A black car glided smoothly over the asphalt, stopping in front of a simple roadside car wash.
The driver, Victor, cast a quick glance in the rearview mirror before announcing in his calm voice,
"Miss, I'll need to stop here for a moment. The windshield is getting difficult to clean with the internal system."
Rachel lifted her eyes from the emptiness she'd been staring at through the window, blinking slowly at his blurry reflection.
"Alright, Victor. Do what you need to do."
The driver stepped out of the car with his usual efficiency, heading straight for one of the attendants.
Rachel observed him briefly before turning her gaze back to the open window, letting the fresh air and ambient sounds fill the space.
'Who would've thought?' she mused, her hands resting on her lap.
The idea of having a driver like Victor—or anything remotely luxurious—still felt strange.
Her life had once been routine, almost mundane. Now, she was here, surrounded by a scene that seemed to belong to another world, another reality far removed from what she was used to.
Even so, the comfort others might envy didn't put her at ease.
Dealing with a hectic life filled with commitments and responsibilities was entirely different from the simple, peaceful life she sought.
"Haaaah..."
"I'll never get used to this…"
"..."
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a nearby voice, soft at first but soon clear enough to grab her attention.
"Yes, I checked on Evan this morning. He seems to be recovering, but… he's still pushing himself too hard."
Rachel leaned slightly forward, narrowing her eyes as she listened.
The girl's voice seemed vaguely familiar, but it was the details—the car wash, the mention of Evan, and the almost familial tone of concern—that made everything click.
'That's Leah?' she thought, piecing it together.
"He never stops, Dad. That idiot thinks he has to carry the world on his shoulders, even when he's clearly exhausted."
Rachel slowly leaned back in her seat, processing what she had just heard.
'So he fainted? That lunatic's already in that state?'
She had known that Evan and Seraphina had faced something significant during the practical trial, but she hadn't realized Evan was pushing himself to his limits.
Rachel glanced out the window, watching the sunlight reflect off nearby rooftops.
Since arriving here, she felt her presence was altering things.
In the story she knew, Evan and Seraphina were never put in the same group during the practical trial.
She knew this because it was in that moment that the main protagonists were supposed to bond, starting a connection that shaped much of the original story. But with her in Arthur's group, everything had changed.
'Is this my fault?'
The question lingered like a shadow in her mind.
It was just a group change, but it seemed to have triggered a series of events spiraling out of her control.
She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to organize her thoughts.
They weren't just characters to her anymore, not now.
And knowing what Evan was going through—the choices awaiting him—was a weight she couldn't ignore.
"Sigh…"
Rachel sighed heavily, placing her hand on her forehead, her fingers gently pressing her temple.
"This is such a headache."
She wasn't the type to ignore someone's suffering, especially not someone whose fate seemed so cruel.
'But what can I do?'
She didn't know how far she could interfere.
Every decision seemed like a risk.
Still, the thought of just standing by while things unfolded left her restless.
"Creek…"
The sound of the driver's door opening snapped Rachel back to reality.
Victor settled back into his seat, adjusting the rearview mirror before turning his head slightly toward her.
"All set, Miss. Shall we go?"
Rachel blinked, regaining her composure before responding.
"Yes, let's go."
As the car resumed its journey, Rachel continued to stare out the window, but her thoughts were far away.
She took a deep breath, trying to gather the thoughts that kept scattering in her mind.
'I don't know what I can do… but I can't just stand by.'
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
She didn't have a plan yet, but one thing was certain: standing idle wasn't an option.
—————————————————————————————————
1:10 PM
The classroom at Spectra was silent, filled only with the sound of the professor explaining the concepts of dimensional portals.
The soft afternoon light streamed through the windows, illuminating the focused faces of some cadets.
'Portals connecting different planes…' I thought, spinning my pen between my fingers.
'Nothing new.'
I knew exactly how they worked.
After all, I was the one who imagined all of it.
Every detail, every layer of complexity, was part of what I had created.
In my novel, I could never create concepts without logic.
Readers often criticized me for going overboard with details and covering unnecessary topics.
Because of that, despite the professor's enthusiasm and most students' attention, my mind kept wandering.
My eyes roamed the room.
Derek was seated next to Seraphina, trying to strike up a conversation.
It was almost comical.
I couldn't tell if she was genuinely paying attention to the professor or just pretending, trying to ignore Derek so she wouldn't lose her composure in front of everyone.
Further ahead, Luna and Arthur shared the same space.
Arthur seemed confused while Luna meticulously took notes.
The two were so focused on the material they didn't notice anything around them.
I let out a low sigh, adjusting myself in my chair.
'Staying at the back really is much better.'
