On the ship bound for the academy, Misa sighed heavily, her gaze wandering across the endless expanse of the ocean. "Ugh, I'm so bored. Nox, why do you think they're making us travel by boat when there's a teleportation gate available?" she asked, hoping to spark some conversation and alleviate the monotony.
Nox shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. "I wonder," he mused, his mind seemingly preoccupied with other thoughts.
Turning her attention to Ray, Misa inquired, her curiosity piqued, "Hey Ray, I've never seen you with Nox before."
Ray spoke with a mixture of pride and humility as he addressed her, "I recently had the privilege of meeting our young lord, and I am honored to serve as his study partner." His words resonated with dedication and loyalty.
Intrigued by Ray's statement, Misa turned to Nox and asked, "Study partner?"
Nox replied, his voice calm yet distant, "We've been studying and training together for the past six months."
"Oh, I see," Misa nodded in understanding.
Meanwhile, within the academy premises, teachers and the principal gathered for a meeting to prepare for the upcoming admission exams.
The academy entrance exam evaluated students through both a written test and a practical test. The practical test assessed magical abilities for mages and swordsmanship skills for swordsmen.
Few days later, they reached the shore and arrived at the main gate of the academy, where many people had already gathered for the examination.
As they disembarked and approached the main gate, whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Hey, isn't he the guy who became a 2nd Circle mage by the age of 12? He's a genius from the Arcana family," whispered some individuals, catching Nox's attention.
"That's Carlos Arcana. He's known as the prodigy of the Arcane Royal Family, excelling in fire and ice elemental magics," Ray explained.
An instructor approached and guided them into the academy to commence the tests. The students began with the theoretical examination. Within an hour, Nox finished his theory test.
"That wasn't too difficult. Surprisingly" remarked Nox.
From behind, Misa called out, "How did your theoretical test go?" Nox replied, "It went well. How about yours?"
"Piece of cake, hehe," giggled Misa.
"Let's head to the practical test now. Ray must have proceeded to the next wing for the swordsmanship examination," suggested Nox.
In the practical test, students were tasked with demonstrating their magical prowess by attacking a training dummy. The instructors evaluated them based on performance, use of magic, and damage dealt.
"Number 754, step forward," announced a test moderator.
Nox entered the designated area where four 5th-class magician instructors from Nebula Academy awaited to judge the test.
One of the teachers instructed Nox to employ his magic on the training dummy.
Nox decided to utilize his standard ice sphere spell. He focused his mana, creating a small sphere of magic which he swiftly launched at the dummy, obliterating it completely.
Maria Arcane, a first-year magic faculty member and an expert in ice magic, was impressed by Nox's ability to swiftly conjure and direct the magic sphere towards the dummy's vital areas, despite his young age.
After some time, the test results were announced. Nox was surprised to learn that he had placed fifth in the written test and 10th in the practical test. "That was unexpected. I thought I would at least be in the top 50, but it's better than I expected."
Ray was 10th in the theoretical and 8th in the practical test of swordsmanship, while Misa was 3rd in the theoretical test and 5th in the practical test.
In this system, students who ranked within the top 50 were assigned to Class A, while those ranking below 50 were assigned to Classes B, C, or D. Students ranking below 200 were considered to have failed and were sent home.
Therefore, Nox, Ray, and Misa, achieving high rankings in their respective tests, found themselves in the same class, Class A.
Three years later, Nox was returning home to Northern Frontier City in the Nyxia Kingdom.
Reflecting on his time at the academy, Nox thought to himself, "Not much really happened in these three years. All I did was study and train." As he pondered further, he realized, "I couldn't find anything related to time and space, nor have I unlocked my memories. A year ago, the nightmares also stopped. It's been quite peaceful, but something doesn't feel right; it's like this peace is the calm before a storm."
"But one thing I'm certain of," Nox continued in his thoughts, "from the few scattered memories and nightmares I've experienced, I'm pretty sure I wasn't what you'd call a 'good guy.' It seems like I've caused harm to many people as Jake. I wonder—am I actually Jake and took over Jake's body, or am I Nox and someone is tampering with my brain? Nothing is clear yet, and it's frustrating as hell."
Interrupting his thoughts, Michael, the driver of the carriage, spoke up from the front, "We have reached home, young master."
Everyone was waiting for Nox in the courtyard as he returned from the academy today after three years.
"Brother! Brother! How was the academy?" Noah said with excitement.
"It was fun. I learned a lot of stuff," replied Nox.
"Oh! Can you teach me what you learned?" Noah asked.
"Noah, don't bother. He just came back today," said Layla, his mother.
"Where is Father?" Nox inquired.
"He is in an important meeting," Layla replied. "He will meet you later. Get some rest," she added.
"Okay," said Nox.
After resting for a while, Nox went to see his father, Lord Ainz Diablo, in his office.
"How have you been, Nox?" said Ainz Diablo, his father.
"It was fun at the academy. I learned a lot and I have reached the 3rd circle, Father," Nox said proudly.
"Very well. As expected. But I told you not to push yourself too much. You didn't even come back home during vacations," Ainz remarked with concern.
"I was doing research and cultivating myself there," explained Nox.
"Oh! Anyway, you probably have something to ask me, since you came here while the academy is still in session. What is it?" Ainz asked.
"Ah, yes, Father," Nox began. "I wanted to ask your permission to join the Exploration Squad."
The Exploration Squad was formed by the first batch of Nebula Academy, consisting of exceptional individuals who explored uncharted lands and dungeons.
"While studying at the academy, I learned about them, and I thought that if I could join the Exploration Squad, I might discover ancient dungeons related to magic that have long been lost to history, like those of time and space," explained Nox.
"Very well, you can do that. But first, tell me what you actually want to ask me," Ainz said with a sharp look.
"I was hesitant, but it doesn't make sense to me that I got hurt when I was traveling back with you from the capital to the Northern Frontier City when I was 12. There shouldn't have been any danger on that route, yet I still haven't regained my memories. I hesitated before because my memories are uncertain, but I think it's time I know what actually happened, Father," Nox confessed.
"I knew I had to tell you someday, but you are a smart kid. You've been like that since you were very little." Ainz said.
As Ainz prepared to reveal the long-hidden truth, a chilling silence settled in the office, punctuated only by the faint flickering of candlelight. Nox's heart raced with anticipation, sensing that the revelation would unveil a sinister secret lurking beneath the surface of his forgotten memories. As shadows deepened around them, the air grew heavy with foreboding, foreshadowing darker truths yet to be unveiled in the depths of their shared past.