Ken Xeno entered the dormitory building, the polished floors reflecting his black hair and the faint glow of the magical lanterns overhead. The smell of old books and enchanted wood filled the air. Students milled about, some chatting in small groups, others practicing minor spells in the corners.
He walked down the hall with a calm, measured pace, his permanent smile in place. It didn't matter that he was technically new; the aura of calm confidence he radiated made everyone instinctively step aside. Even the more rambunctious students paused for a brief moment, noticing the youngest Xeno.
Ken stopped in front of his assigned room. Two doors down, he could hear a group of students laughing loudly as they tried to levitate a stack of books—and failing spectacularly. He tilted his head, amused. Some things never change, he thought. Even in a world written by someone else.
He opened the door to his dorm room. It was modest but elegant: a large window letting in sunlight, a bed neatly made, and a small desk with magical runes etched along the surface. Ken placed his bag on the bed and sat down, letting his mind wander for a moment.
So this is the start of my story, he thought. I don't know what will happen, but I'll take it slow. Observe. Learn. And enjoy.
Before he could get too comfortable, the door swung open. Two boys—clearly students here for the first time—peered in. Their expressions froze the moment they saw him. One had spiky brown hair, the other a shock of white, both with eyes wide as if they had just seen a ghost.
"You… you're Ken Xeno, right?" the brown-haired one stammered.
Ken nodded, smiling gently. "That's me. Are you my roommates?"
The boys exchanged a nervous glance. "Uh… yeah, I guess," the white-haired one said. "I'm Taron, and this is Elyas."
Ken extended a hand casually. "Pleasure to meet you." His smile never faltered, but it carried a calm authority that made both boys tense and then relax slightly.
Once introductions were done, Ken glanced at the small window in the corner of the room. Outside, the courtyard was bustling with students practicing spells and dueling in controlled matches. Fireballs, ice spears, and small gusts of wind danced through the air. Ken's sharp eyes noted the differences in talent, in style, and even in strategy.
This is interesting, he thought. Mana control, offensive skill, teamwork… I can see the potential here.
He didn't need to rush. His system gave him an almost limitless pool of options, but he wanted to observe first. Learn the patterns of this world. And, of course, enjoy being a student at Magic Academy—without breaking the story.
After a while, a bell rang throughout the academy, signaling the start of the first class. Students began moving toward the classrooms, some more excited than others. Ken stood, straightened his cloak, and walked out with Taron and Elyas.
Their first class was Introduction to Mana Theory, a foundational subject. The classroom was vast, with glowing runes etched into the floors and walls, each pulsing with faint energy. The instructor, a tall, silver-haired man with sharp eyes, greeted the students.
"Welcome to Magic Academy. Today, you will begin understanding the flow of mana. But let me make one thing clear: talent alone does not make a great magician. Control, strategy, and discipline are everything."
Ken listened carefully, his permanent smile in place, nodding politely. Inside, he was analyzing every word, every movement. His system flickered lightly, offering subtle suggestions on mana application, tactical positioning, and spell efficiency.
The other students scribbled notes frantically. Ken didn't. He didn't need to. He was observing, storing information, preparing for when the real test came.
During a practical exercise, the students were asked to manipulate a small mana sphere, keeping it suspended in the air for as long as possible. Most students struggled. Taron dropped his sphere twice, while Elyas's sphere wobbled violently before crashing to the floor.
Ken, on the other hand, closed his eyes briefly, letting his system adjust his aura. A faint black glow surrounded him as the mana sphere hovered effortlessly in front of him, spinning gently. Not a single student noticed the immense control he was exerting—it looked simple, almost casual.
This world is… entertaining, Ken thought, smiling softly. I could have fun here.
The bell rang again, signaling the end of class. As students filed out, Ken lingered, watching the instructor demonstrate advanced techniques. Every movement, every word, every detail—he cataloged it all.
Outside, in the courtyard, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the Academy grounds. Ken walked with Taron and Elyas back to their dorm, still smiling, still calm.
So far, so good, he thought. The story is unfolding… and I'm right in the middle of it. Let's see where this goes.
And somewhere in the back of his mind, a small, quiet thought lingered:
The protagonist said he'd "come back again."
Ken didn't know what that meant. And for now, he didn't care.
He was here. He was powerful. And this was just the beginning.