I was walking around a building designed in a crescent shape, with a great ancient tree standing in the center. All around me were students carrying books, moving busily across the courtyard.I strolled along, trying to take in my surroundings—after all, this was my first time here, and the place still felt unfamiliar.
'So I actually made it into an academy… just not the one where the novel's main characters attend.'I let out a long sigh and sat down at a wooden table beside a panoramic glass wall that overlooked the school's campus.
I'd never intended to come to a place like this. School, to me, had always been a nightmare—waking up early, studying a thousand things nonstop, listening to endless scoldings. There had never been any joy in it.But as time went on, I realized… working was almost the same. No—worse.
'At least studying rewarded you with grades and a degree. Working just exploits you, drains every bit of value you have, then throws you away once you're no longer useful.'
I savored the peaceful moment and the soft music playing in the academy café—a small reward to myself after everything I'd gone through.
"Hello, sir. May I take your order?" a cheerful voice asked."Hmm… could I get a cappuccino?""Of course! Please wait a moment—it'll just take a few minutes." The staff smiled brightly and walked away.
"…He's still pretty young," I murmured. "Reminds me of myself when I first started working."
"Oh? You've worked before?"A calm yet playful voice interrupted.
I turned around. Before me stood someone about my age—a young man with silver-white hair, stylishly cut, wearing casual clothes that gave off an air of excitement and ease.
'Weird… do I know this guy?' I tried to recall any familiar faces."No, you've never met me," he said with a grin, as if reading my thoughts.
"Oh, don't look at me like that. Your expressions give everything away—really, you're too easy to read."He chuckled and sat across from me.
"Anyway, I'm Marcus—the top-ranked student in the class you just joined.""Who asked?"
He boasted as if my presence didn't matter, completely at ease with himself.
'Should I just leave? It's not like I need to care about whatever noise he's making.'
"…That's still technically a question, so I guess you did ask, didn't you?""…"
"Excuse me, sir—your cappuccino. Have a nice day." The staff returned and placed two cups on the table.
"…Sorry, but—""Oh, that's mine," Marcus said with a small laugh. "I was sitting here first but went to the restroom for a moment."
"…Apologies for taking your seat. If you don't mind—" I began to stand up, but he quickly got to his feet as well.
"Wait! Hold on—just talk for a bit, okay?" He smiled awkwardly and stepped in front of me.
'What's he up to now?' I sighed inwardly, sitting back down reluctantly.
"Alright, alright. Sorry for being so abrupt," he said, flustered but earnest. "I just wanted to talk for a minute, if that's alright?""…What do you want to talk about?" I took a sip of cappuccino and looked at him. Whatever this was, it seemed important to him.
"Well… I just need a few people for my practical group."He scratched his head, his confident demeanor fading into mild embarrassment.
"Ah. Got it. Goodbye."I stood up without hesitation. I had no interest in his problems.
Tap. Tap.
"Hey, wait—just a second! I'll explain! It'll be quick, and you might even find it interesting!"He gently placed a hand on my shoulder, pressing me lightly back into the chair.
"…Make it quick," I muttered. I just wanted a quiet moment. Fine—five minutes, then I'm gone.
"Alright. First, about the group project—I wanted to ask, did you really work before?"He leaned closer, studying me like I was some curious specimen.
"I did," I replied, taking another sip.
"I used to work part-time while studying at university… in my previous life. It was exhausting—nothing glamorous about it."I said it casually, not thinking much of it.
"I see… that's amazing," he murmured, rubbing his chin as if lost in thought.
"So, you actually remember your previous life, huh?"He tilted his head up, and for the briefest moment, his eyes went hollow—empty and pulling, like a void that could devour a soul.
"What the—"
Before I could finish, my vision darkened—something was covering it.
Dozens of hands burst out from my cappuccino, gripping my throat, my face, my hair, my limbs—binding me completely.The cup shattered on the floor, pieces scattering like my fractured sanity. My frantic eyes darted in every direction, only to be covered by yet another hand.
It was like being trapped in an iron cage—a shackle dragging everything into total darkness.
"How fascinating," his voice echoed warmly in my ear. "Tell me more!"
But I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't channel mana.I was sinking—powerless—into the abyss.
'Someone… please… help me!'
…
Birdsong filled the air of a small bustling village. People moved about cheerfully, while a single shadow stood alone in the crowd.
"Hey, Ron! Come eat with me!"
A familiar voice called out. I opened my eyes—Lunas stood there, holding a loaf of bread he had just bought.
"Lunas…?" I stared, bewildered by the scene before me.
'What… am I doing here?'
Everything was familiar—the road, the voices, the scent in the air.Of course. Lunas and I had just escaped from the orphanage and were traveling together. That was right.
"Why are you spacing out like that?" Lunas came closer, tossing me a warm piece of bread spread with jam."Eat up—it's good," he said cheerfully, taking a bite of his own.
I looked at the bread for a moment… then quietly began to eat.