The soft murmur of students filled the academy's halls, but none of it registered in my mind. The recent trial against the beast still replayed in my thoughts, the rush of victory tempered by the heavy weight of knowing I had altered fate—again. The Fate Scripts had become my secret weapon, but each time I used them, I felt like I was inching closer to something darker, something that whispered warnings I wasn't ready to hear.
As I walked through the corridor, adjusting my academy robes, I caught glimpses of the other students. Some looked at me with curiosity, others with a mix of awe and suspicion. The word of my trial performance had already spread. It was impossible to keep something like that quiet, especially when it had ended so decisively. Still, I tried to ignore the attention.
"Ryuji."
The voice was soft, almost melodic, yet it commanded immediate attention. I turned toward the source, and there she was—Selene Valeria. The name was well-known, even to someone like me who was still adapting to this world. Selene was not just another student at the academy. She was the daughter of the Valeria family, one of the most influential noble houses in the kingdom, renowned for their mastery of arcane magic.
She stood a few paces away, her deep violet eyes fixed on me, her silver hair flowing down her back like a river of moonlight. Her presence seemed to draw the attention of everyone in the vicinity, and as if on cue, the other students began to drift away, giving us space. Even the air felt heavier around her.
"Selene," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady.
She smiled faintly, though her eyes remained as sharp as ever. "You've made quite a name for yourself since joining the academy. Defeating the obelisk trial beast on your first try is no small feat. Even for someone of your... lineage."
Her words were polite, but there was an edge to them, as if she were testing me. She was clearly aware of my family's status, but also seemed curious—like she wanted to see what lay beneath the surface.
"Just luck," I said, downplaying my victory. "I was in the right place at the right time."
Her gaze didn't waver. "Luck is a convenient excuse for those who can't explain their actions. But you..." She tilted her head slightly. "I think there's more to you than you let on, Ryuji Hayashi."
My heart skipped a beat. Did she know? No, there was no way she could have any knowledge of the Fate Scripts. That was a power beyond anything this world had seen—at least, that's what I assumed. But Selene was sharp, and if anyone could sense that something was off, it would be her.
"I'm just trying to get through each day like everyone else," I replied, deflecting the conversation.
Selene didn't press further, but the faint smirk on her lips told me she wasn't convinced. She stepped closer, her presence more imposing up close, though she wasn't much taller than I was.
"Your magic," she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "It felt different during the trial. Not just powerful, but... unpredictable. Like it was bending the very rules of mana."
I kept my expression neutral, but my mind was racing. She had noticed the shift when I used the Fate Script. Of course, someone with her level of talent in arcane magic would sense that something was unusual, but I couldn't let her know the truth. Not yet.
"It's nothing," I said, forcing a casual smile. "I'm still getting used to my abilities, just like everyone else."
Selene stared at me for a moment longer, then nodded as if she had decided to let the matter drop—at least for now. "Perhaps," she said. "But I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more of each other, Ryuji. This academy has a way of drawing out the best—and the worst—in people."
Her words lingered in the air as she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, the weight of her scrutiny still heavy on my shoulders. The students who had cleared the hall slowly began to return, but I barely noticed them.
Selene Valeria... a name that carried power, influence, and secrets of her own. She was more than just a noble prodigy. There was something about her, something I couldn't quite place, but I had a feeling she would play a significant role in the unfolding events of my life here. Whether as an ally or an adversary remained to be seen.
But for now, I had other concerns.
I found a quiet spot in the academy courtyard, away from prying eyes, and leaned against a tree. The faint breeze stirred the leaves above, offering a momentary sense of peace. I closed my eyes and focused.
[System Initialized]
Fate scripts available: [10,322]
The number stared back at me, a constant reminder that I had already altered fate twice now. I had 10,322 chances left to rewrite this world's destiny. But what was the cost? I couldn't help but wonder if every use of the scripts brought me closer to something inevitable.
I scrolled through the available scripts, scanning the options. Most of them were vague, cryptic descriptions of possible futures, but none stood out. And then I saw it.
[Fate Script: Selene Valeria's Secret]
My breath caught in my throat. A script about Selene? My finger hovered over it, the temptation to look, to understand her better, growing stronger by the second. But something stopped me.
Could I really manipulate someone's fate like this? Did I have the right to peer into their future, their secrets?
Before I could decide, the system flashed another message.
Would you like to alter the script of Selene Valeria?
[Yes] or [No]?