The first day's affinity test and classes were done. Mostly introductions. A blur of names, titles, a vague outline of what the next few years would entail. None of it sank in, not really. I was merely going through the motions. At the registrar’s office, the formality of registering my mana signature into the brooch and filling in the additional details regarding the affinity test was finally over.

“Noah Grey,” the registrar’s voice cut through.

“Yes?”

She didn’t bother looking up from the screen. “Professor Advika Date expects you in her office.”

I blinked, a beat too slow. The affinity test? I wondered. I nodded, muttering, “Alright.”

I began to leave, my steps were aimless. Then it hit me. I didn’t know where her office was. I turned back. “Where is Professor Date’s office?” I asked.

The registrar shot me a look, part disbelief, part annoyance. “Section A, faculty head, third floor,” she replied.

I nodded and then fled from her.

Walking felt strange, like the ground was just a little too soft, my body a little too heavy.

Arcanum wasn’t just an institute. People lived here. Snippets of conversation. Laughter. Faces that blurred into the scenery. All blending into a noise I couldn’t quite shake.

—“Archie, wait!” A woman’s voice shattered the rhythm of my thoughts.

Small feet running. Then, a sudden impact—almost. My hands moved on their own, catching the boy before he hit the ground. There was a brief moment where time stilled. His wide eyes stared into mine. What did he see?

The woman’s voice broke the spell. “Thank you so much! I’m sorry about him, really,” she said, breathless, her face a wash of hurried relief.

I smiled at her. “It’s fine,” I said. Was it?

They left. The sunset cast long, orange shadows on them as they walked away; the boy sulking under his mother’s light scolding.

My smile faltered. Then, it vanished. Something was wrong. My hands were trembling.

I stared at them. Trembling. Slight. Barely noticeable. But there. I felt it crawl up my skin, like an itch I couldn’t scratch. The sensation was unsettling, familiar in a way that made it worse. I didn't feel good.

[Master Noah, are you alright?] Nano’s voice hummed in my mind.

I didn’t respond right away. My gaze remained fixed on the mother and son until they disappeared into the crowd. A hollow ache stirred in my chest, something I couldn’t name.

Finally, I let out, “Yeah. Just a little tired, that’s all.”

* * *

Surprisingly, the bifold door was open, revealing half of the office. I hesitated. Did I want to go in? My feet betrayed my thoughts, leading me forward before I had time to change my mind.

Knock-knock! "May I come in, ma’am?"

Her eyes swept over me.

"Ah, yes?" Professor Date finally asked. Her voice was husky. Could be fatigue. Could be disinterest. I couldn’t tell.

"I am Noah Grey. You asked for me?" I tried.

"Oh, right. Come in," she said.

Her room was a mess. A book here, another there. Dust gathered in the corners. The smell—a faint mix of stale coffee and something sweet—soda, probably. She cleared a chair cluttered with objects and pushed it toward me. I sat, doing my best to ignore the slight squeak as I settled in.

"Doschit Voss informed me of a peculiar case in the affinity test… yours,” she said, pointing a finger at me. Her words had no warmth, just cold facts. They hung in the air, flat.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Yes, ma’am. I couldn’t activate the mana crystal when I channeled mana into it… at least when I tried. I didn’t do that on purpose; I don’t know why it happened," I explained, though my voice was steadier than I felt.

"I know… no one would intentionally mess up their affinity test,” she replied. Her voice softened but not kindly. She was pretending to understand.

She didn’t care… but she was watching.

"But I still don’t understand how you failed to channel your mana into the crystal." She didn’t seem to expect an answer. I wasn’t sure if she even cared for one. And before I could reply, she extended her hand on the desk, palm up. “Show me your basics,” she ordered.

Basics, huh? From the other Noah's memories, I knew she meant the basic shaping exercises they teach in junior high schools.

I did as I saw in his memory. I brought my palm over hers, visualizing threads of mana stretching from my hand to hers. The flow of mana in my forearm quickened. And then in my palms.

Perhaps it was because of the anomaly that brought me here, I not only inherited the other Noah’s memories, but also his skills in magic. I knew the basics of shaping exercises. I just knew.

Professor Date waited, her eyes on me. Her beauty was uncomfortable. It was hard to breathe with her so close. I couldn’t focus; nothing was happening.

