The academy bell rang before sunrise.
DONG...
DONG...
Its deep, resonant tone rolled across Valhalla Imperial Academy.
Noah groaned.
"...Five more minutes."
The System answered mercilessly.
[Daily Quest Available]
Attend all first-day classes.
Reward: 50 EXP
Failure: -10 Reputation
"...Seriously?"
The System remained silent.
Noah sighed, got dressed, strapped Shadowfang to his waist, and left Room 117.
The Raven Dormitory corridors were already bustling.
Students rushed toward the lecture halls, some carrying swords, others carrying spellbooks.
Outside, the academy was fully awake.
The smell of fresh bread drifted from the dining hall.
Training fields echoed with the sound of steel clashing.
Mages practiced beginner spells near a large fountain.
For the first time since arriving in this world...
Noah almost felt like an ordinary student.
Almost.
"Yo!"
Eric waved from across the courtyard, already holding two meat-filled pastries.
"I bought breakfast."
Noah accepted one.
"You trying to poison me?"
Eric looked offended.
"I paid for that."
"Exactly why I’m suspicious."
Eric laughed.
"You really don’t know how to appreciate kindness."
As they walked toward the main academic building, students moved aside.
Not for Noah.
For someone behind him.
A luxurious black carriage rolled slowly through the courtyard.
Golden insignias decorated its sides.
The academy guards immediately saluted.
Cassian Valerius stepped out.
His entourage followed.
The nobles around him bowed slightly.
Cassian noticed Noah.
Their eyes met.
He smirked.
Then deliberately looked away.
"...What an asshole," Eric muttered.
Noah shrugged.
"He’ll either become a problem..."
"...or become useful."
Eric blinked.
"Those are oddly specific options."
The freshmen entered Classroom One.
It resembled a university lecture hall more than a medieval classroom.
Tiered seating.
Large enchanted chalkboards.
Practice circles engraved into the floor.
About two hundred students took their seats.
Noah chose one near the back.
Naturally.
Luna Frost sat near the window.
Alone.
Nobody dared sit beside her.
Cassian occupied the front row, surrounded by nobles.
Exactly where Noah expected him to be.
A few moments later...
The classroom door opened.
A woman walked inside.
She looked to be in her late twenties.
Long auburn hair.
Sharp amber eyes.
A fitted black academy coat with silver embroidery.
She carried no weapon.
Yet the room instantly became silent.
The pressure she radiated wasn’t overwhelming.
It was disciplined.
Controlled.
Like a drawn blade.
She wrote her name across the board.
Professor Elena Ashcroft
Combat Theory
She turned toward the class.
"I dislike introductions."
"Most of you will forget my name after today anyway."
A few students chuckled nervously.
"I also dislike excuses."
The chuckles stopped.
"If you fail..."
"It is because someone defeated you."
Not because of talent.
Not because of luck.
Not because life was unfair.
Her eyes swept across the room.
For a fraction of a second...
They lingered on Noah.
Then moved on.
"You are here because someone believes you possess potential."
"My job..."
"...is to determine whether they were wrong."
Without warning, she pointed toward a student.
"You."
The boy jumped.
"What is the first rule of combat?"
The student stammered.
"N-never underestimate your enemy?"
Professor Elena nodded.
"Correct."
She immediately pointed elsewhere.
"You."
A noble girl straightened.
"What wins battles?"
"Superior mana."
Professor Elena stared at her.
"...Wrong."
The room fell silent.
"What wins battles..."
She said quietly,
"...is surviving."
Noah smiled faintly.
"I like this professor."
She continued questioning students.
Answers varied.
Strength.
Magic.
Intelligence.
Teamwork.
Each received only part of the truth.
Finally...
Her finger stopped.
"Noah Blackwood."
Every head turned.
Noah sighed inwardly and stood.
"What wins battles?"
He thought back to Blackthorn Forest.
The Executioner.
Azrael.
The First Successor.
The answer came easily.
"The person who walks away alive."
Silence.
Professor Elena’s lips curved into the faintest smile.
"Exactly."
Several students frowned.
Cassian folded his arms.
Luna glanced at Noah for a brief moment before returning her attention to the professor.
Professor Elena nodded once.
"Remember that answer."
"Heroes die."
"Survivors adapt."
Then she erased the board with a wave of her hand.
"Enough theory."
"Let’s see what you’re actually capable of."
The floor beneath the classroom began glowing.
A massive magic circle spread across the room.
The students looked around in confusion.
Professor Elena smiled.
"Welcome..."
"...to your first practical lesson."
The world dissolved into light.