Since the encounter with the entity, keeping my distance felt like the only sensible choice.
Seraphina was the biggest reason for that.
Even now, sitting there with her impeccable posture, she was a constant source of anxiety.
'The entity knew too much. What if she told Seraphina something?'
The thought was a constant weight, impossible to ignore.
Something that once seemed unlikely now bothered me deeply.
Every gesture, every look from her seemed loaded with hidden meaning I couldn't decipher.
Maybe it was just in my head, but even so, the feeling wouldn't leave me alone.
I needed to know if she had discovered anything.
But how? I wondered.
How could I start a conversation without coming across as even more suspicious?
"Hey, Seraphina, that strange woman didn't happen to mention anything about me, did she? Not that I have anything to hide, of course. But, you know, if she said something like… I'm from another world or the author of a story…"
"Damn," I muttered under my breath.
The idea of saying that aloud made me shudder.
It would be like digging my own grave.
"Ugh… my head is going to explode," I murmured, rubbing my forehead as I felt the tension throbbing.
====
I entered the room carefully, my steps light, echoing just enough for me to hear.
The professor's voice filled the space as he explained something about dimensional portals.
I quickly glanced around.
Most of the cadets were seated in the middle rows, leaning over notebooks or laptops.
I chose the back of the room, where movement was almost nonexistent.
'Fewer eyes, less judgment.'
As I approached, I noticed an empty seat near the wall.
A boy with slightly messy black hair was sitting beside it, leaning forward with his hand pressed to his temple.
He seemed absorbed in his thoughts, his posture tense.
For a moment, I hesitated. It was hard to tell if he was truly exhausted or if it was just my impression.
'Could it be the curse?' I wondered as I moved closer.
As I approached to sit, I heard a low murmur.
"Damn… my head's going to explode…"
The comment made me smile involuntarily.
It was funny how he could be so blunt without even realizing it.
"If it's going to explode, maybe I should sit somewhere else?" I said softly, trying to sound casual.
Evan slowly raised his head, looking at me with half-closed eyes. He seemed confused, as if he hadn't noticed my arrival.
"Rachel," he said, as if recognizing someone he didn't expect much more than a greeting from.
"Hey, Evan."
He gave a brief nod before turning his gaze forward.
"..."
"...."
For a moment, we sat in silence.
I knew he wasn't the type to start a conversation, and forcing it would only make things worse.
But still, what I knew about him, and how things were going, made it hard to ignore.
"It's been a few days since the practical trial. I heard you fainted during it."
"Huh?... That was days ago. I'm much better now."
'If this is better, what would worse look like?'
He seemed tense, even while trying to hide it.
"I see. You should take it easy for the next few days," I said, risking a light tone to avoid sounding intrusive.
He let out a short, almost ironic laugh.
"And who's going to pick up the slack for me?"
At that moment, I felt a small pang in my chest.
The response carried a humorous tone, but I knew there was something deeper hidden within it.
And it hit me.
'That's exactly the kind of thing he'd say.'
Evan was always like that.
He was someone who carried more than he should but never let it show.
"Well, if you say so. But try not to overdo it," I replied, pretending to focus on the professor.
He didn't respond.
I hadn't expected him to. Even so, I found myself reflecting on everything.
While my headaches were about the impact I might have on this world, his were about something much greater.
A curse that would consume him in four years.
Two siblings who depended on him.
A life where he couldn't rely on anyone.
"I don't know what I'd do if I were in your place, Evan."
I turned my gaze to the board, trying to focus a little on the lesson.
The professor continued explaining something about magical flows, which was incredibly boring.
====
At the end of the class, Professor Sebastian concluded with a nod.
"That's all for today. Remember to review the material for next week's test."
The lesson ended, accompanied by the chatter of cadets standing up and discussing their break plans.
I had spent the entire class trying to concentrate, but my mind was elsewhere.
My worries about Seraphina and what she might know continued to bother me.
I glanced briefly at Rachel beside me.
She was looking at her phone, but during the class, it felt like she had been watching me more than necessary.
Her furtive glances and the way she struck up a conversation seemed… strangely concerned.
'But why would she be worried about me?'
It was odd.
We weren't close enough for that kind of concern. Maybe it was just my imagination, or perhaps she was trying to be polite.
Either way, I decided not to dwell on it.
I quietly got up, hoping she would stay distracted with her own things.
With a quick glance, I confirmed that Seraphina and the others were still busy.
'Time to get out of here.'
With quick steps, I crossed the door, trading the muffled sounds of the classroom for the lively chatter of the break.
The hallway was packed with cadets chatting and laughing in groups, but I ignored it all, keeping my head low as I weaved through them.
