Kaen appeared in the middle of a golden beam of light, being teleported back to the trial's starting point.
The environment was the same as before.
A massive hall with floating magical pillars around, glowing rune lines on the floor, and a subtle sensation of mana vibrating in the air.
But something felt different now.
The place was filled with students... or rather, what was left of them.
Many were sitting on the ground, panting. Some were lying down staring at the ceiling, clearly exhausted. Others, still in one piece, just observed their surroundings in silence.
Far fewer than at the beginning.
Most had likely been eliminated or given up halfway through the trial.
Kaen walked a few steps, stopping near one of the marks on the floor. His knees felt a bit shaky and, by reflex, he looked at his own hand.
It was trembling.
"Looks like I really overdid it this time..."
Ever since arriving in the world of Chronos Realms, the same world he once knew only as the main setting of a game, he had never used his power at full concentration.
He had limited himself to sensing, testing, and experimenting.
But during the trial, he decided to push it a bit further...
He had taken things seriously.
Kaen wiped his nose again, discreetly cleaning the blood that had started to drip once more.
The pain in his arm still throbbed, and the pressure he felt in his muscles wasn't normal.
Unlike in the game, in the world of Chronos Realms, abilities had weight. They demanded real effort. Power did come… but it came at a price.
'~Of course, if it didn't have a cost, it wouldn't be fun.'
He laughed to himself, somewhere between a sigh and a grumble...
While analyzing the sensations in his body and the trembling of his hand, a subtle sound echoed through the air.
DING.
The magical screen floating in the center of the hall suddenly lit up, displaying the official trial results.
====
[Individual Trial Rankings]
1 - Rayden Velmar – 198 points
2 - Elena Elrien – 178 points
3 - Eryon Vallis – 164 points
4 - Iris Vaellen – 158 points
5 - Kaen – 153 points
6 - Yenne Rievlen – 123 points
7 - Lyra – 118 points
====
The ranking only showed the top seven, instantly drawing attention from everyone around.
"Ahh... seriously, dude?"
"I was sure I'd make at least top 20."
Whispers spread among the students.
For those who didn't appear on the screen, the bracelet displayed their individual placement and score.
Kaen kept his eyes on the ground for a while, then looked up at the sky.
His body was still absorbing the aftereffects of the trial.
He hadn't entered with the goal of winning. He just wanted to understand how his power worked in that world.
Even so, he still managed to reach the top 10.
For a moment, he felt bad for those who had truly aimed for the top.
Still, it was hard to ignore the competitive instinct.
'It's in my blood... damn try-hard reflex from years playing that stupid game.'
He looked once more at his own hand, now less shaky.
'I think I'll just go back to the room… they said there's nothing else today.'
And with calm steps, Kaen began to walk away from the crowd.
"..."
Just as Kaen was leaving, a girl appeared in front of him.
She had long black hair, partially tied back.
Her light blue eyes were cold, yet focused. Her posture was firm, and even in silence, she carried a certain presence.
'Yenne.'
Kaen sidestepped, trying to pass by her without saying anything.
But she stepped forward again, blocking the way.
"You're really going to ignore me?"
Kaen stopped.
"I don't recall having any business with you."
Yenne frowned.
"Why did you interfere in our battle?"
She stared at him, waiting for a convincing answer.
"Why? Do I need a reason to try to earn points?"
Yenne's expression faltered slightly.
He wasn't lying. It was an open trial.
Any student could intervene in battles. There were no rules against it.
But then... why did it bother her so much?
"So that's all it was? You really just waited for the perfect moment to show up?"
Kaen gave a slight smile.
"Hmm. That's a simple conclusion to come to."
"Are you saying I'm dumb?"
Kaen looked around. A few people were starting to watch them. It was drawing attention, and that was the last thing he wanted.
"Think whatever you want. I'm leaving."
He turned and started walking again.
"At least don't be dumb enough to overdo it..."
Kaen stopped for a second.
She knew?
Had she noticed that his attack had a cost?
'Looks like I'll have to be more careful from now on.'
Without looking back, Kaen continued toward the dorm.
"..."
Yenne watched him walk away, thoughtful.
'He said it was just for the points? How am I supposed to believe that?'
It didn't feel like the truth.
