"If I died," I said slowly, reaching for what I could say that'd sound like I'd actually thought this out, "...yes. My body as I know it would cease to exist and become nothing. My Soul would return to how it was before. If I had to guess, it would be like losing a limb. Like a hand. Or a leg. The Soul would register the loss of a form. No longer part of who you are... that is, if you somehow die but your Soul remembers that form, you didn't die after all."

[Notice] Mastery of the [Silver Tongue] Skill has increased by .05%.

Another professor looked up from her notepad from over the thick rims of her glasses. "Interesting. And why did you choose to study magic, Gerard?"

"Because it could save my life," I said.

There was quiet following my answer, so maybe it wasn't the right move to be honest. But then Professor Zell nodded, and some of the other professors did as well, and then the others who came in with me were asked to introduce themselves as well.

After that point, the interview went about as I expected. The other two were too nervous to say anything important. One of them asked a question that seemed to pique the interest of one of the professors, though, but that gave them a rush of courage that put their whole foot in their mouth five minutes later.

I listened in silence for the rest of the conversation until, at the end, I was given the chance to bullshit about the possibility to move between the realm of the gods called the Plane of Shevirat, the realm of formless Souls called the Plane of Souls, the realm of formed Souls called the Plane of Formation, and the realm of demons called the Plane of Demeot.

We knew that there was movement between the Plane of Souls and the Plane of Formation because how else did we all have Souls? We also knew that there must've been movement at some point between the Plane of Formation and the Plane of Demeot or there would be no demons in this world and no one with demon blood like the dean.

When the hour was up, Professor Zell thanked us for the interesting conversation, and we left out of another new door. As soon as I was out of the interview room, I received a new System message.

[Notice]

Congratulations!

You have completed the third part of your Quest [Take Caemor Academy Exam]. The Quest is now completed. You have been rewarded a Class change to [Mage]. Would you like to accept?

I declined again out of spite, but that didn't stop my brain from wondering why the System was being so aggressive. I didn't need to accept a Quest in order to complete it and get a reward? That wasn't how it worked. That wasn't how I wanted it to work. It'd never worked that way before.

Had my System changed after this last restart? Had it been corrupted or something? Maybe it just wanted my attention. It was doing everything in its power to force me to interact. That just made me want to pay less attention to it and interact with it even less.

But that was not what I'd told myself to do. I ignored it in my last lives, and for all I know, accepting that Quest at the end of my past lives could've been what saved me. Next time I'd accept the damn reward. Maybe.

"Gerard." It was Professor Zell. She was walking over to me. She had a smile on her face, and it made me wonder what she was up to.

"Professor," I greeted her.

"You have a very open mind about Souls," she said. "More than any other student I've encountered so far. I've been very interested in the Soul as of late, and I could benefit from your open-mindedness. You would be an asset to the academy."

"Thank you," I said. Either making powerful connections was easy or she was trying to make it seem easy so I'd let my guard down.

"I will pay special attention to your written test," she continued. "I cannot say if you passed the interview portion, but I believe you performed very well there. I should hope you passed the demonstration, but you seem confident that you did. You'll receive a response in five days, and if accepted, you'll begin your studies right away. If not, you'll have to wait until next year to take the exam again."

"Thank you," I said again.

"And if you are rejected, please find me. I take special interest in students who seek to understand the magical unknown. I may have a spot for you as an understudy or an intern. If you do get in, come find me, and the spot will be yours."

"Thank you again, Professor Zell. I appreciate the opportunity."

"My pleasure, Gerard. Now go enjoy the rest of your day."

I waved goodbye, then I left the academy and headed somewhere to get some much-deserved relaxation. The entire week I'd been preparing for the exam had left me with no time to work on my fake identity, and if there was anything that'd relax me, it was that.

Father had probably noticed I was long gone by now, and he may have tasked my oldest brother to find me. This would be an opportunity to get the entire Viscoti family off my back if I could manage it. If I wanted to pull that off, the first thing I needed to do was toss a million breadcrumbs all over Brugge to confuse them. And then have a backup plan in case it wasn't my oldest brother Father sent but my other older brother.

What I had been able to do over the last week was scope out a tailor shop that I could pay to keep quiet. I'd found one that'd fit the bill on the outskirts of the market district closer to the industrial district. A small shop that looked a little run down. Rarely any customers.

I headed inside for the first time and found it was a smaller place than I'd thought, with only three rooms and a single employee. But I could smell freshly cut cloth and the old man who welcomed me at the counter had an eyepatch, half a missing ear, and was half-orc.

"How can I help you today?" he said.

I smiled. "I need a few suits made. In the northern style but with a lightweight cloth. I'd like them to be a bit more fitted than the standard southern style. I don't mind paying extra for the quality. Or even more extra for secrecy."

He took a moment to look at me. "You have the money for that?"

"Yes. And I have plenty more."

"Okay. Let me show you our stock."

We went through the racks of fabric, looking at the colors and textures. I picked out five different colors, one white, one cream, and the rest in light solid colors. I also picked out three more in deep red, navy blue, and black. The tailor took my measurements, told me they would be ready in a week, and I told him I'd be ready to order more.