Ahead, the academy gates loomed like some unspoken promise. I adjusted the sleeves of my crisp new uniform, took a deep breath of the scent of freshly polished stone, and felt sunlight bouncing off every gleaming surface. Aurelia Hero Academy wasn't just beautiful-it was meticulously designed to make students feel like heroes. And here I was, a century-old villain trapped in a fifteen-year-old heartthrob's body, about to play the part.
Perfect.
A bell rang, sharp and melodic, signaling the start of the enrollment assessment. A dozen students had already gathered near the central training yard, stretching and murmuring nervously. Some shot curious glances at me. New first-year. Small. Slim. Hot. Already my advantage. I smirked.
"Alright, newbies," a voice boomed, cutting the chatter. Professor Voss. A tall man with an aura of calm authority, and if my senses weren't lying, a hint of recognition in his eyes—though he didn't let it show. "Today you'll show your potential. Your Awakening score will be recorded, and your class placement will depend on the test results. Everybody, follow the instructions."
I suppressed a sigh. Placement tests. Just what I had always dreamed about after ruling the world.
The arena was circular, with stone walls etched all over with magical runes that shone weakly under the dim light. At the center, there pulsed a hovering crystal orb of energy, apparently the focus of the test. First years, or so I could gather, were supposed to interact with the orb, show control, and a spark of talent.
I glanced at the other students. Most were jittery, fidgeting with their staves and practicing incantations under their breath. One boy with glasses sneezed violently into his hands, mumbling apologies. Another tripped over his own robes and landed face-first on the cobblestones. Charming chaos.
And then there was Lyra.
Of course. My attention latched onto her immediately. She stood at the edge of the arena, serene, with a faint glow emanating from her palms. The same technique I'd seen yesterday, sparks swirling like golden ribbons. My lips twitched into an involuntary smirk. She's using my old spell again. And she's flawless at it.
The bell rang again. "Begin!"
The students approached the crystal orb cautiously. Some flinched, some stumbled. I sauntered forward, hands in pockets, pretending to ponder the orb like a bored tourist. I leaned in, whispering theatrically to myself, "A century of magic, trapped in a tiny crystal. How quaint."
It pulsed in response, testing instinct, raw potential. I raised my hands, letting my knowledge flow naturally and ignoring the youthful body beneath me. Energy surged, but subtly—enough to register with the orb without alarming the exam monitors. I felt the familiar thrill of control returning, the warm hum of power just beneath my fingertips.
Perfectly balanced. Just enough to impress… but not too much to reveal who I really am.
Other students gasped as their attempts fizzled or sputtered. One girl accidentally conjured a small explosion that singed the edge of her robe, while another boy vanished mid-step, teleporting a few feet away, looking utterly terrified. I chuckled quietly. Ah, the joys of raw, untrained talent.
Then I noticed a boy glaring at me from the sidelines. Dark hair, sharp eyes, posture stiff and aggressive. I didn't know his name yet, but the way he watched me, all suspicion and barely contained irritation, made my lips curl. Rival material. Excellent.
Lyra finished her display with perfection, stepping back as the orb dimmed in acknowledgement of her skill. I watched her for a fraction of a second too long, dwelling on the elegant curve of her movement, the smooth execution of the spell, and the suggestion of mischief in her smile as she glanced at the crowd.
Infuriatingly competent.
I stepped closer to the demonstration area, but not before giving a slight smirk at the dark-haired boy. "Careful," I said in a hushed tone, "the new kid's here to win."
He frowned, eyes narrowing. I felt a spark of excitement. Rivalries. Dangerous, thrilling, and exactly what a century-old mind needed to keep from growing bored.
My turn.
I approached the crystal orb with exaggerated casualness, letting my fingers brush the air as if testing the wind. I whispered the incantation-just enough to activate the orb-then let instincts guide the energy. Light bent and danced around me, subtle arcs of golden sparks forming shapes reminiscent of… my old empire. Not enough for anyone to recognize, but enough for me to feel that familiar power hum through my body.
The orb pulsed in approval. A few gasps went up from the surrounding students. The professor raised an eyebrow. Satisfied, I hope.
I inclined my head slightly, smirking to myself. "Thank you, little crystal. Your judgment is noted."
A murmur of hushed remarks swept through the crowd. "Did you see that?" "Who is he?" "New first-year?"
I shot a glance at Lyra. Her expression didn't change, but I caught the faintest flicker of curiosity in her eyes. Ah… the game begins.
Then, chaos came.
The dark-haired boy surged forward, muttering under his breath. His attempt was aggressive, wild, and completely unrefined. Energy erupted from his hands in jagged bolts that missed the orb entirely, striking the far wall and leaving scorch marks. He stumbled, glaring at me, muttering, "Cheating, show-off…"
I smirked and gave a slight shrug. "All instinct, my friend. No cheating required."
Lyra's eyes darted between us. Something in the tension caused her lips to twitch, but she said nothing, just watched.
The professor cleared his throat. "Enough. Enrollment tests complete. Scores will be posted tomorrow. First-years, return to your dorms. You'll receive your class assignments then."
The crowd began to disperse, the students buzzing with excitement and gossip. I lingered near the edge, watching Lyra gather her belongings. She walked past me, almost near enough to brush shoulders, and I caught a whiff of the scent of her hair-fresh, light, and infuriatingly distracting.
"See you around," I muttered to myself, not raising my voice so it would carry.
She looked briefly at me, a faint smile tugging at her lips. Challenge accepted, I think. As the courtyard emptied, I allowed myself a small grin. New body. New century. New rules. And yet… everything is still the same. Rivals, prodigies, monsters waiting beyond the city gates… The Dark Emperor in the body of a fifteen-year-old was officially enrolled. And tomorrow, the real fun would begin.