The week at home ended faster than I wanted.
Before I knew it, I was back in the carriage headed for Cyran Academy.
Two guards rode with us, dressed in silver-black armor marked with my family crest — a chained serpent.
My father sent them "just in case."
Apparently, dodging flying swords at the dinner table earns you bodyguards.
Vivianne rode up front in her usual calm silence. She didn't ask how I felt. She didn't need to. She was watching me — always was.
When I got back, I dropped my things off in my dorm and buttoned up my uniform.
I stepped outside and found Bennett rushing across the courtyard, a book in one hand and a half-eaten muffin in the other.
"Noah!" he shouted. "We're late!"
"For what?" I asked.
"The written exam!"
I blinked. "There's a written exam?"
He nodded.
We ran.
By the time we made it to the noble lecture hall, everyone was seated.
Professor Halwin gave us one sharp look and waved us in.
"Sit. You're lucky I hate paperwork."
We did.
Scrolls unrolled magically in front of us and hovered over the desks.
Written Exam: Magical Theory & Spell Efficiency
Question 1: Describe the connection between Astral Veins and a caster's Crest.
Question 2: List three known mana disruption errors and their counter-methods.
Question 3: Explain how Crest Ranks impact spell control during duels.
It looked hard.
Around me, students groaned, whispered, or guessed blindly.
But I… remembered.
This wasn't from class. It was from the book — the one I read before I died. The story I was now living in.
This test was straight out of Thorns of the Black Crown.
I picked up my pen and wrote fast.
Answer 1: Astral Veins are energy lines connecting the soul to the stars. A caster's Crest guides mana through them. Stronger veins lead to better spell efficiency.
Answer 2:
1. Overdraw – using more mana than your well holds.
2. Rebound – spell reflects back due to unstable focus.
3. Slippage – spell leaks power during casting.
Answer 3: Crest Rank boosts raw power, but spell success depends on focus, timing, and elemental advantage.
Done.
Others looked like they'd been punched by the paper.
I leaned back and smiled. Thank you, past me, for reading spoilers.
At lunch, we went to the noble dining hall.
I took my usual seat beside Liora and across from Bennett, who looked like he hadn't stopped sweating.
"That test was cruel," Bennett groaned. "Noah, what did you even write for question five?"
"Something about elemental advantage."
"I just put 'mana size.' I might've failed."
"It was simple," Liora said, eating her food calmly.
I stared at her. "You're terrifying."
She just smirked.
After lunch, I went straight back to my dorm.
Only one exam a day. That was the rule.
I threw myself on the bed and let the world spin. My brain still hurt from that morning's test.
The rest of exam week passed fast. A blur of questions, noble rules, magic logic, and more essay writing than any one person should ever be forced to do.
Somehow, I survived it.
The day after the final exam, I opened my eyes to the familiar glowing letters above my head.
⚠️ [Status Window]
Time Left: 15 Days
Mission: Survive
Hint: New connections may save your life.
Fifteen days left?
Seriously?
I sighed and sat up.
"Nope. Not going to class today."
Instead, I headed out through the main gate into the city that surrounded Cyran Academy. It was a bright day, and I needed a distraction from death.
The city was busy — nobles walking, carriages rolling by, and shops glowing with magical signs. I stopped by a few bookstores and quill shops to grab more scrolls.
While looking for sealing wax, I accidentally bumped into a girl.
She was tall, dressed in black and silver. Her long hair — black with streaks of white — fell freely down her back.
She turned and looked at me. Her eyes were cold, calm, but not unfriendly.
"Sorry," I said quickly.
"It's alright," she said.
She was holding a list and looked a bit lost.
"You need help?"
"Yes. School supplies. This shop layout is confusing."
I smiled. "This way. I've been here a few times."
We walked and talked for a while. She didn't say much, but she laughed at one of my dumb jokes, and that was rare.
We reached the right aisle. She picked up what she needed and thanked me.
Then we said goodbye.
On my way back to the dorm, something clicked in my head.
That crest on her jacket…
Wait.
White wolf.
Moon behind it.
That was the Northern Seal.
I stopped walking.
"Elizabeth Argento…?"
That name came rushing back from the book.
In the later parts of the story, she was strong. Some saw her as a villain. Quiet. Deadly. Noble-born from the North.
Was she here to kill me?
Suddenly, my status window blinked again.
✅ New Mission: Train with Bennett
And then my scroll buzzed.
Bennett: "Hey! Want to train tomorrow?"
"…Yes" I muttered.
The next morning, I woke up already tired.
I got dressed, stretched, and made my way to one of the academy's training grounds.
Bennett was already there.
"Morning!" he waved.
"You're too cheerful," I grumbled.
As we warmed up, a shadow fell over us.
Liora.
She stood with arms crossed, staring at me.
"I'm here to watch."
Of course she was.
[Training Match: Noah vs. Bennett]
We stepped into the circle.
"Begin!" Liora called.
Bennett came fast. He swung low, then spun left. I blocked with my armguard and kicked back.
He laughed. "You're faster now!"
"Training... or panic strength," I replied.
He sent a light burst of mana toward my side. I rolled and avoided it.
He pressed hard, but I stayed focused. My body was keeping up. No burning lungs. No weak knees.
He struck again, a high arc.
I ducked.
Sweat dripped down both our faces.
I waited. Then whispered:
"Shadow Snakes."
From my hand, black Snakes shot forward — thin and fast. They wrapped around Bennett's arms and legs before he could react.
He froze.
"What—!?"
I grinned. "Caught you."
Liora clapped once. "Impressive."
Bennett groaned. "Unfair!"
Then Liora tilted her head. "Now fight me."
"Liora—no. I'm good."
"Please?" she said, smiling like a fox.
"…Fine."
[Training Match: Noah vs. Liora]
She was quick. Too quick.
We traded strikes, dodged, blocked.
I used Black Flame to force space. She danced through it.
I summoned Shadow Snakes — she dodged every one.
Then she knocked me off balance.
I fell back.
She tripped, too — and landed on top of me.
We both froze.
Her cheeks went red.
Our faces were close.
I blinked. "Uh—"
"Idiot!"
And then—
She punched me right in the face.
I woke up in the infirmary again.
I sighed.
"At this point… maybe I should just live here."