Morning sunlight spread across the Royal Arcane Academy.
The campus was already buzzing with activity.
Today was the first official day of classes.
Students filled the central courtyard, discussing schedules, comparing magical talents, and nervously preparing for their first practical lesson.
Lucien Blackwood walked calmly along the stone pathway.
His black academy cloak moved gently with the wind.
But inside his body…
Everything had changed.
After practicing Mana Compression throughout the night, Lucien could clearly feel the difference.
His mana core was far denser than before.
Every movement of magic felt smoother.
More controlled.
More powerful.
Lucien flexed his fingers slightly.
A faint spark of blue mana flickered across his palm before disappearing again.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Good."
If the original Lucien had possessed this level of control…
He would never have been defeated so easily in the novel.
Students along the path whispered as Lucien passed by.
"That's Lucien Blackwood."
"I heard he ranked third in the entrance evaluation."
"The Blackwood family produces monsters every generation…"
Lucien ignored the comments.
Fame meant nothing.
Strength was everything.
Soon he arrived at the Practical Magic Training Field.
A wide circular arena surrounded by stone seating.
Dozens of first-year students had already gathered there.
At the center stood a tall instructor wearing crimson robes.
Professor Kael.
One of the academy's combat magic instructors.
His sharp eyes scanned the students.
"Quiet."
His voice carried across the arena instantly.
The chatter stopped.
"Today we will conduct a simple mana control test."
Professor Kael raised his hand.
Several metal training dummies rose from the ground using magic.
Each dummy had a glowing crystal embedded in its chest.
"Your task is simple."
"Release a mana burst and strike the target."
"The crystal will measure your magical output."
Some students looked confident.
Others looked terrified.
Lucien stood quietly among them.
He already knew how this scene originally unfolded.
In the novel…
Adrian Vale had accidentally destroyed his dummy with an unstable mana surge.
That incident had caused chaos and ultimately led to his punishment duty in the library.
Which was how he discovered the hidden spellbook.
Lucien's eyes drifted across the arena.
And quickly found Adrian.
Just as before.
Standing quietly near the back of the crowd.
Simple robes.
Calm expression.
Trying not to attract attention.
Lucien watched him carefully.
Let's see what happens now.
Professor Kael pointed to the first student.
"You. Begin."
One by one, students stepped forward.
Small bursts of mana struck the training dummies.
Most crystals glowed faintly.
Some barely reacted.
Professor Kael nodded occasionally but rarely showed interest.
Then—
"Adrian Vale."
Adrian stepped forward slowly.
Lucien watched closely.
Adrian placed his hand forward.
Mana gathered in his palm.
For a moment, it seemed unstable.
Then Adrian released it.
Boom.
The mana wave struck the dummy.
The crystal glowed…
But only weakly.
Professor Kael frowned slightly.
"Average."
Several students whispered.
"That's it?"
"I thought he looked talented."
Adrian stepped back quietly.
His expression remained calm.
But Lucien noticed something subtle.
Confusion.
Adrian himself seemed surprised by the result.
Lucien understood why.
Without Mana Compression, Adrian's mana control was completely ordinary.
The protagonist had just lost his first major advantage.
Lucien felt almost amused.
Then—
"Lucien Blackwood."
The instructor called his name.
Several students immediately turned their heads.
Whispers spread again.
Lucien stepped forward.
He stood before the training dummy.
Professor Kael watched him with interest.
"The Blackwood heir."
"Show us your talent."
Lucien raised his hand slowly.
Mana gathered instantly.
But unlike the others…
His mana flow was incredibly stable.
Dense.
Condensed.
Lucien released it.
BOOM.
A powerful surge of magic shot forward.
The training dummy shook violently.
The crystal flashed with bright blue light.
Then—
CRACK.
A visible fracture spread across the crystal surface.
The arena fell silent.
Even Professor Kael's eyebrows lifted slightly.
"Impressive."
Several students stared in shock.
"Did he just almost break the measurement crystal?"
"That requires insane mana density…"
Lucien lowered his hand calmly.
For him, this was nothing special.
But across the arena—
Adrian Vale was staring directly at him.
His gaze sharp.
Focused.
Something in that display had clearly caught his attention.
Lucien noticed.
Their eyes met again.
This time Adrian did not look away immediately.
Instead, he studied Lucien carefully.
As if trying to understand something.
Lucien smiled faintly.
Then turned away.
Class continued normally.
But the balance of the story had already begun to shift.
After the lesson ended, students slowly left the arena.
Lucien walked toward the academy courtyard.
But he could feel footsteps behind him.
Someone was following.
A calm voice called out.
"Lucien Blackwood."
Lucien stopped.
He turned around slowly.
Standing several meters away—
Adrian Vale.
The future Archmage.
Adrian looked directly at him.
His expression thoughtful.
"I have a question."
Lucien raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Oh?"
Adrian hesitated for a moment.
Then asked quietly:
"Have we… met before?"
Lucien stared at him for two seconds.
Then chuckled softly.
"No."
"But perhaps…"
His eyes gleamed faintly.
"…we will meet often from now on."
Lucien turned and walked away.
Leaving Adrian standing alone in the courtyard.
Adrian watched his back disappear into the crowd.
A strange feeling settled in his chest.
For reasons he couldn't explain—
Lucien Blackwood felt…
dangerous.
And far away in the distance…
The wheels of fate continued to shift.