Miss Angelica left the room, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. A few minutes later, she returned, a stack of documents in hand. Without a word, she walked back to her desk, her movements precise and deliberate, and settled into her chair. The sound of paper sliding onto the surface filled the room as she spread the documents in front of her.

Her voice, calm but biting, cut through the air.

"You will be held accountable for the damages incurred those to the dormitory, the academy’s reputation, and, most significantly, the harm inflicted upon the victim. The total amount you owe is ten million gold units, to be paid in full within two years. Failure to meet this obligation will result in the forfeiture of your rights. You will then become the property of the academy, bound to serve its interests and contribute to humanity as deemed necessary.

Sign the mana contract and vacate the premises within thirty minutes. And don’t think that we can’t find you. If you fail to fulfill the contract. You will be teleported to the headmaster’s office. Remember that.

This bitch

They weren’t even subtle about it, they wanted to chain me down, to force me into a corner I couldn’t escape. As a disgraced noble, labeled an assaulter, I wouldn’t find decent work or access to proper training to go into dungeons or increase my strength. No one would help me. They thought I’d grovel, thought I’d crumble under the weight of the debt.

But they didn’t know me. If only they realized I had the knowledge to earn more than enough to live comfortably, at least until the third apocalypse arrived.

I will pay the money, fulfill the contract, and then I will get my money back.

I stared at the contract, the inked lines with mana and empty spaces taunting me. Then, without hesitation, I signed the contract by inserting mana. The pen scratched across the paper with an air of defiance.

I handed the contract back, and as I was leaving the room. I caught the flicker of amusement in her eyes. Her disgust hadn’t vanished, but now it was laced with condescension. She thought I was clueless, oblivious to the value of money or the reality of the world. She thought I’d signed in desperation, without understanding what I’d agreed to.

Let her think that.

***

Normally, it would have taken me five minutes to return to my room from Angelica’s office, but this time, it took eighteen. Each step felt heavier than the last, and by the time I reached the door, I was dragging myself in. I collapsed onto the bed, taking a moment to steady my breathing before checking my storage ring.

Thankfully, I found four healing potions. Without hesitation, I uncorked one and downed it in a single gulp. I hadn’t dared to use them earlier—getting healed before Angelica returned to the office would have only given her more reason to beat me again. In the book, she had done so twice, and I wasn’t about to tempt fate.

Once the potion started working, I went to the washroom. I didn’t bother with a full bath; I just scrubbed off the blood, letting the cold water numb my skin. Back in the room, I pulled out a black outfit from the wardrobe. My choices were limited every piece of daily clothing I owned was black, except for the academy’s uniform blazer, which was blue.

Dressed, clean, and somewhat recovered, I sat on the edge of the bed, letting the reality of the situation sink in.

It took me eight minutes to wash the blood off, throw on a black outfit, and shove my belongings into my storage ring. Seven tailored outfits folded neatly. Eleven plain black shirts and trousers crammed on top. Four polished formal shoes clattered against eight scuffed casual ones. My practice sword went in first, followed by the battle blade, its weight more familiar and comforting. Armor and other gear were an afterthought, barely making it into the storage ring as I heaved a sigh.

“Sigh..”

The corridors stretched silent, save for my footsteps echoing faintly. A few students loitered near the corners, their conversations fading as their gazes snapped to me. They didn’t hide their whispers, eyes lingering too long, lips moving too quickly. I caught fragments, the sound of my name twisted into their hushed tones. I didn’t look at them, not because I didn’t care, but because I didn’t want to be here anymore.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

The air outside felt heavier than usual, the time ticking far past the thirty minutes I’d been given. My lips twitched.

Did she say thirty minutes? Let her come for me if she’s got the time.

I adjusted the collar and stepped forward,

Ahead, Angelica’s office loomed closer, and the thought of her waiting inside for me to leave the academy, didn’t faze me. She was likely drowning in paperwork by now, barely sparing a second to think of me. That ultimatum of hers was just a formality, after all. For her, I’m already out. I’m already gone.

I’m already out. I’m already gone.

***

Technology had never been something I paid much attention to before. It had always been there, part of the background noise of life. But now, with the memories from my other life filtering in, I saw it differently. The technology here wasn’t just advanced it was extraordinary.

