Orange light slipped through the curtains, illuminating part of a bed meant for only one person.
The room looked clean now—almost as if its occupant could leave at any moment.
Click.
The bathroom door opened.
A young man stepped out, short black hair still slightly damp, dark eyes calm beneath a smooth, youthful face.
He sat on the bed.
Black trousers, a black T-shirt, and a white shirt worn as an outer layer fit neatly against his frame.
A strand of orange light touched his face.
He didn't avoid it.
A long breath escaped his lips.
"Haah… I can finally go outside today."
He crossed his arms over his chest.
'What do you think, Krystal? Three days in a coma and three days recovering—that's impressive, right?'
'No. Your body is still too weak. You must resume training immediately, Alex.'
A faint smile formed on Alex's lips.
'Aren't you being a little cruel? I just recovered, you know? I haven't even attended my first class yet, and now I'm already a week behind.'
Alex shook his head.
'I can't believe this is your real personality.'
'In my world, with injuries like that, you'd already be dea—'
'Blah blah blah.'
Veins bulged on Alex's forehead.
'You… if you had a physical form, I'd beat—'
'Blah blah blah.'
Krystal's voice echoed endlessly inside his head, giving him a headache.
After three days in a coma and three more confined to bed, Alex had done little besides talk with Krystal and reply to messages from his parents—his new parents in this world.
During that time, Krystal, having seen fragments of his soul's memories, had become strangely irritating… copying Alex and even some of his old companions' personalities.
Meanwhile, his parents here seemed to care deeply for him. They had even insisted on visiting the academy, despite knowing it wasn't possible.
It was worry.
Something Alex hadn't received in a very long time.
He didn't hate it.
In fact, he liked it—because it allowed him to feel a warmth he had long forgotten.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
A woman with short orange hair entered, its color resembling the evening sky. Her dark eyes contrasted warmly with her gentle smile.
She wore white clothes beneath a white coat.
Doctor Amel—the young physician assigned to care for Alex this semester.
Alex stood and approached her, returning her smile.
"You came again, Doctor Amel? I was just about to leave."
She looked at him.
"Of course I came. I'm your doctor. I have to check your condition before discharge."
Her cheerful voice suited her kind personality perfectly.
"I'm already fine."
Alex moved his left arm freely.
"See? I've completely recovered thanks to your amazing treatment. Thank you, Doctor Amel."
He gave a small bow.
She smiled.
"It's my job. Are you returning to class tomorrow? You've missed quite a lot for a new student."
Alex nodded.
"Yes. I'll start tomorrow."
"I heard this is a first, you know."
One of Alex's brows rose.
"A first?"
"What else? A new student who hasn't even attended his first class yet but already fought Dark Side operatives to protect others—and even faced one of their elites. Though you ended up completely battered."
Alex shrugged.
"I only did it because I could, Doctor Amelia."
She smiled gently.
"That's admirable, Alex. But don't push yourself too hard. You're still a newcomer."
"I'll remember that. I think it's time for me to head to the dormitory. Thank you for taking care of me."
She nodded.
"Try not to come back here too often, okay? You're making me busy already, and I just transferred here myself," she said with a soft laugh.
Alex grinned brightly.
"If the doctor is as beautiful as you, I wouldn't mind coming every day."
He left the room, walking down the corridor toward the medical center's exit.
The evening wind brushed his skin the moment he stepped outside.
A woman's voice called out.
"Alex Sander."
He turned.
There she was.
A young woman nearly his height, dark red hair swaying in the evening breeze, blue eyes shining vividly beneath the fading sunlight.
Katarina Mars—the princess of the human kingdom.
'Ah… she's the girl from the train. Princess Katarina.'
'Yes' Krystal replied briefly.
Alex lowered his head slightly.
"Greetings, Princess Katarina."
She adjusted her wind-tossed hair.
"You don't need to call me princess. We're at the academy. Just call me Katarina."
She paused.
"Do you have time? There's something I want to discuss."
Silence lingered for a moment.
'What do you think, Krystal?'
'Go with her. We can ask about the incident. But according to this body's memories, the princess has a bad temper.'
Alex's eyebrow twitched.
'A bad temper? Are you describing yourself?'
He smiled at Katarina.
"Of course. I have time."
They walked beneath the evening sky.
Sunlight reflected across a vast lake, its surface glowing orange as the sky slowly changed colors. The wind carried the scent of water and damp leaves.
Benches surrounded the lake. Some students quietly watched the water, others read books whose pages fluttered in the breeze, while groups chatted softly with friends.
Alex lowered his head and sat at one end of a bench. Katarina sat at the opposite end.
"So… Ilyas died in that incident after I lost consciousness."
Katarina sighed, gazing at the lake.
"Yes. I'm sorry I couldn't protect him."
Alex pinched the bridge of his nose.
"It's not your fault, Prin— I mean, Katarina. You helped me too. I should be the one thanking you."
They both looked at the orange-lit water.
"Ilyas said he was carrying something important. May I ask what it was? And… did they manage to take it?"
Katarina turned toward him.
"It's classified. But since you risked your life protecting him… I'll tell you."
She paused.
"It was a newly discovered artifact. Its name is the Bone of Malakar."
Alex frowned.
'What is that, Krystal?'
'As she said, it's a recently discovered artifact from your hometown. Its exact function hasn't been publicized. But if Dark Side targeted it, it must be important.'
