn't anywhere on the ground—it floated in the damn sky on Sky Island.
Only students and those connected to them could access it, and you had to use a warp gate or an airship to get there.
"Should've taken the warp gate..."
"You said the airship was cheaper."
"Didn't think I'd get seasick, though..."
Not like I'd ever ridden a plane in my old life.
I stared at the shrinking ground below before turning away. This was exactly why I hated heights.
'Almost fell once.'
Not that I actually had.
"Wake me when we land..."
I finally crashed in the airship's lounge area. As I flopped onto the sofa, someone handed me a bottle of water.
"Tha—"
It was only then I noticed her face. Sky-blue hair, eyes dark as the ocean depths.
"...What the hell are you doing here?!"
"Coincidence. I had to move my stuff today too."
"Aren't you loaded?"
"Doesn't mean you blow it all. The richer you are, the more you gotta invest to grow it. Saving a little here and there is key."
Okay, fair point.
"...Keep two meters away from me for now."
"Harsh. You wouldn't even sign my shirt last time. But look—I wore a plain white tee this time!"
"It's the same shirt as before!"
She was gonna drive me insane.
I put some distance between us anyway. She pouted when I refused to sign, looking all dissatisfied.
Perfect timing—Eodukshini waddled in, empty coffee cup in his gooey grip.
He hopped naturally onto my shoulder, then spotted Ashy and freaked, dropping right off.
"...Beats me."
"What's this little guy? So cute!"
What? She knows all about me but not him?
I scooped Eodukshini onto my palm.
"You don't know him?"
"Nope! Hi, I'm Ashy. Hmm... a slime?"
"He talks too? You're a divine beast, huh? Figures—you're too cute not to be."
...What an idiot. I stared down at Eodukshini, who got charmed in seconds, with utter pity.
"What're you doing?"
He finally snapped out of it, cleared his nonexistent throat, and backed off.
But Ashy was quicker, holding something out.
"Wanna eat this?"
A sparkling white gem. Eodukshini's eyes bulged like saucers.
"Divine beast stone—pretty rare. Here, a gift."
Nothing in life's free.
Whatever—if it's poisoned, it'll purify anyway.
Eodukshini, who I'd hoped would help, was useless. Alone with her again, Ashy leaned in with a meaningful smile.
"Don't you wanna see it? How good your swordplay really is."
"..."
"I'll show you. Or come to my dorm? I'll give you the passcode."
"...You trying to get me in trouble?"
"Oops, busted."
"..."
She was out of her mind.
We reached Sky Island soon enough.
The whole island was the academy grounds. A hemispherical barrier surrounded it to prevent falls, making it feel like a full village.
'Prices are... steep.'
No need to live here full-time, though. Weekends meant outing passes.
There were shops below too, popular with students.
Some study obsessives skipped travel time, eating at campus restaurants to stay put.
'No wonder tuition's insane.'
And not just tuition—everything cost a fortune.
'How can I make money here too?'
I pondered as I headed to my assigned dorm. Lucky me—first come, first served, empty room.
Special admit meant a single. Bliss.
"Hell yeah. This bed and sofa are all mine!"
Of course, flunk too hard and you're out. But I could maintain.
Unpacked and out, I spotted Adria already claiming a scenic cafe spot.
She adapted fast.
"Adria!"
"Yo, hurry up. Pick what you want."
"Gotta eat here? Let's hit a seolleongtang joint."
"What? Come all this way for beef soup? Eat somewhere with vibe."
"Bet you'll tire of fancy in days. Familiar's best."
"Pfft. I'm a princess—I need high-class grub."
"Someone'd think it's a Michelin spot."
Ordered decent stuff anyway, killed time. Hours flew.
Blessedly, no Ashy sightings. Per Adria, who'd met profs and TAs nonstop, she was swamped too.
'No one's calling me.'
Made sense—they didn't think much of me.
Fine by me. Less hassle.
