The bell signaling the end of class echoed through the stone halls of Aetherion Academy.
Students immediately began packing their books, conversations filling the room with energy.
"Finally."
Lucas Hartley stretched his arms above his head as he stood up from his seat.
"I thought that lecture would never end."
Ethan closed his notebook calmly.
Professor Halbrecht's lectures were actually useful. Mana circulation theory was one of the foundations of combat ability in this world.
But most first-year students didn't care much about theory.
They were more interested in swords.
Lucas leaned closer to Ethan.
"Are you going to the training grounds?"
Ethan glanced toward the window for a moment.
The large courtyard below was already filling with students.
Some were walking toward the dormitories.
Others were heading toward the academy's massive training fields.
"…Yes," Ethan said.
Lucas grinned.
"Good. I need someone to spar with."
The two of them left the classroom with the rest of the students, stepping into the long stone corridor that overlooked the academy grounds.
Aetherion Academy was enormous.
The main building alone had four floors, each connected by wide staircases and long corridors lined with tall windows. Beyond the academic halls were multiple training arenas, libraries, gardens, dormitories, and even small forests used for practical training exercises.
It was less like a school and more like a small city.
And every year, the most talented young nobles and commoners from across the continent gathered here.
In other words—
This place was the perfect stage for a story.
Ethan walked beside Lucas while quietly observing the students around him.
Several of them stood out immediately.
A tall blond boy surrounded by two noble students.
A quiet girl carrying a stack of thick magical theory books.
A group of aristocratic students discussing their family territories.
Ethan recognized many faces.
Not because he personally knew them.
But because he had seen how their futures played out.
Some would become powerful knights.
Some would become famous scholars.
Some would die before graduation.
His expression remained calm.
Observing people like this had become second nature to him.
Lucas suddenly nudged his shoulder.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"That thing where you stare at people like you're analyzing them."
Ethan didn't answer immediately.
"…Habit."
Lucas laughed.
"You're weird, you know that?"
"Probably."
They reached the academy courtyard.
A large fountain stood in the center, surrounded by wide stone paths and green lawns where students gathered between classes.
Sunlight reflected off the water while several birds circled above the academy towers.
It looked peaceful.
Too peaceful.
Ethan knew exactly how this place would look in the future.
Burning.
Destroyed.
Covered in blood and broken stone.
He pushed the thought away.
That future had not happened yet.
And if he moved carefully—
Maybe it never would.
"Ethan!"
Lucas suddenly raised his hand and waved toward someone.
A girl approached them from the other side of the courtyard.
She had shoulder-length brown hair and sharp green eyes.
"Clara," Lucas said casually.
Clara Whitmore.
A top-ranking magic student in their year.
In the original timeline, she would graduate with excellent marks and later become a royal court magician.
She stopped in front of them.
"You two heading to the training grounds?"
Lucas nodded.
"Of course."
Clara looked at Ethan briefly.
"You're entering the combat evaluation next week too, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
She crossed her arms.
"I'm curious how strong everyone actually is."
Lucas laughed.
"You just want to beat people in public."
Clara didn't deny it.
Ethan watched their conversation quietly.
Moments like this had existed in the original timeline as well.
Casual conversations.
Small friendships.
The early days before the story truly began.
Most people here had no idea how their lives would unfold.
But Ethan did.
And that knowledge carried a certain weight.
Lucas suddenly pointed toward the far end of the courtyard.
"Oh."
Ethan followed his gaze.
A girl with long crimson hair walked across the courtyard.
Her posture was straight.
Her expression calm.
Several students instinctively moved out of her way as she passed.
Ethan recognized her instantly.
Catherine Ravenscroft.
One of the central heroines of this world.
And the future sword prodigy of the academy.
Right now, however, she was still just a first-year student like everyone else.
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"She looks strong."
Clara nodded.
"I heard she trained with the Ravenscroft knights before coming here."
Lucas smirked.
"Then someone's getting destroyed during the evaluation."
Ethan said nothing.
He remembered Catherine's first evaluation very clearly.
Three senior students defeated in under a minute.
That moment would make her famous across the academy.
The beginning of her legend.
But Ethan also remembered how that fame slowly turned into pressure.
Expectations.
Rivalries.
Dangerous missions.
And eventually—
A battlefield far from the academy where her sword would finally break.
Ethan's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer.
Then he looked away.
"…Let's go."
Lucas blinked.
"Huh?"
"Training grounds."
Lucas grinned.
"Now you're talking."
The three of them walked toward the massive training fields behind the academy.
The area was already filled with students practicing sword techniques and casting simple spells.
The sound of metal striking metal echoed across the arena.
Lucas grabbed a wooden training sword from a nearby rack and tossed one toward Ethan.
"First match?"
Ethan caught it easily.
The weight of the wooden sword felt familiar in his hand.
In his previous life in this world, Ethan had trained quietly for years.
Not to become famous.
Not to become the strongest.
Just to ensure he wouldn't be helpless if things went wrong.
And things had gone very wrong.
Lucas stepped into position.
"Don't hold back."
Ethan raised the sword lazily.
"Don't worry."
Lucas attacked first.
Fast.
Direct.
His swing aimed straight for Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan moved slightly to the side.
The attack missed completely.
Lucas blinked.
"Wait—"
Ethan tapped Lucas lightly on the chest with the wooden sword.
The match ended instantly.
Clara stared.
Lucas looked down at the sword touching his chest.
"…What?"
Ethan lowered the blade.
"You telegraphed your attack."
Lucas frowned.
"That was fast."
Clara stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"You've trained before."
Ethan shrugged.
"A little."
Lucas scratched his head.
"Well… that was embarrassing."
Clara crossed her arms thoughtfully.
"…Interesting."
Ethan returned the wooden sword to the rack.
His expression remained calm.
Small actions like this wouldn't change the story.
But they were necessary.
Because if Ethan planned to influence the future—
He couldn't remain completely invisible.
For now, however—
The story was still moving toward its first important event.
The combat evaluation.
And when that day arrived—
The academy would witness the beginning of several legends.
Including one red-haired sword prodigy.
Ethan glanced toward the academy buildings in the distance.
"…Let's see how much changes this time."