“Can I help you?” came a nervous voice from behind us. We both turned and found a small dark brown-haired girl with olive skin looking at us. I looked around the room. A few students had sleepily entered, though no one had chosen seats anywhere near us save for Gyra who came close at the mention of her name. They were probably avoiding Caterina due to her fearsome reputation.

“I’m not sure,” I replied dumbfounded. “Though, you two could probably have a fun discussion about Duke Rollo after class.”

“Y-you will have to excuse me, I-I don’t know what you’re talking about!” she replied while averting her gaze. Then she turned and marched away before taking a seat a few rows down. Her behavior reminded me of the a passage in the novel. Gyra entered the academy earnest and innocent, though she did not stay that way for long once its cruel realities reared their heads.

“Why would I chat with her about my fiancé?” whispered Caterina, dropping her voice low as more and more students filed into the class.

“How should I put this?” I said to myself while scratching me head. “Oh, your insanity drives the two of them together, ultimately they find in each other a powerful ally and they become lovers” I explained.

“How could that penniless girl become his ally? How do they even meet?” she asked exasperated.

Before I could answer, the instructor took his station by the podium and cleared his throat to quiet down the class. His appearance made me wonder if every teacher at the academy would look like an ancient philosopher. The guy had balding white hair and a long bushy white beard. He wore a simple flowing robe with a red sash wrapped diagonally across his body. He began calling names off the roster, checking for attendance. Going in alphabetically order I was only a few students after Gyra. “Young Master Batvi, I see you were able to attend this morning,” he said after I announced my presence.

“Yes, Sir Theristes, I got in a ridiculous accident yesterday on the way to class,” I replied before fishing out the scroll from Helena and promptly passing it on to him.

“It seems like everything is in order, I must say I was worried you were simply uninterested in my class given your condition,” he replied after checking over the note.

“That could not be further from the truth,” I said. He nodded in response and went back to the attendance. Once that had finished, Theristes rummaged through his baggage and pulled out a large crystal ball.

“As I promised yesterday, we will be conducting a simple test of magical power during the first half of class,” he explained. “Now, form a line, and would a few of you open the canopies, this is best done with some shade.” Soon the whole class was lined up, awaiting their turn with the sphere. The entire process went like this, a student would place their hands on the ball and summon forth their mana as best they could. The brightness of the ball would show them how much mana they could emit and thus how much mana power they had now. Then Theristes would jot down a few notes about each student.

Students conducted the exercise one by one with varying results. Some shone brightly while others emitted an exceptionally weak light. Caterina was a few people in front of me and hers was probably the most shocking to the rest of the class since the ball had no discernable reaction. While everyone else seemed to show their confusion, she just gave a nonchalant shrug. This would be her third time going through the process since she repeated the class every year in the hopes of eventually manifesting enough mana to become a mage.

Theristes for his part showed serious annoyance at his students saying, “Would you all close your gaping maws.” Then he put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I really feel like this year might be the breakthrough, please keep at it,” he told her quietly. She gave him a nod but didn’t say anything in response.

When my turn came, he pulled me aside instead of having me touch the sphere. “Just to avoid any more shocked gasps, I thought it would be best to explain Master Batvi’s situation. I assume everyone here has heard of the Lysians. Can anyone explain how their magic works?”

“They gain incredible strength like Aurelian’s first champion” called out somebody.

“Don’t they shapeshift and have mysterious powers like King Phillip’s wife?” answered someone else.

“Both technically correct, though woefully underdeveloped understandings of the topic,” replied Theristes. “You see, I didn’t ask what they do, but how they do it. Maybe Master Batvi can enlighten us?”

I gave the best explanation I could, though the most important part was that I had no exit pathways for my mana.

“Precisely! Now, Master Batvi try your hardest to channel into the sphere please,” he instructed. I complied and tried my best to push mana out of my hand and into the gauge, but nothing happened and after a few moments it was clear nothing would happen. To be honest, I knew nothing would happen, but it was the first time since coming here that I was earnestly trying to manifest magic and I realized I had no clue what I was doing. I mostly just flexed my hand and internally told my magic to come out.

