Inside the dimly lit black SUV, Percy and Angelica sat in silence, their embrace lingering far longer than either had anticipated. It wasn't awkward, nor forced—it was a quiet affirmation that, despite everything, they were here, together.
Angelica clung to him with a grip that spoke of a silent desperation, a wordless plea that carried years of separation and uncertainty. "Promise me…" she murmured against his chest, voice barely above a whisper. "Promise me you won't leave me again."
Percy exhaled, his fingers tightening slightly around her back. (I never wanted to leave in the first place.)
"I promise."
She didn't respond, only nodding as if she wasn't entirely convinced but wanted to believe him anyway.
The driver, ever professional, glanced into the rearview mirror at the unexpected passenger. "Sir, I'll have to charge extra for the additional guest." His voice was polite, but businesslike.
Percy didn't even blink. "That won't be a problem."
"Very well, sir. We should arrive in approximately forty-five minutes."
The cost was inconsequential. Having Angelica beside him, safe and away from prying eyes, mattered far more.
As the city blurred past, Percy turned his attention to the system, his gaze shifting subtly to Angelica's worn expression.
(System, scan her condition.)
{Scanning…}
Percy's breath hitched as lines of text scrolled across his vision.
{Subject: Angelica
Physical Condition: Malnourished (Mild), Sleep-Deprived, Stressed
Mental State: Anxiety, Emotional Suppression, Overwhelming Fatigue
Passive Thought Patterns: "I finally found him… I don't want to lose him again… I hope Cami's okay…"}
Percy felt something stir in his chest, something tight and unrelenting. (She's been struggling this much?)
A quiet sigh left his lips as he studied her face—the deep bags under her eyes, the tense way she held herself, even in sleep. She had always been a part of his and Camilia's life, a bright presence that made even their worst days bearable. After their parents' deaths, she had been their light, until their uncle tore that away, limiting their communication to short, heavily monitored exchanges.
(She never stopped thinking about us,) Percy realized. (Even when we were apart.)
Angelica, for her part, had decided—whether consciously or not—to let this moment of peace be enough. Her body slowly gave in to exhaustion, her breathing evening out as she curled into him, seeking warmth and security.
Percy remained still, his own fatigue creeping up on him. Suppressing emotions, using the system's abilities, dealing with Janet—it had drained him. As he closed his eyes, the soft hum of the car and the rhythmic rise and fall of Angelica's breath lulled him into an uneasy, but much-needed rest.
The sun dipped lower, painting the sky in rich shades of amber and violet, casting long shadows across the road. By the time they neared their destination, dusk had settled, draping the world in a twilight glow.
The SUV cruised through an imposing wrought-iron gate, which gave way to a grand estate sprawling in the distance. A castle-like structure stood at its heart, its towering spires piercing the evening sky, its design exuding both opulence and strategic defense.
Percy's sharp eyes flickered open, the shift in terrain alerting him before the actual stop did. He glanced outside, taking in the well-manicured hedges, the intricate stonework, the sheer weight of the place.
This wasn't just a school.
It was a fortress.
The driver slowed as they reached the final checkpoint. Two guards in pristine black-and-gold uniforms stepped forward, their expressions unreadable. One of them, a seasoned-looking man, approached the driver's side.
"State your purpose and identification." His tone was laced with authority, but it carried the ease of routine.
The driver smoothly handed over his license. "Evening. I'm here to drop off a student."
The guard examined it, then nodded. "And the student's name?"
The driver tapped on the built-in tablet, pulling up Percy's details. The moment the guard laid eyes on the name, his posture stiffened ever so slightly. His brows creased in a mixture of confusion and… was that disbelief?
"Sir," he said, turning his gaze to the back of the SUV. "Would you mind lowering the rear window?"
The driver, slightly puzzled by the request, complied.
The tinted glass slid down with a quiet whir, revealing Percy, who sat in the backseat with Angelica resting against him.
The guard's eyes widened ever so slightly. He quickly turned to his partner, muttering something under his breath before reaching for his earpiece.
"HQ, we have a situation."
Percy, still half-drowsy but fully alert, narrowed his eyes.
(A situation?)
(What the hell is going on here?)
After a moment of tense silence punctuated by static-laced radio chatter, the guards finally stepped aside, handing the driver a slip labeled "Temporary Access." Just as the SUV was about to move forward, one of the guards raised a hand, his voice sharp with authority.
"The student is to be dropped off at the dormitories, beyond the main structure. You are being monitored at all times. Stick to the permitted areas. Any deviation from the designated path will result in immediate detention and severe consequences. Do you understand?"
