The year was 6826 of the Glory Calendar.
It had been exactly one year since Ivan arrived in this world.
One year since transmigration.
And today—
He would attend his first class within the White Ring Saint Academy.
The true beginning of his journey into the wizarding path.
The previous night had been quiet.
After returning to his room, Ivan finally opened the box he had received during registration.
Inside, everything was neatly arranged.
A silver-white robe, smooth to the touch, faintly cool as if it carried a trace of lingering energy. When he lifted it, the fabric shifted like flowing water—light, yet sturdy.
Beneath it—
A badge.
Not the bronze guest token from before.
This one was circular, pure white, its surface polished like jade. At its center, two hands—formed from swirling, galaxy-like patterns—reached upward toward a distant star.
The moment Ivan held it—
For a brief second, it almost felt… alive.
As if those hands were truly grasping for something just beyond reach.
Ivan's eyes lingered on it.
Then he turned to the remaining items.
Five fundamental books.
Their texture, structure—even the faint scent of the pages—
All felt familiar.
Very similar to the books he had once found in William's space ring.
Finally—
The most important item.
The guidebook.
Ivan sat down and began reading.
Time passed quietly.
The guidebook was concise, yet dense with information.
Rules.
Regulations.
The basic structure of the academy.
A rough map dividing the academy into regions—residential districts, study areas, trading zones, restricted zones.
And scattered between those sections—
Fragments of deeper meaning.
The badge in his hand was not merely a symbol.
It was an identity.
A key.
A tool.
Within the academy, those who possessed such badges could establish connections with one another—so long as they exchanged their imprint. Once linked, communication could be carried out directly, regardless of distance within the academy grounds.
Not only that—
All official notices, announcements, and instructions from the academy would be transmitted through it.
And when necessary—
It could project information outward.
A three-dimensional image, formed directly from the badge itself.
Ivan paused slightly at that.
A faint, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his lips.
"…A simplified mobile phone," he murmured.
Different form.
Same essence.
His gaze returned to the symbol on its surface.
The two hands reaching toward the star.
It was not decoration.
It was a symbol.
The pursuit of truth.
The endless climb of a wizard—reaching, grasping, striving toward the peak of knowledge… a peak that seemed distant and difficult to touch, yet never truly beyond reach.
A path where progress was slow, uncertain, and filled with obstacles—
Yet for those who persevered, even the unreachable could be approached, step by step.
And so—
No wizard ever stopped pursuing that truth.
Before that thought fully settled—
Ivan's eyes shifted toward the robe in his hands.
The silver-white fabric shimmered faintly under the light.
At a glance, it appeared simple.
But the guidebook told a different story.
Runes.
Embedded deep within its structure.
A self-cleaning formation that would remove dirt and impurities automatically.
A protective formation capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a mid-level wizard apprentice — Once.
Ivan ran his fingers lightly across the surface.
Refined.
Not flashy—
But undeniably valuable.
As he continued examining it—
A faint ripple suddenly stirred across the badge.
The silver surface shimmered.
The air responded.
Noticing it, Ivan lifted the badge into his hand.
The space before him distorted slightly—
Then unfolded.
A three-dimensional projection appeared.
A voice—not sound, but information—flowed directly into his mind.
"Welcome, Wizard Seed."
"You are part of the 4,556th batch of the White Ring Saint Academy."
"Initial orientation will begin tomorrow at first light."
"Core knowledge of the wizarding path will be introduced."
"You will be required to select a foundational path."
"Attendance is mandatory."
The projection shifted.
Symbols.
Lines.
Faint runes.
Then slowly faded.
Ivan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"A path…"
He murmured under his breath.
So this was where it truly began.
A soft sound broke the stillness.
The alchemy puppet had arrived with dinner.
Ivan glanced at it.
Floating slightly above the ground.
For a moment—
He simply watched.
Something about it felt… familiar.
A memory surfaced quietly.
"…Eve."
The name slipped out almost unconsciously.
The puppet did not respond.
Of course it wouldn't.
But somehow—
The name fit.
Ivan exhaled faintly, a trace of amusement passing through his otherwise calm expression.
He accepted the meal.
A few simple dishes.
After finishing, he leaned back slightly, letting the weight of the day settle.
Tomorrow—
Things would change.
That thought lingered as he closed his eyes.
And rest came naturally.
Morning came quickly.
Ivan opened his eyes.
For the first time in a long while—
He did not train.
Instead, he washed, prepared, and wore the academy robe.
The silver-white fabric settled naturally over his body.
Light and Fitting.
As if it had been made specifically for him.
He lifted the badge—
And fixed it onto his robe.
A faint connection formed instantly.
Standing before the mirror—
Ivan looked at his reflection.
"…Now I look the part," he said softly.
After a simple breakfast, he stepped out.
Turning slightly—
He knocked on Olivia's door.
A brief pause.
Then—
The door opened.
Olivia stood there, already prepared.
She wore the same academy robe, the white badge resting against her chest. Her hair was neatly tied, her expression carrying a mix of anticipation and quiet nervousness.
