Something smashed into me, which brought my focus to the present.

For a second, I thought that the Dragon had sensed my skill and attacked me. But there was no extra pain besides a white handkerchief on my lap, with a dragon embroidery on the side.

"Your nose is bleeding," The Dragon Chancellor said, which instantly made me realize the liquid that I felt dripping.

I shook off the last of my daze, focusing on the cloth now in my hands. The coolness of the fabric was a sharp contrast to the warmth trickling from my nose, a detail I hadn't noticed until Aiden pointed it out.

"Thanks," I muttered, pressing the cloth against my nose. The sight of my blood was a stark reminder of the toll my curiosity had exacted.

At least the levels of skills had lessened the headache that I felt.

Aiden watched me for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on the handkerchief before reverting to my eyes. "It's not every day someone tries to gauge the level of a being they should probably leave well alone,"

The flicker of hope that I might have remained unnoticed under Aiden's formidable presence was swiftly extinguished by his words. My mind racing with thousands of thoughts.

Sh*t. What if he took offense? I need to defuse the situation. Should I apologize? No, maybe…

I managed a weak smile, acknowledging the absurdity of my actions without a word.

Instead of voicing an apology, I focused on the handkerchief, the fabric now stained with my blood, as if it could offer the right words I couldn't find.

"I was just... curious," I finally said, the words feeling inadequate even as they left my lips. "It's not every day one stands before someone who's... well, fought a Dragon Lord."

Aiden's expression softened slightly, the corners of his mouth tilting in an understanding smile. "Curiosity," he mused, folding his arms across his chest. "A commendable trait, but dangerous when not wielded carefully. Especially for a student learning the arcane."

The understatement wasn't lost on me. I was standing in front of a Dragon who had faced unimaginable dangers, and all I could do was tamper with skills I barely understood.

Embarrassment warmed my cheeks more than the blood trickling from my nose could account for. I nodded, accepting the rebuke hidden within his words. Better to bow after using an excuse.

"I'll remember that," I managed to say, my voice steadier than I felt.

Aiden nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. His focus then shifted a speculative light in his eyes.

"[ Identify ] A unique skill gained only through a combination of luck and fate. It's not something one simply learns at will."

His words stirred a sense of unease within me. To have stumbled upon such a skill felt like a windfall, yet Aiden's tone suggested it was a double-edged sword. The word fate blaring red flags in my mind.

"First a mana mutation, and now a unique skill, yet you haven't even mastered the basics of mana manipulation. Very interesting." His observation wasn't meant as a critique but as a statement of fact, one that highlighted the powers granted to me.

And the interest that might have increased his eyes. Stupid even to think that I would get some details for free. Maybe I got overconfident after getting no reaction from others.

I nodded a bit sheepishly. "I guess I've been... lucky," I offered, unsure how else to explain the series of events that had led me here. Hopefully, it is luck. I don't want to get entangled with anything related to fate.

"Luck," Aiden repeated, his voice thoughtful. "Perhaps. But remember, power without control is like wielding a sword by the blade. It's only a matter of time before you cut yourself. But let's return to your mana mutation," he suggested, the change in topic almost palpable in the air between us.

"Here is the device to check your mana attunement," He announced, patting a sizable, somewhat dusty brown box that sat unassumingly on a cluttered table.

With a casual flick, he attempted to open the box, a motion that sent a few scrolls tumbling off the table in a flutter of parchment and dust.

His brief moment of triumph seemed to fade as he surveyed the mess in his desk. "I really need to clean up my office before the next term starts."

I held back a laugh. Seeing him like this made him seem more normal and less intimidating. The normalcy of the situation calmed my beating heart.

After fixing the scrolls, he opened the box properly this time. Inside, there were lots of tiny sparkling crystals, each one a different color. "Here it is,"

Aiden gestured towards the giant crystal in the box. "Place your hand here, and we'll determine your mana attunement,"

I nodded, understanding the process. Placing my hand on the designated spot of the device, I felt the same tingling sensation as it interacted with my mana. It emitted a soft hum as it analyzed the energy within me, casting a gentle glow in the dimly lit office.

