Kim Ji-hoon stared at his laptop screen, his eyes burning from exhaustion. The clock in the corner showed 2:00 AM.
"Hi, I'm Kim Ji-hoon, a student at Korea National University, doing my repetitive assignment again," he muttered to himself. "This same damn assignment. It's two in the morning and I'm doing this garbage again."
He rubbed his temples, feeling the familiar throb of a stress headache building behind his eyes. "Homeroom teacher Choi is a bastard. I'm going to die at this rate."
His fingers hovered over the keyboard, trying to summon the energy to type another paragraph about economic theory he'd already analyzed twice before. His vision blurred. His chest felt tight.
"I'm really going to die like this," he whispered.
Then his eyes closed.
When Kim Ji-hoon opened his eyes again, he wasn't in his cramped dorm room anymore. He stood in an endless white space that stretched in every direction.
"Where am I?" He spun around, searching for walls, doors, anything. "I'm sure I was doing my assignment. I fell asleep while doing it. Is this a dream?"
A translucent blue screen materialized in front of him, glowing with soft light.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Status: Deceased
Cause of Death: Fatal cardiac arrest induced by chronic academic stress
Compensation: Second Chance Granted
Ji-hoon stared at the screen. "What rubbish are you talking about? I'm not dead. I just fell asleep."
SYSTEM RESPONSE
Death confirmed. Your body expired due to excessive academic pressure. As compensation for an unjust death, you have been granted one wish. State your desire.
The words hung in the air. Ji-hoon's mind raced. This felt too real to be a dream.
"If this is actually real..." He took a breath. "I want to transmigrate into a novel."
SYSTEM QUERY
Specify the target novel.
"Journey to the Throne," Ji-hoon said immediately. It was an underrated web novel he'd read during exam breaks, a story about a prince who reclaimed his empire through intelligence and strength.
SYSTEM QUERY
Specify character and timeline.
Ji-hoon paused. Most transmigrators made the same mistake, appearing either before the story started or in the middle of all the chaos.
"I want to be the youngest brother of the Emperor," Ji-hoon said carefully. "But I don't want to transmigrate before the story starts or during the middle."
He smiled slightly. "I want to transmigrate ten years after the story concludes."
The system remained silent for several long minutes.
SYSTEM RESPONSE
Request approved. Unusual timeline detected. Transmigration initiating.
Target: Youngest brother of Emperor Caelus Reymar Astherion
Timeline: Ten years post-narrative conclusion
Transfer beginning...
The white void collapsed.
Kim Ji-hoon's consciousness dissolved and reformed. When awareness returned, he was sitting in the back of a luxury vehicle moving smoothly along a paved road. The interior was lined with polished mahogany and leather seats. Through the window, he could see a massive palace rising in the distance, its white towers gleaming in the afternoon sun.
His trick had worked.
Memories flooded in, not his own but belonging to this body. Emperor Caelus Reymar Astherion, the protagonist of Journey to the Throne, had become Emperor at eighteen years old after reclaiming the throne stolen from him. He'd been kicked out of the palace at sixteen when their father died, taking his eleven-year-old younger brother with him. They'd lived in exile for two years before Caelus returned with allies and military strength, reclaiming the empire through a brilliant campaign.
When the story concluded, Ji-hoon's character had been thirteen and Caelus eighteen. But that was ten years ago. Two more years had passed since his transmigration. He was twenty-five now, and Emperor Caelus was thirty.
Ji-hoon looked down at his hands. They were elegant, with long fingers and pale skin. He caught his reflection in the car window. Silver-white hair fell past his shoulders. His eyes were a striking mercury color. His features were aristocratic with sharp cheekbones and a refined jawline. He wore a black coat with silver embroidery forming constellations.
It had been two years since he transmigrated as the Emperor's youngest brother. His role was perfect for avoiding political drama. He traveled around the world under different identities, monitoring secret criminal organizations and neighboring nations, sending annual reports to the Emperor to maintain peace.
He'd stopped two wars before they could start, prevented numerous assassination attempts on Emperor Caelus, and significantly reduced criminal organizations' influence across multiple regions. Due to his achievements, people had given him a title without knowing who he actually was.
The Eye of the Empire.
But Ji-hoon wondered why his brother had suddenly summoned him back to the capital.
