As Jin-Su made his way through the winding, dimly lit corridors of the academy grounds, his mind turned inward, analyzing the tangled web of events he'd witnessed since his return. Each step brought with it another layer of questions, peeling back the surface of recent memories to reveal the concealed motives that might lie beneath.
The coronation day and its implications hovered at the forefront of his thoughts, but the more he considered it, the less sense it made on a surface level. Who could benefit from Kang-Woo's downfall? His family, perhaps, though it seemed counterintuitive—they had invested considerable time and resources into grooming him as the family's successor. Disowning him simply for appearing as a lackey seemed excessive, too direct, and strangely public. Unless, of course, there were factions within the family. A rival sibling? A powerful elder? An ambitious uncle? Any of these could have manipulated events to position themselves or a favored candidate for succession. But if it was someone outside the family… that opened a different set of possibilities. A competitor seeking to destabilize the family's power structure? An enemy of Kang-Woo, harboring a personal vendetta? One of their allied families betraying them?
The students nearby looked at Jin-Su, the only purple-trimmed student walking past. Their whispers and murmurs filled the air, a low hum of intrigue and speculation. Whenever he walked by, students would pause, their gazes lingering, some with admiration, others with envy or even suspicion. Eyes trailed him, flicking to the distinctive trim on his uniform, marking him as someone apart, someone with the academy's acknowledgment of skill and promise. Conversations hushed as he neared, only to resume with renewed curiosity once he passed—a flurry of rumors about his background, his abilities, and what it meant to bear the academy's rare purple insignia.
He could feel the weight of their scrutiny, each pair of eyes appraising, wondering, perhaps even calculating their place in relation to him. It was an odd sensation, being a focal point of attention in a school filled with prodigies and chosen heirs. Yet, Jin-Su had little interest in their judgments. Right now, he is only focused on the recent things that happened.
His thoughts deepened, stretching toward the motivations of more distant players. Could it be someone aiming to weaken the family by cutting off its strongest asset? Or someone well-placed within the academy itself, someone who understood the weight of perception here? Disgracing Kang-Woo in a public manner would ripple far beyond the academy, tarnishing his family's prestige across the continent. It seemed plausible, but the complexity of orchestrating such a ploy… it would require a figure of substantial influence.
Then his mind circled back to Song Yun-Hee, the Student Union Leader. Her words at the coronation, those subtle remarks—too subtle, almost, as though she wanted him to notice them. There was a calculated sharpness to her, a quality that suggested she was not above pulling strings to achieve her goals. Yet, her actions had been so overt, so easy to interpret as manipulative, that it felt almost too obvious. The academy's student body had grown increasingly apathetic toward the Union in the future times, thinking about it harder Jin-Su realized something. She did not give this kind of opportunity in the last timeline. So interfering with the bullying made it so that she let's the student talk on stage? What could cause this. It does make sense that she does this, for her own public persona, the image of someone striving for revitalization. But, since what happened here didn't happen in the last timeline means that what happened, happened because something in this timeline was different. That being Jin-Su himself.
"System, did Kang-Woo bully someone before the coronation in the last timeline?"
[No info of who the parties in the bullying incident were. However, their was indeed bullying during the first day, from your memories]
Kang-Woo's initial aggression toward Mina. He replayed that moment in his mind. But why target Mina specifically? She didn't belong to a rival faction; she hadn't interfered with Kang-Woo's standing. Of course, a bully doesn't need a specific reason to bully someone. They could just be at the wrong place at the wrong time, or the bully was just bored. But, Kang-Woo being someone from a family who is "Honour bound" There was no logical reason for her to attract his ire, yet he had singled her out in a way that seemed almost… ritualistic. And the bystanders—no one had stepped in to defend her, not a single student or teacher they all only watched until Jin-Su stopped Kang-Woo, and then Dean Moon stopping the entire thing completely. It was as though she had been marked, isolated by some invisible force that kept others at a distance. The academy prided itself on fostering competition, but even by its standards, this went beyond the bounds of normal rivalry. Why was she left to fend for herself in a place that was supposed to uphold certain principles? Was she a deliberate target, placed in Kang-Woo's path by design? Or was her isolation a result of some hidden, unspoken rule within the academy? No way to actually connect anything to anything else.
His mind drifted to his earliest days in this life, when Kang-Woo's bullying had gone unchallenged by many. Had Kang-Woo's path been set in that moment, or had his fate been sealed by deeper forces? If he'd known, would he have intervened sooner? Did he get excommunicated by his family last life too?
[No information found.]
The memories were vivid yet disjointed, fragments of a story he'd once lived but never truly understood. The academy grounds, tranquil and unassuming, felt like a sharp contrast to the turmoil that lay within his memories.
The academy stood, untouched by wars that had ravaged the continent. It had been a haven of neutrality, yet there was a sense of underlying power shielding it. He speculated on the role of the academy's enigmatic principal, a figure he'd only seen twice in his past life. Someone of such prowess—if the academy's instructors were as formidable as they were, then the principal himself must wield a power capable of maintaining order amid chaos. It was a silent, potent protection that kept the academy shielded when the world around it descended into war and suffering.