Air cars glided effortlessly above ground, trains zipped through cities with unyielding precision, and holographic screens brought information to life in dazzling clarity. Advanced AI-powered everything from mundane tasks to global systems, and virtual games blurred the line between reality and simulation. It was overwhelming, like stepping into the pages of a futuristic novel.

And yet, despite all this brilliance, our lives weren’t peaceful enough to truly enjoy it. The marvels of progress felt like fleeting distractions, constantly overshadowed by the chaos of the world we lived in.

Night blanketed the city, yet darkness was nowhere to be found. Neon lights flickered and hummed, casting an uneasy glow over streets alive with chaotic energy. Conversations overlapped, and the air buzzed with the restless pulse of a city that never truly slept. I quickened my pace, my steps deliberate, my senses sharp.

After leaving the academy, I’d found shelter in a small lodge, slipping out as soon as night fell. The black market wasn’t far, and though I could have delved into the dark web, the risk of leaving a digital trail had kept me from trying. I didn’t know how long I’d have before someone connected the dots. Instead, I relied on what was tangible, vendors who dealt in shadows and trades whispered behind closed doors.

The market greeted me with its familiar blend of damp wood and stale air, the scent mingling with faint traces of sweat and something metallic. The labyrinth of alleys stretched before me, a maze of dimly lit corners and glinting eyes. I slipped through with practiced ease, weaving between murmuring groups and vendors hawking their wares.

It didn’t take long to find who I was looking for. Their booths were inconspicuous but unmistakable to someone who’d been here before. I approached a vendor, my breath steady despite the thrum of unease in my chest, and emptied my bag of valuables, things once priceless but now nothing more than anchors to a life I no longer claimed. The vendor’s eyes scanned the items, his expression impassive but calculating. After a moment, he named his price, lowballing with the confidence of someone used to desperation. I leaned forward slightly, my tone calm but firm, and countered.

By the time we settled, I’d driven the price up threefold. It wasn’t what the items were worth, not by a long shot, but it was enough for my needs.

I told him

“I need an ID,” I murmured, barely audible over the din. “And a money account. Clean, untraceable.”

The vendor’s eyes lingered on me a beat too long, but he said nothing, nodding toward a stool. “Wait here.”

I sat, trying not to fidget. Using my old account would have been easier, but the thought of touching that money turned my stomach. It was tainted, a thread that could still lead them to me. A clean escape demanded silence. No loose ends. No ties.

Even here, in a place built on indifference, I could feel the weight of invisible eyes. People didn’t care who you were until they did, and a disgraced prodigy with S+ rank potential wasn’t someone they’d forget.

My fingers curled tightly around. Whatever it took, I wouldn’t let them find me. Not yet.

I didn’t care if this was a useless measure but I just chose to do it. Sometimes, you go with your gut, even when it doesn’t make sense. Who knows? This might actually work.

The vendors didn’t take long to get what I needed. The fake ID they handed me wasn’t perfect, but it was convincing enough to buy me time and mobility. For now, it would do. With the ID tucked away, I made my way to the nearby train station and bought a ticket to “Satya City” with my new ID. The departure wasn’t immediate, I had 5 minutes to kill, and I spent them running through the details of my escape plan and mapping out my next steps.

To some, this whole thing might look foolish. But as I replayed certain memories in my mind, the more resolute I became. This wasn’t just an impulsive move, it was the start of something bigger. Call it stupid, call it desperate. It didn’t matter. This was just the beginning.

Satya City wasn’t merely a destination; it was a gateway. Somewhere in its sprawling expanse was Richard Park, a name few recognized but one I couldn’t ignore. Known only to those who dealt in the shadows, he was a ghost, a masterful dark web operative whose genius lay in erasing trails and burying secrets.

The book I’d read described him as a fixer who had once provided Adrian with critical intel on rogue organizations. His reputation for discretion was unmatched, and his clients stayed invisible because of him. If anyone could help me build an invincible new identity and fade into obscurity, it was Richard Park.

I exhaled slowly, as I stood on the platform. The train to Satya City would take me closer to a new life or perhaps further into chaos. Either way, there was no turning back now.

Finding Richard is my priority.

“I’m sure I will recognize him once I see him”

I don’t know if I can do it for sure but it’s just a gut feeling. For now, I will do what I can do.