The car pulled through the palace gates, past rows of imperial guards in silver armor. Ji-hoon stepped out onto a courtyard paved with white marble. Fountains surrounded by gardens filled the air with the scent of roses. The palace was white stone with towers connected by bridges and stained glass windows.
He was escorted through carved doors. The interior hallways had portraits of previous emperors, crystal chandeliers, and polished black marble floors.
Finally, he reached the Emperor's private office. The doors opened silently.
Emperor Caelus stood by a window overlooking the capital city of Luminaris. He wore robes of deep blue trimmed with gold, his dark hair almost black with hints of deep purple, tied back with a silver clasp. When he turned, Ji-hoon saw exhaustion in his brother's violet eyes. Caelus was tall and powerfully built, with strong features and a scar running along his left cheekbone. Despite being only thirty, he carried the weight of someone who had seen far too much.
The office had bookshelves filled with texts and a large desk covered with documents and maps. The window offered a view of the sprawling city below.
"Your Majesty," Ji-hoon said, bowing slightly. "Why did you call me so suddenly?"
"Because the empire's future is in danger," Caelus said bluntly.
Ji-hoon's hand moved instinctively toward his concealed weapon. "An external threat I missed?"
"No. An internal threat." Caelus walked to his desk and picked up newspapers. "This is from this week. Read it."
Ji-hoon took the papers and began reading.
Crown Prince Involved in Tavern Brawl with Commoner Students.
Imperial Princess Caught Using Family Influence to Change Grades.
Second Prince Publicly Insults Merchant Class at University Event.
Noble Heirs from Hall of Companions Families Join Imperial Children in Series of Scandals.
"Now you understand," Caelus said quietly.
Ji-hoon looked up. "Your children are ruining everything."
"Everything we built together." Caelus's voice was tight with frustration. "Let me be clear. My eldest son, Crown Prince Kaelis von Reymar Astherion, has golden hair and emerald green eyes. Handsome, charismatic, everything a crown prince should be on the surface. But he's arrogant beyond measure. He looks down on commoners like they're insects. Last week, he started a fight in a tavern because a merchant's son accidentally bumped into him."
Caelus's jaw clenched. "My second son, Prince Reynolt von Cael Astherion, has my dark purple hair and his mother's blue eyes. He's quieter, more intellectual, but no less arrogant. He publicly stated that merchants should be grateful the nobility allows them to exist."
He turned from the window. "And my daughter, Princess Seraphine von Celestia Astherion, has silver-blonde hair and violet eyes like mine. Beautiful, intelligent, capable of great things. Instead, she uses her position to manipulate professors, bribe administrators, and ensure her academic rivals fail."
Caelus paused. "But it's not just my children. The Hall of Companions' heirs are exactly the same."
The Hall of Companions. Ji-hoon remembered them from the novel. The five most powerful noble families in the empire, second only to the Emperor. In the original story, they hadn't abandoned Caelus during his exile.
House Valenridge, House Thornveil, House Silvaquen, House Ashcroft, and House Morvanth.
Caelus began listing them. "From House Valenridge, there's Lucien von Kaelvar Valenridge, tall with ice-blue hair and sharp amber eyes. Brilliant in combat magic but treats commoners like they're beneath conversation. His sister, Rosalind von Evaine Valenridge, has platinum blonde hair and cold blue eyes. She's known for her beauty and cruelty."
"From House Thornveil, the brothers Theron von Lysander Thornveil and Cassian von Aldric Thornveil. Theron has dark brown hair and calculating gray eyes. Cassian is younger with lighter brown hair and the same gray eyes. Both brilliant scholars who use their intelligence to humiliate anyone they consider intellectually inferior."
He poured himself wine but didn't drink. "House Silvaquen sent three children. The eldest son, Valerius von Daemir Silvaquen, black hair with silver streaks and piercing silver eyes. Arrogant doesn't begin to describe him. His two younger sisters, Mirielle von Astrae Silvaquen with deep red hair and emerald eyes, and Vivienne von Celestine Silvaquen with auburn hair and golden eyes. All three are spoiled beyond redemption."
"House Ashcroft's representative is Isolde von Seravine Ashcroft. She has white hair and heterochromatic eyes, one violet and one gold. Cold, calculating, utterly convinced of her superiority."
"And finally, House Morvanth sent their daughter, Adrienne von Celestia Morvanth. Dark blue hair and sapphire eyes. She treats her noble status as permission to do whatever she wants."
