The Anomaly's Path

Two days had passed since we returned from the Magic Tower City.

The journey had changed things, I could feel it in the way my body moved, in the way my mana flowed smoother than before. The training with Seren had left its mark, and the Soul Flame no longer felt like a wild beast waiting to tear me apart.

But If there was one thing that hadn’t changed, it was Morgana’s training. She had spent the last two days making sure we didn’t get comfortable.

”Get up!” she had shouted during our first session back, her voice echoing across the training field. ”You spent three days playing tourist in the Magic City and now you’re moving like you’ve got lead in your boots! Again!”

She didn’t use weapons, but she didn’t go easy on us. Her training was all brute force — we had to adapt or get destroyed.

My body was pushed to its limits, but at least I wasn’t the only one getting hit. Roan spent his time barely dodging, trying to look like he wasn’t trying, while Alice threw herself into the madness headfirst, her hair flying as she tried to match Morgana’s speed.

Aside from the physical beatings, my routine had settled into the elective classes I had chosen before the trip. The schedule was already locked in. I had picked Runes and Arrays, Elemental Control and Theory, and History of the Gates.

I had already taken a lecture of Runes and Elemental Control class before we left for the Magic Tower City, so I knew what to expect. Returning to them now, I found that nothing had changed. The atmosphere was just as tense and demanding as I remembered.

Runes and Arrays with Professor Zane was quiet and tense. Zane still didn’t accept even tiny mistakes.

In his class, we sat before slates, using perfect mana control to draw complex symbols. One slip, one moment of distraction, and the slate would crack — earning you a cold stare and a failing mark. For me, this class wasn’t about barriers.

It was about mental discipline. Handling three affinities required intense focus, and Zane’s harsh exercises were exactly what I needed.

Elemental Control and Theory with Professor Isolde Veyra was just as important, though she taught differently. She was calm and patient. During the practical sessions, she focused heavily on separating mana paths.

The class was full of students struggling with their elements, but my exercises were different. Professor Veyra watched me closely, giving quiet, clear advice.

Her words stayed with me. I spent hours in my room, tracing my mana pathways, keeping lightning, space, and the Soul Flame separate. I was slowly getting better at controlling them, building the foundation for my third sword form.

As for the mandatory classes, Mana Theory with Professor Vance was still boring.

Vance was still a nervous mess who shook whenever anyone asked a question, stuttering through formulas while staring at the board. But his knowledge about mana was solid, and I took detailed notes to help my own training.

The atmosphere around the academy had changed over the last two days.

There was energy in the air. The academy’s festival was starting tomorrow, and on the final night, there would be a grand banquet to welcome the first-years. For most students, it was a time to relax, eat free food, and show off.

For me, it was the countdown to the first major plot event of the game.

In the original timeline, there were thousands of normal students, not four specialized classes. Many of them died when the academy was attacked during the banquet. Now there were only two hundred elite first-years.

The event would be smaller, but the danger was still there. I didn’t care about being a hero and saving everyone. But I had my own people to protect now. I needed to make sure we were ready.

Speaking of my people, my daily life had become a lot more crowded.

Before we left for the Magic Tower City, my breaks were simple, I usually sat alone, with only Roan and Alice making noise nearby. But now, things were different. That trip had changed the group. Ever since we got back, Roan had been pulling more people in — Riven, Caster, Malva, and Lyssaria were now part of our circle.

Even during quick meals, we weren’t just a quiet trio anymore. Riven sat there, trading sharp looks with Alice, while Lyssaria tried to keep peace and Malva silently picked at her food. It was loud and chaotic — nothing like how I used to spend my days.

I looked across the dining hall at Arthur’s table. His table was just as crowded, but the group surprised me. Arthur sat there looking tired, with Amelia and Nyra beside him.

But next to them sat Cordelia, Julia and even Elisabeth. The vampire princess was actually sitting with Arthur’s group, nodding at something Cordelia said. The shared trip had clearly forced them to bond. It wasn’t something I was used to seeing.

_

Once the afternoon classes finally ended, I made my way toward the quiet walkway outside the engineering department. I had a specific task to finish before the festival started.

I didn’t have to wait long. The doors of the workshop opened, and Caster walked out.

He was carrying a bag, his body dusty from working in the smithy. His messy brown hair stuck up, and his wide hazel eyes were scanning a small brass gear in his hand. He looked up and paused when he saw me standing there.

”Leo,” Caster said, tucking the gear into his pocket. He didn’t look terrified, but his posture stiffened slightly. ”I figured you’d come looking for me today.”

”We have an unfinished conversation,” I said, keeping my tone casual. ”Let’s walk.”

He nodded, falling into step beside me as we moved away from the busy area toward the quieter paths of the academy gardens.

”I told you I’d give you a few days to think about my offer,” I started, hands in my pockets. ”The festival starts tomorrow, and after that, things are going to get chaotic. I need to know where you stand.”

Caster walked in silence for a moment, his boots clicking softly against the stone path. He kept his eyes on the trail, clearly weighing his options. ”I’ve been thinking about it. A lot, actually. I want to build things, Leo.”

I pulled a rolled parchment from my void pocket. The paper glowing with a faint, warm golden light.

”I bought this in the Magic City,” I said, holding it out to him. ”It’s a Mana Oath Contract. I didn’t buy it to bind you to me like a servant, Caster. I bought it to give you peace of mind.”

Caster stopped walking. He looked at the contract, his eyes tracking the faint hum of magic radiating from the paper. He didn’t gasp or panic; he knew exactly what a Mana Oath was. He looked up at me, his expression serious.

”A full Mana Oath...” Caster muttered.

”The terms are simple,” I said, handing the scroll to him so he could inspect it.

”Read it yourself. It states that I will provide you with full protection, cover your material expenses, and keep your royal bloodline a secret. In exchange, you use your affinity and engineering skills to support my team. If either of us breaks the terms, the mana backlash will damage our cores. It’s completely equal.”

Caster took the scroll and unrolled it a little to read the terms. He ran his fingers near the glowing marks, checking the magic binding them. ”You’re really willing to protect me against anyone who tries to drag me back?”

”Of course,” I replied calmly. ”I’m not like those other nobles who just want a cheap tool. I know exactly what you’re worth, and I keep my word. Read through it, make sure there’s nothing you want to add, and let’s get this settled.”

Caster let out a soft, relaxed breath, a genuine smile finally breaking through his face. ”No, the terms are perfect. To be honest, I’m just glad to find a group where I can actually blend in without constantly looking over my shoulder.”

He closed the scroll and set it down. I did the same, pressing my thumb against the designated spot on the paper.

A pulse of mana flowed from my fingertip, leaving a faint glow where my signature would be. Caster did the same on his side. The golden writing on the scroll flared brightly as our mana signatures bonded, sealing the contract.

”Well, it’s official,” Caster said, stretching his arms. ”At least now I know I won’t have to worry about anyone sneaking into my workshop. And having my materials paid for is going to make my life a lot easier.”

”Just don’t go crazy and order a mountain of rare metal on day one,” I warned dryly.

Caster laughed, a relaxed, natural sound. ”No promises. I’ve had a design for a portable barrier in my head for months, but the core crystals were too expensive. I’m going to start drafting the plans tonight.”

”Good. We’ll need it,” I said, turning back toward the path.

Caster nodded, his eyes bright with a new sense of purpose. ”See you tomorrow, Leo.”

He turned and walked back toward the engineering dorms, his steps lighter than they had been when he left the workshop.

I watched him disappear down the path, my hand resting in my pocket. The core of my team was locked in. Now, all that was left was to face whatever the festival had in store for us.