Aetherion Academy became quieter once training ended for the day.
Most students either returned to their dormitories to rest or gathered in groups across the academy courtyards to talk about the day's events. Discussions about sparring matches, rankings, and rumors spread quickly.
Ethan Aldric Voss walked in the opposite direction.
Toward the academy library.
The massive stone building stood near the center of the academy grounds, its tall windows reflecting the fading orange light of the evening sun.
Few first-year students visited the library during their first weeks.
Most were too busy worrying about training.
Which made it the perfect place for Ethan.
He pushed the large wooden door open quietly.
The scent of old paper and polished wood filled the air immediately.
Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched across the vast hall. Tall ladders rested against some of the higher shelves, allowing access to books that had probably remained untouched for years.
A few students sat quietly at the reading tables.
Most were older students.
Scholars.
Mages.
People who preferred knowledge over sword practice.
Ethan walked deeper into the library without hesitation.
He already knew where he was going.
In his previous life at the academy, he had spent many hours here.
Back then, he had been searching for ways to become stronger.
Now, he was searching for something else.
Information.
Specifically—
Things that were slightly different from the previous timeline.
He stopped in front of a shelf labeled:
"Magical Theory and Energy Structures."
Ethan pulled out a thick book.
Foundations of Mana Flow.
He flipped through the pages calmly.
Mana theory had never changed between timelines.
But certain research notes sometimes appeared earlier.
Or later.
Small differences.
And those differences could reveal how much the future had shifted.
Ethan sat down at one of the long reading tables.
The library remained silent except for the soft turning of pages.
He read slowly.
Carefully.
Every now and then, he paused.
Comparing his memories with the information written in the books.
So far—
Everything seemed the same.
Which was both reassuring and concerning.
Because it meant the story had not diverged very far yet.
"Interesting choice of reading."
A voice suddenly spoke from across the table.
Ethan looked up.
Lucas Hartley stood there holding two books.
"You disappeared right after training," Lucas said, dropping into the chair opposite Ethan.
"I was curious where you went."
Ethan closed the book slightly.
"The library."
Lucas looked around the massive hall.
"Yeah… I noticed."
He leaned forward and glanced at the book Ethan was reading.
"Mana theory?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"You're a sword user."
"Understanding mana helps everyone."
Lucas shrugged.
"Fair point."
He placed one of his books on the table.
It was titled:
"Famous Knights of the Northern Kingdom."
Ethan noticed it.
"You're studying knights?"
Lucas scratched the back of his head.
"More like trying to figure out what kind of fighter I want to be."
"That's good."
Lucas grinned slightly.
"You sound like an instructor."
Ethan didn't reply.
Lucas flipped through his book for a moment before glancing back up.
"So."
"Random question."
Ethan looked at him.
Lucas leaned closer.
"Why does Catherine Ravenscroft keep looking at you?"
Ethan paused.
"…Does she?"
Lucas stared at him.
"You didn't notice?"
Ethan remained silent.
Lucas shook his head.
"She watched your sparring match today."
"Twice."
Ethan returned his attention to the book.
"That doesn't mean anything."
Lucas sighed dramatically.
"You're unbelievably dense."
Before Ethan could reply—
Footsteps approached from behind the shelves.
Two students walked into the library's central hall.
Ethan recognized one of them instantly.
Catherine Ravenscroft.
Her crimson hair was tied back again, and she carried two books under one arm.
She walked toward the reference section without noticing Ethan at first.
Lucas leaned across the table.
"Speak of the devil."
Ethan ignored him.
But Catherine suddenly stopped.
Her eyes had moved across the library—
And landed directly on Ethan.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Lucas slowly looked between them.
"…Okay."
"This is awkward."
Catherine walked toward their table.
Her steps were calm and steady.
Lucas whispered quietly.
"She's coming here."
Ethan had already noticed.
Catherine stopped beside the table.
Her sharp red eyes looked directly at Ethan.
"You fight strangely."
Lucas nearly choked.
Ethan closed his book calmly.
"In what way?"
Catherine considered for a moment.
"You move like someone with more experience than a first-year."
Lucas raised both hands.
"THANK YOU."
"Finally someone said it."
Catherine ignored him.
Her attention remained on Ethan.
"You held back during the sparring match."
Ethan answered calmly.
"So did my opponent."
That made Catherine pause.
She studied him for another moment.
Then she nodded slightly.
"That's true."
Lucas leaned forward eagerly.
"So… are we about to witness some kind of rivalry?"
Neither Ethan nor Catherine responded.
The silence stretched briefly.
Then Catherine placed one of her books on the table.
"You're reading about mana."
"Yes."
Her eyes moved to the title of the book.
"Most sword fighters ignore mana theory."
"That's a mistake."
Catherine seemed to agree.
She picked up her second book again.
"I thought so."
Then she turned and walked toward the deeper sections of the library.
Lucas watched her leave.
"…That was short."
Ethan reopened his book.
Lucas leaned across the table again.
"You two are definitely going to fight someday."
Ethan turned another page calmly.
"Maybe."
But inside his mind—
A small thought lingered.
In the previous timeline—
He and Catherine had never spoken during their first month at the academy.
Not even once.
Yet today—
They had already talked twice.
Another small change.
Another ripple in the story.
And Ethan couldn't help but wonder—
How many more changes were waiting to appear.