"Elite candidates, welcome to this year's academy enrollment contest," declared a solemn old man on the holographic screen, his eyes slightly closed. "Due to special circumstances, enrollment has been moved up."
"However," Adolf on the holographic screen paused, "because of these circumstances, requirements will also rise."
The hall erupted in murmurs. Many looked tense. Getting into the academy would solve all their worries.
"This time, students will enter the academy with gender equality," Adolf stated firmly. "After deep reflection, I've abolished the female-favoring rule. From now on, all are equal here!"
"Long live Principal Adolf!" shouted the sea of male candidates below.
Some embraced, overwhelmed with gratitude. This felt humane at last. Maybe flirting with girls and reaching life's peak was finally possible!
"Gender equality..." Sky Qi stroked his chin thoughtfully. That was... damn it all!
He'd borrowed women's clothes through sheer effort, swallowed ten thousand doses of courage to wear them, and now they said the academy was equal? Screw that! Sky Qi fought the urge to smash the holographic screen.
He wore a plaid skirt, a women's blouse, magically lengthened hair in a ponytail, and a pink cap. He looked strikingly feminine.
He wanted to strip off the outfit now, but doing so here would make him a monster. He'd be blasted to dust by magic before finishing.
Sky Qi felt deeply awkward. His pretty face twisted with anger, cheeks twitching uncontrollably.
He suddenly regretted cross-dressing. Was he the first cross-dressing weirdo to enter this academy?
Miscalculation. A wave of gloom hit him. Wait—he'd forgotten something.
His cross-dressed charm still worked? He sensed stares from both men and women.
Men gaped at his pretty appearance; women were drawn to his female-targeted allure.
Queuing among girls meant beauties like the one ahead. Her sweet scent made his mana drain rapidly.
Damn, he'd forgotten this trope. Sky Qi covered his face, drawing odd looks.
A beautiful girl was eye-catching enough; this weird gesture drew even more stares.
"Um, are you okay?" the girl ahead turned, concerned.
"N-no, fine," Sky Qi raised his other hand abruptly. "Sorry, need to step out."
He fled the crowd like a scared rabbit.
Damn it. Only outside did his strength return. This was the only way. He channeled mana into his Unicorn Mage Mask.
The mask shifted, revealing his original face—but feminized to avoid recognition.
Unnecessary, really. His androgynous voice, flawless skin, and no Adam's apple meant no exposure unless naked.
As for the chest... plenty of girls had small ones these days! Dressed like this, he'd attract drunkards at night.
Alright, march in confidently. Sky Qi puffed out his flat chest. Too late to change. All in.
He shook his head, near tears. Such a loss. Returning to the queue, his turmoil vanished; composure returned fast.
To avoid mana drain from beauties affecting his test, he queued at the very end.
He pulled his cap low. No Adam's apple meant no real risk—but caution, or shame from his first public cross-dressing, made him hide.
"By now, I trust you've calmed your excitement," Adolf said calmly on-screen.
Yeah, so excited he wanted to slap Adolf. This whim forced him to cross-dress for nothing. Without it, he could've beaten rich, handsome guys and bullied anyone he disliked.
"Due to special circumstances, requirements are higher," Adolf cleared his throat. "First test: magic proficiency. Only C Rank or above accepted."
The crowd exploded. Curses filled the air.
"Damn it! Wasn't it always C- before?"
"With such high bars, why bother? C Rank could teach at lesser academies!"
"Does the academy even have that power?"
"Give up if you lack strength. This is the empire's best academy."
"Stop complaining. Disperse."
Curses turned to sighs. One-third of the crowd left quickly.
Adolf watched the departures calmly, no regret.
The weak need no sympathy. Arcana Continent revered strength, not weakness—true across the universe.
He sought talent, not lazy good-for-nothings.
A boy touched the crystal ball. It flashed "C-". His face paled; he bolted.
Many had tried to sneak in with wishful thinking. The crystal ball exposed them all.
Six hundred dwindled to five hundred. Sneaks slunk away under disdainful glares.
Adolf showed no expression. He'd expected this. Sneaks were endless. He ignored them, as if unrelated.
Sky Qi chuckled softly. This didn't concern him. With B Rank strength, he'd breeze through—even with two negative buffs.
If the former strongest failed this simple test, it'd be truly embarrassing.
