Rising to Power with Void Magic ~An Exiled Genius Magician Decides To Take Revenge With His New Friends and Create a Utopia~ - Episode 1: (Part 1) The Hallow Avenger

The graduation exam venue at the Royal Capital Magic Academy was filled with an intense atmosphere.

The final test was called the “Abyssal Labyrinth.” It was a mock dungeon built under the academy using magic. It had a huge underground space with complicated paths, dangerous monsters, and tricky traps. Students had to reach the deepest part within a time limit and defeat the guardian waiting there. If they succeeded, they passed. But every year, many students failed and cried. It was the hardest trial in the academy.

In the audience seats were not only experienced professors but also current students, noble guests, and members of the Adventurers’ Guild. Everyone watched the candidates closely through a magic crystal monitor.

“Damn, another dead end! ”

“We’re out of healing potions…! ”

The monitor showed many struggling students. Some fell into traps. Others were defeated by waves of monsters. People said this year’s dungeon was harder than ever, and so far, no one had reached the goal.

Just then, one of the examiners moved slightly.

“Next, Allen Lloyd… Begin.”

When the name was called, some in the audience whispered.

Allen Lloyd — he was known as the most talented student in recent years. But he wasn’t from a noble family. He was always calm and hard to read. Everyone agreed he was strong, but no one knew his true power.

The monitor showed a black-haired, black-eyed boy. It was Allen. He stood at the dungeon’s entrance, shrugged lightly, and walked forward without hesitation.

Unlike others who moved carefully, Allen moved differently. He stopped to look around, then suddenly dashed forward. It was like he already knew the whole layout of the dungeon.

“Hmm, he used spatial awareness magic to understand the structure… Smart,” one examiner said.

But that was just the beginning of Allen’s true skill.

In the first big room, a golem was guarding the path. Other students tried to fight it with force or teamwork. Allen did something else. He aimed at the golem’s feet and cast several basic spells with different elements — at the same time and with perfect control.

“Rock Melt. Quick Freeze. Vibro Pulse! ”

The ground under the golem melted, then froze quickly, then broke with small vibrations. The golem lost its balance and fell. Allen then sent a Wind Blade straight through its weak point — the core.

“Incredible… He cast several beginner spells at once, and he combined their effects on purpose! ”

One older professor opened his eyes wide in surprise. Most mages could never do that, even in their whole life.

Next was the trap zone. Spears jumped from the floor, and poisoned arrows flew from the walls. There were many traps, and they were fast. But Allen didn’t panic. He moved just enough to avoid each one. While doing so, he sent tiny threads of magic from his hands and messed with the trap mechanisms.

“Wait… Is he interfering directly with the magic circuits of the traps? ”

A spear hit the ceiling. Arrows flew into other walls. The traps were destroying themselves. The audience gasped.

Then came the last test before the final room — a group of gargoyles. There were many, and they worked well together. They attacked from the air, which made them dangerous.

Allen smiled. He opened his arms.

“Too noisy. Silent Field.”

A dome of silence spread around him. The gargoyles couldn’t call out to each other anymore. Their movement slowed.

“Now. Gravity Up—limited area.”

He cast gravity magic in a small area. Some gargoyles were pulled to the ground and couldn’t move.

“Let’s finish this. Ray Dance! ”

From Allen’s hands, many light arrows flew out. They hit the stunned gargoyles one by one. When the light faded, none of them were left.

Everyone held their breath. It didn’t feel like a test anymore — it looked like a demonstration by a top-level mage.

Allen, not even sweating, opened the final door and faced the guardian. But before the monitor showed the battle, the screen showed the timer instead.

“Time: 15 minutes and 32 seconds. W-What!? ”

The assistant who kept time shouted in shock. The best record before was 48 minutes and 5 seconds — made by a legendary magic knight. Allen had finished in less than one-third of that time. A new, unheard-of record.

After a moment of silence, the room exploded with cheers and applause.

“Unbelievable… Is he even human? ”

“Allen is amazing! ”

“This is… Allen Lloyd’s true power…”

A pink-haired girl named Lilia clasped her hands over her chest. Her eyes sparkled.

“So cool… Allen, you’re really amazing! ”

Beside her, a strong, brown-haired boy named Dario raised his fist.

“Haha! Did you see that? That’s the guy who’s joining our team! He’s our strategist! ”

While they were honestly happy, a blond, blue-eyed boy named Gilbert watched with a sour look. His handsome face showed jealousy and frustration. He was from a noble family and had always thought he would be the best. But now Allen, a commoner, had completely surpassed him. A dark flame flickered in Gilbert’s eyes, but no one noticed yet.

A Few Days Later:

At a lively tavern away from the capital’s noise, the four new graduates — Allen, Gilbert, Lilia, and Dario — raised their mugs to celebrate.

“So from today, our party, ‘The Blades of Dawn,’ starts its journey! We’ll become top-class— no, the best adventurers! ”

Dario proudly made the announcement and held up his mug.

“Hehe, Dario’s always so eager. But I’m excited too,” Lilia said with a gentle smile.

“We should always aim high. As leader, I’ll make sure we succeed,” said Gilbert, full of confidence. 

There was a small hint of sharpness in his words, but Lilia and Dario didn’t notice.

Allen quietly drank his ale and looked at his teammates. They met at the academy and had grown close. Each had their strengths. Gilbert led well, Lilia could heal, Dario was strong with a sword and great at lifting spirits, and Allen had his magic and thinking skills. It felt like a perfect team.

(Gilbert’s stare bothers me a little… but maybe I’m overthinking it.)

Allen pushed aside his small worry and smiled. He raised his mug too.

“Yeah. I’m looking forward to this. Let’s do our best together.”

Their four mugs clinked together with a cheerful sound. Just like that, “The Blades of Dawn” started off strong.

Their first mission was to defeat goblins in a nearby forest. Gilbert gave orders in front, Dario rushed in to fight, and Lilia supported from the back. Allen watched the battlefield and used the right magic to stop enemies, help friends, or use the land to their advantage. Because of his support, the party finished the job quickly and safely.

The client thanked them, and the guild gave them high marks.

“Having Allen really makes a difference! We were never in danger! ” Dario laughed.

“Allen, your magic is amazing,” Lilia said honestly.

“Well… it wasn’t bad for a first job,” Gilbert said aloud, but inside, he wasn’t happy about how much Allen was praised.

Still, at that moment, their future looked bright.

None of them, not even Allen, could imagine the betrayal and despair waiting ahead.