It was unnerving, being treated like a regular student when he was far too used to scornful or fearful glares, cautious peeks. Noticing his expression, Nicola laughed softly in understanding.

"It's my responsibility to treat all students the same, regardless of rumours that I don't know the truth of." She tilted his head slyly, offering a quick wink. "Though I'm not a fan of assumptions regardless."

"Responsibility?"

Kaden took in her neat uniform, carefully tucked and folded without a single crease to ruin the perfection, and her braided brown hair resting over her shoulder.

Nicola laughed lightly again. Ah, I always forget to introduce myself properly. I'm still new at the student president business."

Widening his eyes in understanding, Kaden recalled who the person before him was. In the first year of his attending the Academy, Reed had been in his graduating year—the third year—and had been elected as one of two student presidents.

The other had been a quiet yet observant woman by the name of Nicola.

Kaden had forgotten about the woman, because she preferred to complete tasks in the gentle backgrounds, rather than Reed whose popularity as the Crown Prince made him famous across the Academy.

Nicola had been one of the people who helped Kaden once, when he was researching in the library. He hadn't been taking his classes seriously at the time, preoccupied with Reed's tasks.

But she'd pointed out recommendations, aware that he had fallen behind, and hoping he intended to learn to catch up. The man had always thought of it as regretful that he could never meet her expectations.

That in this special Academy built for the most talented and hard-working, he'd let down the only person that had any faith in him.

"I hope you do go." Nicola nodded at the paper still in his hand, glancing over the books held to his chest. "To the festival, that is. And with some friends, I'd hope."

"I'll consider it."

With a shake of a head, she stepped forward and lifted one of the books that had been slipping down, threatening to fall. "I hope you'll experience many new things during your three years here in the Academy. Rumours will fade, and others will open themselves to you soon."

"The rumours aren't false." He looked away, frowning slightly.

"Rumours are called rumours because while they may hold some merit, they are not entirely true. If it were confirmed, then it would be fact." Nicola tilted her head. "Are you a terrible person, Kaden?"

"Yes."

"And do you want to change?"

He hadn't expected such a question. After hesitating, Nicola didn't press him to answer. "If you hesitated, that means you know what you've done, and there is a part of you that wants to change. Such a person can't be terrible."

She allowed her words to settle, a flicker of doubt appearing in her expression. He noticed, but it soon faded away as if it never existed.

The woman twirled around, waving a slender hand in the air. "I suppose that's my own belief, however. Regardless, the Academy exists to grant students a unique experience. Otherwise, what's the point of going back to school after graduating already?"

"Spend your time well, Kaden."

She was already walking away, with grace and calmness in every step, by the time Kaden opened his mouth to reply.

Finally, he glanced back down to the paper. The Festival would be in a week, during the evening. While the Academy had a curfew, it allowed students to leave on certain occasions.

One of which was for festivals and events.

Kaden thought to what Nicola had advised, telling him to spend his time well. Of course, he wanted to. He always did.

After staring a little longer, he folded the paper and tucked it between the pages of a book. He would decide later, closer to the date whether he'd go or not.

More importantly, he would have to submit the extra three classes he wanted to attend by the end of the week. The full day of classes would begin the following week, and a late submission meant being put into a random class of the Academy's choosing.

In fact, two of Noah's classes had been tempting—Culinary, and the Concept of Magic.

Cooking was a necessary skill for those who left home, and though he didn't have the luxury to affording many ingredients, he had the opportunity while he was here.

And the Concept of Magic explored ideas and theories beyond his wildest understanding, also allowing him to learn more about his own abilities, and even discover why he'd returned back to the world. 

How he'd been tossed into a different reality, in the first place.

And also a deeper understanding in these higher beings named Watchers—that the public weren't aware of, chalking magic and wonder to something extraordinary, without means to define it.

The last class he'd been considering was the Study of Races. The different species that inhabited the lands, the ones that humans often took for granted.

Reed had a large collection of books on them, for his own use. Kaden had seen snippets when accidentally glancing over when Reed was reading, and found it to be incredibly interesting.

He hated to admit that Reed's studies had always been fascinating, and while many other nobles cared little for other races, Kaden once admired Reed's rich knowledge.

An entirely different race, different ideas, abilities, anatomy.

But in a way, entirely similar in how they breathed, lived, thought. How they cared for their beloveds, cried over death and loved the world they walked on.

Excitement bubbled in Kaden's chest, in a way he hadn't felt before.

'I'll submit my classes tomorrow.' thought the man eagerly, revenge a faraway idea in his mind that had been crowded with curiosity and interest.

After all, for now, couldn't he simply enjoy his life?

Until he couldn't anymore.