Morning arrived quietly at Aetherion Academy.
The sound of bells echoed across the campus as students filled the corridors once again. Conversations bounced off the stone walls while groups gathered near classroom doors.
But something was slightly different today.
The atmosphere felt more energetic.
More excited.
Because everyone was talking about the same thing.
"The combat evaluation is tomorrow."
Ethan heard the words at least five times before he even reached his classroom.
Students whispered about rankings.
Some were confident.
Others were nervous.
For most first-years, the evaluation would be the first real chance to prove themselves.
Lucas Hartley was already sitting in his seat when Ethan entered the classroom.
The moment he saw Ethan, he raised a hand dramatically.
"There he is."
Ethan placed his books on the desk.
Lucas leaned forward.
"You're hiding something."
Ethan blinked once.
"…Am I?"
"Yes."
Lucas pointed accusingly.
"That sparring match yesterday. No way that was luck."
Ethan calmly opened his notebook.
"You attacked predictably."
"That's not the point," Lucas said.
Across the room, several students were also discussing the evaluation.
Clara Whitmore stood near the window speaking with two magic students.
"I heard some third-years will supervise the matches," one of them said.
Clara shrugged.
"That just means the fights will end faster."
Lucas looked toward them.
"She's way too confident."
Ethan followed the conversation quietly.
Rumors about the evaluation had always spread quickly.
Even in the previous timeline.
Because rankings mattered.
Students with higher combat ranks received better training opportunities, stronger mentors, and sometimes even attention from noble houses.
For many first-years, tomorrow would determine how the rest of their academy life began.
But Ethan knew something important.
The ranking system itself wasn't what truly mattered.
What mattered were the impressions people formed.
First impressions often shaped relationships for years.
Alliances.
Rivalries.
Reputations.
And one particular match tomorrow would leave a very strong impression.
Lucas suddenly tapped Ethan's desk.
"You're entering the sword category, right?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Lucas grinned.
"Then if we get paired together, I'm getting revenge."
Ethan closed his notebook.
"…You're confident."
Lucas leaned back.
"I've been practicing all night."
"That sounds inefficient."
Lucas stared at him.
"Do you ever say anything normal?"
Ethan thought about it.
"…Probably not."
Before Lucas could respond, the classroom door opened.
Professor Halbrecht entered.
The room immediately quieted.
The professor placed a thick stack of papers on his desk.
"As many of you already know," he began, adjusting his glasses, "tomorrow will be your first official combat evaluation."
Several students straightened in their seats.
The professor continued calmly.
"You will be tested on basic swordsmanship or magical combat depending on your chosen field."
He looked across the class carefully.
"This evaluation is not about defeating your opponent."
Lucas whispered, "It definitely is."
Ethan ignored him.
The professor continued.
"It is about demonstrating control, discipline, and understanding of your abilities."
He paused.
"Those who act recklessly will not receive favorable rankings."
Ethan noticed several students shifting nervously.
The professor then began distributing evaluation schedules.
Names.
Match orders.
Assigned instructors.
One by one, students walked forward to collect their papers.
When Ethan's turn came, he took the sheet calmly.
His eyes moved down the page.
Match number.
Opponent.
Arena location.
Everything was listed clearly.
Lucas grabbed his schedule immediately after.
Then he leaned over Ethan's shoulder.
"Who did you get?"
Ethan looked at the name.
"…Second-year trainee."
Lucas whistled.
"That's rough."
"It's acceptable."
Lucas checked his own sheet.
"Oh no."
Ethan glanced sideways.
"What?"
Lucas groaned.
"I got Clara."
Ethan nodded.
"…That explains your reaction."
Lucas sighed dramatically.
"I'm going to die."
Across the room, Clara looked at her own schedule.
Then she smiled.
Lucas pointed at her.
"See that smile? That's the smile of someone planning violence."
Ethan folded his paper calmly.
The matchups themselves were mostly random.
But certain moments during the evaluation would still follow the original timeline.
One of those moments was Catherine Ravenscroft's match.
Ethan already knew how that fight would unfold.
The question was—
Would it happen the same way again?
Class ended shortly afterward.
Students immediately began discussing strategies as they walked through the corridor.
Lucas walked beside Ethan, still complaining.
"I should've chosen magic."
"You would still lose."
"That's not supportive."
They reached the main staircase overlooking the academy courtyard.
Students were gathering near the fountain again.
Ethan's gaze moved across the crowd automatically.
Then he spotted her.
Catherine Ravenscroft stood near the edge of the courtyard speaking with a tall senior student.
Her expression looked serious.
The senior handed her a paper.
Probably her evaluation schedule.
Lucas noticed her too.
"That's the Ravenscroft girl, right?"
"Yes."
"I heard she's really strong."
Ethan watched silently.
In the original timeline, Catherine had been completely calm before her evaluation.
Confident.
Focused.
But today—
She looked slightly annoyed.
A subtle change.
Small.
But real.
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Interesting."
Lucas glanced at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Catherine finished speaking with the senior and began walking toward the dormitory buildings.
For a moment, her gaze briefly crossed Ethan's direction.
Then she continued walking.
Lucas stretched his arms.
"Well."
He sighed.
"Tomorrow we find out who the real monsters in this academy are."
Ethan looked toward the training grounds in the distance.
Students were already preparing.
Practicing.
Trying to improve before the evaluation.
"…Yes," Ethan said quietly.
Tomorrow would be important.
Not because of rankings.
But because it was the first moment where the academy would witness the birth of several future legends.
And Ethan wanted to see something.
Whether the story would follow the same path—
Or begin changing even more.