Ethan stood where he was for another few seconds.
The crowd had already swallowed Adrian's figure.
"…He's gone."
The strange feeling from their brief eye contact lingered.
He had spent weeks reading about Adrian Ashbourne, watching him overcome impossible odds chapter after chapter.
Now…
The legendary hero was just another first-year student walking into the academy.
[Main Target has left Host's field of vision.]
"…I noticed."
A group of students squeezed past him, pulling him back to reality.
"Come on! Registration's almost over!"
"Oh, right."
Ethan quickly followed the crowd through the academy's enormous entrance hall.
The inside of the academy was just as impressive.
Sunlight poured through towering arched windows, illuminating polished stone floors. Portraits of former graduates lined the walls, each with a small plaque describing their achievements.
"Commander of the First Knight Order."
"Royal Court Mage."
"Headmaster of the Academy."
Lucien's memories surfaced once again.
Every graduate whose portrait hung here had made a significant contribution to the kingdom.
Students often dreamed of one day earning a place on these walls.
"…No pressure."
The hallway eventually opened into a vast circular chamber.
Several long tables had been arranged across the room.
Each bore a large wooden sign.
Swordsmanship Department
Knight Studies Department
Magic Department
Scholarship Department
Teachers sat behind each table, processing stacks of paperwork while older students directed newcomers.
"The next person, please!"
"Magic Department this way!"
"If you haven't received your academy badge yet, stand in line!"
Ethan scanned the room until he found the sign marked Magic Department.
"…There."
A surprisingly long line stretched across the hall.
Most students wore elegant robes or carried ornate staffs.
Some whispered excitedly about advanced spells.
Others nervously practiced introducing themselves.
Ethan quietly took his place near the end of the line.
The wait gave him time to think.
"…System."
[Yes, Host?]
"Can you tell me what my magic is?"
A blue window appeared.
[Host Status
Name: Lucien Veris
Attribute: Fire
Magic Rank: C
Mana Capacity: C
Magic Control: B]
"…Fire?"
Lucien's memories confirmed it.
He specialized in basic fire magic.
Nothing extraordinary.
Nothing weak either.
Comfortably average.
"So I'm not secretly overpowered."
[Negative.]
"I figured."
The line moved slowly.
Students stepped forward one by one.
Names were recorded.
Identity crystals glowed briefly.
Badges were handed out.
Simple.
Efficient.
"…Next."
Ethan stepped forward.
The elderly professor behind the desk adjusted his glasses.
"Name."
"Lucien Veris."
The professor glanced down at a thick ledger.
"House Veris…"
He nodded.
"As expected."
He slid a crystal sphere across the table.
"Place your hand here."
Ethan hesitated.
"…Will this hurt?"
The professor looked confused.
"No."
"…Right."
He placed his palm against the cool crystal.
For a brief second…
Nothing happened.
Then a warm crimson light slowly spread through the sphere.
The crystal glowed brighter before settling into a steady red.
The professor scribbled several notes.
"Fire Attribute."
"C-Rank Mana."
He nodded approvingly.
"Your previous examination results were accurate."
Ethan blinked.
"Previous examination?"
Lucien's memories answered immediately.
Every noble child underwent magical aptitude testing before entering the academy.
This crystal simply confirmed the results.
The professor stamped a document before handing Ethan a small silver badge.
The academy crest had been engraved into its surface.
"Welcome to the Magic Department."
Ethan accepted it carefully.
"…Thank you."
"Your dormitory assignment is attached."
Another folded paper slid across the desk.
"Dormitory B."
"Second floor."
"Room 214."
"If you become lost, ask one of the senior students."
"I will."
The professor gave him one last glance.
"And one more thing."
"Yes?"
"The opening ceremony begins in thirty minutes. Don't be late."
Ethan stepped away from the registration table.
He examined the silver badge in his hand.
"So this means…"
"I'm officially a student."
For some reason…
The realization felt strange.
Just yesterday
Or what felt like yesterday.
He had been worrying about work schedules and grocery shopping.
Now he was enrolled in a magic academy in another world.
Life really had a strange sense of humor.
"Lucien!"
Oliver waved from nearby.
"You finally finished!"
"Yeah."
Oliver pointed toward the folded paper in Ethan's hand.
"What room did you get?"
"Two-fourteen."
Oliver's eyes lit up.
"No way!"
"I'm in two-eleven!"
"So we're on the same floor."
"Looks like it."
Oliver grinned.
"Perfect."
"Now you won't get lost."
"…I wasn't planning to."
"You could."
Ethan couldn't argue with that.
He absolutely would have gotten lost.
As the two of them walked toward the dormitories to drop off their luggage before the ceremony, Ethan noticed a familiar figure standing alone beneath a large oak tree.
Black hair.
Gray eyes.
Adrian.
Unlike the other students, he wasn't chatting or exploring the academy.
He simply stood there reading a small booklet probably the academy handbook.
Several passing nobles glanced his way before quietly whispering to one another.
"…That's him."
"The commoner?"
"I heard he's ridiculously strong."
"My father warned me not to associate with him."
Adrian's expression didn't change.
If he heard them…
He gave no sign.
He simply turned another page.
Ethan slowed his steps.
"…"
He looked as though he was completely alone, despite being surrounded by hundreds of students.
Ethan knew that feeling wouldn't disappear anytime soon.
Not unless someone changed the story.
"…Let's go," Oliver said, continuing toward the dormitory.
Ethan gave Adrian one last glance before following.
There would be other chances to meet him.
For now…
The story had only just begun.
[Tutorial Quest Progress Updated
Completed:
Register at the Royal Academy.
Join the Magic Department.
Current Objective:
Attend the Opening Ceremony.]
Ethan smiled faintly.
"One step at a time."
The blue screen faded away.
Ahead of him, the academy bells began to ring, signaling that the new school year was about to begin.