“Jerome here is good.”

William spoke, sounding a bit tired due to the journey.

The carriage stopped, as Jerome calmed the horses down. Opening the door, he glanced at William with a tinge of regret.

“My Lord, are you sure you don’t want me to take you closer to the academy?”

“I know you’re worried Jerome, but I have some business to attend to before going to the academy, which I want to go to alone.”

“But My Lord…”

“Not buts Jerome. My verdict is final.”

“Yes, my Lord.”

William stepped down, straightening his clothes. Staring at Jerome, he nodded, prompting Jerome to get back on the carriage with a dejected look.

As the carriage pulled away, William watched until it disappeared down the winding path, leaving him alone in the quiet countryside.

Not too far away stood a modest cottage, its thatched roof and wooden walls blending into the surrounding greenery. A soft melody floated on the breeze—gentle, wistful, the kind of tune one could easily overlook, yet William could feel the sorrow in the song.

William approached slowly, catching sight of an old man seated on a tree stump outside the cottage. Dressed in simple robes, the man’s lined face was shadowed beneath a wide-brimmed hat, his gaze focused entirely on the lute resting on his knee. His fingers plucked the strings delicately, drawing out a lullaby that carried a lingering sadness.

William stopped a few feet away, taking in the scene before him. He knew that this old man wasn’t just any random bard, but for now, he was just a man, playing a lullaby to an invisible audience.

“Mind if I join you?”

William asked, nodding to the empty spot beside him.

The old man barely looked up, offering only a slight nod before resuming his song, his voice melding with the melody in a soft hum.

William reached into his satchel, pulling out his own black lute. His fingers found their place on the strings, and he joined the bard in the familiar tune. The notes from both instruments merged, creating a harmonious blend that filled the stillness of the countryside.

The song they played was more than just a melody. It held the memories of a past life for William and a lifetime of loss for the bard. William closed his eyes as he played, memories of his old comrades and the countless battles they had fought together flashing through his mind. Though he hadn’t spoken to the bard next to him in this life, the bond between them felt as strong as ever.

As the final notes faded into the air, a heavy silence settled. The bard lowered his lute, turning to William with an unreadable expression. His eyes, once distant, now held an intensity that belied his gentle appearance.

“Who are you?”

He asked quietly, his voice almost a whisper.

William’s gaze remained steady, his fingers still resting on the strings of his lute. For a moment, he considered his answer, knowing that his response would determine the course of this new life. He opened his mouth to reply but soon closed it.

Instead, he began playing his lute once more.

This time the song was different from before, holding in a sorrow and that could not be described. He played the lute in such an advanced manner and he began singing with a dark tone.

The song William played was haunting, weaving sorrow and longing into each note. His voice, low and resonant, carried the weight of countless battles, lost friends, and sacrifices he had made—sacrifices etched into his soul. The melody was filled with an ache, a pain that words alone could never convey, only intensified by the somber, skillful strumming of his lute.

The bard’s gaze sharpened as he listened, recognizing the depth of emotion in William’s performance. It was the kind of song only a soul marked by hardship could play. He knew that this was no ordinary tune, and no ordinary young man sitting beside him.

When the final notes died away, William lowered his lute, letting the silence settle between them. His heart pounded as he looked up, meeting the old bard’s piercing gaze.

"You play as one who has seen the world and it’s dark side."

The bard murmured, his voice soft but edged with understanding.

“Tell me, stranger—why does a boy of your years play with the sorrow of an old soldier?”

William held his gaze, the depth in his green eyes betraying the youth of his appearance. He didn’t answer directly; instead, he gave the bard a knowing smile.

“I suppose… life has taught me many things.”

He replied cryptically, his voice carrying a hint of sadness.

“And music, well… it remembers the past better than we do.”

The bard nodded slowly, as if satisfied with the response. He took off his wide-brimmed hat, revealing a face weathered by time and a lifetime of experiences. His eyes held a wisdom that seemed to see through the very soul as if searching for the unspoken truths buried within William.

“You’re an unusual one, lad.”

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The bard said, setting his lute aside and folding his hands on his lap.

“Most who come here are drawn by either power or the pursuit of fame. But you… you come with memories.”

He leaned in closer, his gaze never wavering.

“What is it you seek?”

William’s hand tightened around his lute as he thought carefully.

“Not something you can give me, Cornelius…”

The man who stood in front of William wasn’t any ordinary bard, but rather, Cornelius Travers—the next master of the Sound Tower and one of the most formidable mages. Though he wasn’t a 9th-rank Zenith mage yet, he had been the closest to the archmage stage in the previous timeline.

However, that status was meaningless to William. Rather, in front of him was an old friend, a comrade, someone who he had spent a long time with.

“So you do know who I am…”

Cornelius muttered, a sharp mana signature emanating from his body. Immediately, his appearance began changing, as his face warped, revealing a handsome yet delicate appearance that seemed to radiate fragility.

Straight eyes brows, long black hair along with sharp pale blue eyes. It was an appearance that could easily rival William’s own. Although Cornelius was powerful, his age didn’t exceed 30.

Compared to William who had latent talent but no opportunity, Cornelius was raised with a diamond spoon. He had every treasure handed out to him and was trained by the best masters.

Cornelius’s piercing blue eyes studied William with curiosity, but there was no recognition in his gaze. To him, William was just a stranger—a young, talented musician whose sorrowful song had drawn him in.

“You called out my name…”

Cornelius said, his voice cool, though a hint of interest gleamed in his eyes.