"Twelve students total," Ji-hoon said quietly.
"Twelve students who represent the future of this empire, and all twelve are destroying that future." Caelus threw the newspapers back. "The media covers new incidents every day. My advisors tell me to expel them from the academy and teach them privately."
"Why don't you follow their suggestion?"
"Because of the Succession Vote."
Ji-hoon understood immediately. When any child of the Emperor turned eighteen, there was a formal vote to determine whether the child was worthy of succeeding to the throne.
"You're worried they'll fail the vote," Ji-hoon said.
"I'm certain they'll fail." Caelus's voice was hollow. "At this rate, there's no chance of my children or the Hall of Companions' children winning succession approval. Do you understand what happens if they all fail?"
"A minister succeeds to the throne instead of someone from the founding families."
"Exactly. A career politician with no connection to the imperial bloodline, no loyalty to the Hall of Companions." Caelus looked directly at Ji-hoon. "Do you want everything we've built handed over to some bureaucrat who'll destroy it within a generation?"
"No," Ji-hoon said firmly. "What do you want me to do?"
Caelus pulled out an official document sealed with the imperial crest. "I want you to discipline them. Your record is completely clean. You've never been involved in capital politics, never had any scandals. You're the only person who can do this without accusations of bias."
Ji-hoon took the document and read it.
IMPERIAL DECREE
By Order of Emperor Caelus Reymar Astherion
Daevan von Erevos Astherion is hereby appointed Senior Professor of Imperial Arcanum Academy with full authority over the Privileged Class students.
"The Privileged Class?" Ji-hoon asked.
"That's what the media is calling the class containing all twelve of these spoiled heirs." Caelus's expression was grim. "If you don't fix this situation, then pack your bags. You, me, and all five Hall of Companions family heads will be retiring to the countryside permanently while watching the empire collapse."
Ji-hoon felt a cold clarity settle over him. How dare these children ruin the peace he'd worked so hard to maintain?
"Your Majesty, don't concern yourself," Ji-hoon said calmly. "I will handle this."
"Good." Caelus handed him another document. "This grants you full teaching authority over their schedules, movements, and living arrangements. The Hall of Companions family heads have already signed off on it."
The next morning, Daevan von Erevos Astherion arrived at Imperial Arcanum Academy.
Seven massive towers of white stone rose from a sprawling campus. Gardens and courtyards connected the towers. Floating platforms transported students between buildings, and the air hummed with residual magical energy.
Daevan wore an elegant black coat with silver embroidery forming constellations. His silver-white hair was tied back with a black ribbon. Students stopped and stared as he walked through the main gates.
"Is that the new professor?"
"He looks like an Astherion."
"I heard he's the Eye of the Empire."
Camera crystals followed his movements. The media had already begun their coverage.
Daevan entered the Theoretical Magic tower. The interior had spiraling staircases of crystal and walls lined with bookshelves. The air smelled of parchment.
He climbed to the fifth floor where the Privileged Class classroom was located. Through the door, he could hear arrogant voices.
"The professors are all cowards. They don't dare give us failing grades."
"This new professor will be the same."
Daevan pushed the door open and walked inside.
The classroom had individual workstations made of polished mahogany with cushioned chairs. Windows overlooked the academy gardens. A massive blackboard covered the front wall. Crystal chandeliers provided light.
The twelve students sat scattered around the room, wearing expensive uniforms with their family crests displayed. None were in their assigned seats.
Crown Prince Kaelis von Reymar Astherion lounged near the back, his golden hair catching the light. His emerald eyes were sharp as he sized up Daevan. The imperial crest was embroidered in gold on his chest.
Beside him sat Lucien von Kaelvar Valenridge, tall with ice-blue hair styled meticulously. His amber eyes held cold disdain. The Valenridge crest gleamed on his shoulder.
Princess Seraphine von Celestia Astherion sat near the windows, her silver-blonde hair cascading over her shoulders. Her violet eyes watched Daevan with barely concealed boredom. She held a communication crystal.
Prince Reynolt von Cael Astherion sat alone in the middle row, his dark purple hair falling across his forehead. His blue eyes were focused on a book.
Rosalind von Evaine Valenridge sat near her brother, her platinum blonde hair pulled back in an elaborate braid. Her cold blue eyes regarded Daevan with disdain.
