Unaware of the storms rising in the stadium due to his participation in the entrance exams, Aegon was busy eating a meal that Xavier had cooked.

As the broth slipped into his mouth, Aegon made a strange expression before turning toward Xavier. He said, "I really didn't think you would actually be able to cook something."

"Hehe, praise me more," Xavier rubbed the bottom of his nose, grinning proudly. "I shall accept all of them."

"Oh, you mean the shortcomings. Alright, you overcooked this part of the meat and added too much salt…"

"Stop! I don't wanna know more," Xavier grumbled, knowing full well that he wouldn't get anything else from him. "Anyway, when are we leaving?"

"Now!"

Cali opened the door and called out to them, "Our ride is ready."

"Coming right up!"

With that, the three of them left their small house in a red wagon that ran on Mana Stones. It could be considered an expensive ride, but the last thing Aegon worried about was money, so he didn't think twice before renting it for the day.

In no time, they reached the stadium built a short distance away from the God's Hand. Apparently, the Academy didn't like taking too many people up there, so events like these were held in this stadium instead.

They climbed out of the wagon as Aegon gazed at the structure. "It's more like a colosseum."

"We can only accompany you so far," Cali said as she patted his back. "Beat everyone's ass and come out on top."

"I will certainly do that."

"Then do it even better," Cali grinned and slapped his back before moving inside the stadium through the back door. The students had a separate entrance and seats, after all.

'Now then, where shall we begin?'

He spotted a different entrance where long queues of participants could be seen and approached it. Guessing it was for exam registration, he joined one of the shorter lines.

'Hmm, on Earth they could use the internet for such stuff, but we don't have it here. What a sad reality. Otherwise, I could've binged even more novels. Wait! Will I be allowed to read smut now?'

Lost in his nonsensical thoughts, he slowly moved forward in the line. Nobody really noticed anything odd about him since he had lowered his head slightly, and his clothes looked quite ordinary.

Just as it was almost his turn, a burly man put a hand on his shoulder and snarled, "Get out of the way. It's my turn."

'Oh my! Even this scenario?' Instead of getting offended, Aegon was just amused as he watched the man push past the other students. Nobody said a word, it was clear he was powerful and also from a noble family.

'Hmm, what's the best thing I can do here?' Aegon rubbed his chin in thought, but his feet were already carrying him closer to the large room where the registrations were taking place.

He glanced at his shoulder where the man had touched him and clicked his tongue. 'So, scenario number 235!'

With that, Aegon tapped the man on the shoulder and smiled when he turned around. "Are you perchance blind, or were you dropped in the river as a child?"

"Screw off!" the burly man growled at his insult but decided to focus on the registration first.

Everyone gave Aegon strange looks while distancing themselves from him.

"I told you, it's not your turn," Aegon said, still smiling pleasantly.

Just as the burly man raised his hand to slap him in anger, Aegon placed his own hand on those broad shoulders and effortlessly lifted the man up as if he were a small stone.

Then, under everyone's astonished eyes, he threw him aside without the slightest change in expression. 'That should be a good show, the nonchalant vibe. Man, I'm stupid for becoming happy in this childish act.'

The man slammed into a nearby tree, groaning in pain as he clutched his back. His eyes, however, were full of rage as he glared at Aegon, who didn't even glance his way again.

He simply moved toward the registration room, where another student from the Academy was recording the participants. Even during the commotion, the student didn't bother raising his head, as if this sort of thing happened far too often.

"Name?" he asked while writing something on a scroll.

"Aegon," Aegon replied, making the student drop his fountain pen as his head snapped up. "Aegon Valeria Augustus."

The man gulped nervously and stared for a moment before answering, "You are already registered and can move to the stage immediately."

"Huh? He didn't tell me this," Aegon muttered in confusion before shaking his head. "Anyway, thanks for the work."

With that, he entered the stadium, leaving behind stunned participants. Some even had a new fire of fighting spirit burning in their eyes.

After passing through a narrow corridor, Aegon found himself in the vast central field of the stadium, filled with students who had come to participate in the exams.

He walked forward and lifted his head, only to notice a few figures sitting at the highest seats available in the Academy.

He already recognized one of them, the man with a monocle on his right eye, who sensed Aegon's gaze and gave him a nod in acknowledgment. But Aegon's focus was drawn to the other two people, and he greeted the man absentmindedly.

All because they possessed the same golden eyes as him.

Three pairs of golden eyes met, each studying the other with an unspoken sense of curiosity and wonder.

It was then Aegon remembered something a street food seller in Dusk City had once said in passing:

{Most of the Imperial Family members have golden eyes too. Anyone can recognize them.}

'So, they're royalty,' Aegon thought and gave a simple nod to them, which confused many people in the stands, even among the nobles.

"W-What? He's disrespecting the Fifth Prince?"

"He's already so arrogant?"

"I knew all the Augustus were crazy, but what is this?"

Aegon resisted the urge to roll his eyes. It wasn't like he was being arrogant or ignoring royal etiquette, this was simply how he showed respect.

'A Valerian never bows their head to anyone.'

'Neither do the Augustus. Remember that.'

He remembered them well.

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