The next morning, Kael walked toward the academy.
He did not know the exact route.
Yet his feet carried him forward with quiet certainty. The roads felt unfamiliar, and strangely remembered at the same time.
This body knew the way.
He did not.
At first, he was overwhelmed.
Steel beasts roared across iron tracks, trains powered by steam engines, once dismissed by scholars of Magnus as impossible theory. Now they thundered past at unimaginable speed.
Buildings rose like artificial mountains, piercing the sky.
Glass. Steel. Order.
He kept his expression composed, but inwardly,
He was astonished.
"So this is what the world became…"
When he reached the main district, his fascination deepened.
Metal carriages, no horses, moved through the streets, humming with contained mana. People called them cars.
Above him, people soared through the air on broomsticks, robes fluttering.
Magic had not vanished.
It had evolved.
"Magic refined into convenience," he muttered.
Then- A sudden 'thud'.
He turned.
A red-haired boy had collided with an elderly man.
Without hesitation, Kael stepped forward, helping the old man regain his footing. His movements were steady, respectful.
As soon as the old man said , "Thankyou"
"A knight aids the needy," he said quietly.
The old man nodded gratefully before leaving.
The red-haired boy finished apologizing, then turned toward Kael with uncontained energy.
There was a brief silence.
It did not last.
"HELLO!" the boy shouted suddenly. "My name is Julian Grates! Nice to meet you! Who are you?!"
He thrust his hand forward with a wide grin.
Kael stared at the extended hand for a second too long.
He grasped it firmly.
"Kael Dravenheart."
Julian blinked. "Whoa. That sounds cool dude."
Kael tilted his head slightly and asked.
"May I ask why you collided with the elder?"
Julian glanced at his wrist -- at a strange device strapped there.
"Because we are, like… ten minutes late for the academy."
He kept smiling.
"And that matters?" Kael asked calmly.
Julian's grin faltered.
"Uh… yeah? It's the first day."
There was a pause.
"…First day?" Kael repeated.
"Yes. As in veryyy... important."
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Why did you not lead with that?"
And without another word, he sprinted.
Julian stared.
"WAIT!!??"
He chased after him.
As they ran, Julian laughed loudly.
"I feel like we're gonna have good chemistry, man!"
Kael did not respond.
But inwardly....
He could not disagree.