Tia stood in the bathroom, both palms pressed against the sink as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.
The face looking back at him—
Was familiar.
Too familiar.
Slowly, he turned on the tap and let the cold water run over his hands.
Then splashed it onto his face.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
He raised his head again.
Nothing changed.
This wasn't a dream.
His gaze lingered on the reflection silently.
Could it really be… that legend?
But how…?
A soft click came from behind him.
"Tia."
His mother's voice drifted from the doorway.
"Wake up already. It's past nine."
Footsteps approached.
Tia reacted instantly.
He grabbed the towel nearby and wrapped it tightly around himself before stepping out of the bathroom.
"Ma, I'm awake," he said quickly, forcing an awkward smile.
"What's wrong?"
She folded her arms slightly, studying him.
"You've been acting strange since yesterday."
"I'm fine," Tia replied almost immediately.
Too quickly.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Then drifted toward the towel clenched tightly around his body.
"…Are you hiding something?"
Tia's grip tightened instinctively.
"Ma—"
He avoided her gaze.
"The academy exams start today, right?"
A pause.
"I want to go."
Her expression shifted into confusion.
"…That's sudden."
"You said you didn't want to write it anymore."
"What changed your mind?"
Tia lowered his eyes briefly.
Then looked back at her.
Determination flickered within them.
"I want to enter the academy."
"I'll take the exam."
Silence lingered for a moment.
Then—
"Hm."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Well…"
"Good thing I didn't call your teacher yesterday."
She turned toward the door.
"Get ready and eat before you leave."
"I'm heading to work."
Tia watched her leave quietly.
Click.
The door shut softly.
"…Haa."
The moment she left—
He dropped backward onto the bed.
His eyes fixed on the ceiling.
Good thing she didn't see the bruises.
That would've been troublesome.
He slowly raised a hand toward his face.
Seventeen.
Fifty years into the past.
His expression darkened slightly.
So the legend was real after all…
But why me?
And how did I even return?
Questions flooded his mind endlessly.
eventually—
He closed his eyes briefly.
None of that mattered right now.
He had been given another chance.
And this time—
Things would be different.
Slowly, his eyes opened again.
A quiet resolve settled within them.
I'll protect Mom this time.
No matter what.
And I'll have to enter the academy…
Even if I have to crawl my way in.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
*******
It was 11:45 AM when Tia arrived at school.
Fifteen minutes before the exam.
The hallways were unusually quiet.
Almost empty.
As expected—
Everyone had already gone to their assigned classrooms.
Tia walked calmly through the corridor before eventually stopping before one of the classroom doors.
His assigned room.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Several pairs of eyes turned toward him briefly.
Curious.
Observing.
But none lingered for long.
Thankfully—
No one from his former class was there.
Tia made his way toward his seat and sat down quietly.
The atmosphere felt heavy.
Whispers spread across the room in low voices.
Someone tapped their desk repeatedly.
Another student muttered formulas beneath their breath.
No one laughed.
No one relaxed.
Tia rested his cheek lightly against his knuckles.
His eyes drifted toward the desk.
…So it really is real.
He had truly returned.
Then—
The classroom door slid open.
An unfamiliar man stepped inside.
Neat formal attire.
Cold expression.
The whispers disappeared instantly.
Several students straightened unconsciously.
One girl near the window swallowed nervously.
The man stepped forward slowly.
No greeting.
No smile.
"Today…"
His voice spread through the classroom effortlessly.
"You will be evaluated."
"Classified."
"Assigned."
Tia's eyes lifted slightly.
"Your results today will determine your future."
"The academy."
"Support divisions."
"Higher institutions."
A pause.
"…Or waste class."
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
No one spoke.
The teacher's gaze swept across the room slowly.
"This examination…"
"…cannot be retaken."
A quiet laugh escaped Tia.
Short.
Dry.
Almost self-mocking.
Reminds me of myself.