Right after the trial ended, her eyes had focused completely on Kaen.
She had observed closely.
Kaen didn't glance even once at the ranking board, or at his bracelet.
As if he didn't care about his placement at all.
'How am I supposed to believe that?'
===
Girls' Dorm – 10:34 p.m.
It was already late.
Elena was lying on her bed, the room silent, lit only by a soft light coming through the window.
"Then I'll head back to my room before I get scolded."
Elena nodded at Lyra, who smiled as she stepped out the door.
She had come to check on Elena after hearing she had gone to the infirmary.
Even though Elena said it wasn't anything serious.
She found all the attention annoying.
Or at least, she wanted to believe it was annoying.
She didn't want to get used to kindness again. Or comfort. Or people caring.
In her past life, all of that had been taken from her.
She needed to stay focused.
"This is seriously annoying..."
She whispered, running a hand over her face.
She thought that seeing Kaen again would make her hatred stronger.
That looking into his eyes would bring enough rage to keep her firm.
That it would serve as motivation.
But the Kaen she knew from the future... wasn't the same as now.
The hatred she carried... couldn't be directed at someone who didn't even know her.
"Haaaa..."
She let out a deep sigh and sat up on the bed.
"Alright..."
Her eyes were steadier now.
She seemed to have made a decision.
'I won't judge the Kaen of now for the mistakes of the Kaen from the past.'
"I'm going to do things my own way."
She had made up her mind.
She would try to change the future.
Try to change Kaen's story.
And maybe... her own.
===
It was the morning of the following day.
During the break between the second class on magic and mana control, Kaen was sitting on one of the benches outside the academy.
It was an open space where several students walked and chatted.
The sky was clear, and a gentle breeze blew between the decorative trees.
Kaen was leaning back, half-lidded eyes staring at the sky as if seriously analyzing the clouds.
Elena spotted him from afar.
'What could he be thinking about?'
He seemed distant. It was rare to see him without Marco around.
'He's always with that guy named Marco. This time he's alone.'
'Okay... I just need to talk to him.'
...
....
Contrary to what Elena imagined, Kaen wasn't thinking about anything deep. He was just trying to decide which cloud seemed to move slower.
Elena approached.
Kaen didn't move.
"...Hey, can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Sure. Go ahead."
He replied without taking his eyes off the clouds.
"Can you at least pretend you care?"
'Was he always this stubborn?'
Kaen slowly lowered his face and looked at her.
"So?"
Elena hesitated for a second...
"About... yesterday's trial. Why didn't you attack me and Rayden?"
Kaen was surprised.
He expected many things.
A declaration of war.
A hate speech.
Insults...
But that kind of question?
'First Yenne, now her?'
He thought for a moment before answering.
'...What should I say??'
He needed to act like the Kaen she knew...
Then he spoke:
"Why did you think I would attack you?"
The question hit like a stone in the center of Elena's thoughts.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Her gaze faltered for a moment, turning away from his face.
The silence between them grew heavy.
'Damn... why am I hesitating in front of this kid?'
She took a soft breath, trying to regain her composure.
"I... was exhausted, and Rayden had already given his all. It would have been natural for you to take the opportunity."
The words came out quieter than she intended, but still clear.
She finally answered.
"So you judged me as a threat after only a week of classes?"
"I..."
She held her own arm.
What was she doing?
She had compared Kaen to his past version.
The very one she had promised herself to leave behind.
But even the Kaen from the past probably wouldn't have let that opportunity pass.
Was that what made her want to ask that?
But something was off.
He didn't seem the same. He wasn't a walking threat. He wasn't… him.
What was changing Kaen?
"Sorry... I misjudged you."
She said it in a low voice as she turned to leave, her gaze fixed on the ground.
Just as she began to walk away, Marco arrived.
Her eyes briefly met his as he approached.
For a moment, Elena froze. Her eyes locked onto his with genuine surprise, as if she had just seen something that had always been there, but only now made sense.
She quickly looked away, a bit shaken, and continued walking in silence.
As she walked off, Marco stepped closer to Kaen.
"Dude... what did you say to her?"
"What? Don't look at me like that. I didn't say anything."
Kaen kept watching her as she disappeared into the distance.
"Would've liked to... but I really didn't say anything."