The cafeteria buzzed with energy. Students shouted over lunch trays, magic flickered as a few hotheaded nobles sparred even here, and laughter rang across the elite tables.
Lohan sat alone at a back corner. No one dared to join him—not out of fear, but indifference.
Until today.
A soft thud echoed as someone placed a tray across from him.
He looked up.
Winter Elshade.
The silver-haired prodigy. Ice in her veins. Crown jewel of the academy. The girl who had never spoken to him once in years.
Now calmly sitting across from him, slicing through her meal with elegance that didn't belong in this chaotic place.
"…You're copying spells," she said plainly, eyes not even on him.
He blinked.
"No denial?" she asked.
Lohan's eyes narrowed. "Are you here to report me?"
"If I was, you'd be in the Headmaster's office already."
He studied her.
Her mana was chilling even without a spell. Controlled. Measured. Dangerous.
"I saw what you did in the abandoned hall," she said.
> [Alert: Presence Analysis in progress… Target: Winter Elshade. Threat Level: SS.]
[Affection Level: 3% (Curious).]
"You're not the same as before," she said finally. "I want to know why."
Lohan didn't answer. He wasn't ready to let anyone in—not even her.
But then she added something that stopped his breath.
"I also know who you were. Godbreaker."
The tray clattered slightly under his fingers.
"…How?"
"I see echoes," Winter whispered. "Sometimes, in dreams. A tower. A man bathed in blood. A sword that split lightning. Your sword."
> [WARNING: System Interference Detected.]
She stood up, her gaze sharp.
"I don't care who you were. But if you climb the tower again—I'm going too. Don't die before then."
Then she walked away like nothing happened.
---
Somewhere in the Divine Realms…
Justine's brows furrowed.
"She's waking up…?"
---
Back in Lohan's room
He stared at his reflection. His face was still weak. Still ordinary.
But his eyes—his eyes held storms.
> [New Objective Added: Reach Floor 10 before Winter Elshade.]
> [Quest Reward: Memory Fragment – Forbidden Sword Art.]
He smiled.
"Good. Let the game begin."