[Next Day]
I need to leave the academy for at least two days, Ash thought, lazily leaning back in his chair.
One day to go, another to return. If I practice at the academy's pace, my growth will be way too slow.
I also need a sword. A proper sword art. Too much to do, too little time.
And next month… the demon's first attack on the students will happen.
His thoughts were interrupted as Elva strolled into the classroom, her usual energy radiating off her like a crackling spark.
Standing at the podium, she clapped her hands together. "Alright, little Hunters! Did everyone fill out their course selection forms?"
"YES, TEACHER!!" the class responded in unison.
"Good! As you all know, you can only pick five courses. But—lucky you—one is already chosen for you!" She grinned.
"[Mana Manipulation Fundamentals] is compulsory, whether you like it or not. Even if you think you're a mana prodigy, there's always more to learn."
Her eyes flicked toward Melissia with an exaggerated, knowing look.
Melissia merely rolled her eyes, resting her chin on her palm.
Ash ignored their silent exchange and glanced towards his watch, at his selected courses:
- Mana Manipulation Fundamentals. (Compulsory)
- Swordsmanship & Combat Arts.
- Battle Strategy & War Tactics.
- Monster & Beast Anatomy.
- Dungeon Survival & strategy.
Everything he chose was deliberate—no unnecessary subjects, no distractions.
Even though he knew a little bit about the swords from the VR game, it won't hurt to know more and make a better foundation for himself.
Most mages also train in close combat because their greatest weakness in battle is their vulnerability at close range.
The story is already changing, he thought while tapping his fingers lightly on his desk.
I don't know what courses Ray picked. And if his choices changed, then with Elysia's change in personality, her courses might have too.
The weight of uncertainty pressed on him, but he pushed the thoughts away.
"Alright!" Elva clapped her hands again, drawing back everyone's attention. "Let's start with something simple today."
She turned to the board, picked up a piece of chalk, and in bold strokes, wrote one word:
"Mana"
Lowering the chalk, she spun back toward the class with a dramatic flair, arms spread.
"So," she began with a mischievous smile, "who wants to tell me what mana is?"
Silence.
Ash watched as his classmates hesitated. Some fidgeted, a few exchanged uncertain glances, and others just avoided looking at her altogether.
Elva let the silence drag for a moment before sighing exaggeratedly. "Oh no, my dear students. This is such a difficult question. However, will you answer it?"
A few hands finally rose—nervously.
She snickered. "Relax, I won't bite." Then, without picking anyone, she launched into her own explanation.
"Mana is… the very essence of life itself," she said, a rare note of seriousness creeping into her tone. "It's everywhere. In the air, the earth, the creatures around us, and most importantly, within you."
She raised a hand, and a soft blue glow shimmered into existence around her fingers, twisting playfully like a living thing.
"Some call it energy. Others, the breath of the world. But at its core, mana represents potential—the power to shape reality through sheer will."
The glow pulsed once before vanishing.
"But!" she suddenly grinned. "Raw mana is like a drunk squirrel—completely chaotic and impossible to control."
A few students chuckled, breaking some of the earlier tension.
"This," she continued, "is why we refine it—why we control it. And that brings us to our next topic!"
She whirled around, scribbling two more words onto the board:
"Mana Core."
She turned back with an amused look. "Now, can anyone tell me what a Mana Core is?"
"The Mana Core," she explained before anyone could answer, "is your personal mana storage. It's where all your magical power comes from! Think of it like a battery, but instead of charging your phone, it charges you."
Her gaze landed on Melissia again, as if daring her to argue.
Melissia simply exhaled loudly, looking out the window.
Elva ignored her and continued.
"Every living thing has mana inside them, but only mages refine it. We shape it, control it, and eventually use it to do really cool stuff—like this!"
She flicked her wrist, and a glowing, translucent sphere materialized midair, pulsating with energy.
"This," she gestured grandly, "is an abstract representation of a Mana Core."
Some students leaned forward, intrigued.
"The core forms deep inside you during awakening," she continued. "For mages, it's located in the upper dantian; for warriors, the lower dantian. That's also when your Class gets decided—so if you don't like what you got, tough luck!"
Ash remained silent, absorbing the information. He already knew this from the novel, but it still helped to hear it explained naturally.
Then, Elva grinned mischievously again.
"But here's the fun part!"
She leaned forward on her desk.
"Simply having a Mana Core? Useless."
"For warriors and other close range hunters, advancing is straightforward—they temper their body with mana inside out, train their bodies to the limit, and boom! They're ready to smash things."
She flexed dramatically, earning a few laughs.
"But mages and other magic class hunters?" She tilted her head. "They need one crucial thing to advance."
Her playful gaze scanned the class, waiting.
Ash answered without hesitation.
"Magic Circle."
Elva's eyes widened slightly—just for a second—before her grin returned.
"Oho? Someone's been paying attention!" she teased. "Correct."
She raised a hand, and a glowing, intricate Magic Circle formed above her palm, spinning with arcane symbols.
"For a mage to cast spells, they must first form a Magic Circle in their heart," she explained, her voice suddenly serious again. "One proportional to their rank."