The driver swallowed, nodding with a mix of professionalism and unease. "Understood."
With that, the SUV eased forward, following the path toward the dormitories. Inside, Percy remained still, his head tilted slightly as if resting, though his mind was far from idle. Angelica, curled up beside him, had yet to stir, lost in the rare comfort of sleep.
The vehicle glided smoothly over the paved road, but the driver's grip on the wheel tightened. Something was wrong.
(Why the hell is security so tight? What happened here?)
The thought gnawed at him, a creeping sense of unease settling into his bones. There was an unspoken tension in the air, one that had been palpable the moment they passed through the gates.
Meanwhile, at the guard station…
Inside the dimly lit booth, a lone guard leaned against the console, fingers tapping absently against his earpiece as he initiated a secure, untraceable call. The screen flickered to life, displaying an unidentified profile.
"The boy has entered the school grounds," the guard reported in a low voice. "He's en route to his dormitory. He's also accompanied by an unidentified girl—not a registered student."
A brief pause. Then, a smooth yet measured voice came through the line.
"Has the headmaster been informed?"
The guard exhaled. "Yes. Protocol dictates I report all arrivals to avoid… complications."
A sigh from the other end. "Unfortunate."
The guard frowned slightly. "You expected otherwise?"
"The headmaster has locked down access to the grounds. Your patrols are now limited to the outer perimeters. You and your colleagues are effectively… confined to your station."
A subtle flicker of irritation crossed the guard's face. "Of course. The old man's paranoia knows no bounds."
A dry chuckle from the caller. "That paranoia has kept him in power. He commands the respect of the families in Perish City for a reason. Few dare to challenge him, despite their ambitions."
The guard remained silent, unwilling to risk commenting further.
"Continue monitoring the boy," the voice instructed, their tone laced with something unreadable. "Report his movements. Discreetly. No mistakes."
With that, the call ended.
The guard exhaled, straightened his uniform, and resumed his post. He had done this job long enough to know when not to ask questions.
Elsewhere, in the depths of the Academy…
A dimly lit office, its atmosphere steeped in an air of silent authority.
A glass of deep crimson wine swirled lazily in a gloved hand. The liquid caught the glow of the single desk lamp, casting reflections onto the polished mahogany surface.
The headmaster sat in the shadows, his expression unreadable as his gaze remained fixed on the tablet before him—a high-resolution image of a teenage boy, sleeping in the back of an SUV.
Percy Magus.
His fingers drummed lightly against the stem of his glass.
Behind him, the soft shuffle of precise, measured footsteps broke the silence.
"Yes, Headmaster?" The voice belonged to Joffrey, a well-aged butler whose presence was felt long before it was seen. His tone was refined, respectful, yet tinged with a familiarity that only time could forge.
Without looking up, the headmaster extended his glass slightly. "More wine."
Joffrey stepped forward, expertly refilling the glass without so much as a wasted motion. "Shall I prepare anything else for the evening, sir?"
A pause. Then, finally, the headmaster glanced away from the screen. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Joffrey's.
"…No. That will be all."
Joffrey bowed his head slightly, taking his leave as seamlessly as he had entered.
Left alone once more, the headmaster set the tablet aside and moved toward the window. His gaze fell upon the distant dormitories, where the SUV had com After a moment of tense silence punctuated by static-laced radio chatter, the guards finally stepped aside, handing the driver a slip labeled "Temporary Access." Just as the SUV was about to move forward, one of the guards raised a hand, his voice sharp with authority.
"The student is to be dropped off at the dormitories, beyond the main structure. You are being monitored at all times. Stick to the permitted areas. Any deviation from the designated path will result in immediate detention and severe consequences. Do you understand?"
The driver swallowed, nodding with a mix of professionalism and unease. "Understood."
With that, the SUV eased forward, following the path toward the dormitories. Inside, Percy remained still, his head tilted slightly as if resting, though his mind was far from idle. Angelica, curled up beside him, had yet to stir, lost in the rare comfort of sleep.
The vehicle glided smoothly over the paved road, but the driver's grip on the wheel tightened. Something was wrong.
(Why the hell is security so tight? What happened here?)
The thought gnawed at him, a creeping sense of unease settling into his bones. There was an unspoken tension in the air, one that had been palpable the moment they passed through the gates.
Meanwhile, at the guard station…
Inside the dimly lit booth, a lone guard leaned against the console, fingers tapping absently against his earpiece as he initiated a secure, untraceable call. The screen flickered to life, displaying an unidentified profile.
"The boy has entered the school grounds," the guard reported in a low voice. "He's en route to his dormitory. He's also accompanied by an unidentified girl—not a registered student."
