I stepped out into the morning sun, my boots crunching lightly on the gravel path.
The warmth on my skin felt foreign—comforting, unreal.
If possible, I would have liked to rest and collect my thoughts, but I didn't want to worry my parents.
Moreover, today was the first day of school, and I didn't want to miss it.
"It's really the sa!"
Every detail of the city—the cobblestone streets, the sll of baking bread, the morning chatter of shopkeepers—felt like pieces of a dream I thought I had lost forever.
Once again I realized that I had indeed traveled back in ti.
Soon enough, I reached Arcadia Academy.
The Arcadia Academy gates lood ahead, just as grand and intimidating as I rembered.
The tall spires, the pristine white stone, the silver banners fluttering in the breeze—all a far cry from the bloodied battlefield it would one day beco.
Just as I took my first step toward the entrance, a familiar voice rang out.
"Elysia!"
I froze.
That voice—
"You're late! Again!"
I turned.
There she was.
Cecilia Everlin!
Hands on her hips, cheeks puffed in mock frustration, her school bag slung over one shoulder.
She looked exactly as I rembered—bright eyes, warm features, a gentle strength just beneath the surface.
"You promised we'd et ten minutes ago, rember?"
She said, walking up briskly.
"First day of school, and you're already breaking your word."
I opened my mouth, stunned for a second too long. My heart clenched, but I quickly forced down the swell of emotion.
"I... I'm sorry," I managed.
"I got up late! Hehe..."
Cecilia sighed dramatically, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
"Sheesh. What am I going to do with you?"
She bumped her shoulder lightly against mine.
"Co on, let's go before we really are late."
I nodded, following her through the gates.
A quiet warmth spread through my chest. I didn't cry. I didn't cling to her like a child desperate for comfort.
But I was still overwheld.
Cecilia—my best friend.
Alive!
Compared to the others in the Hero Party, Cecilia died long before them.
That's why I missed her the most.
Before I died, I had still seen the others.
We had fought side by side, spoken, laughed—we were together until the end.
But Cecilia... She was taken from us two years before that, just after we graduated.
Long before the war had started between Demon and Human.
Her absence had lingered the longest. A quiet ache that never faded, even as battles raged and the world began to fall apart.
And who would've thought—
That I'd die just like her.
Killed by the sa person.
Without ever avenging her.
But now, I have the chance to change everything.
(Thank you... for giving another chance.)
We stepped onto the cobbled path leading through the school grounds, blending into the sea of students heading toward the entrance hall.
Today was the entrance ceremony for the new students.
The courtyard buzzed with excitent—fresh uniforms, eager chatter, the rustle of wind through silver-accented banners.
I walked beside Cecilia, her steps light, face glowing with anticipation.
It was surreal that I could relive this mont again!
Back then, I was just another nervous first-year with stars in her eyes, dreaming of glory and honor.
Of becoming a hero worthy of standing at the kingdom's frontlines.
Now, all I could see were echoes of the future—bloodstained fields, fallen comrades, the laughter of a traitor.
I glanced at the students around , so full of life and hope.
All of them were walking toward a destiny they couldn't yet imagine.
Half of the students here wouldn't even live long enough to graduate.
And once the war began, nearly ninety percent would be dead before it was over.
Unless I change it.
The bell rang, clear and commanding, drawing everyone's attention.
A robed faculty mber stepped onto a raised platform near the front steps, his voice amplified by magic.
"Welco, first years of Arcadia Academy!"
He announced.
"You stand at the threshold of greatness—the future heroes of humanity!"
A cheer rose around . I clapped, though my heart wasn't in it.
Because I rembered this part.
This was where I first saw him.
(Edwin...)
My eyes scanned the crowd, heart thudding. Right on cue, whispers began to ripple through the students.
"There he is...!"
"That's him, right?"
"Edwin Leonhart, the one who got first among the new students."
Tall, poised, with sunlight catching on his golden hair.
His appearance alone made him the center of attention, not to ntion that he was the strongest among the new students.
In addition, he made a new record at the entrance exam by getting the most points that any student has ever received.
"Now, as tradition dictates, we'll hear a few words from the student who scored the highest on this year's entrance exam."
The crowd quieted, and all eyes turned toward Edwin.
"With an outstanding performance in both the practical and written tests, achieving the highest score ever recorded in Arcadia Academy's history, this year's First Year Representative is none other than Edwin Leonhart!"
A wave of admiration swept through the students as Edwin stepped forward, the weight of his accomplishnts hanging in the air.
The applause that followed was polite, respectful. But to , the sound seed distant.
That was the mont it had started.
He was just a top student back then.
Later, he beca our leader. Our hope. The Hero!
And eventually, the broken boy I couldn't save.
Now, standing there again, unchanged by the weight of war, I felt sothing stir inside .
A quiet promise forming in the space between mory and resolve.
(You won't have to carry it all alone this ti.)
He walked up to the stage with that effortless confidence, each step asured and composed.
As he took his place, he gave a polite nod to the crowd before addressing them.
"Thank you," his voice was steady, calm, but warm.
"I'm honored to be chosen as your representative. This is just the beginning for all of us, and we each have sothing unique to offer. I hope we can all support each other and grow together."
Edwin continued with high spirit.
"Let's get along and make the most of our ti here."
The applause began, and I clapped along, though my thoughts were still caught up in the echo of his presence.
The speeches continued—about duty, potential, unity. But my thoughts were elsewhere.
(Just where is that bastard?)
I tried to look for that traitorous bastard who had killed everyone in the Hero Party!
However, despite looking everywhere, I didn't find him.
(This is weird! He should be the sa new student as .)
I knew for a fact that he was a new student.
Although he never stood out among hundreds of students, his weird action caught my attention sowhat.
But I always thought of him as a quiet and normal student until he was declared a traitor after committing the cri of killing one of the strongest heroes.
The ceremony finally ended with a flourish of magic and a ringing bell but I never found him.
Students began to disperse into their designated groups, chattering excitedly about dorms, classes, and teachers.
I stood there a mont longer, until a voice nudged from my thoughts.
"You were staring pretty hard, you know."
I turned, startled, to see a familiar smirk.
Jin Halden.
Hands in his pockets, dark hair tousled by the breeze, mischief dancing in his eyes.
He's also my childhood friend, though that's mostly because our parents have known each other for years. And, honestly, he's the most annoying person I know.
"Looking at soone you like?"
I let out a breath and rolled my eyes, the tension slipping from my shoulders.
"No. Just soone who I know."
"Who?"
"Hmph! You don't need to know."
"Uh-huh. Sure. Keep your secrets!"
Jin said before walking off to greet his other friends.
Just as Jin disappeared into the crowd, a sharp voice cut through the murmur of the students.
"How can you be late on the first day of school?"
The scolding ca from a stern-looking professor, robes trimd in deep navy blue—probably one of the senior instructors.
"I—I'm really sorry, Professor," ca the sheepish reply from a boy standing in front of him.
"I... I overslept."
My breath caught.
That voice—
"You better not make this a habit," the professor warned, his arms crossed.
"I'll let you off with a warning this ti, but next ti, there will be consequences."
"Yes, sir. Thank you!"
Cecilia, beside , nudged lightly with her elbow and grinned.
"Looks like soone actually ca late. It might have been you if you had co any minute later!"
I didn't respond.
My eyes were locked on the student who had just been scolded.
ssy black hair. Slouched shoulders. A bag awkwardly hanging off one arm. He looked painfully average. Almost forgettable.
But I hadn't forgotten.
That was him.
The one who destroyed everything.
"Kael Ashford!"
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