Aiden observed the device intently, his eyes following the patterns of light and energy dancing across its surface. It was clear that he was well-versed in the intricacies of mana attunement.

As the device hummed with energy, anticipation bubbled within me. Hopefully, it would be something that would earn me a luxurious, laid back life.

Suddenly, it flashed a deep, ominous red, filling the room with an eerie glow. My heart raced as swirling patterns of black and blue followed, mesmerizing me with their intensity.

But soon, the glow started fading, and I relaxed my shoulders.

"Interesting results," Aiden commented, but it was too soon.

The next second, the device flashed a brilliant golden light, causing me to close my eyes against the brightness instinctively.

When I opened them again, I was startled to find the device destroyed. In place of its intricate design, there now sat a sphere of broken crystal and wood with some scrapes of metals encased within a shimmering golden shell.

Confusion swirled within me as I pulled my hand back, only to feel a small prick on my index finger. Glancing down, I saw a shallow cut, the blood beginning to drip from the wound.

I used the earlier handkerchief to stem the bleeding. My nose had stopped bleeding a while back, but it seemed luck wasn't on my side today.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

Surprisingly, the cut didn't hurt, but a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach as I watched the golden sphere containing the broken device. What just happened?

"Oh, it seems the device decided to have a little malfunction," Aiden remarked casually as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Glancing over at the calm chancellor, I had to give credit where it was due.

He didn't even bat an eyelash at the sudden turn of events. But then again, why should he? Even though it's not every day that a device decides to implode during a routine procedure, for a dragon, it was only a minor detail.

If he didn't want to talk about the imploding box, there was no reason to poke holes in the man's behavior. There's definitely something there, but I can't exactly force him…

Instead, it is better to focus on what I could learn. "So, what were my results, exactly? You did say the analysis was interesting, didn't you?"

A peculiar smile tugged at the corners of his lips like he had found an interesting specimen. "Ah, right. Just as I thought, given your unique skill," he said with a nod, "It's Blood, space, and time."

There was a hint of amusement in his voice as if he found the combination of elements somewhat incredulous. But he maintained his composure, as befitting his position of authority.

I paused, letting Aiden's words sink in. My mana was special, mutated to add blood, space, and time. Whatever mutation means. But what would this mean for using my skills?

The [ Myriad Language ] skill is still working, and I don't think it's related to any of the three. [ Identity ], too.

Looking up at Aiden, I needed clarity. "What does this mean for me, practically speaking? With my mana being a mix, how does it affect what I can learn or do?"

Aiden nodded as if he approved of the question I was asking, "The skills of the three types would come easier to you. It will make those skills more intuitive and more potent for you. As for other magics, yes, they will require more effort. It would mostly depend on how different the type is from your mutation. If there is no clash, then no noticeable difference."

I was not surprised by his words. It mostly aligned with what I hoped for in the situation. Blood, space, and time – what kind of pillars could possibly accommodate such a unique combination of powers? Wait, are there any taboos with Blood?

Leaning forward, curiosity edged with a hint of caution; I locked eyes with Aiden. "Does the academy teach blood magic, or is it... forbidden?"

"You don't have to worry. We teach all forms of magic, understanding its potential for creation and destruction. Though higher level skills are restricted based on your pillars and access level. Let me check the options available to you."

As he sifted through the papers, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

I started thinking about what I could do with these powers. Artificers? Maybe Alchemists? Those are the only pillars I'm interested in. Maybe I could be a blood alchemist if there was such a thing. But then, the idea of spatial storage popped into my head – every fantasy world seemed to have that.

And space mages should be heavily sought after. Soon, I imagined my future wealth as golden coins started to flash across my eyes.

"Here it is," Aiden exclaimed, placing a sheet of black and gold paper before him. After a moment of deliberation, he looked up with a reassuring smile that raised some alarm bells in my mind. "How about the Obsidian?"

That sounds like some kind of Hidden pillar. And someone powerful giving a smile like that, I was sure it was nothing but trouble.