Theron von Lysander Thornveil and his brother Cassian von Aldric Thornveil sat together near the front. Theron's dark brown hair was neat, his gray eyes scanning a text. Cassian, with lighter brown hair, was writing in a notebook.
Valerius von Daemir Silvaquen sat alone with deliberate isolation, his black hair with silver streaks making him stand out. His piercing silver eyes met Daevan's gaze before looking away.
His sisters sat nearby. Mirielle von Astrae Silvaquen had deep red hair that fell in waves, her emerald eyes bright. Vivienne von Celestine Silvaquen, with auburn hair, had golden eyes that sparkled.
Isolde von Seravine Ashcroft sat furthest from everyone else, her snow-white hair almost glowing. Her heterochromatic eyes, one violet and one gold, tracked Daevan's movements. She was the only student sitting perfectly straight.
Adrienne von Celestia Morvanth sat near the windows, her dark blue hair styled elegantly. Her sapphire eyes regarded Daevan with disdain.
"Greetings," Daevan said, his voice calm. "I am Professor Daevan von Erevos Astherion. I will be your instructor from this day forward."
"I don't care who you are," Lucien interrupted, standing abruptly. "I'm leaving. Another boring lecture from another incompetent professor."
He walked toward the door without waiting for permission.
Daevan raised one hand in a subtle gesture. The door closed smoothly, and glowing magical seals appeared across its surface.
Lucien grabbed the handle and pulled. The door didn't budge. He channeled mana and pulled harder. Nothing.
"What is this?" Lucien demanded.
"No one leaves until the lecture concludes," Daevan said. "You may ask questions if you have doubts, but departure is not permitted."
Theron stood. "That's an unlawful detention spell. Academy regulations state that
"Academy regulations grant senior professors full discretion over classroom management," Daevan interrupted smoothly. "I suggest you sit down."
Theron didn't sit. He began channeling mana, preparing a dispel formula. Cassian joined him, along with Valerius. The three combined their magical power, targeting the door seals.
Daevan made another gesture. Invisible chains of pure mana materialized around all four students. The chains wrapped around them, lifting them slightly and guiding them back to their assigned seats.
The chains placed each student in their proper desk and solidified into binding spells.
"What kind of magic is this?" Isolde spoke, her heterochromatic eyes wide.
Daevan added a final layer. Restriction magic sealed over their mouths. They could breathe through their noses, but no sound would escape.
"Please pay attention to the lesson," Daevan said. "You may take notes after the lecture concludes. Today's topic is the probability and integration of spell formulas in practical magical application."
He turned to the blackboard. With a gesture, chalk began moving on its own.
"Magic operates on the principle of mana manipulation through formulated intentions," Daevan began. "However, what most practitioners fail to understand is that spell formulas are not fixed structures. They are probability fields that collapse into specific effects based on the caster's will and environmental mana conditions."
He drew a diagram on the board.
"Consider a basic fire spell. The traditional formula treats mana as uniform and intention as binary. In reality, both are far more complex."
He wrote equations on the board, explaining how spatial coordinates, temporal dimensions, and angular vectors all influenced spell efficiency. He demonstrated with actual magic, creating a sphere of fire in his hand that shifted colors and shapes.
"This level of control requires treating every variable as dynamic. The mana density at your location right now is different from what it was five seconds ago."
He released the fire, which dissipated without residual heat.
"Now, let's extend this to spell integration. When you cast multiple spells in sequence, you create interference patterns in the local mana field."
He drew overlapping wave patterns and explained resonance functions. He demonstrated by forming water and instantly transmuting it to perfect ice.
"The key is simultaneous equation solving. Your mind must calculate the resonance function while maintaining both spell structures."
He wrote example problems on the board, then formed a complex structure combining fire, water, and air elements simultaneously.
"This structure is stable because I've calculated the resonance functions between all three elements. The mana cost is lower than casting a single-element spell of equivalent power."
The structure rotated above his palm.
He concluded with a summary written across the board about core principles of probability fields, spell integration, real-time calculations, dynamic variables, and resonance functions.
"This concludes today's lecture on magical theory," Daevan said. The elemental structure dissipated. "You may take notes now if you wish."
He released all the binding spells. The chains dissipated, and the mouth seals faded. The door seals remained glowing.
