The academy bells rang just as the first rays of sunlight spilled through the dormitory window.
Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
For one brief, blissful moment, he expected to see the familiar ceiling of his apartment.
Instead…
A white plaster ceiling greeted him.
"…Right."
He had almost forgotten.
No.
That wasn't true.
He wanted to forget.
The memories of yesterday came rushing back.
The transmigration.
The System.
The academy.
Adrian.
Everything had actually happened.
A quiet sigh escaped his lips.
"I'm still here."
Across the room, he heard rustling.
Rowan had already woken up and was carefully buttoning his academy uniform.
When he noticed Ethan awake, he smiled.
"Morning."
"Morning."
"You sleep alright?"
"I think so."
It had been the first uninterrupted sleep Ethan had managed since arriving in this world.
Oddly enough…
Lucien's body seemed used to the luxurious mattress.
Rowan chuckled.
"You looked exhausted yesterday."
"I was. If today's orientation is as long as yesterday's ceremony, I might fall asleep."
"I doubt Professor Marianne would appreciate that."
Ethan laughed.
"Probably not."
A few minutes later a knock came from the door.
Before either of them could answer
The door burst open.
"Good morning!"
Oliver strode inside carrying three paper schedules.
"I figured you two would still be getting ready."
Rowan looked at him.
"…Did you knock?"
"I did."
"…You opened the door before we answered."
Oliver smiled proudly. "I knocked first."
"…That's not how that works."
Ethan couldn't help laughing.
Oliver tossed one schedule onto Ethan's desk.
"They were handing these out downstairs."
Ethan picked it up.
Unlike yesterday's overview, today's paper listed classroom numbers.
| First-Year Magic Department |
8:00 AM — Orientation
Classroom M-1
9:30 AM — Mana Control
11:00 AM — Magical Theory
2:00 PM — Practical Spell Casting
4:00 PM — Physical Conditioning
"…That's a full day."
Oliver groaned dramatically.
"We're going to die."
Rowan glanced at him.
"From studying?"
"Exactly."
After getting dressed, the three left the dormitory together.
The morning air was cool and refreshing.
Students crossed the campus in every direction, chatting excitedly about their first classes.
Some carried books.
Others nervously reviewed notes they'd prepared beforehand.
Ethan looked around.
"It feels different today."
Oliver nodded.
"Yesterday everyone was strangers."
"Today we're classmates."
As they walked through the central courtyard, Ethan noticed a familiar figure sitting beneath the same oak tree as yesterday.
Adrian.
He sat alone with a thick book resting on one knee.
His wooden practice sword leaned against the tree beside him.
Unlike the other students…
He wasn't talking.
He wasn't looking around.
"…He's here early," Ethan murmured.
Rowan followed his gaze.
"The commoner?"
"Yeah."
Oliver scratched his cheek. "I heard he showed up before sunrise."
"Already?"
"My cousin said some students practice before class."
Ethan watched Adrian for another moment.
The Hero looked completely focused.
Even surrounded by dozens of students…
He seemed to exist in his own quiet world.
[Side Quest Available
Introduce yourself to Adrian Ashbourne.
Time Limit: 3 Days
Reward: 100 System Points
Failure: None]
Ethan blinked.
"Three days?"
[Correct.]
"That's…more reasonable."
Yesterday's mission had felt rushed.
This one gave him time.
"I can work with that."
"Lucien?"
Oliver waved a hand in front of his face.
"You've been staring for a while."
"Huh?"
"Were you listening?"
"…Not really."
Oliver sighed dramatically.
"I was saying we should sit together during orientation."
"Oh. Yeah. Good idea."
The three entered the Magic Department building.
Unlike the academy's grand entrance hall, this building felt quieter.
Bookshelves lined the walls.
Portraits of famous mages replaced those of knights.
Students carrying staffs hurried between classrooms.
Mana lamps floated overhead, glowing softly despite the morning sunlight.
A large sign pointed toward Classroom M-1.
Dozens of first-year magic students were already gathering outside.
"I guess this is us," Rowan said.
Ethan nodded.
The classroom doors were still closed.
Students naturally formed small groups while waiting.
Oliver immediately started chatting with another noble he recognized.
Rowan quietly stood beside Ethan.
"You don't seem nervous."
Ethan smiled weakly. "That's because I'm hiding it."
Rowan laughed. "I almost fell for it."
A loud voice suddenly echoed down the hallway.
"Move!"
Several students instinctively stepped aside.
Two older students were carrying an enormous glass container filled with glowing blue liquid.
"What is that?" Ethan whispered.
"Liquid mana," Rowan answered.
"They use it during advanced experiments."
The container wobbled slightly.
One of the seniors lost his grip.
"Watch out!"
Everything happened at once.
The heavy container tipped toward a group of first-years.
Students panicked, jumping out of the way.
Ethan instinctively stepped backward—
Someone else moved first.
A black-haired figure darted forward.
With one smooth motion, Adrian caught the side of the container before it could crash into the floor.
His feet slid several inches across the polished stone.
The muscles in his arms tensed.
Slowly…
Carefully…
He pushed the enormous container upright again.
The hallway fell completely silent.
One of the seniors stared at him.
"You…"
"Thank you."
Adrian simply nodded.
"No problem."
He picked up his book from where it had fallen and walked away as though nothing unusual had happened.
Only after he disappeared into the classroom did the whispers begin.
"Did you see that?"
"That thing weighs hundreds of pounds."
"He's ridiculously strong…"
Ethan smiled to himself.
"Classic Adrian."
Always helping.
Never expecting praise.
The System quietly chimed.
[Story Event Confirmed.
Hero Reputation among First-Year Students has increased.]
Ethan frowned.
"…That happened in the novel?"
[Affirmative.]
"I don't remember this scene."
[Minor events are easily forgotten]
"…Fair."
The classroom doors slowly opened.
A woman with crimson robes stepped into the hallway.
Professor Marianne.
She looked over the gathered students.
"First-year Magic Department."
"Please come inside."
Ethan took a deep breath.
His first class in another world…
Was about to begin.
"I'm too old for this…"