The glowing symbols pulsed, radiating power.
"This is the Rank-1 Magic Circle"
Something deep within Ash stirred.
This was it.
I also need to create a magic circle now. The novel never explained how, but now that I've seen one, I can finally attempt it. If I succeed, I'll officially become a Novice Rank hunter and gain access to a greater variety of spells.
Elva's voice rang through the lecture hall, pulling him back to the present.
"The formation of a magic circle is tied to one's will and mana control. Those who haven't formed their first circle yet, I strongly suggest practicing mana manipulation for at least a week before attempting it."
"I suggest you burn the magic circle into your memory before attempting it. It's crucial and dangerous if you make mistakes."
She glanced across the class before continuing.
"For Sword masters and other close-range hunters, those still at Novice Rank should focus on pushing their bodies to the limit. Use the Academy facilities."
Her voice turned sharper.
"You all received 50 credits after getting your resources. In this academy, credits are everything. Without them, you can't access any additional facilities….."
The lesson went on for two more hours.
By the time Elva finished, Ash exhaled heavily.
Learning about magic was fun… but damn, that was exhausting.
Dragging himself out of the classroom, he checked his watch.
Classes ran from 7 AM to 7 PM, each lasting two hours, with a two-hour break in between.
What's my next class?
As he glanced at the schedule, but
A voice called out to him—
"Excuse me."
A soft, hesitant voice stopped him in his tracks.
Ash turned his head.
Elysia stood there, a gentle smile on her lips, her silver hair shimmering under the academy lights.
His fingers curled slightly.
Shit.
His heart clenched.
Why was she here?
He hadn't even had time to process her existence properly, let alone figure out what to do about it.
Seeing his silence, she took a breath and spoke softly, her voice carrying an emotion she likely didn't intend to reveal.
"I never got the chance to thank you properly for the water bottle during the test."
She met his gaze, and for a split second, something unspoken passed between them.
"Thank you."
**
[Elysia Moonglow] (Nancy)
She spoke lightly, but inside—her heart pounded.
I don't know why… but I can feel it.
This is my Ash.
The thought sent a wave of emotions crashing over her.
But she couldn't be certain.
His nature is different. His eyes… they aren't the same.
I need confirmation.
That day, when she had first felt a strange familiarity with him, she had spent hours thinking about it.
By the time night fell, she had made her decision.
She would test him.
She would find out if it was really him.
And if it was—
**
[Ash Burn]
"It's fine. I only gave you the bottle because I thought you wouldn't even qualify the Exam."
He replied carelessly, his voice cold.
Without waiting for a response, he turned and started walking.
Step.
Step.
Step.
But—
She followed.
A sharp pang shot through his chest.
The sound of her footsteps behind him…
It was the same.
Just like back then.
His body tensed as the memories he had desperately buried began to claw their way back.
No.
Not now.
Not again.
He gritted his teeth and forced his mind to focus.
Step.
But she didn't stop.
Step.
His breath grew shallow.
Step.
He knew.
He knew.
---
[Elysia Moonglow] (Nancy)
If it's really him…
Then he'll remember.
She walked, her pace steady, unchanging.
He'll remember how I always followed him back then…
And just like before—
He would stop.
He would turn.
And he would ask, Why are you following me? with a annoyed expression.
Her heart pounded painfully.
Please be him. Please…
I don't want to be alone in this world.
Her vision blurred slightly, but she blinked it away.
If it's him, if it's really him… then this world won't be so lonely anymore.
She tightened her resolve.
She had to know.
So, she kept walking in hope.
**
Step.
His breathing was uneven now.
Step.
His heart ached.
Step.
I need to act different. I need to be cold. I can't let her know.
Step.
But why… why did it hurt so much?
Step.
He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails bit into his palms.
The footsteps behind him remained steady, unrelenting.
And suddenly—
His mind shattered.
Everything he had buried—every emotion, every suppressed memory—tore through him all at once.
Fuck!.
The pain.
The warmth.
The unbearable longing.
His vision blurred slightly as the weight of everything came crashing down.
He had tried so hard to suppress it.
To move on.
But she was making it impossible.
I'm now sure.
She is Nancy.
The way she was following him—her steps, her persistence—
It was exactly the same.
But—
How?
When?
Why?
His mind was spiraling, questions tearing at him like claws.
Was fate playing with him?
Why?
Why?
Why?
Why?
It's not fair.
A scream echoed in his mind, silent yet deafening.
Step
I want to hug her.
Step.
I want to be with her again.
Step.
I really, really want to.
Step.
But—
This world was more dangerous than the last one.
And he knew.
I can't let the same thing happen again.
Step.
I don't want her to die again because of me.
So—
He didn't stop.
He didn't turn.
He just kept walking, swallowing the overwhelming ache in his chest.
And she—
She kept following.
***
A/N: Hello Readers! Just a quick heads-up—if you see "Melissa" popping up randomly, just ignore it. My keyboard is clearly on drugs and keeps messing up the spelling of Melissia. 😭😂
It's Melissia, not Melissa! I swear!