"Look at Aunt cathy's kid, so young yet already having a car, an apartment, and such a pretty girlfriend!

Then look at you, 30 years old without a car, house, savings, or girlfriend!

You useless trash, why don't you just die? What good are you to me?

Wake up, Ronald!"

The icy scoldings seemed to contain other voices.

But Ronald ignored them, hugging himself tighter to alleviate the pain from oxygen deprivation in his brain.

Suffocation was unpleasant. Ronald yearned for it to end swiftly, so the nagging voices repeatedly calling him useless would vanish as well.

It was a pity he hadn't found the drowning child. If he could do one good deed before death, perhaps the title of useless trash wouldn't ring so loudly.

Ronald curled up, ready to enjoy a nice sleep. But the strange voices didn't stop, growing louder instead. Ronald felt someone tugging him.

"Ronald, wake up!"

Ronald's eyes shot open. The beautiful underwater scenery disappeared, replaced by unfamiliar faces.

These people wore robes akin to wizard costumes, staring intently at him. The old man dressed like a teacher especially kept chuckling coldly at him.

Where was this? Wasn't he about to sink and nourish all things?

He wasn't given time to think before the old man in a pointed hat on the podium spoke.

"It appears Mr. Ronald is very confident about the trial, even daring to sleep during the critical survival lesson.

Then let Mr. Ronald answer this question on how to handle spell interruption. I'm sure with your wisdom, you can provide a perfect answer."

Seeing the ominous glint in the old man's eyes, Ronald knew things were looking bad...

As expected, Ronald soon found himself kicked out of class and made to stand outside.

The icy corridor walls quickly calmed Ronald down.

He swiftly sorted through this body's memories.

The world he transmigrated to was very interesting, a medieval world with magic and inner energy. His current location was a place called Snowdrift City in the Rhine Duchy.

His original self was also named Ronald, born into the Lannister family as the eldest son. He was currently studying at Thanos Magic Academy.

In Ronald's mind, there weren't many memories about the family. He just knew his father had a cold face, and his stepmother often privately scolded and mocked him.

"Tomorrow is the academy trial. Success needs no further elaboration, but failure...I suggest you make preparations. I hope the elements will continue blessing you. Class dismissed."

The pointy-hat elder left swiftly after speaking, not even glancing at Ronald as he passed by.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Only after the elder left did sounds of packing up and chairs moving emanate from the classroom.

Soon, boys and girls walked out in groups.

Unwilling to become a laughingstock, Ronald naturally didn't obediently stand still. He followed the crowd, preparing to leave as well.

The most intriguing parts of his memories involved magic. Ronald was eager to verify their authenticity, so he just wanted to quickly find a place to test casting.

Just as Ronald oriented himself to leave swiftly, a delicate voice that could soften one's bones sounded from behind.

"Ronald, wait for me!"

Ronald turned back perplexedly. What entered his eyes was a beautiful red-haired, red-eyed girl.

Her palm-sized face housed gem-like red pupils. Her slightly curly red hair seemed like burning flames as she hurried over.

Relying on memory fragments, Ronald recalled her name.

"Anna."

Ronald responded in the original's tone.

Anna smiled and walked to Ronald's side, their shoulders very close together.

Ronald awkwardly shifted away. Weren't they not that intimate in his memories? This made him ponder Anna's purpose in calling out to him.

But to avoid exposing the original's replacement, Ronald couldn't be too proactive. He remained silent, dealing with changes through inaction.

After walking shoulder-to-shoulder for a while, Anna suddenly asked, "Ronald, what plans do you have for the apprentice trial?"

Ronald couldn't say he still didn't understand casting, so he vaguely responded, "Take it one step at a time."

Anna tilted her cute head without probing further.

After a moment of silence, she suddenly chatted about their families.

"Time really flies. We'll graduate in the blink of an eye. Ronald, do you still remember what your parents looked like? I can't even recall their faces clearly anymore. I just remember Father was a businessman who socialized everyday."

Faced with the girl's sudden small talk, Ronald noncommittally humphed.

"Won't you say something about yourself? I know you're very low-key, but I also know you're from the Lannister family." As she spoke, Anna blinked her eyes cutely.

Ronald muttered inwardly, "Finally showing your true colors." But his expression remained unchanged as he pondered briefly before calmly responding, "Nothing worth mentioning."

Anna's eye twitched slightly but quickly returned to normal.

Glancing at a passing couple, the girl continued on her own, "Magic really is wondrous, allowing commoners and nobles to share a classroom. That would've been unimaginable before. Yet it happened just like that."

The red-haired beauty paused before continuing.

"I once thought there was no difference between us, but later realized how wrong I was."

Anna glanced at the silent Ronald and forced a smile before going on, "My talents aren't considered good, so my family won't continue funding my studies. They plan to marry me off. But I don't want to give up so quickly."

"While you, Ronald, have always been very low-key, but I know you'll definitely pass the trial, right?"

Anna's words stirred memories deep in Ronald's mind. The original had indeed relied on something. Half a month ago, he had received an inheritance from his deceased mother, including a formal-grade staff, three formal-grade magic scrolls, some magic materials, and crystals.

Although Ronald didn't even understand casting yet, he understood what possessing those meant at the apprentice level.

"Ronald, do you still remember what the first spell you learned was?" Anna asked in a very soft voice.

Ronald searched his memories. The first spell the original learned was Mage Hand, one of the ten great useless spells. Based on his family background, the original had better options available. But out of curiosity about the differences between Mage Hand and Unseen Servant, he had chosen...

Before Ronald could answer, Anna continued, "The first spell I learned was Light.

"The reason for picking this spell was silly. I had always envied you all for being able to study in bright environments, so I chose this spell considered one of the ten great useless spells.

"I still remember the scene when I first cast it. When the orb of light floated off my fingertips and hovered in midair, I was so excited I jumped and shouted...

"That was one of the few times in my life I truly felt happy.

"But this beautiful memory will soon be shattered...

"Ronald, if possible, I want to ask you to help me. I won't be greedy and ask you to sponsor magic items for me. I just want to form a team with you.

"You don't have to worry about me dragging you down. I'm different from those noble ladies. I'm clearly aware of my circumstances, so I specifically chose the support mage path. I may not provide powerful damage output, but I can support you very well."

After saying this, Anna grabbed Ronald's hand and pressed it against her fervently beating heart.