"You're ready," Ivan said.
Olivia nodded.
"…I didn't want to be late on the first day."
A faint smile touched Ivan's lips.
"Good."
They walked together.
The corridor was no longer empty.
Other wizard seeds were emerging from their rooms.
Some familiar.
Some completely new.
Low voices, quiet discussions.
A subtle tension filled the air.
As they walked, Ivan lifted his badge slightly.
Olivia did the same.
A faint connection formed.
Their badges exchanged imprints.
From now on—
They could communicate directly.
Soon, they gathered at the front of Building 17.
A more refined alchemy puppet floated forward.
Its surface smoother.
Its movements steadier—almost precise to the point of perfection.
A mechanical voice sounded—calm, controlled.
"All wizard seeds, please follow."
"Destination: introductory classroom."
"Maintain formation."
The words were simple and efficient, yet carried a faint sense of order.
The wizard seeds followed.
Leaving the residential district—
They stepped onto a floating disk.
As it slowly rose into the air—
The ground drifted away.
Voices that once lingered…
Gradually faded.
A quiet, collective silence settled in.
The academy unfolded beneath them.
Endless rows of buildings.
Neat. Ordered. Vast.
Gardens woven with stone paths—
Like patterns carefully drawn.
Fountains shimmered under the morning light.
In the distance—
Training grounds filled with moving figures.
Blades flashing.
Spells flickering.
Further away—
Markets alive with movement.
Figures passing.
Voices blending into a distant hum.
For many—
This was their first time seeing such a world.
A world far beyond anything they had known.
Like stepping out of the ordinary…
Into something far greater.
The disk moved steadily.
Cutting through the air.
Other floating disks passed by—
Each following fixed paths.
Orderly.
Without chaos.
After several minutes—
It descended.
Landing before a structured complex.
Rows upon rows of buildings stretched ahead.
Quietly imposing.
The puppet moved again.
Guiding them forward.
As they walked—
Many couldn't help but look around.
The teaching district of the White Ring Saint Academy.
Wide paths.
Neatly arranged gardens.
Small groups of wizard apprentices stood together—
Talking.
Discussing.
Moving with purpose.
The architecture was clean and refined, primarily white,
giving off a calm and disciplined atmosphere—one suited for study and contemplation.
A place where the mind naturally settled.
A place meant for learning.
Finally—
The puppet stopped before a classroom.
"This is your assigned classroom."
"Please enter and await your instructor."
Without another word—
It turned.
And floated away.
The wizard seeds exchanged glances.
Then—
They entered.
Inside—
Ivan paused slightly.
The layout…
Was familiar.
Tiered seating rising upward.
A central stage.
A wide board at the front.
It reminded him— Of a university lecture hall from his previous life.
He and Olivia took seats in the middle.
Around them—
Low murmurs began to spread.
Not just near them—
But across the entire room.
Whispers.
Soft conversations.
Uneasy excitement.
Some looked around.
Some stayed silent.
Ivan glanced at Olivia.
"How are you holding up?"
Olivia exhaled softly.
Her fingers tightening slightly—then relaxing.
"…A little nervous."
A brief pause—
Then a faint smile appeared.
"But also excited."
Ivan nodded.
"That's normal."
Moments later—
The door opened.
And a woman entered.
Tall.
Graceful.
Her long red hair flowed like flame, cascading down her back.
Her eyes—sharp, burning with intensity.
She wore a robe.
Simple in design—yet clearly more refined than the others.
At her chest rested a badge.
A silver star engraved upon it.
The moment she stepped onto the stage, all the wizard seeds fell silent.
"I am Eleanor Blaze."
Her voice was steady, carrying a natural authority.
"A First-Level Wizard."
"I will be instructing you from today onward."
She tapped her foot lightly. Twice.
The board behind her lifted slightly, then lit up.
A three-dimensional projection unfolded in the air.
"In the wizarding world," she began,
"There are many paths a wizard can take."
"The most common—elemental wizards."
The projection shifted.
Fire.
Water.
Earth.
Wind.
"These four are the most common."
"Some rarer variations also exist—lightning, darkness, light."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"But elemental wizards are not the only path."
"Bloodline wizards—those who fuse the bloodlines of various magical beasts into their own bodies to strengthen themselves."
"Alchemy wizards—creators of war tools, weapons, and constructs, shaping the battlefield through crafted power."
"Botanical wizards—specialists who control and manipulate plant life in combat."
"A branch of them are known as druids."
"Curse wizards—those who wield curses as weapons."
"They often engrave curses upon their own bodies to gain strength."
"Destiny wizards—rare individuals who, through mysterious means, can glimpse fragments of the future."
Her gaze swept across the room.
"Your path… is yours to choose."
"The decision you make now will shape your future."
"You must choose a path that aligns with your elemental affinity… and your personal talents."
"If the path suits you—your progress will be steady. Your breakthroughs, smoother."
"But if it does not—"
"You will face obstacles at every step."
"And if you wish to correct it later…"
"The price you pay will be far greater than you imagine."