“What kind are you? Show us a demonstration!” called a few eager students from the crowd.

“I’m a champion, er the strong kind,” I tried to explain before Theristes jumped in and calmed everyone down.

“There won’t be any sort of strength demonstrations today, maybe Master Batvi will show you all at the palestra if you ask politely. Now let us continue,” he ordered.

During the process, there weren’t any other notable testers save for Gyra who ended up as one of the last students. By that point, most of us had returned to our seats and were chatting away with each other. That all stopped when a bright flash of light half-blinded the room causing everyone to fall silent in awe. Gyra had just finished her test, while Theristes stood behind her with a massive smile.

"That's why she is able to become Duke Rollo's ally," I whispered to Caterina.

With the testing finished, Theristes came back to the podium and began the second half of the class.

“Now who can tell me the four limitations of mage craft?” Theristes asked the class. Caterina’s hand shot up while no one else felt particularly willing to put themselves out there. I can only imagine how frustrating this class was for her. From my knowledge of the book, she excelled in every other class. Her work ethic and intellect put her a cut above the rest. Having taken this class twice already, she probably more than memorized the theoretical portions only to have her body constantly fail her in the practical. “I’ll allow Caterina to answer this one, but she won’t be able to save the rest of you from participating,” he explained as he acknowledged her hand.

“The four limitations are the size of your mana pool, the strength of your pathways, your mana flow control, and finally your comprehension of the spell,” she stated.

“Excellent Caterina, now which of the four wasn’t tested today class, and why is that the case?” Theristes continued.

This time Gyra answered the question, “Would it be spell comprehension? We didn’t have to recite an incantation or anything,” she said.

“Correct, though I’m going to need a little more. Expelled mana without creating a spell is imperceptible so what created our little light show today?”

“Was there a light spell already enchanted onto the sphere?” asked a studious-looking boy in the front row.

“Exactly!” exclaimed Theristes, clearly enjoying the little back and forth with his students. “Now one final question before I let you all go. What was your limiting factor today?” Nobody raised their hands. A general atmosphere of confusion pervaded the class as students whispered with each other. Theristes seemed willing to drag this out until someone offered an answer.

I sheepishly raised my hand after a while. “We won’t know our limitations without experimenting, right?” I asked. Theristes nodded with excitement.

“Sorry for the trick question everybody, but that is the correct answer. In the coming days, we will slowly work on a few exercises that will help you understand your weak points. Remember, a mage is only as strong as their weakest of the four limitations. With that class is dismissed!”

I couldn’t help but show my wonder as I gathered up my books. The class had a surprising amount of possibly helpful information for me. I expected to at most be interested in the topic for what it could tell me about other’s magics and their applications but understanding my own mana control and mana pool could probably aid me in getting stronger. I’d have to look over the textbook’s exercises tonight.

“Maybe we could continue our earlier discussion,” Caterina said as we left.

“I’m not against it, but I have this hang-up on getting to class early so I would really like to head to my ancient history course,” I explained.

“We will just have to talk over lunch,” she replied.

“Well, I actually have plans to eat with some people…” I said trailing off.

“Fine. I will clear my schedule tonight. Dinner will do, or even later if we have to,” she said with some annoyance in her voice.

“Let’s do a late dinner. Have an attendant come find me. I’ll either be in the Palestra or hopefully the baths by then,” I explained before rushing off to my next class.

Ancient History was taught in the library, specifically a small reading room next to the school’s archives. As an elective, it proved unpopular. Other than Julian and me, there were only five other students in the class. It’s good to see that some things stay consistent between Earth and Aurelia.

Our first discussion there was on the possible events leading to the great Cataclysm of the Old World, which started the Great Migration Period. It was a stimulating discussion, to say the least, as the Novels didn’t give too much information on the topic. It was especially interesting to see some decent critical thinking from our lecturer. The history books available to me back at the Roose were terribly elementary, but in class, we were practicing judgment to parse through some conflicting oral accounts of certain events.

