Scene: Principal's Office, Cortres Academy of Magic and Swords

I stood silently in the grand office of the Cortres Academy. Before me sat Principal Roksene de Henilion, a man known as one of the Empire's rare Seven-Circle Mages—a towering figure in both reputation and power.

He glared at me with murderous intensity, his magical pressure pressing down like a stormcloud. He was trying to dominate me... crush me beneath his presence.

But all I wanted to do... was laugh.

To someone like me, who had stared into the eyes of monsters, demons, and beings forgotten by time—this man was nothing but a barking dog. Growling loudly, but with no real bite.

Next to him stood a man in a dark robe, trying to hide his face. He radiated power—a Fifth-Circle Mage, by the density of his mana—but I didn't care. Another insect with delusions of importance.

They didn't speak. Just glared.

So what? Did they want me to apologize for something? For breaking the engagement with Roksene's precious granddaughter? Did they expect me to beg?

Screw that.

None of this was real. This world... was just a dream. I just wanted to go home—to see my family, to say goodbye before this fake world swallowed me again.

"I want to go home," I said.

The principal's eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

"I said... I want to go home."

His killing intent doubled.

"You do realize you're not allowed to leave the academy until term ends?"

I nodded. "You're the one who said I ran away from home to come here, right? So now I've changed my mind. I want to go back."

"Don't speak nonsense. You'll follow your punishment—ten days of restriction."

"For what? I didn't have anything to do with your beloved granddaughter now ."

"You don't get to decide that. The elders of the family will determine your guilt."

"That's your family's business. In my family, I decide everything."

"You arrogant little brat! Do you really think your family is above us?"

"Whatever you think... I still want to go home."

"You need a valid reason."

I grit my teeth. A reason... right.

Suddenly, pain surged through me—like fire crawling through my veins. My entire body screamed, twisting from the inside, threatening to tear itself apart. I fought through the agony and gasped:

"I need the Shatarin Plant."

"What?" Roksene scoffed. "That strange glowing grass that changes colors?"

"My body is... breaking down... devouring itself."

"And since when did you become a healer? What do you know of medicine?"

I stared at him. "More than you think. And if I don't get that plant... I won't live long enough to say goodbye to my family."

He snorted. "I've heard you couldn't reach the Eighth Circle because of blocked mana pathways—your nerves are entangled. You think you can fix that?"

"I can. That should prove my skill, right?"

"You think you know more than me?" he growled. "Fine. Prove it. If you succeed, I'll give you access to the full resources of the academy."

"I only need four hours. Just the alchemy lab."

He waved a hand. "Guards, follow him. Watch everything he does."

Scene: Alchemy Lab

In the lab, I moved quickly.

I wasn't going to create a complex elixir. I'd make a basic solution from whatever herbs were available—just enough to mask the real purpose. When I added my blood, it would form a temporary blood pact. I could channel my mana directly into him and untangle his blocked vessels.

There was too much mana in me now. I couldn't control it—it was bursting at the seams. I had to use it before it tore me apart.

But the guards were watching.

"Bring me some Farkalos leaves from the balcony," I said.

They left, grumbling. That gave me a moment. I pricked my finger, preparing to mix in the blood—but the moment the needle touched my skin, my instincts screamed.

My senses were telling me: Don't do it.

Had I really become so weak?

I forced my hand to move—but just then, the guards returned.

"Pick the older, hardened ones," I told them. As they turned to gather the leaves, I collapsed, crying out in agony.

"Aaaaagh! F-fuck... it hurts!"

I curled on the ground, body writhing, eyes bloodshot with tears. But I kept brewing, using every second of their distraction. Somehow, I completed the potion.

Scene: Evening, Principal's Office

I returned, the potion in hand. The principal was still deep in conversation with the robed man.

He took the vial with suspicion, sniffed it, then—without warning—drank it.

At first... nothing.

He sneered. "So this is your 'cure'? You claim to know more than—"

Suddenly, his body tensed.

Mana exploded within him. I activated the blood pact, forcing my mana through his tangled channels.

He lit up like lightning—veins glowing as the blockage dissolved. His body trembled under the sudden, violent surge.

He stared at me in disbelief.

So did the robed man.

But I... couldn't care less.

Something was stirring inside me. A second presence. Another version of me clawing to the surface.

The principal recovered, barely, and spoke again.

"You may have skill," he said. "But you're still not leaving. If you need treatment, use academy resources."

He looked... calmer. Almost impressed. But I didn't care.

I stepped forward and grabbed both his wrists with one hand. His instincts screamed danger—but he couldn't move.

And then...

I slapped him.

The room froze.

Roksene trembled with rage.

"You are expelled from the academy!" he shouted.

Guards rushed in, grabbed me. The principal looked ready to attack—but the robed man held him back.

And just before they threw me out...

I collapsed again.

Scene: Dorm Room

I woke up in my dorm.

Again.

It felt like the start of the dream all over.

Was I trapped in a loop?

Sitting beside my bed was the robed man. He quickly turned his face away when I stirred.

"Two days," he said. "You've been unconscious for two days. You were expelled, but I requested permission for you to remain until you awoke."

I stared at him, trying to understand.

Then pain returned—my head pulsing, another self taking over.

And I gave in.

"Hahahaha... wow," I laughed. "I can't believe how stupid my older self was."

The robed man blinked.

"That idiot didn't even realize... this isn't a dream. It's a regression. I've been sent back."

I mumbled to myself, still laughing.

The man stared at me like I'd grown two heads.

"What are you looking at?" I snapped. "You went to all this trouble for me—what the hell do you want?"

He didn't answer.

"Don't give me that noble crap. If you want something—say it."

His eyes widened further.

Just a moment ago, he was calm. Mature. Now he sounded like an arrogant, reckless child.

"What the f*** do you want?" I spat.

"Huh?"