Several students immediately began writing frantically. Isolde's hand moved rapidly across parchment. Theron was already attempting to solve problems. Even Reynolt was copying equations.
"You may leave once you've finished taking notes," Daevan said. "The door will unseal when I depart."
He walked out with unhurried steps.
The moment the door closed, it unsealed.
"What kind of psychopath is this professor?" Prince Reynolt said quietly.
That afternoon, the twelve students gathered in a private dining room with windows overlooking the gardens.
Their faces were flushed with anger.
"We need to teach this professor a lesson," Crown Prince Kaelis said. "Who does he think he is?"
"The next lecture is Summoning Arts," Princess Seraphine said. "He's only the magical theory professor. The summoning professor will pay for what happened this morning."
"Agreed," Lucien said coldly.
They walked to the Summoning Arts tower after lunch. The tower was built of darker stone with engravings of summoned creatures. Inside, summoning circles were etched into floors, and the air smelled of incense.
They entered Classroom 3-S, a circular room with a high domed ceiling and summoning circles carved into the floor.
The students stopped dead.
Professor Daevan von Erevos Astherion stood at the center, his silver-white hair catching light.
"How can you be the summoning lecturer too?" Mirielle demanded. "You're the professor of magical theory!"
"I see you didn't read today's newspaper," Daevan said. He pulled out a fresh copy.
The headline read about an imperial decree granting full authority to the new senior professor as all-subject teacher for the Privileged Class with complete educational control.
"How can Father do that?" Kaelis grabbed the paper.
The newspaper vanished from his hands, dissolving into light.
"I'll be starting the summoning lecture now," Daevan said. "Please tell me which summoning specializations you've each chosen."
"We don't have to do that," Rosalind said, standing. "I'm leaving."
"You cannot."
All twelve students stood and walked toward the door.
A shimmering barrier materialized around them instantly, forming a dome of blue energy. The dome expanded until it enclosed a training ground marked with distance markers.
Text appeared on the barrier's surface about conditions for exit.
"What are you doing?" Adrienne demanded. "You can't imprison us!"
"I'm doing nothing," Daevan said from outside. "The barrier's conditions are clear. Complete one hundred laps, and you'll be free."
Valerius immediately began analyzing the barrier. He tried to channel mana. Nothing happened.
"It's a mana suppression field combined with a physical barrier," Isolde said. "I've read about theoretical applications, but I've never seen one deployed."
"This shouldn't be possible for a single caster," Theron said.
For the next hour, the students tried everything. Lucien attempted brute force. Cassian and Theron tried to find logical flaws. Students demanded release.
Eventually, exhausted, they began running laps.
By the twentieth lap, their uniforms were soaked. By the fiftieth lap, several were gasping. By the eightieth lap, they ran on pure stubbornness.
Four hours passed before all twelve completed one hundred laps. They collapsed inside the barrier, drenched in sweat, their uniforms ruined.
The barrier dissolved.
"I'm exhausted," Adrienne gasped.
"What kind of person is this?" Vivienne whispered.
"Since you're not in condition to continue," Daevan said, appearing at the doorway, "I'm cancelling the remaining classes. Have a good day."
He turned and walked away.
The twelve students remained scattered, too exhausted to curse him.
They eventually dragged themselves up and packed their bags. Every muscle ached.
Luxury cars arrived at the entrance, floating carriages with family crests on their sides.
Princess Seraphine looked at the nine students from the Hall of Companions families. Despite her exhaustion, her violet eyes showed concern.
"Why don't you all stay at the Imperial Palace tonight?" she said. "We can rest together. You can return to your estates tomorrow."
Lucien nodded slowly. "That sounds acceptable."
The others agreed. The cars carrying all twelve students proceeded toward the Imperial Palace, moving smoothly through city streets.
As they passed through the gates, Seraphine looked out her window and noticed a figure standing in shadows.
Professor Daevan von Erevos Astherion.
He stood perfectly still, his silver-white hair gleaming in fading sunlight, his mercury eyes watching their departure. His black coat made him look like a piece of the night sky.
Daevan observed the convoy heading toward the palace. He pulled out his copy of the imperial decree and read it once more. The document granted him complete authority over the twelve students' schedules, movements, living arrangements, and education.
Every aspect of their lives was now under his control.
It would be interesting teaching them.
Daevan folded the document and returned it to his coat. He turned and walked away from the academy, his steps measured and dignified.