Days later, dorms buzzed, village livened. Students poured in, weirdos clustering alleys.
"Yo, smoke here."
"Ugh, too many people."
"Half seem commoners?"
"Tch! This ain't for peasants. They pay less—what gives? Should be nobles-only."
"Lol, real talk."
Actual idiots saying it aloud.
Alley blocked. Sigh—seolleongtang run ruined.
I sighed, sidestepped. Cigarette stench wrinkled my nose.
"Hey."
"?"
One punk, familiar slouch, chewing cig butt, picked a fight.
"You a commoner?"
"Sigh. Got any original beef?"
"What—"
Pow pow pow!
They'd clean their own butts and stink. Hit my new regular seolleongtang spot.
Cozy old lady ran the worn joint.
"Auntie, one beef soup please!"
"Oh, sweetie! Yes yes. Extra meat?"
"Yes!"
"Eat hearty to grow big. Lots for you—service!"
"Thanks!!"
If anyone messed here later, I'd handle it.
Fueled up, headed to the plaza.
Like a Korean school field on steroids—massive, central fountain.
'Crowded.'
Standouts dotted: No. 2 Andeman, demon sword kid, Pegasus-like divine beast handler...
But also ragged poor kids, spoiled rich, rapping loudmouths, spitters...
Diverse horde. Huge numbers.
'All passed?'
Entrance that easy?
'Or a later cut?'
Why so many losers? Still baffled.
No profs, no vendors. Just gawk at students.
"Coming through."
Broad shoulders split the crowd, muscles bulging under uniform.
'Oh... not bad.'
Familiar somehow?
Couldn't place—scanned more. Some talented, polite types scattered.
But bad vibes. Instinct? That guy wore a 'mask'.
'Those'll be the real headaches.'
Most so far: third-rate extras. Disposable.
But those were players.
Recalled Arcana's words.
But these kids nowadays got no manners. Nobles especially—proud of useless bloodlines... Fix 'em for me, yeah?
Watch and wait. No proof yet.
Might be good eggs.
Poke poke.
Someone nudged me.
I didn't turn.
"Finally here?"
"Yep!"
...?
Not Adria. Turned—beaming Ashy.
I stepped back slyly.
"...Why'd you pop out there?"
"Duh, I enrolled. Top student, remember?"
"Then why next to me?"
"'Cause I like you!"
Screw this noise.
"Sorry, not into you. Beat it?"
"Aw, it'll happen eventually. I don't quit easy."
Wish you would.
Adria approached, Eodukshini in tow. Path cleared. Moses miracle?
Why didn't it part her?
Adria blinked at the girl beside me.
"...Ash Blue?"
Ashy's bubbly mask gone—icy princess mode, formal bow.
"Oh, nice to meet you. Princess Adria Madcond, right? Huge fan."
"We're students now—just Adria. No need for formality. But..."
"Ah, I'm Eugene's longtime fan. Been one-sidedly courting him."
"...?"
Adria's utter confusion. I shrugged back, clueless.
"Anyway, know about that?"
"?"
"Get ready to run. Prep now?"
What?
Sky darkened. Blackened heavens birthed a screen.
White-masked, robed figure—principal.
Buzzing plaza hushed instantly.
Even on screen, an archmage-turned-lich post-fallout overwhelmed them.
Lich scanned like seeing us for real.
'Fake.'
No vibe from first sight.
'Hey, relax. That's a fake.'
Liar.
Helped anyway—frozen Adria thawed a bit.
Plaza dead silent, save my whisper.
Lich's voice boomed.
Me?
Principal raised a hand. Ominous black mana poured from his white-robed palm.
Black mana to others.
"...Huh?!"
First sounds. Murmurs rose. Lich spread arms wide over the chaos.
Screen tore—something poured out.
Hordes of bats!
"G-Gahhh!"
"C-Cororon!"
"Agh! Nineteen on me!"
And so, Sky Academy's real first day began.