The rustling wind stirred the translucent curtains inside the dark room.
Moonlight peeked through, piercing the darkness.
On top of the bed lay a girl.
Her dark red hair spread across the pillow, her blue eyes staring at the ceiling. A white nightgown wrapped around her body.
The girl placed a hand on her head.
"It still feels the same… the only difference is that my hands still feel smooth because they haven't gone through many battles yet."
A faint smile formed on Katarina's lips as she recalled the moment Julian escorted her back to the dormitory after meeting Alex.
Katarina let out a sigh.
'The small attentions he always gives… the positive energy he constantly radiates, brightening everyone around him even in the darkest moments… the back that inspires so many people.'
Katarina's heart kept pounding just from remembering Julian patting her head before leaving.
She turned her body, her thoughts in turmoil.
'Unfortunately, just that smile alone makes countless women fall for him.'
Her smile faded.
Katarina closed her eyes, and an even deeper darkness enveloped her.
She then remembered someone she had only just met… the first person she herself had approached.
Katarina had never known him before. She had only heard stories about him from someone who cared deeply for him.
But what she heard was very different from what she saw.
Katarina pressed her temples.
'He's not a coward. He's confident.'
'He doesn't like fighting… yet he fights the bravest to protect people he has just met.'
The inconsistency bothered her.
'But as long as he's willing to fight to protect the weak, he will become the additional support we need.'
'I will keep watching him.'
The night continued.
Kring kring kring
A smart bracelet vibrated on a young man's left wrist.
His eyes slowly opened. He turned off the alarm displayed on the bracelet.
03:00.
The young man stood up from his bed and turned on the room light.
He stretched, the sound of his bones cracking echoing softly.
A voice sounded inside his mind.
'So you're going to train at this hour? Are you sure, Alex?'
Alex scratched his throat.
"Of course. If you saw my soul memories, you'd know I trained at this hour in my previous world."
'Ahh, so that's why you had those terrible eye bags back then.'
Veins bulged on Alex's forehead as a growl escaped his mouth. But what could he do?
If Krystal had a physical body, he would have definitely hung her already.
"You… you've seen too much, Krystal! Stop looking at things you don't need to see!"
'Your face was truly horrifying in your old world. You're lucky your parents here are handsome and beautiful. You inherited their looks.'
"That was because of that damned war! My face got ruined! I was actually more handsome than I am now!"
'Nyenyenye.'
Alex grabbed his head, feeling like it might
explode from his guide's nonstop chatter.
"You need to stop imitating people from my soul memories. This is getting bad… actually, it's already bad."
He let out a long sigh.
Alex took out training clothes from his wardrobe, changed, and walked out of his room.
Click.
He walked through the silent hallway. Only the sound of his footsteps echoed.
His old-world habit of staying alert nearly 24 hours a day pushed him to train around this time.
'Luckily, this academy allows students to access facilities 24 hours a day… at least some of them.'
Sometimes students studied or trained late into the night.
He knew that from Katarina.
Alex began running around the academy, following the roads connecting different facilities — roads normally filled with buses transporting students during the day.
"Huff… huff… huff…"
His breathing grew heavier. His legs began to ache. His head spun.
Halfway through circling the academy, Alex stopped.
"Blegh—!"
He suddenly vomited.
After wiping his mouth, Alex sat on the ground, stretching his legs. His stomach still churned, and his legs throbbed painfully.
"This body is a mess… damn bookworm body."
Krystal mocked him.
'You're insulting yourself. Get up. At least finish one lap today and two tomorrow.'
Alex shook his head.
Then lay down on the sidewalk — a path meant for students during the day, now empty except for the sound of night insects.
"Running is enough for today. I love training, but that was with my old body. This one can't be pushed like that."
'Do it at least for me.'
His brow twitched.
"For you? Who do you think you are? Didn't you see me throwing up?"
"I hope when I level up later you'll feel what I feel."
'Tch.'
'Then let's train mana control.'
Krystal's words made Alex smile.
"Sure… but let me rest first."
The night wind brushed against Alex's body as the lake water rippled calmly.
At the edge of the lake, Alex stood.
'Alright. Close your eyes and focus.'
Alex obeyed.
'Imagine something flowing from your abdomen.'
"I feel something cold flowing."
'Guide it toward your heart.'
He directed the flow upward.
'Now spread it throughout your body along with your heartbeat.'
His breath became colder.
His heart beat faster.
A cool sensation spread through his body, accompanied by calmness.
'Now open your eyes.'
The lake entered his vision.