I closed my eyes, blocking her out. I focused, not on the room, not on her, but on the memory. The memory of how it felt to be that other Noah, the one who could do this without thinking. Then, warmth spread across my palm. For a moment, I thought the professor was holding it. But she wasn’t. I felt the invisible threads of mana stretch from my palm and connect to hers. How could I feel the “invisible” threads of mana? My best guess: my tactile sense had gone through a software update after coming to this world. In the warmth of my palm, the mana threads felt like strands of silk… impossibly thin, but flowing like warm liquid over my skin.

"Slow." Professor Date's voice snapped me back, and the threads vanished. Just like that.

She sighed, heavy with disappointment. "Did you ever practice any mana-shaping exercises?"

The other Noah had. I hadn’t. I nodded. She sighed again. It was clear she knew I was lying.

"Neglect the basics, and this is the result.” Her tone was like a thin blade slicing through any defense I could muster. "You can’t even channel mana properly! This is embarrassing," she said.

I winced.

A flash of something passed through her eyes as she added, “I see. Was this a deliberate attempt so you don’t get recruited into the Hero Program?”

I panicked. "What? No, of course not!" The words tumbled out before I could stop them.

"Good. Because if it were, it wouldn’t work. They determine rank potential well before the Hero Program starts, using mana samples collected from each student."

Perfect. Just what I needed: reassurance that even failure wasn’t within my control.

After a brief exchange about my past—or rather, the other Noah’s—Advika gave a curt nod. “Practice your mana shaping and join the Magi Dynamics elective.”

It seemed the conversation was coming to an end.

All right, this was it.

“Actually, ma’am, I have a question. What’s the procedure to transfer to a different academy?” I finally asked what had been on my mind all this time.

Professor Date’s gaze turned sharp. She took a deep breath, as though I’d offended her, her hand moving to her forehead, massaging as if my words physically pained her.

She began, “I doubt the Hero Program would waste resources on someone like you. A transfer? They’d reassign you to the regional walls.”

The blood drained from my face. I felt my heartbeat in my throat.

“N-no ma’am, that’s not what I meant!” I spoke up. Desperation crept into my voice.

After several minutes of persuasion, I managed to convince Professor Advika Date that I liked this institute. Why would I want a transfer? Arcanum Blades Academy was the best institute in the world!

* * *

A comfortable twin-sized bed, a standard desk, plain walls, and scuffed, well-worn wooden floorboards. There was also a wall-mounted television positioned directly in front of the bed. The room assigned to me wasn’t terrible. I’d have to stick it out here until my transfer finally goes through. Yes, I still hadn’t given up on that goal just yet.

I looked at the book on the desk, the one gifted to me by Dictator Date after her little lecture about why I’m a terrible student and blah blah blah.

She looked almost smug when she handed it to me.

The title of the book was Understanding Mana: Six Ways Of Mana Shaping!

I leafed through its pages.

‘1.1People discovered the ability to manipulate this power, which led to two forms of magic: Evocation and Invocation. Evocation draws power from nature and the world around you. Those who practice this form of magic…’

Flip.

‘1.2 Theorists believe that the source of power for psychomancy comes from the surrounding atmosphere. The best evidence for this is when powerful magicians like the Thoughtforgers accomplish great feats. Though, the magician who performs Noesis also suffers some ill effects, such as nausea, exhaustion, lightheadedness…’

Flip.

‘Light Sculpting: Gather mana… condense it…’ I closed the book.

Just what I needed. Endless pages on mana theory.

I sighed, “This book might be the end of me. Luckily, Dictator Date is there to motivate me from now on.”

I could already imagine myself in her mana-shaping boot camp.

Sighing, I let myself think about something else that was bothering me.

According to the Manuscript in my head, there were a lot of ‘side stories’ in this world—as in actual events waiting to happen. Some had nothing to do with the ‘main plot’ of this world, but others were crucial. One of those stories involved a dungeon raid gone wrong, where a group of low-ranking adventurers didn’t make it out. It was scheduled to happen tonight in the area of The Eighth Goblin Spot.

It has nothing to do with me.

Right. I closed my eyes.

But doing nothing while having the power to stop it is…

“Damn it!” I stood up, glaring at the wall clock. 6 PM.

“I shouldn't be doing this. I really shouldn't be doing this.” I grumbled and complained some more before heading out.