Alex exhaled slowly, eyes returning to the lake.
Images of corpses from the train's final carriage flashed through his mind.
He covered his eyes with one hand.
"Isn't that wrong, Katarina? Sending something that important with ordinary people—and without proper protection? Because of that artifact… people died."
His voice grew hoarse.
"They didn't even know why they were killed."
Katarina sighed.
"That was a mistake by the kingdom and its council. I would have strongly opposed it if I had known. I only learned the truth after the incident."
"If I had known beforehand, I would have opposed even the king himself."
Alex breathed out slowly.
'Not in his old world.'
'Not here.'
'Nothing had changed.'
'Innocent people still died.'
'Like escaping one hell only to fall into another.'
"Yes… what's done is done. We can't turn back time."
Katarina studied him closely.
'Should I tell him it was fake? …No. Not yet. I should observe him first.'
She spoke again.
"You know… you seem like a different person, Alex."
He blinked.
"What do you mean?"
"I know your father. He works at my grandmother's mansion. He used to talk about you when I visited."
Alex's shoulders stiffened. His palms grew damp.
"Captain Sander said you were timid. Avoided fighting. Terrible at combat. But extremely intelligent—proven by your second-place ranking in the academy's theory exam."
Alex swallowed.
Katarina leaned slightly closer.
He instinctively leaned away.
"But what I saw was completely different. You fought like a veteran. You protected strangers. You pushed yourself until you collapsed."
She nodded thoughtfully.
"And you even fought an A-Rank elite of Dark Side. Isn't that strange? Where is the cowardly Alex?"
Alex looked away.
'Damn.'
He scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"Ah… looks like my injury's acting up again. I should return to the medical center."
Her expression turned cold.
"Just answer me, Alex. Are you hiding your true self?"
His eyes widened.
Then suddenly sparkled.
He stood, hands on his hips, confidence filling his voice.
"That's absolutely correct."
He nodded firmly.
"Yes. I've been hiding my true self."
Katarina narrowed her eyes as orange light bathed his figure.
"Isn't that strange? Hiding yourself from your own family? Isn't that lying to them?"
"Wha—? No."
Alex sat back down.
"My family cares about me too much. They'd worry endlessly."
She nodded.
"They already are. Your story has spread across the entire academy."
Alex glanced at her.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"
"Find out yourself."
She faced him again.
"You risked your life protecting the artifact, even though it was stolen. Do you want anything in return?"
Alex fell silent, stroking his chin.
'What do I want?'
'Ask for a powerful artifact, Krystal said instantly. Or a large sum of money. Everything you own right now is trash.'
A vein popped on Alex's forehead.
'Be quiet, Krystal. Stop copying people from my old world.'
He looked at Katarina and smiled.
"Be my guide. Show me around the academy."
She blinked.
"That's all?"
He nodded.
"When else will I be guided by a princess?"
A faint smile appeared on her lips as she stood.
"You really are strange."
"Alright. Let's go."
Katarina guided him through Osteria Academy.
The academy was enormous.
They passed rows of classrooms capable of holding hundreds of students per grade—thousands across five levels.
They walked past research centers used by students and professors, the faint scent of metal and chemicals mixing with the soft glow of mana stones along the corridors.
The dining hall was massive enough to feed thousands at once. Warm bread and roasted meat filled the air while laughter and clattering plates created a lively atmosphere.
They passed training centers divided by grade level. Wooden swords clashed repeatedly, and dense waves of mana vibrated through the air, making Alex's skin tingle.
There were vast fields of neatly trimmed grass, indoor swimming facilities, and towering assembly halls.
Things Alex—once Adrian—hadn't seen in a very long time.
Yet everything here felt more advanced.
If war didn't exist in this world…
this place would have been paradise.
Because the academy was as large as a small city, transportation vehicles carried students across campus.
The orange sky faded into night.
They stepped off a bus and walked toward their final stop—the dormitory.
Alex bowed slightly.
"Thank you for guiding me. It was enjoyable."
Katarina shrugged.
"It's nothing special."
Then she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh right. You're in the same class as me. Class 1C."
Alex smiled.
"Wow. What a coincidence."
They looked at each other briefly.
"Well then, I'll head inside. Thank you for—"
A voice interrupted.
"What are you doing here, Rina?"
They turned.
A boy stood nearby, golden hair shining even after sunset. His blue eyes radiated brilliance against flawless pale skin.
Katarina stiffened slightly.
"Ah— I just finished guiding Alex Sander. He was discharged today," she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
The blond boy looked at Alex, eyes lighting up.
"Ahh, the famous Alex? The first new student to arrive at the academy completely battered?" he said cheerfully.
He extended his hand.
Alex shook it.
"I'm Julian Overmas."
"Alex Sander."
"He's my childhood friend," Katarina added.
She turned to Alex.
"I'll go now. See you tomorrow."
Julian quickly followed her.
"Hey, I'll walk you back!" he called.
He glanced back at Alex.
"Excuse me, Alex. Nice meeting you."
Before Alex could respond, Julian hurried after Katarina.
Alex watched their backs as they walked side by side, eyes narrowing slightly.
'They look like a prince and princess.'
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
'Do they like each other? They fit well together.'
He exhaled softly.
Looks like academy life will be colorful.
Yes, Krystal replied.
Better colorful than tragic.