'Try again, but this time send it only to your hand.'
Alex focused again, channeling mana into his left hand.
The cold sensation returned.
'Now punch the ground. Destroy it!'
Alex punched the ground.
BAM!
The ground cracked slightly — nowhere near worth the pain that followed.
He rolled on the ground clutching his hand while laughter echoed in his mind.
'HAHAHAHA!'
"Damn you, Krystal!!!"
'You're quite impressive for someone using mana for the first time. Your mana core already exists, after all.'
'You only needed to circulate it. Even so, directing mana is difficult — and channeling it into a single limb is even harder. Yet you did it.'
Alex sat silently listening.
'Not bad. Since we'll train every day, you'll grow quickly. You'll still lose to the academy geniuses, but at least you've taken your first step.'
Alex smiled.
"So you do know how to compliment someone."
'Wake up earlier tomorrow and meditate. It'll help your level increase. Your mana core is currently E+, slightly above average.'
Alex's eyebrow twitched.
"So basically you're telling me not to sleep."
'You're behind everyone else.'
Alex cleared his throat.
"About talents… what exactly is mine? I should have two, right? Since technically I'm two people? And Athika's Tears — you never explained what it does."
Krystal ignored him.
'Focus on mana mastery first. We'll talk about talents and the necklace later.'
"Tch."
Alex checked his bracelet.
05:00.
"Isn't this the time to form my first soul core?"
'Will there be enough time?'
Alex shrugged.
"I just need focus and endure the pain. You just need to stay quiet."
'Fine. I won't warn you if you're late on your first day.'
"Nyenyenye," Alex mocked back.
He crossed his legs and closed his eyes.
'The first core will form at the spine.'
Pain slowly spread through his body. His bones creaked as Alex clenched his teeth.
Sweat poured down.
After an unknown amount of time, the pain gradually faded.
A warm light washed over him. The sweat turned cold.
Alex opened his eyes.
Sunlight greeted him.
Murmurs filled the air.
"What is he doing?"
"Why isn't he in class?"
Alex's eyes widened. He checked the time.
06:45.
"Shit!"
He sprinted.
"Krystal, why didn't you wake me up?!"
'You told me not to remind you.'
"You should've reminded me anyway!!"
Alex rushed back to the dormitory and quickly changed into his uniform.
Standing before the mirror to tidy himself, he saw his reflection — black trousers, a long white shirt, covered by a black outer jacket with the number 1 engraved on the chest, marking him as a first-year.
He sprayed perfume as a final touch.
Then Alex ran again.
All eyes turned toward him. Students wore uniforms of different colors, indicating different academic years.
His breathing tightened. His stomach churned again.
'Damn, this is troublesome. Taking the bus will only make me even later.'
Entering the first-year building, Alex hurriedly searched for his classroom.
"1C… 1C… 1C…"
"1C!"
He slid the classroom door open forcefully, revealing his panting figure. The previously noisy classroom instantly fell silent as everyone stared at him.
Whispers spread.
"Who's that?"
"Why is he out of breath?"
"Isn't he the battered guy from the train incident?"
Alex ignored the murmurs.
The classroom seating rose upward like stairs, with a podium and large screen at the front for the professor.
As he scanned the room, his eyes met Katarina's.
Katarina closed her eyes and simply shook her head.
Alex shrugged.
He walked toward the only empty seat — at the very back, the highest row.
As he climbed the steps, whispers continued.
Alex sat beside a girl sleeping face-down on her desk — the only available seat.
He exhaled.
"What are you doing? Why are you sitting here?"
Alex turned. The sleeping girl had woken up.
Her long black hair fell loosely, dark circles visible beneath her golden eyes. Her skin was pale like a corpse — and… was that dried drool?
Alex shrugged.
"There's no other seat. I just arrived, so here I am."
She clicked her tongue.
"You shouldn't have come at all. Your noisy breathing is disturbing me."
A vein twitched on Alex's forehead.
'Damn, this woman is annoying.'
Alex took out a bottle of cold water from his smart bracelet, opened it, and poured a little into his hand.
Then he flicked the water onto her face.
"Before telling people not to come, maybe you should take a shower."
She screamed, drawing several gazes.
Alex tossed her a small towel.
"I'm just helping clean your face. You had drool marks."
She glared while wiping her face and wet hair.
Alex drank from his bottle.
The classroom door opened.
A mature woman entered — long black hair reaching her waist, cat-like eyes, a sharp face, and an hourglass figure perfectly suited to her black shirt and trousers.