A brief pause. Then, a smooth yet measured voice came through the line.
"Has the headmaster been informed?"
The guard exhaled. "Yes. Protocol dictates I report all arrivals to avoid… complications."
A sigh from the other end. "Unfortunate."
The guard frowned slightly. "You expected otherwise?"
"The headmaster has locked down access to the grounds. Your patrols are now limited to the outer perimeters. You and your colleagues are effectively… confined to your station."
A subtle flicker of irritation crossed the guard's face. "Of course. The old man's paranoia knows no bounds."
A dry chuckle from the caller. "That paranoia has kept him in power. He commands the respect of the families in Perish City for a reason. Few dare to challenge him, despite their ambitions."
The guard remained silent, unwilling to risk commenting further.
"Continue monitoring the boy," the voice instructed, their tone laced with something unreadable. "Report his movements. Discreetly. No mistakes."
With that, the call ended.
The guard exhaled, straightened his uniform, and resumed his post. He had done this job long enough to know when not to ask questions.
Elsewhere, in the depths of the Academy…
A dimly lit office, its atmosphere steeped in an air of silent authority.
A glass of deep crimson wine swirled lazily in a gloved hand. The liquid caught the glow of the single desk lamp, casting reflections onto the polished mahogany surface.
The headmaster sat in the shadows, his expression unreadable as his gaze remained fixed on the tablet before him—a high-resolution image of a teenage boy, sleeping in the back of an SUV.
Percy Magus.
His fingers drummed lightly against the stem of his glass.
Behind him, the soft shuffle of precise, measured footsteps broke the silence.
"Yes, Headmaster?" The voice belonged to Joffrey, a well-aged butler whose presence was felt long before it was seen. His tone was refined, respectful, yet tinged with a familiarity that only time could forge.
Without looking up, the headmaster extended his glass slightly. "More wine."
Joffrey stepped forward, expertly refilling the glass without so much as a wasted motion. "Shall I prepare anything else for the evening, sir?"
A pause. Then, finally, the headmaster glanced away from the screen. His golden eyes, sharp and piercing, locked onto Joffrey's.
"…No. That will be all."
Joffrey bowed his head slightly, taking his leave as seamlessly as he had entered.
Left alone once more, the headmaster set the tablet aside and moved toward the window. His gaze fell upon the distant dormitories, where the SUV had come to a stop. The boy was awake now, stepping out, followed closely by the girl.
A slow, knowing smile ghosted across the headmaster's lips.
"So… you've finally arrived."
His words were barely above a whisper, yet they carried the weight of someone who had been waiting for this moment for a very, very long time.
e to a stop. The boy was awake now, stepping out, followed closely by the girl.
A slow, knowing smile ghosted across the headmaster's lips.
The headmaster's fingers idly traced the rim of his wine glass as he gazed out over the campus. His sharp golden eyes reflected the dim glow of his office, betraying the thoughts swirling beneath his composed exterior.
How long had he been waiting for this?
The arrival of Percy Magus had rekindled something in him—an intrigue, a game set into motion long ago, now approaching its next stage. A slow, sinister smile curled his lips.
Returning to his desk, he sifted through meticulously organized files. Police reports, legal documents, newspaper clippings—all tied to Percy and another individual. A girl. One who bore an unmistakable resemblance to him.
In one particular photograph, the girl's piercing gaze met the camera head-on, almost as if she had been aware she was being watched.
The headmaster's smile deepened.
Back at the Dormitory
The soft click of the lock disengaging sent a wave of relief through Percy. The passcode hadn't changed.
At least something remained the same.
His eyes swept over the familiar yet unfamiliar space—the same neatly arranged furniture, the same sterile scent of polished wood and fabric softener. But his attention quickly shifted to Angelica, who stood beside him, visibly exhausted.
She needed care first.
Without a word, Percy stepped forward, relieving her of her bag and setting it gently on the kitchenette counter. His movements were fluid, calculated—habitual, even.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, his voice calm yet attentive. "I can make something for us."
Angelica hesitated, avoiding his gaze. "No, thank you. I ate earlier. I'm fine."
Percy's sharp eyes flickered, immediately catching the lie.
He didn't press her on it. Instead, he turned toward the kitchenette and got to work.
Percy's movements were efficient and methodical. He sliced bananas and strawberries with precision, layering them in a cup before adding generous scoops of vanilla ice cream. A swirl of whipped cream, a delicate drizzle of caramel—an effortless masterpiece.
Turning back to Angelica, he held it out to her.
"I said I didn't need anything!" she protested, her voice carrying the faintest hint of embarrassment.
