"It has been almost three whole months since I got here. I still cannot remember my face nor my name. The only words engraved in my mind are 'Climb higher', as if they are a divine command from the heavens.
Is this a test from God?
After all my investigation, the possibility of this place being an illusion is out of the question. It is real. Painfully real.
Well… if this is a test from the Lord above, then I shall do my best."
He wrote these words in his diary. Perhaps it was muscle memory, the urge to write felt natural, almost instinctive. But it wasn't a bad habit. The diary helped him measure his progress and track his rehabilitation.
Since the day he awoke in this unfamiliar body, he had followed a strict routine.
Mornings were for physical training, basic exercises to rebuild his weakened frame.
During the day, he focused on mana formation. Or rather, mana reformation. He was reconstructing his mana core from the scattered fragments of his previous one, slowly gathering the remnants dispersed throughout his body.
The progress was painfully slow. The lingering poison in his system made sure of that.
In the evenings, he read through the diary and other books to familiarize himself with the advanced language. At night, he documented his day.
Leaning back in his chair, hands resting behind his head, he muttered,
"It feels strange calling myself by another name… but since I can't remember my original one… I'll go by Kael."
A pungent smell suddenly assaulted his nose. His body felt sticky, the room stale.
The previous Kael had apparently been a clean freak. The instinct to tidy up was almost overwhelming , as if his body itself rejected disorder.
The current Kael sighed and began cleaning the room before heading for a shower.
After bathing, he stood before the mirror.
The first time he had seen this body, he had been shocked. It was nothing but skin and bones , frail, malnourished, pitiful.
Now… though still thin, there was substance. Muscle lightly traced his frame. At the very least, he looked presentable.
A faint smirk curved his lips.
Just as he was admiring his progress, a sudden sound snapped him from his thoughts.
A letter had slid beneath his door.
He picked it up.
The seal bore the name: Magnus Academy.
His eyes narrowed slightly before he tore it open.
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Dear Student Kael,
This letter serves as notification of your prolonged absence from the Academy.
You are required to resume attendance immediately. Continued absence will result in disciplinary action, including possible suspension, expulsion, and revocation of all student privileges.
- Magnus Academy Administration
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Short. Direct. A warning.
The diary had mentioned an academy, a prestigious one. He hadn't paid much attention before, struggling as he was to adapt to the more complex language. He had only been reading fragments at a time.
He leaned back, letter in hand.
A slow smile spread across his face.
"Perfect."