Potato in Another World: A Surreal Journey

7: Admission

We entered the campus and saw a crowd near the academy's center. An announcement was made about the guidelines of the admission process, which consisted of three levels. The announcement didn't provide any details, but we all proceeded to the first floor, which was dark. We could barely see a wall in front of us.

"Welcome to the First Level, the Maze Room," a voice from nowhere declared.



The wall behind us suddenly moved, and we moved forward. If you were too slow, the walls would have sandwiched you. As we proceeded, a trap emerged and hit some of the people ahead of me with wooden sticks. I realized the first floor was designed to test our physical capabilities to avoid such traps and attacks. As we reached the end of the maze, only a few of us were left, and we proceeded to the door to the next level.

"Congratulations, you have reached Level 2, the Show of Magic," the voice announced again.

Suddenly, the ground shook, and a crack split the center of the room.

"For this level, you need to hit your target from this distance," the voice instructed.

The room suddenly expanded. I hadn't noticed how vast it was until now. The crack was large and dark, and the target was so far away that it was difficult to see where to aim. I took a deep breath, concentrated, and pointed my finger towards the target. Focusing intently, I cast my spell.

"Flame Arrows," I chanted, casting a spell that shot arrows at a fast rate, leaving a trail of fire. The arrows hit the dummy target, and I passed. A floating sphere appeared in front of me and spoke.



"You passed. You may now proceed to the next door," the sphere said.

I did as instructed and entered the next room. Inside, we found tables and took our seats.

"Congratulations, you are now in Level 3, the Knowledge Test," a voice said from nowhere.



The tables shook, and blank papers appeared. Everyone in the room was confused. I remembered what Thaiea had told me: to reveal the contents of the paper, I needed to locate its core. I followed her advice, held the quill, and felt for the presence of the paper's core. Pouring a bit of magic into it, the quill's ink flowed onto the paper, revealing the letters. I answered all the questions and passed the paper. Now, all I had to do was wait to see if I had passed the admission test. We stayed for a few hours before the results were released.

Suddenly, an announcement echoed through the room, signaling the release of the results.

"Attention, all applicants. The results are now ready to be released," the sphere announced, projecting the names of the passers. Out of 500, only 70 passed. I searched for my name, feeling nervous as I couldn't find it on the list.

The names of the passers were projected onto a sphere, and amidst the excitement and tension, I frantically searched for my name, hoping for the best. But to my dismay, my name was nowhere to be found.

Disappointed, I resigned myself to my fate. However, the sphere then announced a list of exceptional passers. Among the 13 names that appeared, to my astonishment, I saw mine

[S-Passer]
13. Maloi

Overwhelmed with joy, I dashed outside to share the news with Elica. Hugging her tightly, I shared the incredible news – I had passed!

As the reality of passing the admission test sank in, I couldn't help but reflect on our challenges. The maze tested our agility and reflexes, ensuring we could navigate traps and obstacles. The magic level had pushed our abilities to focus and cast spells accurately under pressure. Finally, the knowledge test required us to apply our intellect and magical prowess in unison. Each level was designed to weed out the unworthy and identify those who could handle the rigors of the academy.

I walked through the campus, taking in the grandeur of the academy. Students, both new and old, were scattered across the grounds, some celebrating their success, others consoling friends who hadn't made it. The atmosphere was a mix of joy, relief, and anticipation.

I found a quiet spot under a large oak tree and sat down, letting the day's events wash over me. The journey had only just begun, and I knew that the real challenges lay ahead. But for now, I allowed myself to bask in the achievement.

Elica joined me under the tree, her face beaming with pride. "I knew you could do it, Maloi," she said, squeezing my hand.

"Thanks, Elica. I couldn't have done it without your support," I replied, feeling gratitude.

We spent the rest of the afternoon talking about our hopes and fears for the future, the excitement of starting our training at the academy, and the friendships we would forge along the way. The sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the campus, signaling the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

As night fell, we made our way to the dormitories. I found my assigned room and settled in, unpacking my belongings and arranging them neatly. My thoughts wandered to the upcoming days, filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness. I knew the journey ahead would be challenging, but I was ready to face it head-on.

The following day, we gathered in the main hall for the orientation. The headmaster, an imposing figure with a commanding presence, welcomed us to the academy. He spoke about the values and traditions of the institution, the importance of discipline and dedication, and the opportunities that awaited us.

"Remember, each of you has earned your place here through hard work and determination," he said. "But this is just the beginning. Your time at the academy will shape you into what you will become. Embrace the challenges, learn from your mistakes, and strive for excellence."

His words resonated with me, reinforcing my resolve to make the most of this opportunity. The orientation continued with introductions to the faculty and a tour of the facilities. We were shown the various classrooms, the library, the training grounds, and the dormitories. Each space was designed to nurture our growth and development.

Classes began the following day, and I quickly realized that the academy's curriculum was rigorous. We had lectures on magical theory, practical sessions for spellcasting, and physical training to enhance our agility and endurance. The days were long and demanding, but I thrived on the challenge.