Percy merely smirked. "And yet, here you are, about to eat it anyway."
She huffed, but the corners of her lips twitched as she took the cup from his hands.
Percy grabbed his own and sat beside her, taking a casual bite before adding, "Besides, it'd be rude to let me eat alone."
Angelica exhaled through her nose—a quiet, reluctant laugh.
Percy's expression shifted, his tone growing quieter, but firmer.
"Angelica."
She stiffened at the way he said her name.
"I saw what happened earlier," he continued, "I need to know. What's been going on with you?"
Angelica gripped her spoon tighter. For a moment, she debated brushing it off. But she knew Percy. He wouldn't accept a half-truth.
After a pause, she finally spoke.
"Since you both left, things got worse," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration and pain. "The girls at school—they never let up. They tormented me just because my family doesn't have power."
Percy's fingers curled slightly around his spoon.
"There were days I ended up in the hospital," she continued, forcing herself to meet his gaze. "My parents tried to transfer me, but we couldn't afford the tuition. And… after the court case, things only got worse."
Percy's sharp focus intensified. "Court case?"
Angelica swallowed hard. "My dad. He testified on your behalf."
Percy's blood ran cold.
"As you know, my dad was one of the best in the corporate world," Angelica said, pushing her spoon through the melting ice cream. "He had offers from every major company in Perish City."
Percy nodded. He remembered.
"But after he testified at your trial, everything changed."
Her voice wavered.
"He started working late. Then, he'd disappear for days. Eventually, he got laid off—one company after another. Every time, they claimed he messed up the accounts. But we knew it was all a setup."
Percy's jaw tightened.
"They blacklisted him."
Angelica bit her lip, eyes shimmering with unspoken anger. "We fell into debt. They manipulated our loans—cornered us. My mom found out through her old connections, but by then… it was too late."
A weight settled in Percy's chest.
He knew his uncle and aunt were ruthless, but to sabotage an innocent man's entire career for speaking the truth…
Angelica looked up, eyes filled with something unreadable.
"I guess we all paid the price for standing by you."
Percy moved closer, wrapping his arms around her. Angelica tensed—then collapsed into him.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Percy exhaled, his grip tightening.
"You have nothing to apologize for," he murmured, voice dangerously low. "They do."
Angelica clutched the fabric of his shirt.
They sat in silence, both lost in thought, both carrying the weight of choices they never should've had to make.
Finally, Percy pulled away, his gaze landing on the stack of textbooks she had placed on the table.
"What's this?" he asked.
Angelica wiped her eyes and straightened. "…The entrance exam for Solarskis University."
Percy blinked, genuinely surprised.
"You're applying?"
She nodded.
For a moment, he said nothing—then, a slow, approving smirk tugged at his lips.
"…I didn't think I could be more impressed with you," he admitted.
Angelica's cheeks flushed pink.
Percy reached out, gently ruffling her already messy hair.
"Well then," he mused, his voice carrying a promise.
"Looks like we've got some work to do."
Angelica nodded, her voice soft with nostalgia. "I really missed you guys after you left… You know how I am around people."
Percy chuckled, the warmth of their shared past momentarily easing the tension in his chest. "Yeah, you were always like a shy little bunny. I remember how you'd hide behind me whenever some poor bastard tried talking to you. And when it was girls, you ran straight to Cami instead."
Angelica huffed, cheeks tinged pink. "That was years ago!"
Percy arched a brow, smirking. "Oh? So you're saying it's different now?"
She opened her mouth—then promptly shut it.
He laughed.
The sound was genuine, something that felt… rare lately.
With a swift motion, he moved beside her, his hand tilting her chin slightly as he examined her features with playful scrutiny. "There. Now you look like the Angelica I remember." He leaned forward, pressing his forehead lightly against hers in a brief but affectionate gesture. "Earlier, I barely recognized you."
Angelica's heart did an involuntary flip, and she quickly pulled away. "You're so annoying," she muttered under her breath, but her shy smile gave her away.
Percy, amused, let it slide.
His gaze then fell on the books she had stacked on the table. Curious, he picked up two: Wester's Guide to Elemental Control and Basic Runic Interpretation. The third, Calvic's Theorem to Mana Circle Creation, made him pause.
"Are these for the entrance exam?" he asked.
Angelica nodded. "Yeah, they cover the fundamentals. My Mana soul is weak, so I have to rely on the written exams to get admitted."
Percy admired her determination. Angelica had never been one to complain, no matter how unfair the circumstances. A rare trait, one he respected.
Still, something about her words made him hesitate.
"Percy… is something wrong with you?"
His fingers stilled against the book's spine.