After that was Oration, which brought us both back to the eastern amphitheater. It was the largest class of the day, with close to one hundred students. Though this mass of students became far more manageable as our main lecturer had a few assistants who would oversee smaller groups. This class boiled down to two main areas. First were the mechanics of public speaking and discussions. We would work on breathing techniques, voice inflections, and forcing us to get comfortable speaking in front of large groups. The other half was based on argumentative techniques, so it essentially became practice sessions on logic.

The lunch break came after that. Many students chose to use the lounges for their lunches, though I was personally much more comfortable taking my food outside. It was also good to get away from everyone, as my group needed privacy since I promised to explain the previous day’s events to Tanit, Julian, and Larissa. In a lot of ways, it was just a retread of the things I had to explain before. Though by this point I had gotten my story as straight as possible: While I was unconscious months ago, I was granted extended divination which is why I knew all this weird stuff. Apparently, stuff like this happened from time to time, though it was a rare event usually reserved for seers and clerics. That combined with my amnesia is what stopped me from saying anything since I was worried people would call me crazy.

“So, it’s like a one-time thing? Maybe we should try knocking you unconscious again,” said Tanit with a laugh after my long explanation.

“I’d rather not give my little brother another bout of amnesia, his swordsmanship has only just recovered,” Larissa retorted.

“I don’t think that would work anyways. Let’s just say it was like reading a story, but the future books weren’t done yet,” I explained.

“That analogy didn’t help me understand the situation at all but is this also where you got the idea for all those weird machines?” asked Julian.

“What weird machines?” asked Larissa.

“You should see his notebook, he has drawings of like thirty different things that I’ve never heard of,” explained Julian.

“Yes, I also saw all that stuff in my dream as well,” I said, cutting into the conversation.

“Well, this has been interesting, but if we talk any longer, I will be late for my accounting elective,” announced Tanit, effectively ending the conversation as we packed up to go our separate ways.

Mathematics, my next class was incredibly easy, and I would probably spend the entire class daydreaming in the future. Ethics was similar if not a little more insulting. Much of the class was based around teaching the students to be good nobles, though there was an undertone of nationalistic zeal involved. The instructor seemed dead set on having us believe Aurelia was the most perfect form of government and a veritable Eden compared to the surrounding nations.

Practical Combat, my last class of the day was guided by a few weapons masters. For most of the class, I was forced to do strength and conditioning testing alone. The rest of my classmates conducted these tests yesterday while I was gone. I was forced to perform a number of exercises while wearing clunky oversized armor. The stuff was far heavier than the cavalry armor I used before, but it made little difference. The sprints, jogs, obstacles, and other exercises I had to overcome were like child’s play compared to the crap Larissa and Sir Rhodan put me through. I finished early with high marks and was able to rejoin the class with a few minutes left.

The second day also consisted of tests, though it was a round-robin sparring session between the students. The class had to assign themselves into beginner or intermediate groups. From there, short bouts would be had between every member. I tried to enter the beginner group on account of only having learned any real fighting style for a few months, but the instructor who oversaw my strength forced me into the intermediate group. She was a grizzled old Palatini named Dame Cassia.

Since I joined so late I was only able to fight in one bout. It was against a tall and muscular boy named Charnabon. Most people I’ve met since coming to the capital had tanned Mediterranean skin colors, though his light skin and dirty blonde hair set him apart. He probably hailed from the north-western territories, a mountainous and cold region. He chose a two-handed sword. I took the same weapon since there weren’t any wooden falxes lying around. We started the match about twenty paces from each other. As we settled into position, the small amount of magic traveled up into his sword.

It made me wary enough that at the start of the match I chose to keep my distance. The two of us slowly circled each other, our swords at the ready. He broke the stalemate first by charging forward. When he was within range he fainted a lunge before swinging his sword around for an overhead chop.

I was stunned by how slow he was. His feint to overhead must have been a predetermined move as I never reacted to the first attack. It was painfully obvious that the lunge would never connect. Instead, I bashed away his sword with all my might as he chopped down. It worked, as his sword was sent flying across the Palestra. But I put far too much force into the swing. My sword shattered on impact like a bat at a homerun derby.

