Three weeks passed, and the end of the month was approaching. The days had flowed by with an almost mechanical regularity, marked by classes, training sessions, and meals in the academy's grand dining hall.
Over the past few weeks, nothing particularly remarkable had happened. Life at the academy followed its usual rhythm: simmering tensions between classes, whispers in the hallways, and sidelong glances that accompanied each new rumor.
I had continued attending classes, keeping a low profile. I hadn't sought attention, but simply existing in this competitive environment was enough to stir reactions.
After the spectacle from last time, it was only natural that some people had started looking at me differently.
Conversations would sometimes quiet down when I walked down the corridor, and a few lingering stares would settle on me during mana manipulation classes. It wasn't admiration or hostility — it was a cautious curiosity, as if they were trying to gauge my true worth. This shift was expected.
In the original story, Noah never tried to leverage his trait to display overwhelming mana control, considering it unnecessary. He was content to stay in the background, to avoid making waves. He didn't care about being overlooked or unappreciated by others. To Noah, recognition meant nothing as long as he could quietly pursue his own goals.
He believed that staying in the shadows would protect him — that by remaining outside the social game, he could avoid unnecessary complications. But that mindset was naive. He would soon realize that reality worked differently.
Being marginalized was not a good thing, especially in his situation. At an academy like Eloria, where social relationships were as strategic as the battles themselves, isolation was the same as voluntarily disarming yourself.
Someone like Maelys could afford to be distant. Even if she chose to isolate herself, she would be fine. Her reputation wouldn't suffer because of it. Maelys was naturally charismatic and respected; even if she kept her distance, people would still see her as a strong and reliable figure.
But for Noah, it was different. His name, his past, and his early feats were already working against him. Withdrawing from the game was not an option.
The class system was highly valued at the academy for a reason. Class-based trials were frequent. Being sidelined by the majority was never a good sign for the future. In a class battle, the alliances forged beforehand, the bonds built during training, and the mutual recognition among students often determined victory or defeat.
Noah knew that the time would come when he would need support. But if no one saw him as someone valuable, that support would never come.
What I did last time wasn't an act of kindness. It wasn't an attempt to win acceptance or join a social circle. No, it was a demonstration of my worth. They needed to understand that, despite my low profile, my presence at this academy is no accident.
They may not yet fully grasp the significance of what I showed them, but time is on my side.
Even though it might seem like I haven't taken the time to build connections with anyone, that's not entirely true. In fact, I've started establishing relationships earlier than most others. And my key piece in this process to restore a stable core is Camila.
Of course, our relationship is still primarily professional, but it's becoming a strategic foundation for what I plan to accomplish in the near future. I'm not seeking any deeper attachment for now, but her role is crucial in executing my plans.
In recent days, we've met several times to discuss the potion we need to prepare. Among the necessary ingredients, one could be obtained quickly: ten milliliters of liquid mana.
Liquid mana, though rare in nature, isn't particularly difficult to produce in a lab. And for someone like Camila, who has mastered this process, it's hardly an obstacle. The problem, however, lies in the fact that academy clubs aren't yet open to first-years. That means there's currently no lab access available. But despite this small setback, this ingredient is more or less secured — or at least within reach.
The second ingredient, a Gornak horn, can be obtained during the practical exam, which is rapidly approaching. It's a challenge, but one that I know is realistic and relatively easy to achieve under the current circumstances.
The third ingredient, however, is by far the most complex and difficult to obtain: a celestial gem. The celestials, in addition to their distinctive golden eyes, bear a gem engraved on their bodies — a trait that sets them apart from other races. This gem is the key to a vital part of the potion, but to obtain it, I would need to kill a celestial — a task that currently feels entirely out of reach.
However, I can't afford to waste time. The thought of walking down this path troubles me, but I am determined. Fortunately, another solution exists: the black market.
The problem is that I can't go there myself. There are too many risks, too many reasons why that would be a bad idea. But I've already established a connection with someone who possesses the experience, discretion, and contacts necessary to carry out this task without drawing unwanted attention.
'Darius.'
I took another drag from my cigarette and exhaled slowly. I was sitting in one of the academy's cafeterias, in the smoking area, eating breakfast. I shifted my gaze and focused on my status screen.
—————•Status•—————
Name: Noah Arryn
Race: Human
Strength: 77 —> 88
Defense: 55 —> 65
Stamina: 63 —> 83
Agility: 75 —> 90
Charm: 180
Intelligence: 141
Perception: 320
Rank: Novice
Potential: Ethereal
Affinity: Ice | Chaos | Space
Constitution: [Locked]
Bond: -
Skills: -
Arts:
—> Silent Flow - Mid-Level - [31%]:
[Silent Flow is a martial art where movements are as smooth and quick as a flowing stream. It focuses on attacking and defending with flexibility and silence, like a quiet dance.]
Trait:
—> Shiva's Eyes:
[Shiva's Eyes reveal the vital points of adversaries and expose their deepest weaknesses while capturing a multitude of information. This power also allows one to perceive mana in its rawest form, unveiling elements invisible to the ordinary eye, and it can inflict devastating mental attacks. However, the use of this gift must be controlled to some extent. The more it is exploited, the harsher the consequences. Overusing this power is to risk losing oneself little by little.]
—————•Status•—————
I've established an intense training routine several times a week to prepare for the upcoming events — especially the practical exam scheduled for tomorrow. It seems like it's paid off. My mastery of [Silent Flow] has skyrocketed after spending hours beating up training dummies, finally reaching 31%.
I slowly set the tip of my cigarette into the ashtray, watching the thin wisp of smoke rise and fade into the air. A wave of warmth slid down my throat as I exhaled the smoke, letting my thoughts drift for a moment.
The reason I hadn't learned any new skills so far wasn't just because of their cost. The real reason was more strategic — it was directly tied to the potion I intended to create as soon as possible.
To repair my core, I will actually need to change my mana signature — a process generally considered impossible.
Changing a person's mana signature is thought to be impossible because this signature is deeply rooted in the very nature of the core and the essence of the individual. Altering this imprint would disrupt the balance of both body and mind.
For an ordinary person, modifying their mana signature would usually brings no tangible benefits. On the contrary, it often results in a sudden loss of acquired skills. That's precisely why I had avoided learning new skills up until now. It would be a waste to master certain techniques only to lose them later.
Ding–!
'Hm?'
⟨Kaera Silvaris⟩
[Kaera: Hiii ^^]
'How did she get my contact?'
[Me: Hi.]
[Kaera: If you're wondering how I got your contact I just asked Camila]
[Kaera: Anyway, can we meet up right now pls? I wanna talk about tomorrow's exam lol]
'So that's what this is about.'