6:30 a.m.
It was morning.
John set off for work, unusually hyped, as if the world itself had shifted overnight. Walking felt both familiar and strangely new, like stepping into a reality layered atop another, invisible to most people. He glanced at his phone calendar—tonight was a full moon. Exactly as Jaz had said.
He noticed that Skinn wasn't on his usual route. Normally, they'd pass each other somewhere along the way, almost like clockwork. That absence unsettled him slightly. A world of mages existed just out of sight, and Skinn had always been a connection, a tether to the mundane while John navigated this increasingly strange existence. Maybe they did something to him, John thought, anxiety prickling at the edge of his mind. He shook it off, forcing himself to focus on getting to work, wearing a hyped-up expression that disguised his inner tension.
Yet, the warning from Jaz lingered. His aura was wide open, visible to any mage with enough skill. He could be killed in an instant, right here, right now. The thought of someone striking him at his workplace made him pause mid-step. Still, he breathed slowly, reminding himself to stay calm. Entering the magical academy was supposed to clarify everything—and for now, caution was all he could rely on.
So he entered the office, greeted his colleagues, and settled into his usual routine, albeit with a slightly heightened awareness.
12:06 p.m.
John felt it first: a pulse of extremely strong mana outside the building. It lasted barely a few seconds before fading.
Safe, he thought, though unease lingered. Probably from a car. They sensed me too. I'd better be careful later.
3:01 p.m.
"Boss, may I take a three-day absence starting tomorrow?" John asked. His voice remained steady, though his heart beat a little faster. "I'll use three of my free days—it's really important."
His boss, a young-looking thirty-year-old woman, petite but commanding, regarded him thoughtfully. "You sure? Work's been smooth since your latest talent reassessment… Yeah, three days should be fine. But don't slack when you come back, okay?"
John nodded. Bye, Miss Boss, he thought as he left. Outside, he immediately called Skinn.
Calling…
"Hey. Where are you?"
"I'm heading home. Something important… I'll be gone for three days. I'll expl—"
"Wait, three consecutive absences? You'll get in serious trouble! Tell me later, okay?"
John paused. Skinn's reminder brought the academic penalty to mind—three days' absence could result in expulsion. Good thing he reminded me, John thought. He decided to attempt the portal only after class.
Arriving at the school campus, John found Skinn waiting outside the gate.
"Hey, what's up? You said you had to go somewhere… something important. Mind telling me?" Skinn asked.
John hesitated. He didn't want to reveal the grimoire or the magical danger—it might put Skinn at risk—but he also didn't want to lose his friend.
"I… I have some peculiar problems I should—hey, let's get to class first! We'll be late if we don't hurry," John said, forcing a laugh.
"Oh… okay. Let's go then," Skinn replied, slightly confused.
Classes went on, routine in appearance, but Skinn watched John carefully. He seemed normal, but subtle signs—furtive glances, tensed posture—betrayed that he was hiding something.
After class, Skinn caught up to him.
"John."
"Yes?"
"Just tell me if something's worrying you, okay? I feel like you're hiding something."
John forced a smile. He wanted to protect Skinn from the danger surrounding him, but he didn't want to betray trust.
"Haha… you really can't hide anything from me, huh? Let's go to that cafe. I'll try to explain everything, even if it sounds weird," John said.
"Weird? Hmmm… what is it?"
"Let's go," John replied. "Remember that small book figure you gave me?"
"Oh, you mean the book you're holding right now?" Skinn asked, eyeing his hands.
John glanced down. The book was indeed in his hands. How it had gotten there was a mystery, but he wasn't surprised anymore—after everything, this seemed tame by comparison.
"Yes. And… some other weird stuff," John said quietly.
As they left the campus, Skinn noticed John's paranoia. He constantly scanned their surroundings, seemingly hiding behind the black hood of his jacket. Skinn didn't press—he understood that whatever John was experiencing, it was serious.
John's awareness of mana had sharpened. He could feel it in the distance, mostly faint, yet detectable. Were all the mages Jaz mentioned already at the academy?
Finally, they reached the cafe. Skinn, understanding John's need for discretion, picked a seat far from other patrons. They sat.
"So, what is it?" Skinn asked.
"I don't think you'll believe me. You'll probably think I'm hallucinating. I can already see you worrying about me," John said.
"Uh… yeah, I was a little worried. What is it?"
"Sigh… Remember this book? Something peculiar is inside it," John said, lowering his voice.
Skinn leaned in, elbows on the table, keen to listen. A typical psychological move—he wanted John to trust him.
"Hmmm… okay. What's peculiar about it?" Skinn asked, voice soft, soothing.
"I should be gone for three days. I'm confirming something about this book tonight. If it's as peculiar as I suspect, I'll show you. But I need to do something now," John said.
A faint pulse of mana approached the cafe. It was weak, but enough to alert John.
"What's wrong?" Skinn whispered.
"I probably have a visitor," John said, eyes narrowing. The aura aligned with the entrance, and a child appeared through the glass door. This was the child Jaz referred to—the "Boss."
"Hey, sorry Skinn. I have to hurry. Goodbye," John said, quickly standing.
He approached the child.
"Hey," he whispered.
"Three days, two to three nights depending on your behavior. Don't worry about class for now—worry about your life," the child said.
John was stunned. How did the child know what he was thinking?
"Thanks… but how did you know I was going to ask that?" John whispered.
"Jaz asked the same question last time. You're at the same school. I just… knew," the child replied, expression calm and unflinching.
A child, yet undeniably intelligent. John observed as the child decided on an order at the counter.
Skinn tapped John's shoulder. "Hey… something important?"
"Oh, hey Skinn. I was going home, but I checked—this child isn't lost," John replied.
The child took his coffee and glanced at John, eyes sharp for a moment, then a smile spread across his face.
"No normal human wants to die early, right?" the child said, grinning.
"Oh… peculiar and cute," Skinn murmured. "Have you met this little guy before?"
John was frozen. "Uh… no. I should really go," he stammered, exiting the cafe in a rush.
10:30 p.m.
Time was slipping. John raced home. The ritual needed to be done tonight. Midnight was the deadline.
At home, he hurried to set up a ladder for a clear view of the full moon. Fatigue tugged at his eyelids. I should've had an espresso back at the cafe, he thought.
He positioned the ladder, climbed to the roof, and checked the book—securely in his pocket. The full moon hung clear and bright.
Raising the book to catch the moonlight, he waited.
Nothing happened.
Longer he waited, still nothing.
What is this? Is this some cruel joke?
Then, in a blink, everything shifted.
John stood atop a roof he didn't recognize. The structure looked ancient yet solid beneath his feet. Stomping reassured him—this roof could hold him.
At the edge, he looked down. A woman, tall and wearing glasses, walked along an invisible floor, defying gravity.
She altered her angle gradually, counter-clockwise, as if walking along the sides of a cube. Soon, she appeared to be upside down, moving smoothly while maintaining perfect balance.
She noticed him.
"Do you have flight spells?" she asked suddenly.
"Uh… no. Is this the academy?" John asked.
"Oh, so you teleported here onto the roof?" she asked. "Yes, this is the academy. You have a roof partner—do you want help getting down?"
So this is the academy… such a massive place, John thought.
"Yes, please!" he replied eagerly.