“Though I can’t say I know yours.”

William offered a faint smile, feeling the ache of unspoken memories that Cornelius could no longer share with him.

“Names don’t matter much. Not now, anyway.”

Cornelius raised an eyebrow but said nothing, his expression calm and unreadable.

“Fair enough.”

He replied, his tone shifting to one of mild dismissal.

“You play well. But I imagine you didn’t come here for music alone.”

William shook his head, though he kept his gaze steady.

“No, I was just passing through.”

He replied, feeling the familiar pang of what couldn’t be said. He’d wanted to see Cornelius’s face and hear his voice one last time—if only to prove to himself that this moment, this life, was real.

With a small nod, Cornelius gathered his lute, his elegant figure retreating as he turned back toward the cottage, his silhouette framed by the fading light.

“Take care, traveler.”

He called over his shoulder, his voice carrying a distant kindness.

“And remember, not all burdens are meant to be carried alone.”

As Cornelius disappeared into the cottage, William lingered for a moment, feeling the weight of his past pressing on him. He swallowed, letting go of the memories and accepting the reality before him.

Cornelius was here, alive, but he was no longer the man who’d once known him. And perhaps, that was enough.

----------------------------------------

William walked his way to the academy, taking his time to ease his emotions. He had expected to be affected, but it really had dampened his mood.

Soon, he was able to see the buildings of Marinus in the distance. He paused for a moment, inhaling the crisp air, his gaze fixed on the sprawling academy just beyond the trees. He had to get his act back together. He had a lot of things to do.

His progress with Aura had recently stagnated and his mana brain required a large amount of mana to advance further. So for the time being, he had to make do with his current strength.

Thankfully, he felt like he was getting close to unlocking his aspect’s second form soon, though he still didn’t know what it was.

Reaching the academy gates, he noticed that a large amount of the students had already returned, feeling up the campus completely. Although he felt he had returned relatively early, it seemed like everyone had the same idea.

Making his way to the dorms, he noticed many familiar figures from his classes, though he didn’t bother greeting any of them. Reaching his room, he promptly unlocked the door, dismantling the spell that he had cast on it before leaving.

Inside the room was exactly as he had left it, though a bit of dust had gathered atop everything.

“Well, at least no one came inside…”

It wouldn’t be hard for any of the teacher faculty to break the spell he had put on the door, especially if they were teachers. Although William was a third-rank mage at the moment, most of the teachers in Marinus were at least of the fifth rank.

Casting a spell to clean up the room, William decided to take a shower.

Finishing with his shower, he quickly dried his hair and sat on his desk, glancing at the notes he had left for himself. It was neatly organized and written in a clear manner.

“I guess I should make my way to the library first then…”

He quickly decided on his next plan of action. Putting on the academy’s uniform, he neatly ironed out all the creases with magic, fixed up his hair, and made his way out.

The students around him were animated, sharing stories from their breaks or trading information about the upcoming entrance exams. William’s mind, however, was already in the library—the place where he could find the resources he needed to push past his limits.

As he approached the towering library building, he paused for a brief moment. It had been only a few weeks, yet he had missed this place so much.

Inside, the library was serene. Rows of books stretched into the distance, lit by sunstone lanterns that cast a warm glow. A few students were already poring over books, but it was quieter here than in the common areas.

As he made his way toward the more secluded sections, he felt himself relax, his mind honing in on the tasks ahead. He’d made notes on a few books and scrolls that could help him advance his understanding of aura and mana cultivation. He was close to unlocking his aspect’s second form—a milestone he knew would be crucial for his goals this term.

Passing the main desk, William noticed Mrs. Hawthorne staring at him with a serene smile.

“Ah, William,”

She said warmly.

“You’re back early.”

“Couldn’t wait to return, there’s too much to do.”

He replied with a small smile.

Mrs. Hawthorne chuckled.

“That’s no surprise. You’re here more than anyone, you know. I think the library has missed you.”

She placed the scrolls down, regarding him with a knowing look.

“Your usual section, I assume?”

William nodded.

“The quietest one, please.”

She gestured to the far end of the library, where shelves were filled with books on advanced spellwork, aspects, and aura manipulation.

“It’s all yours, as always. But don’t forget to take a break. You’re not an archmage just yet, no matter how much you study.”

He gave her a polite nod and slipped away into the rows of ancient texts. In the secluded corner of the library, he set his satchel down on a nearby table, retrieving his notes and spreading them out in neat order.

He picked up one of the thick, leather-bound tomes he’d marked in his notes: Principles of Advanced Aura Manipulation. He traced his fingers over the cover before opening it, losing himself in the dense, intricate diagrams and theories.

Hours slipped by as he immersed himself in study. William’s mind processed the complex diagrams, noting connections and patterns that had eluded him before. He found himself contemplating what he had gleaned from his last encounter with his grandfather and the subtle ways aura could amplify his aspect, preparing himself to break through his current limit.

As he leaned back to consider a particularly complex passage, a familiar figure passed by the end of the aisle. A glimpse of blonde hair and a flash of blue eyes.

“Regina…”

He murmured to himself, watching her as she moved toward the romance section. He noted the quick look over her shoulder, the hint of a blush on her cheeks as she picked a novel off the shelf, glancing around as if to check if anyone was watching.

Amused, William allowed himself a brief break from his studies. He carefully approached her from behind, glancing at the title she had in her hands before speaking.

“Paradise of Us, huh?”

He said with a light smirk.

“I didn’t know you were into smut novels, Regina.”