Daniel POV
******
I thought I was prepared.
I really did.
After everything—wars, blood, running from fate itself—I told myself that a dorm room couldn't possibly surprise me.
I was wrong.
Very wrong.
The moment I stepped into the academy dormitory zone, the thought hit me
This place is absurd.
The building assigned to high-ranking students looked less like student housing and more like a luxury hotel that had accidentally accepted teenagers. Clean white stone, subtle glowing runes, wide corridors that echoed softly with footsteps. Even the air felt… expensive.
I followed the signs to my assigned room, still half-dazed.
Then I opened the door.
"…What."
That was all I managed.
The room wasn't a room.
It was a palace.
A massive living space spread out before me—polished floors, high ceilings, elegant lighting. To the side, a designer kitchen with equipment I didn't even recognize. A bathroom big enough to get lost in. And beyond that—
A grand training hall.
Actual combat dummies stood in neat rows, each reinforced with enchantments. The floor looked like it had been designed to survive repeated impacts from someone trying to punch through reality.
I stood there silently.
Then I muttered, " I wonder how good will be Julian's tenth rank room may … but this is what first rank gets."
The academy really had no chill.
Before I could explore further, I heard footsteps in the corridor. I stepped back out instinctively—and froze.
White hair.
Ocean-blue eyes.
Straight posture like discipline had been carved into bone.
'…Isaac.'
He stood a few steps away, clearly heading toward his own room. For a split second, my chest tightened.
Past life.
Ice-covered battlefield.
Blood on snow.
A frozen smile as he stood between me and death.
I'll hold them. Run.
My mouth opened before my brain caught up.
"Isaac—"
He stopped.
Turned slightly.
Our eyes met.
For a moment, I thought just maybe he'd recognize something. Or say something. Or smile.
Instead, he gave a short nod.
Polite. Distant. Neutral.
Then he turned away and walked into his room, the door closing quietly behind him.
I stood there for a second longer than necessary.
"…Right," I murmured. "Different life."
I went back inside and closed my own door.
The silence felt heavier now.
I shook it off and walked deeper into the room, inspecting everything properly this time. Whoever designed this place had assumed the occupant would never cook poorly, never slip in the bathroom, and definitely never lose control during training.
Which, honestly, was optimistic.
A soft chime echoed.
"User verification complete. Welcome, Daniel Mangrave."
I stiffened. "Huh?"
A translucent interface appeared in the air.
"Personal AI system activated. Primary user confirmed."
"…AI?" I blinked. "Since when does a dorm room come with an AI?"
"Since always," the voice replied calmly. "This unit currently has no assigned designation."
"No name?"
"Correct. User may assign one."
I frowned slightly, thinking.
A name, huh.
Something simple. Something familiar.
"…Leo," I said. "You'll be Leo."
There was a pause.
"Designation accepted. Hello, Daniel."
"…Hello, Leo."
I didn't know why, but that small exchange eased something in my chest.
I moved toward the balcony and slid the door open.
The view stole my breath.
The academy grounds spread out below—training fields, glowing pathways, distant dorms. Beyond that, forests stretched endlessly, the world tree's presence faint but undeniable even from here.
Then I noticed movement below.
In the courtyard, Julian was talking animatedly to an elder woman. I didn't recognize her, but from the way he stood—relaxed but respectful—she was definitely someone important.
He laughed at something she said, scratching his head awkwardly.
"…He hasn't changed, from the last time" I muttered, a small smile forming.
I pulled out my phone and called home.
The moment the call connected—
"DANIEL!!"
Seraphina's voice nearly shattered my eardrum.
"YOU'RE FIRST, RIGHT?! FIRST!! DO YOU KNOW HOW COOL THAT IS?!"
I pulled the phone away. "I know, I know—inside voice, Sera."
Behind her, I could see my master.
White hair tied loosely. Hoodie zipped halfway. Sunglasses on indoors like common sense had personally offended him.
"Hmph," he said. "Didn't do that great."
I stared. "…You watched, didn't you."
"Barely," he replied. "Could've been cleaner."
Seraphina elbowed him. "Stop lying! You were bragging five minutes ago!"
"I was not."
"You absolutely were!"
I laughed quietly, warmth spreading through me.
After the call ended, I lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
In my previous life, I never had this.
No dorm.
No sister cheering.
No master complaining about my form while clearly proud.
I closed my eyes briefly.
"…What a waste," I whispered. "That I never got to live this."
My phone buzzed.
I glanced at the screen.
Academy Notice:
Entrance Ceremony will be held at 7:30 AM sharp.
Attendance is mandatory.
I exhaled slowly.
Tomorrow.
A new beginning.
This time… I wouldn't miss it.
And with that thought, I turned off the lights and let sleep take me—
ready to face the academy life I once only dreamed of.