One week after the attack.
Ethan stood in the headmaster's office, surrounded by the highest powers of the academy.
"Mr. Blackwood," Headmaster Silvanus said, "your actions saved dozens of lives and exposed a traitor who had evaded detection for decades. The academy owes you a debt."
"I was just doing what anyone would do."
"Don't be modest," Professor Marcus growled. "You knew the attack was coming. You prepared the heroines. You identified the traitor. That's not 'what anyone would do.'"
Seraphina stepped forward. "He has knowledge he shouldn't have. Skills of prediction that border on prophetic. I believe he deserves an explanation—or at least, a chance to explain himself."
All eyes turned to Ethan.
He took a deep breath.
"I know things," he said carefully. "About the future. About events that will happen. I don't fully understand how—only that the knowledge is in my head, and it's saved lives."
The headmaster studied him with ancient, unreadable eyes.
"A seer," he murmured. "We haven't had one of those in three centuries."
That's not quite right, Ethan thought. But it's close enough.
"Whatever you are," the headmaster continued, "you've proven your value. The academy would like to offer you a position in the Special Studies program—a small group of exceptional students who work directly with senior faculty on matters of imperial importance."
"I accept."
"Good." The headmaster's eyes glinted. "Because we have much to discuss, Mr. Blackwood. The demon threat is growing. The Demon King's Apostles are moving. And I suspect your 'knowledge' will be invaluable in the battles to come."
That night, Ethan stood on the academy's observation deck, looking out at the stars.
The system window floated beside him.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Ethan Blackwood
Age: 18
Class: Apprentice Combat Mage
Rank: C
Title: Fate Defier
ATTRIBUTES:
Strength: 18 Agility: 22 Intelligence: 67 Mana Capacity: 45 Charm: 38
SKILLS:
Parallel Thinking (Rare) Mana Manipulation (Uncommon) Mana Sense (Common) Barrier Magic (Uncommon) Temporal Sense (Unique)
RELATIONSHIPS:
Seraphina von Crystallis: 48/100 (Allied Interest) Aria Evergreen: 45/100 (Trusted Friend) Elena Starweaver: 52/100 (Academic Partner) Victoria Blackthorn: 40/100 (Cautious Ally) Luna Nightshade: 35/100 (Mutual Respect) Lucien Ashford: 55/100 (True Friend)
Footsteps approached.
Ethan turned to find all five heroines walking toward him, along with Lucien.
"Stargazing alone?" Seraphina asked.
"Thinking," Ethan said. "About the future."
"The future we're going to change together," Lucien said firmly. "The demon threat isn't going away. But now we know there are traitors among us. We know to be vigilant."
"And we know to trust each other," Aria added softly.
Victoria crossed her arms. "I still don't understand how you know what you know. But you saved lives today. That's enough for me."
"You're still suspicious," Elena observed. "You carry secrets you don't share. I find that fascinating."
"Secrets can be dangerous," Luna said from the shadows. "But so can ignorance. I'll be watching you, Blackwood—but as an ally, not an enemy."
Ethan looked at them—the heroines, the protagonist, the people who should have been beyond his reach.
They were looking back.
Not through him. Not past him.
At him.
"I'm not the hero of this story," he said quietly. "That's your role, Lucien. I'm just an extra who decided he didn't want to die."
"Maybe that's what we need," Lucien replied. "Heroes see the big picture. But sometimes it takes an 'extra' to see the details everyone else misses."
He extended his hand.
"Partners?"
Ethan clasped it.
"Partners."
Above them, the stars wheeled in their eternal dance.
And somewhere in the darkness, beyond the borders of the human realm, the Demon King stirred.
So, a voice like thunder rumbled across dimensions. The weave of fate has changed. An anomaly has appeared. How... interesting.
END OF VOLUME ONE