Alex's eyes widened.
Without realizing it—
PFFFT!
He spat water forward.
It landed on a boy sitting one row below him.
All eyes turned toward Alex.
The boy stood and turned around. He was tall enough to match Alex despite the height difference of their seats. His brown hair became damp, anger burning in his dark eyes.
'HAHAHAHA!' Krystal laughed in Alex's mind.
The girl beside him also laughed.
Alex stood quickly.
"Wait! That was an accident! I'm sorry!"
The boy released an aura that stirred the entire classroom.
A cold voice echoed, suppressing it instantly.
"No fighting inside the classroom."
Silence fell.
Alex froze.
The woman looked at him.
"I am Professor Tanya Geraldine. Alex Sander? Absent for a week, missed the entrance ceremony due to injuries and a coma — and your first action upon returning is spraying water at a classmate. Care to explain?"
Her voice was cold and firm.
Alex, still overwhelmed by her aura, accidentally let his tongue slip.
"I was surprised because you're incredibly beautiful, Professor."
Laughter exploded throughout the classroom — including inside his head.
'You're insane! First day back and you flirt with your professor!' Krystal howled.
'SHUT UP, KRYSTAL!!'
BANG!
Professor Tanya struck the podium.
Silence returned instantly.
Holding her temple, she spoke.
"Sit down, Alex Sander. And refrain from doing anything strange."
Alex lowered his head and sat.
"Yes, Professor."
Professor Tanya continued.
"Today was supposed to be theory class. However, since the class is finally complete, we will conduct a ranking test. The highest scorer will become the class representative."
"Other classes already selected theirs on the first day. Today, we will decide ours. Change into combat attire and head to the Year One duel arena. We will meet there."
The students dispersed.
Some time later.
A duel stage stood in the center of a massive arena surrounded by spectator seats.
Professor Tanya stepped onto the stage.
"At Osteria Academy, we value strength. From the one hundred students of Class 1C, you will participate in duels."
Murmurs spread.
"If mana or talents were allowed, nobles and elites trained since childhood would hold overwhelming advantages. Therefore, this year's duel will rely purely on physical combat — no mana, no talents."
"Any questions?"
No one raised a hand.
"Then who will go first and choose their opponent?"
Alex swallowed.
'Damn… she definitely did that on purpose. Everyone knows who the opening fight will be.'
'Are you scared? They're just kids,' Krystal said.
A thin smile appeared on Alex's lips.
'Scared? Impossible. I'm just worried that if I go first, I'll have to fight ninety-nine people to become champion.'
A large boy raised his hand.
"I'll go first."
All attention shifted to him.
Alex smiled.
"Aril Geno, come to the stage. Who will you challenge?"
Aril stepped into the arena.
"You. Get up here, bastard. I'll kill you."
"Alright," Alex said casually, stepping forward.
Facing him, Alex realized—
'This guy is huge… 190 cm? Maybe nearly 2 meters?'
'There wouldn't be teenagers this big in my old world.'
Alex grinned.
"This fight sounds boring. Want to make a bet, big boy?"
Aril's brow twitched.
"What did you call me?! I'll crush you!"
Alex smiled wider.
"If I win, you serve me for a year. If you win, I'll serve you."
Aril grinned viciously.
"I'll make you my servant."
Cheers erupted.
"Hooo!"
"This is interesting!"
A hand rose.
"I bet 20 million credits on Aril."
It was the girl who sat beside Alex.
She was insane.
"I'm betting on Aril too!"
"Me too!"
More and more bets piled onto Aril.
Alex clicked his tongue.
'Not a single person betting on me? I survived fighting an A-rank enemy… but all they know is I got beaten unconscious.'
He looked at Professor Tanya.
She merely shrugged.
Alex's grin widened.
He turned toward the dark red–haired girl he knew.
"Katarina, aren't you going to bet on me?"
The room fell silent.
Before Katarina could answer, Reva interrupted.
"The princess does not gamble, you bastard!"
Katarina smiled gently.
She raised her hand.
"I will bet 50 million credits on Alex."
Everyone froze.
Reva tried persuading her, but Katarina did not budge.
"Hooo! The princess bet huge!"
"We're going to make a fortune!"
Cheers grew louder.
Alex's smile stretched wider than ever.
'Ah… what a beautiful stage. A magnificent stage.'
'No mana? No talents? That's fine.'
'Hahaha… time for the soul core to debut in this new world, right, Krystal?'
Krystal shouted excitedly:
'Beat them all! Take all their money!'
And the battle began.