"What? Is that even a pillar? Lucian only talked about five pillars," I asked, dropping Lucian's name as he had asked. Despite his arrogance, Lucian had been of some assistance.

Aiden's eyes twinkled with amusement as a chuckle escaped. "Ah, Lucian. Helpful lad, that boy, always anticipating my needs, but he wouldn't have understood the needs of a talent like you."

Aiden leaned forward, emphasizing his following words, "The Obsidian is for the elites of the elites within Sapphire Academy."

The revelation sent a thrill through me. Trouble was the only word I would use to describe Obsidian. Better to stay away from those elites.

"I understand it's the elite of the academy," I replied, my tone firm. "But I'm looking for something more... traditional, perhaps?"

The vice chancellor's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly gained a smile. "Ah, I see, something without risks?"

I nodded eagerly, relieved that he understood my preference. "Exactly," Hopefully, there is another pillar for me.

"But it would be a waste of time. I understand your hesitation, Nova," he began, his tone gentle yet persuasive. "But the Obsidian Pillar offers unparalleled opportunities for growth and advancement. It's not just about the name; it's about the resources, the faculty, and the level of academic rigor that sets it apart."

Hearing the words, I realized that the dragon wanted him to join this Obsidian for some reason. “Can I think about it?” There was nothing more than stalling for time as I thought for a good reason to refuse.

“Good. It’s good to see even the consideration of it.” The man’s serpent-like eyes twinkled as if I had already agreed. “If I might advise you, I would suggest taking the offer, though I am slightly biased. After all—” He leaned forward slightly, and his stature seemed to fill the room. “—I teach it.”

And there is a reason. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, knowing the pillar was in trouble. I already lived my previous life trying to be the best. From an orphan to a student in a prestigious college.

Aiden seemed to understand my decision as he leaned back in his chair, a calculating gleam in his eye, before dropping his next offer like a bombshell.

"How about this," he began, his tone taking on more of a merchant's edge. "In addition to the prestigious education and free accommodation, you'll receive a gold coin every month as a stipend."

The offer strained my resolve to be trouble free. Instead of trying to find a job, I could basically earn the same as an average family earns in a year.

Free accommodation and a monthly stipend? It was almost too good to refuse. At that moment, I felt the dragon was more like a devil, selling rotten fruit in an excellent package. There must be hidden costs.

My resolve wavered as I weighed the pros and cons. But my heart prevailed.

I clenched my fists, trying to steel myself against the temptation.

Before I could deny it, Aiden already opened his mouth. "How about two gold coins?"

And my resolve began to crack anew. Damn, dragon, stop reading my body language.

Could I really afford to pass up such a generous offer? Yes, yes, I can.

What is one or two gold coins? My life is more important.

Even if he increased the offer, I would remain steadfast in my denial.

His brow furrowed, sensing my determination, and he relented, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "Alright," he said, his tone softer now as if resigned to my decision. "Let's take a step back. What is it that you want to achieve here at Sapphire Academy?"

Damn right, you couldn't entice me.

I paused, considering his question carefully. "I want access to knowledge," I replied. "I want to immerse myself in the world of magic, learn and grow. But ultimately, I want a comfortable life. I want to read the books, absorb the knowledge, and then find a cozy job where I can apply what I've learned."

"I see," He said thoughtfully. "In that case, perhaps there's a middle ground we can find. How about this: You join the Obsidian pillar, but I'll provide you with access to my personal library, both magical and mundane, with five gold coins a month in a stipend. That would create a nice savings when you graduate."

The words thundered in my mind. A dragon's library, knowledge that must be worth more than a kingdom's worth, a lifetime offer, and five gold coins. And my resolve cracked just like that.

"Ten gold coins," I said. If I was going to doom myself, better to enjoy some money first.

There was no hesitation as the Dragon accepted. "Alright,"

"I'll join the Obsidian Pillar," I said, already feeling like I signed my soul away on the cheap. Damn, I should've asked more.

The smile of satisfaction spread across the vice chancellor's face was deeply unsettling, but hopefully, he wouldn't let his investment die.