The email contained two files.
One was labeled as an alternative for the practical exam.
The other was marked as a substitute for the written exam.
Click.
Upon clicking the video, a familiar environment caught the transfer admissions officer’s eye.
“This is Rio World.”
Though the environment resembled reality, a recording button and a level indicator floated nearby.
Furthermore, the distinct aura of a game permeated the video.
The admissions officer, who had once been so engrossed in Rio World that they reached the top ranks, immediately recognized this familiar scent of home.
Receiving a video from a game was a first.
A low gasp of wonder escaped the officer, impressed by its novelty.
“Wow… what nerve! Not even from a Gate, but Rio World?”
Having grown accustomed to seeing only Gate clear videos or sparring footage, this particular submission sparked a surge of interest in the sender.
‘What on earth possessed them to send something like this?’
Sending a game video as a practical exam substitute wasn’t inherently viewed negatively.
Rio World was, in fact, a highly reputable game, frequently used by professors for verification purposes.
It was simply a bit unusual.
No matter how excellent Rio World was, it remained a game.
As long as that perception of it being ‘just a game’ persisted.
Those desperate to enter the academy couldn’t afford to choose verification via a game.
While it might be significantly cheaper than entering and exiting a Gate, there was still the matter of public perception.
Moreover.
Rio World had limitations inherent to its nature as a game.
Unless the applicant could demonstrate unique qualities capable of overcoming these constraints, using only Rio World for verification was extremely risky.
There was always the danger of facing critical remarks like, ‘Isn’t this just game-boosted?’
Consequently, Gate clear videos were typically submitted in abundance.
“If it weren’t for the risk of cheating like account sharing, games would be a safe and good option, but it’s a shame in many ways.”
Rio World would be much safer than Gate conquests, which would be preferable.
The societal perception and limitations of games were truly…
They clicked their tongue lightly, gazing at the monitor.
The AI analysis results appeared.
[Probability of Not Being AI: 99.78%]
The remaining 0.22% was likely due to Rio World itself.
Having passed the AI detection.
It was now time to review the video.
Click.
They pressed the small triangular play button.
Immediately, an applicant confronting a kobold appeared on screen.
‘A first-person video?’
Typically, submissions were in third-person, so a first-person perspective made this applicant seem like someone who defied all norms.
Moreover, while only one of the practical or written exams was required, this applicant had sent both.
Convinced this was no ordinary applicant, the officer focused on the video.
The applicant moved with fierce intensity.
Yet, simultaneously, they decimated the kobolds with movements so refined and beautiful they bordered on artistry.
‘Hmm… this level of performance is achievable by anyone above level 30. Is that all?’
That level of performance was largely attainable with high enough stats.
The officer, who had been watching with a disappointed gaze given their high expectations, suddenly noticed the level displayed next to the recording button.
‘Level 12?’
They pondered the stats one could possess at Level 12.
‘They certainly have confidence. But it’s still a bit lacking.’
While the applicant possessed practical skills sufficient for academy admission, it wasn’t enough for special enrollment.
‘There’s no clear hook to definitively prove this is their own skill. No hook.’
Due to the unique nature of games, it was difficult to discern whether they truly possessed such talent.
This level of performance could be achieved by simply engaging in official hero or hunter activities.
Of course, having applied to the academy, they must still be of student age.
Considering this, it was indeed impressive, but perhaps lacked a certain ‘punch.’
As if aware of this, the applicant also seemed to have sent a written substitute thesis.
‘Let’s see.’
The practical exam was somewhat lacking in verification, so they would need to stand out in the written portion.
‘What could they have sent?’
Upon opening the thesis, theories conceptualized from various professional theoretical frameworks immediately appeared on the screen.
[Title: Methods for Implementing and Utilizing Spatial Distortion]
Ten other theories, in addition to Minkowski spacetime theory and general relativity, were intricately interwoven within it.
At first glance, it was clear that they had written theoretically about a difficult field.
The officer’s eyes grew cold.
It was a thesis that couldn’t even be called ingenious as a mere courtesy.
Numerous scientific studies had already been conducted regarding spatial phenomena.
However, only a tiny fraction of these had ever been realized.
This was a disaster stemming from theories designed too idealistically.
The practical mana limit was merely 3, yet the theory demanded controlling 10 units of mana; it was perfect in theory but difficult to implement in reality.
Such terrifyingly high mana manipulation was required that no one could use it.
Nevertheless, a select few talented individuals did exist who could actually implement such theories.
Archmage Hylen, for instance, was one such being.
Those capable of using spatial magic were thus hailed as potential archmages.
‘Many theories related to space have emerged, so this one also lacks a bit of a hook, but it should at least secure an interview…’
Just as that thought crossed their mind.
*Swish.*
Something peculiar caught the officer’s eye.
In the continuously playing practical exam substitute video.
There was a scene where a kobold’s attack passed right through the applicant’s body.
The very theory written in the written exam substitute thesis was unfolding before their eyes.
“Spatial magic…? They’re controlling this?”
Having confirmed it wasn’t an AI-generated video, it wasn’t edited either.
That left only one possibility: they had genuinely performed it.
Indeed.
The applicant, whom the officer had been evaluating with such cold eyes.