As these thoughts crowded his mind, an image solidified—the Great Isolation Incident. The first major upheaval he remembered, a coordinated attack on communication hubs that effectively severed Celestial Academy, and nearby regions from the rest of the continent. All form of tech, magic or spiritual communication were disrupted. This incident was also what caused Jin-Su to lose contact with his family for a long time. Trade routes were paralyzed, and news was delayed by days, even weeks. By the time the isolated regions learned of imminent threats, help was often too late. All cities, towns and villages suffered, unable to mount defenses without external support. The academy had endured, yet the surrounding lands bore the brunt of the isolation.
More memories surfaced, chaotic and fragmented—sickness, war, betrayal. Jin-Su's mind wrestled with the disarray until the System blinked into action, analyzing his scattered recollections and arranging a timeline.
[System Analysis: Past Events Timeline]
[All information from your knowledge has been gathered]
Great Isolation Incident
Estimated time: 2 years from now, affecting every region of the continent. Primary target, Celestial Academy.]
Summary: A massive coordinated sabotage struck critical communication hubs, isolating Celestial Academy and the surrounding territories, leaving them without contact with the outside world for months. Trade routes were blocked, leaving settlements defenseless.
Impact: Logistics halted; aid and resources couldn't reach affected areas, causing widespread vulnerability. Isolated towns fell prey to threats that went unchecked.
Personal Status: Jin-Su was a Silver-Trimmed martial warrior, focused on one-handed swordsmanship, with little influence to impact the events.
Personal Note: Lost contact with family during the incident, creating prolonged uncertainty.
--
Elven Blight
Estimated time: 5 years from now, originating in the eastern elven forests
Summary: A virulent plague eroded magical and technological stability in elven lands. Infected areas became dead zones where both magic and technology malfunctioned catastrophically.
Impact: Environmental collapse in elven territories; local communities abandoned technology in favor of magic, shifting cultural practices to prevent future risks.
Personal Status: Jin-Su finished martial specializing in the sword. Now a second-year Spirit Trainee specializing in summoning, joined "Astra Company" under Elven leader High Sentinel Calen Rilis. His role was containment and support within the elven lands.
Personal Note: First encounter with Aelis, whose leadership amidst chaos set the foundation for future collaboration. Met Daemon on the way during the travels.
--
Metallic Horde Invasion
Estimated time: 6 years from now, sweeping through northern plains and western borders
Summary: An invasion of mechanical constructs ravaged settlements, leaving wastelands in their wake. This event fueled widespread mistrust of technology, especially in border towns.
Impact: Abandonment of technology became widespread as communities sought magic as a safer alternative.
Personal Status: By this time, Jin-Su was a fully trained "Battle Swordsman-Summoner Specialist," commanding spirits in combat while fighting alongside them. He served as Second-in-Command of "Sable Guard" platoon, though their delayed response due to the lack of information limited their impact.
Personal Note: First encounter with Kara, who fought the Horde alone for multiple days before Jin-Su's team arrived, showing remarkable resilience.
--
Civil Uprising
Estimated time: 8 years from now, across the southern borderlands of Hitchian and Moury
Summary: Economic and political tensions exploded, resulting in riots and factional warfare that destabilized the entire southern region.
Impact: Infrastructure devastated, resources stretched thin, and refugee influx caused tension in stable areas.
Personal Status: A martial master skilled in ranged and melee weapons, along side with spirit mastery capable of summoning legendary grade summon. This being Asphor. A blue flamed phoenix. Jin-Su's tactical advisement was sought but proved insufficient to curb the conflicts.
Personal Note: Grew increasingly aware of anti-academy sentiment among the populace, who viewed him and other academy-trained warriors as distant elites.
--
Bloodstorm Plague
Estimated time: 10 years from now, centered in the northwestern forests
Summary: A group of occultists conducted dark rituals, tainting rivers and forests, making the land uninhabitable. Magic failed, and technology corroded in the cursed region, creating a scarred zone.
Impact: Widespread population displacement, ecological disaster, and a long-term ban on dark ritual practices.
Personal Status: Jin-Su, weakened by the plague, contributed remotely, assisting from the academy while developing two new summons: Seryth, a sickness-bonded entity, and Rhogar, the Grand Wolf.
Personal Note: Frustration over his limited involvement due to health, yet his time was spent strengthening his summoning abilities. Met Althara during this time.
--
Radiant Shield Rebellion
Estimated time: 12 years from now
Summary: A vast coalition attempted to overthrow the oppressive regime of a high-ranking noble family in the Kingdom of Holdoucha, leading to widespread violence. The rebellion spread quickly, and the resulting clashes attracted both internal and external forces.
Geography: This rebellion began in the heart of Holdoucha to the southwest and bled into nearby kingdoms, stretching resources and forcing neighboring areas to take sides.
Disadvantages: Massive casualties, destabilized regions, influx of mercenaries, and weakened borders, making these lands susceptible to external threats.
Key Insight: Demonstrated the volatile nature of noble politics and emphasized the need for balanced governance.
Personal Status: A highly regarded martial master, Jin-Su was equipped with a new spirit, Tyr'Valen, the Sun Lion, reflecting his reputation across the land as a versatile and powerful force. Engaged in combat on the front lines, earning a reputation as a resolute and unwavering presence.
Personal Note: Encountered Kang-Woo in the height of the rebellion, observing the paladin's tactical skill and formidable resolve. Though they fought together on the battlefield, they remained distant, never fully bridging the gap between their past and present selves.
--
Questions with no answers. These could be thought of later. But for now he is in front of his dorm room. How should he interact with whom was the main concern now.