With us both unarmed in that moment, my mind went into autopilot. I flung the hilt of my sword at the boy. It smacked him straight in the chest and occupied his attention. Then I closed the distance as my old wrestling knowledge took over. I went low and grabbed a hold of his leg with a sweep, before lifting it off the ground. Within a moment, we found ourselves in a comical position. Him hopping on one leg trying not to fall and me holding onto his ankle by trapping it between my arm and my side.

Before he could figure out what to do, I grabbed his ankle with both hands and lifted it as high as I could. The awkward movement threw him to the ground onto his back. He tried to roll over and flee put some distance between us, but I pounced on him. Not knowing what else to do, I put him into a chokehold and wrapped my legs around his torso before I began to squeeze. It took a few taps on my shoulder before the world came back into focus, as the instructors were commanding us to stop.

I jumped off him as soon as I realized the mistake. One of the instructors pulled the boy to his feet. The entire class was silent.

“What the hells was that?” he exclaimed as he spun around to face me.

At his yelling, I looked down and away. “Sorry about that, I think I went into shock when my sword broke,” I explained.

“Shock, no I mean that thing you did with my ankle where did you learn it?” he asked. I looked up; he was smiling like an idiot with dust all over his face. He stuck out a hand that I sheepishly shook.

“Its like a commoner trick I guess, I can explain it to you after class, but it only works when your opponent doesn’t have any weapons,” I respond with a smile.

Julian and I were relaxing in the hot baths when one of Caterina’s attendants came to find me. I was half asleep thanks to one of Julian’s servants offering to massage my sore muscles and bruised body. It had been a long time since I attended any sort of schooling and I forgot how tiring the whole process was. I had essentially jumped in the deep end of being a scholar-athlete too.

After classes were over, Larissa put me through the wringer to the point that our sparring match drew a small crowd. I suspected she was taking out her disappointment of me keeping so many secrets from her. It was odd that the same sister who doted over my injuries the day before was willing to whack me with her training sword enough times to change my skin color.

The Academy’s bathhouses were much like others in the capital. The intimate hot baths and cleaning areas were separated by gender and kept indoors. The east wing for men, the west wing for women. In between both was a cooling-pool larger than an Olympic swimming pool back on earth which was opened to everyone. Sadly, the attendant, who I recognized as the large man who had carried Caterina into the infirmary, was in quite a hurry so I was only able to cool off in the center pool for less than a minute before we left.

The cafeteria offered both public and private dining options. The public rooms were essentially large lounging areas with many different couches. The private rooms were much smaller and only contained a few couches. Caterina had almost permanent reservations over one of the rooms.

Entering her private room reminded me of when people would meet with mob bosses in the movies. Two attendants flanked the doors outside. Inside, Caterina Lounged one of four couches, braziers lighting up the room on either side of her. The man who guided me there took up position behind her.

“I hope you are willing to make this conversation worth my while,” I said as I took the couch opposite of her. It had been enjoyable to tease her a bit when we were in class together, but I really could have used more time at the baths. A few servants filled my plate and handed me the decadently prepared meal.

“You dare speak this way to milady?” growled Ridates. He was standing behind her, his arm still in a sling from Larissa’s beating.

“Enough,” commanded Caterina as she waved Ridates off with her left hand, a familiar engagement ring sat on its finger. “I hope you can understand his annoyance, one wouldn’t be so direct when dealing with a person of my stature,” she explained.

I rose to my feet before she finished speaking. “What the hell is that doing on your finger?!” I exclaimed.

“Relax, this is a fake. I can’t have whoever created the curse thinking that I’m cured can I?” she retorted.

“Oh, that is pretty clever, my apologies. And, if it means anything I don’t hold a grudge against Ridates since I’ve already caused him so much trouble,” I replied.

“Good. I called you here because I was hoping to bounce some ideas off of you regarding the ring,” she explained.

“Feel free, though I’m not sure what else I can tell you,” I said between mouthfuls of what I figure out to be a well-roasted duck.

“Well, you know so much, don’t you have any speculation on who cursed the ring?” she asked.

