The news spread across Aetherion Academy before the day even ended.
A first-year had defeated a second-year.
Students talked about it in the dormitories.
In the dining hall.
Even in the corridors between lecture rooms.
And every time the story was repeated, one name followed it.
Catherine Ravenscroft.
Ethan Aldric Voss sat quietly at one of the long tables in the academy dining hall while the noise of conversation filled the room around him.
Lucas dropped onto the bench across from him with a tray of food.
Marcus followed shortly after.
Lucas immediately began talking.
"She's famous now."
Marcus nodded.
"Everyone's talking about that fight."
Ethan calmly continued eating.
Lucas leaned forward.
"You're suspiciously quiet about it."
"There's nothing to say."
Marcus shook his head.
"A first-year beating a second-year is a big deal."
Lucas pointed his fork toward Ethan.
"And you watched the whole thing like it was normal."
Ethan finished a bite of food before replying.
"It was impressive."
Lucas stared at him.
"That's it?"
Ethan shrugged slightly.
Marcus leaned closer.
"You're hiding something again."
Before Ethan could respond—
A sudden hush spread across part of the dining hall.
Several students turned toward the entrance.
Lucas followed their gaze.
"Oh."
"Well, speak of the devil."
Catherine Ravenscroft had just entered the hall.
She walked calmly inside, her crimson hair catching the light from the tall windows as she moved toward the serving tables.
Whispers immediately followed her.
"That's her."
"She's the one who won earlier."
"Did you see that final strike?"
Marcus lowered his voice.
"Yeah… she's definitely famous now."
Lucas smirked.
"Famous and scary."
Catherine collected her food without reacting to the attention around her.
But as she turned—
Her eyes moved across the hall.
And landed directly on Ethan.
Lucas froze.
"…Okay."
"That keeps happening."
Marcus nodded slowly.
"She's definitely noticing you."
Ethan continued eating calmly.
Catherine hesitated for a moment.
Then she walked toward their table.
Lucas almost dropped his fork.
"Oh this is happening."
She stopped beside the table.
Her eyes rested on Ethan again.
"You watched the match."
It wasn't a question.
Ethan nodded.
"Yes."
Lucas leaned back slightly, clearly enjoying the situation.
Catherine continued.
"What did you think?"
Ethan considered the question for a moment.
"Your timing was good."
Marcus blinked.
Lucas stared at him.
"That's the feedback you give after that fight?"
Catherine didn't seem offended.
Instead, she studied Ethan's face carefully.
"You noticed the timing."
"Yes."
Another short silence followed.
Lucas leaned closer to Marcus and whispered loudly.
"This feels intense."
Marcus nodded.
"I agree."
Catherine ignored them.
Her attention remained on Ethan.
"You fight strangely."
"You said that before."
"Yes."
She crossed her arms slightly.
"Most students who watched that match were impressed."
Ethan nodded.
"They should be."
"But you weren't."
Lucas pointed dramatically.
"Exactly!"
Catherine tilted her head slightly.
"Why?"
Ethan paused.
Because answering honestly would reveal too much.
So he chose his words carefully.
"I've seen similar fights before."
Catherine seemed to consider that answer.
After a moment, she spoke again.
"Then spar with me."
Lucas choked on his drink.
Marcus almost dropped his tray.
The surrounding tables went silent.
Ethan looked at her.
"You're serious."
"Yes."
Lucas immediately jumped into the conversation.
"I accept on his behalf."
Ethan ignored him.
Catherine continued calmly.
"You held back during your sparring match with the Advanced student."
Marcus whispered loudly.
"She noticed that too?"
Lucas grinned.
"Everyone noticed."
Ethan sighed quietly.
"Sparring with you would attract attention."
Catherine answered immediately.
"It already has."
Lucas nodded enthusiastically.
"She's right."
Marcus added quietly.
"You can't avoid attention forever."
Ethan remained silent for a moment.
In the previous timeline—
This conversation had never happened.
Not even close.
But things were already changing.
And avoiding Catherine completely might cause even more suspicion.
Finally, Ethan spoke.
"Not today."
Catherine raised an eyebrow slightly.
"When?"
Ethan stood up from the table.
"Another time."
Lucas looked disappointed.
"Teasing the audience now?"
Catherine didn't seem bothered.
Instead, she nodded once.
"Fine."
Then she turned and walked away.
The moment she left—
Lucas slammed both hands on the table.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!"
Marcus stared at Ethan.
"You just postponed a fight with the strongest first-year in the academy."
Lucas leaned closer.
"You better not run away from that."
Ethan calmly picked up his tray.
"I wasn't planning to."
Lucas blinked.
"…Wait."
Marcus looked surprised.
"You're actually going to fight her?"
Ethan walked toward the tray return counter.
Lucas and Marcus followed quickly.
Lucas grinned.
"Oh this is going to be good."
Ethan didn't reply.
Because inside his mind—
He was already thinking ahead.
If he sparred with Catherine Ravenscroft now—
He would need to be extremely careful.
Too weak would be suspicious.
Too strong would reveal too much.
And yet—
One thing had become clear.
Catherine Ravenscroft had begun paying attention to him.
Which meant the story—
Was drifting further away from the path Ethan remembered.