Was, in fact, an applicant brimming with unique qualities in both their written and practical submissions.
They were, quite simply, an exceptional candidate.
The officer immediately checked the applicant’s information.
While applicant information was kept confidential for fairness, some details, such as age, were accessible.
They had deliberately avoided looking at it, fearing it might bias their view, but now they had no choice but to check.
And the officer was once again left utterly astonished.
“Eight years old…? A first-grader applicant…?”
‘This isn’t a high school or middle school application?’
****
The officer immediately ascended to the Chancellor’s office.
“Chancellor!”
“What is it?”
The Chancellor, Baek Mu-won, who had been busy with paperwork, looked up at the visitor.
He was ready to inquire why such a commotion was being made if it wasn’t for an important reason.
“You really must see this.”
Taking a breath, the officer presented the prepared video to the Chancellor.
The kobold subjugation video began to play.
‘Middle school? High school? Around that age, I suppose. The viewpoint is high.’
Initially, there was no particular impression.
He had seen this level of performance countless times, to the point of boredom.
However, then came the scene of spatial distortion magic being used, along with the accompanying theories.
Chancellor Baek Mu-won calmly reviewed them.
After a considerable amount of time passed.
He slowly parted his lips.
“Hmm… Did you run it through the AI detector?”
“Yes. It came back as not AI-generated.”
“If it’s not AI, then it’s not edited either. It must truly be a spatial magic specialist.”
“Yes. It’s a special admission applicant.”
This was enough to justify breaking protocol and coming directly to the Chancellor’s office.
Spatial magic was so rare that those who could wield it were few.
“A talent of archmage caliber. Let’s prepare for an interview immediately.”
The fact that the verification video was from Rio World was a minor concern, but this was certainly enough to warrant special admission.
Whether it was truly possible could simply be verified during the interview.
That was, after all, the very purpose of interviews.
Among those seeking special admission.
There were those whose applications were written by others.
Or who exaggerated their own inabilities.
The interview served as a platform to verify whether applicants claimed abilities they didn’t truly possess.
Baek Mu-won let out a small chuckle.
Although he stated the interview was for verification.
Baek Mu-won believed it was highly likely to be genuine.
‘The intention is obvious.’
If an unprecedented special admission were to proceed immediately after the academy’s opening, public attention would undoubtedly converge.
It was clear they were trying to generate buzz to boost their own value.
‘Are they trying to use the academy?’
Well, it wasn’t a bad thing.
Talent of archmage caliber was rare.
If such an individual became an academy alumnus, it would actually be a good thing.
Before contacting the professors, Baek Mu-won asked what needed to be asked first.
“Which grade is the special admission applicant applying for?”
‘Middle school? High school?’
‘Preferably middle school.’
The younger the genius, the more people would rave.
As if awaiting that very question, the officer immediately replied.
With an answer completely different from Baek Mu-won’s expectations.
“A first-grader.”
For a moment, Baek Mu-won doubted his ears.
“What? That’s impossible. The viewpoint in this video—it would require someone at least middle school or a first-year high schooler’s age.”
“However… if you look here, that’s what the applicant’s information states.”
“Isn’t it a mistake?”
“The application email came through the special admissions email for elementary students.”
Baek Mu-won clutched his head with one hand.
His brain throbbed.
If it were middle school, it would have been understandable.
But elementary school changed everything.
It was one of two possibilities.
“Either it’s proxy play, or it’s true talent. One of the two.”
“Yes. I believe so too.”
It was a reasonable suspicion.
At eight years old, mana had not yet fully bloomed, making it difficult to wield various types of magic.
There was a reason the academy only taught fundamental magic to talented children.
Yet, the highest tier of advanced magic.
And spatial magic, at that, wielded by an elementary schooler?
This was akin to a bear not just standing on two feet, but breathing underwater.
In short, it was an almost unbelievable feat.
It would almost be more plausible to assume someone was playing a terror-like prank on the academy.
While one might wonder who would dare deceive the academy.
Such instances, whether intentional or as a prank, occasionally did occur.
Baek Mu-won groaned.
Since it was a first-person Rio World video, nothing was definitively confirmed.
Couldn’t the student simply be tall enough to produce that viewpoint?
“Well… we’ll find out at the interview.”
Whether this applicant was genuine or a fraud.
If genuine, the academy would gain a new talent.
If a fraud, they would simply deal with it accordingly.
Baek Mu-won looked at the calendar and gave instructions.
“Let’s schedule it for the earliest possible date. Four days from now happens to be the weekend. Let’s do it then.”
“Understood.”
****
[You have reached Level 18.]
Immediately after lunch, I logged into the game.
Fortunately, the game console was only broken enough to still allow me to log in.
In the afternoon, having skipped school, eaten lunch, done nothing else, and then immediately played a game — a truly magnificent achievement — I reached Level 18.
A reply arrived for the academy special admission email I had sent that morning.
“That was fast?”
I had expected it to take at least a week.
And then, even faster, at the suggestion of an interview this Saturday, I swallowed a groan.
‘Ah.’
“That day is a bit inconvenient…”
The day they wanted me to come for the interview happened to be the very day Yura’s tournament was scheduled to begin.