“Isn’t it obviously someone from your family?” I replied. Both her stepmother and stepsiblings hated her. And even her entire extended family was dissatisfied with the girl. “In any case, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t Rollo.”

“I agree, Father forced him into this, but I swore to release him, or at least look the other way should he take a lover,” she replied.

“Besides that, you weren’t exactly a threat to him or Gyra by that point. Regardless, he will be a necessary ally, or at least it will be necessary to keep him neutral. If you ask me, that promise is what caused all of this.”

“How so?”

“Well, if anyone who wanted this engagement to go through heard that, wouldn’t they be exactly the kind of person to come up with this crazy scheme?” I explained.

“But didn’t you say that the engagement was broken anyways?”

“Yeah but only after you committed attempted murder,” I explained as I wiped up the grease off my plate with some bread. “I’m pretty sure this is all about your position as the possible heir of your family. You either get married off and lose it or commit a crime so heinous it allows them to strike you from the inheritance,” I continued, remembering my discussion with Larissa all those months ago.

“That…makes a lot of sense,” she said after a while. “See, I knew picking your brain would be helpful, what about my supposed death via Bandits?”

“Well, as long as the food is this good, I’d be willing to offer some advice,” I said as I lifted my empty plate to one of the servants. She promptly filled it with more of the duck and soft slices of bread before handing it back. “As for that, I’m not entirely sure, it was a shocking scene and I’m sure I’ve forgotten some details.”

“So, what would your next move be oh wise advisor?” she asked.

“My divination showed you as one of the most cunning students in the academy so I doubt I could help you there. I’m no master of intrigue but have you thought about talking to Rollo?”

“I already tried, though he wanted nothing to do with me. I can’t blame him after the last few incidents. We used to be friends at least before this whole mind curse got so strong. I used to have friends before all this.”

“I’m aware.” Caterina’s changing demeanor was discussed at length in the novel. “I think you underestimate how fickle teenagers are though. Sure, people like Clio will never talk to you again, but others will be willing to accept you back,” I explained.

“What? Should I grovel before them like some prideless cur?” she asked with annoyance.

“Wow, you’re blowing this out of proportion. Just play to your strengths, maybe offer to help your classmates with their schoolwork. Before long people will notice you haven’t practiced any water torture and may warm up to you.”

“Maybe get proof of the rings enchantment and selective let them know you’re no longer cursed?”

“That will work for a few, but I doubt it would change my image for the rest of the students, at this point even if I do live to see a life after the academy, I’ll be fully isolated from a generation of rulers.”

“It’s not that bad, you can always flee to the frontier…” I said half-jokingly.

We chatted like that for a while longer, which gave me a good chance to stuff my face. Most of this was just Caterina bouncing ideas off me, though towards the end of our discussion one of her questions caught me off guard.

“Why were you given this knowledge, regarding my possible future, I mean?” she asked.

“I…I’m not sure,” I really wasn’t, or at least not in a way I could properly articulate. For all, I know this was just a weird coincidence. I just happened to get reincarnated into the last book I read. Though even considering that, why was I given this body in this family? Was it all just a coincidence? “I doubt it was a total coincidence,” I replied. There were millions of people in the empire, but I was placed into a body with easy access to both main characters from the novel.

“Well regardless, I believe I should thank you. And if you’re not against the idea maybe I could call on your help and advice from time to time.”

I sucked in a breath through my teeth. Getting any more involved with her could be dangerous. “I’ll think about it,” I told her.

“I can, as you said before, make it worth your while,” she replied.

“What are you offering?”

“Money for starters and any other things my support can provide.”

“I’m not exactly poor, besides my roommate is an imperial prince,” I replied as I was standing up from the meal.

“My monthly allowance probably dwarf’s your house’s entire revenue, besides do you really think getting involved with the royal family doesn’t have drawbacks,” she replied with a smile. “I have two rivals for the dukedom, but there’s never been this many princelings trapesing about with the blood of Aurelian.

“I wouldn’t mind people willing to invest in my ideas, especially if you’re willing to throw a lot of money towards the Roose,” I replied, as I stood up. “I’ll have to think it over though,” I continued before we said our goodbyes.