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "What do you mean?"
Angelica studied him, brows knitting together as she leaned in closer. "I mean, you barely have any Mana."
Percy exhaled quietly, shifting his gaze elsewhere. He couldn't tell her everything.
"I was in an accident," he admitted, tone carefully neutral. "I was in a coma for two months. The doctors said my Mana should return with time."
A half-truth. Enough to keep her from worrying.
Angelica's face softened, relief washing over her. "That's… good. I was worried for a second."
But then, she frowned.
"Wait. If you were in a coma for two months… doesn't that mean you missed the midterms?"
Percy blinked.
Shit.
That had completely slipped his mind.
"I'll have to talk to the headmaster," he muttered. "And maybe a few professors." He sighed, rubbing his temple. "This is gonna be a pain."
Angelica giggled. "Well, you're in luck! I'll be studying for my entrance exam, so you can review with me."
Percy smirked. "Oh? You're gonna tutor me now?"
She crossed her arms. "Obviously. Someone has to make sure you don't flunk out."
Percy stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Alright, first things first—call your parents. Let them know you'll be staying here until the entrance exam. Meanwhile, I'll email the headmaster and check with the residential department about adding you to my lease."
Angelica nodded, reaching for her outdated phone. "Won't the school have a problem with me staying here?"
Percy shook his head. "Nah. The dorm RAs are employed by the school, but students who own their dorms have full control over who stays with them. No one can say anything unless they're paying my rent, and last I checked—" he smirked, "—they're not."
Angelica laughed, throwing her arms around him in gratitude. "Thanks, Percy. Really."
He returned the hug without hesitation. "Always."
After showing her to the spare room, Percy finally allowed himself a moment to breathe. He collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling, mind replaying everything that had happened in the past few hours.
The warm water from the shower did little to wash away the exhaustion clinging to his bones, but at the very least, it helped clear his head. Clad in a loose t-shirt and comfortable shorts, he ruffled his damp hair with a towel as he stepped out into the dimly lit hallway.
Then, a thought struck him.
"Hey, Angel," he called, knocking on her door. "I just realized—you probably don't have clothes for tonight. I think I still have some of Cami's stuff in storage. We can go shopping tomorrow if you want?"
Silence.
He knocked again.
Still nothing.
A flicker of concern passed through him. He cracked the door open slightly—only to find Angelica curled up, already fast asleep.
Percy let out a breath, shaking his head with a small smile.
He grabbed the blanket from the chair and gently draped it over her.
"Good night, Angel," he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "Sweet dreams."
Back in his own room, Percy sat at his desk, flipping open a notebook.
He clicked his pen once.
Then, he wrote.
Camilia and I are twins in this world, not five years apart. She visited me in the hospital during my coma, but she's been out of contact ever since. The court case hurt my uncle and aunt more than I thought. My aunt's weird temperature fluctuations—could that be magic? I need to investigate. My accident might have affected my student status. If I'm expelled, I lose my leverage, which makes me vulnerable to my relatives' next move.
His pen hovered over the last note.
Slowly, his jaw tightened.
"There's too much I don't know yet. But one thing's for sure…"
He tapped the end of the pen against the desk, eyes glinting coldly.
"I need to move fast."
As Percy laid out everything he had uncovered, he felt the weight of his situation settle heavily on his shoulders. Every thread of mystery, every missing puzzle piece—it all pointed to one undeniable truth. He was not prepared.
Leaning back in his chair, he drummed his fingers against the wooden surface, muttering, "What's the play here?" His voice barely broke the silence, yet it carried the weight of everything looming over him.
A moment of contemplation.
Then, as if waiting for the perfect opening, the System's notification flashed across his vision.
{Master... It is time.}
Percy frowned. "Time for what?"
The response came swiftly, almost as if the System had anticipated his question.
{Training Time. For the next two months, you will follow a structured regimen designed to optimize your strength and fully activate your Mana Soul. You must build both your physical and magical foundations.}
Percy's eyes narrowed as he read the message. He had expected guidance, but this was far more direct than he anticipated.
The System continued.
{Master, the reality is simple: You are weak. Right now, you are vulnerable, and that is unacceptable. You need to delay any major plans and focus. Without strength, everything else is meaningless. This regimen is non-negotiable.}
Percy exhaled slowly, digesting the words.
It was frustrating to admit, but the System was right. If he couldn't even protect himself, how could he hope to change anything?
"Tch." He clicked his tongue in annoyance, before a sharp smirk cut across his lips.
"Fine." His fingers tightened into fists. "Where do we start?"
The words left his lips, not as a question, but as a declaration.
This was the beginning.