*DING*

As Michael and Rudy jogged down the hall, a sudden chime echoed in his mind, bringing him to an abrupt halt.

"Did you hear that?" Michael asked, glancing around, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound.

"Yeah… it sounded like a bell," Rudy replied, equally confused.

In the next moment, something flashed red in the corner of Michael's vision—an exclamation mark pulsing softly. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

[New notification]

"New notification? What the hell does that mean?" Rudy asked, staring into empty space with a puzzled look.

Michael quickly pieced it together. If Rudy was seeing it too, then it wasn't just in his head.

"Activate your emblem," he said. "It must be a message from the academy."

He sent a pulse of mana to the violet emblem on the back of his hand, and sure enough, a system message appeared.

[Choices for first-year elective classes are due by the end of the week. Please review the list and make your decision through the system before this time—otherwise, you will be allocated based on the remaining slots for each class.]

Available electives:

Magical Beast Studies

Diplomacy

Ancient Languages

Introduction to Artifact Forging

Michael's eyes lit up as he read the words Ancient Languages. His thoughts immediately turned to the pill bottles and weathered scrolls hidden in his storage ring.

This might be my chance to unlock their secrets…

But the excitement faded almost as quickly as it came. His mind flashed back to the corridor just moments ago.

Magnus… he came from Ancient Languages. I'm sure of it. If we end up in the same class, I'll have to see him regularly…

The idea left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Of course he wasn't sure if the first-years took the electives alongside the older students, and with no one to ask—he could only hope that it wasn't the case.

"Dude, these choices suck," Rudy muttered beside him, his expression twisted in disappointment.

"I'm choosing Ancient Languages," Michael said firmly, brushing aside his doubts. The risk of seeing Magnus was outweighed by the potential gain. If he could decipher the scrolls or identify the pills, it might lead to a major breakthrough.

He had considered turning the items over to the headmaster more than once. But every time he remembered the pain he endured after taking the ring from the dead Violet Mage, his generosity dried up.

No one else suffered for those artifacts. I did.

"Huh!? That's the most boring choice of all!" Rudy groaned, loud enough to draw a few stares from passing students.

Michael shook his head, exasperated. "We don't have to choose the same elective, you know."

"Oh, thank the Arcane. I thought you were going to drag me along," Rudy exhaled, visibly relieved. "In that case, I'll probably take the last one. Introduction to Artifact Forging."

He gave a firm nod, as if that sealed it.

"Well, that's done. One less thing to worry about," Rudy said, brushing off his hands like he'd just finished an important task.

Michael blinked. Less than a minute after getting the notification, Rudy had already chosen the elective he'd be taking for the entire first year. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

How does he make decisions that quickly?

"Maybe you should've waited a little longer before deciding…" Michael muttered, but Rudy didn't even hear him.

"I wonder what's on the menu for dinner tonight?" Rudy mused aloud, folding his hands behind his head as he walked. "Think they'll have more of that magical beast meat? That stuff was so tender."

This guy really doesn't have a care in the world… Michael thought, a grin tugging at the corner of his lips.

But he didn't mind. Rudy's carefree attitude balanced out his own constant overthinking, adding levity to what had become a pressure-filled life. Between all the political undercurrents and looming expectations, Michael often felt like he was walking a tightrope—one misstep away from disaster.

Yet around Rudy, things felt simpler. For once, he felt like a normal teenager. Not a pawn in someone's political game. Not a noble's disgrace. Just a kid.

"You're a good friend, Rudy," Michael said suddenly, patting him on the shoulder.

"I am?" Rudy blinked, caught off guard. Then he shrugged. "If you say so. Anyway, what are we doing during our free period? I wonder if the training dummies are free. I feel like stretching my legs after being stuck in that alchemy class… with your fiancée."

Michael chuckled. "You sure you want to risk running into Professor Quinn again? She might torture you for messing with her dummies."

Rudy visibly shuddered. "Yeah… maybe not the best idea." He sighed. "But what are we even supposed to do during the free period? Study?" He scoffed, like the word itself was distasteful.

"I daresay that's exactly what the free period is for," Michael replied, smirking. "And since you're still pretty clueless when it comes to mana theory, how about I teach you a few things?"

Rudy groaned but gave in. "Fine, but only if you can make it exciting. Otherwise, I'd rather just sit in the great hall and wait for dinner."

Michael raised his left hand, channeling mana into his palm. A small orb of red energy emerged, hovering above his skin, spinning slowly in place. It was perfectly spherical, its deep crimson hue catching the sunlight streaming through the nearby windows.

"Whoa! Can you teach me how to do that!?" Rudy gaped, his eyes wide with wonder.

This was the same mana control technique Charles had first shown him—and the one Melody had later helped him refine. It wasn't just for show. The orb was a fundamental training method, excellent for improving visualization and control—two cornerstones of spellcasting.

If Rudy could replicate it, even partially, he'd already be on the path to grasping mana theory.

The question is… does he have the talent?

"Let's head back up to the dorm. There's still just under an hour until our next class," Michael suggested, dispersing the mana orb with a flick of his wrist.

"Alright!"

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