Saying that, she raised her hand.
The projection vanished instantly.
A single question appeared before every student.
What is a wizard?
Silence filled the classroom.
After a moment, she pointed to a student in the front.
The student stood nervously.
"A wizard… is someone who wields the power of magic."
She gave a small nod.
"Sit."
Another was chosen.
"A powerful being who can control the world."
One after another, answers came.
None of the answer moved her.
Then—her gaze fell on Ivan.
"You."
Ivan stood up.
His expression steady as he spoke.
"A wizard…"
"…is one who pursues knowledge."
"…and truth."
"To understand the world."
"To uncover its principles."
"To seek what lies beyond."
Silence fell once more.
Then—
Clap.
Clap.
Clap.
Eleanor smiled faintly.
"A good answer."
She looked at the class.
"A wizard… is a seeker of truth."
"A scholar who seeks knowledge and strives to understand the fundamental principles of the world."
"If you wield power without understanding it—"
"You are nothing more… than a slave to magic."
She waved her hand.
Two books appeared before each student.
"The first—Basic Meditation Method."
"The second—Paths and Legacies of the White Ring Saint Academy."
"This is your foundation."
"Handle it carefully."
Then she began to explain.
"The Basic Meditation Method is used to increase mental energy."
Her voice was steady, carrying a quiet authority as she continued.
"Mental energy is the foundation of a wizard. It originates from the soul itself. As the soul strengthens, mental energy grows in turn."
"This method is universal for all wizard seeds."
"It is not the fastest."
"It is not the strongest."
"But it is the most stable starting point."
She glanced across the room.
"Every academy refines their own version of it, but the core remains the same."
"We wizards follow the law of equivalent exchange."
"To gain knowledge… you must pay a price."
"That is why this method cannot be spread outside the academy."
"When you joined, you already agreed to this condition."
A brief pause.
"In this book, you will find the basic guide for meditation."
"You may attempt it if you are confident."
"But it is not mandatory at this stage."
"After one week, when you choose your path, I will guide you through your first true meditation."
Her gaze swept once across the class.
"Then you will understand what mental energy truly is."
She lifted her hand slightly.
"The second book contains the available paths of the White Ring Saint Academy."
"Over one hundred main paths are recorded here, along with their branches and variations."
"Each path also lists its requirements."
"You have one week."
"Choose carefully."
She tapped the ground twice.
The projection dissolved.
"Class dismissed."
Without another word, she turned and left.
The moment she disappeared beyond the door—
The previously restrained atmosphere instantly loosened.
Voices rose one after another.
Low discussions.
Excited whispers.
Chaotic curiosity.
Some students immediately opened the books, flipping pages rapidly as if afraid of missing something.
Others leaned together, discussing in hushed tones.
A few simply stared ahead, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of what they had just received.
The calm discipline of the classroom shattered in an instant.
Ivan did not move immediately.
He sat where he was.
His gaze fell on the two books.
Basic Meditation Method.
Paths and Legacies of the White Ring Saint Academy.
He did not open them yet.
Instead—he observed.
Around him, pages turned nonstop.
Some frowned in confusion.
Some whispered excitedly.
Some stared at the book as if it contained their entire future.
A faint restlessness filled the room.
Olivia hesitated beside him.
Then softly spoke.
"Ivan… what path are you going to choose?"
Ivan did not answer at once.
His fingers lightly tapped the edge of the book once… twice.
Then he spoke.
"A path isn't something you choose on impulse."
"If you choose wrong… it will cost you more than just time."
Olivia nodded slowly.
"That's true…"
But her eyes still carried uncertainty.
"But there are too many options… I don't even know where to start."
Ivan finally turned slightly toward her.
His voice lowered a fraction.
"Start with what suits you."
"Your affinity. Your strengths."
"And what you can endure."
Olivia blinked.
"…Endure?"
Ivan's gaze returned forward.
"Yes."
"A path is not just about power."
"It is about cost."
"Some paths demand high resources. Some demand time. Some demand risk."
"And some… demand everything you are."
He paused briefly.
"If you choose a path that saves resources but doesn't suit you…"
"Your progress may look smooth at first."
"But survival will become difficult later."
Olivia fell silent.
Then slowly nodded.
"…I understand."
This time—her answer was firmer.
Not far away, a few wizard seeds were still watching Ivan.
Whispers passed quietly.
"He's the one who answered earlier…"
"…about truth."
Their gazes carried curiosity… and a hint of caution.
Ivan noticed.
But didn't respond.
After a while, students began leaving the classroom in groups, some still reading as they walked.
Ivan stood and left the classroom.
Olivia followed beside him without a word.
Outside the classroom, the academy air felt different again—open, vast, alive with movement.
In the distance stood a tall structure.
A towering white building engraved with faint shimmering runes.
The Library.
Ivan's gaze paused on it.
For the first time that day…
a slight shift appeared in his eyes.
Without speaking, he started walking.
Olivia followed quietly beside him.
And together—
they moved toward the library.