—————————————————————————————————
In the vast gardens of Spectra, Arthur walked in search of a moment of tranquility.
The break was too noisy, and he needed a place where he could think.
As he approached a more secluded area, something caught his attention.
Evan was practicing with an intensity that contrasted with the serenity of the surroundings.
The shadows around him danced, moving fluidly and precisely. Arthur stopped, intrigued, watching from afar.
Manipulating magical power wasn't something he often saw, and Evan seemed to elevate the skill to a level few could reach.
Even so, there was something in the scene that made him hesitate.
It wasn't just Evan's skill—it was the way the shadows around him moved. They seemed alive, reacting as if they were an extension of his body, obeying every command with almost supernatural precision.
After a moment of watching, Arthur decided to break the silence.
"Practicing alone?"
The voice made Evan stop.
He turned slowly, evaluating who had spoken.
When he saw it was Arthur, he relaxed a bit but kept a neutral expression.
"Something like that."
Arthur approached with a slight smile, just enough to soften the initial tension.
"Choosing such a secluded spot... interesting. Do you like the silence?"
Evan turned his gaze toward the distant trees.
"Well... it helps me focus."
Arthur crossed his arms, looking at the shadows that still oscillated slightly around Evan.
"I have to admit, your skills are impressive. What you did during the practical test... and before that, in the duel with Seraphina... it's something few can pull off. How did you reach that level of magical power control?"
Evan hesitated for a moment. He knew Arthur was an attentive observer, someone who could pick up on details others would overlook.
"Just a lot of training."
"A lot of training? …You know, controlling magic isn't as simple as creating something and casting it. Of course, for many, creating a fireball or an ice shard and throwing it might seem impressive, but the act itself is straightforward: create and launch. What you do is very different."
"Oh? And what's the difference?"
Arthur tilted his head, finding Evan's question somewhat naïve—perhaps intentionally so.
But he decided to answer anyway.
"You don't just create something and throw it; you shape it, control it, sustain it. Your shadows aren't just tools like arrows—they move as if they're part of you."
"So controlling magical power isn't that simple, huh?"
Arthur chuckled lightly, shaking his head.
"Maybe it's simple for you. But not for most. Keeping something moving, shaping it, while thinking about the enemy, the next move, and managing magical power... that takes an absurd level of concentration."
Evan frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation but decided to respond.
"I guess it's a matter of practice and... habit. You adapt."
"Pft..." Arthur let out a small laugh, shaking his head.
"Practice? That's like saying running a marathon is just putting one foot in front of the other."
Evan looked away, reflecting briefly before replying.
"Maybe, but I always saw it as part of training. Something anyone can do with time and practice. I never did anything different."
Arthur chuckled softly, crossing his arms.
"Anyone, huh? I have my doubts, but I won't argue with you."
Evan shrugged, a faint smile at the corner of his lips.
"Well, anyway, I won't disturb you anymore. Enjoy your training, Evan."
With that, Arthur turned and began walking away, leaving Evan alone with his shadows, which continued to ripple around him.
Evan watched Arthur disappear into the environment.
As soon as Arthur was out of sight, Evan's faint smile vanished, replaced by a cold expression.
The shadows around him, previously dancing almost carefreely, shrank slightly, reflecting his mood.
"Author's Note: Image"
'He really is quite observant.'
Evan thought, fixing his gaze on the direction Arthur had gone.
'It's not direct suspicion, but keeping things vague is the best choice. The less Arthur knows, the better.'
And with that, he turned his attention back to the shadows, resuming his training.
—————————————————————————————————
Spectra Academy – Library.
Meanwhile, in another part of the Spectra Academy, Seraphina sat slumped in a study chair, her expression a mix of exhaustion and absolute boredom.
In front of her, Luna was engrossed in a thick book full of complex diagrams and texts about support magic. For Luna, it was fascinating; for Seraphina, pure torture.
"Haaah..." Seraphina sighed dramatically, drawing brief glances from a few students in the room.
Luna, without lifting her eyes from the book, commented casually.
"If you're so bored, why don't you find something to do? Sighing like that won't change anything."
"Great advice, Luna. Because staying in this room is such a delight."
Luna gave a faint smile but didn't respond, turning her attention back to the pages in front of her.
"Hey, where did Arthur say he was going?"
Luna finally closed the book, carefully marking the page before replying.
"He said something about going to the gardens. He needed some time to train or think—or maybe both."
Seraphina raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.
"Training? In the gardens? Seriously? Who does that?"
"Why not? It's peaceful; no one's going to bother him... unlike some people here."
Seraphina ignored the jab and jumped to her feet as if she'd just decided on something important.
"Well, if he wants peace, I guess I'm the perfect person to ruin it."