Will woke up.
His eyes opened slowly.
For a moment—
he simply stayed there.
Then—
he smiled.
Today.
He quietly sat up.
Unlike the past month—
his body didn't feel heavy.
No soreness.
No pressure.
No exhaustion.
Just calm.
He stretched and got up.
After freshening up—
he followed the same routine.
Exercise.
Mana cultivation.
Breakfast.
Nothing special.
But everything felt lighter.
Because today—
there was no pressure.
Only expectation.
After finishing—
he headed to academy.
Necessary classes passed quickly.
He barely remembered what teachers talked about.
Not because he wasn't listening—
his mind simply kept drifting.
Evaluation.
After class ended—
he took a breath.
Then walked toward Professor Kael's office.
After knocking—
he entered.
Immediately—
he stopped.
Inside—
Kael was there.
And Emma too.
Will wasn't surprised.
Actually—
he expected this.
Professor Kael sat behind the desk.
As usual—
his clothes looked simple.
But somehow—
they made him look annoyingly put together.
Dark academy slacks.
Black fitted dress shirt.
Sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms.
A charcoal vest over it.
No unnecessary accessories.
No flashy colors.
Everything clean.
Sharp.
Professional.
His posture stayed relaxed—
but the combination somehow made him look less like a professor—
and more like the kind of person girls in academy secretly talked about.
Even Will had to admit—
if someone liked mature men—
Kael probably caused problems.
Meanwhile—
Emma sat beside him.
And unlike Kael—
she absolutely looked like she knew people looked.
Her teacher outfit was technically formal.
Technically.
White blouse.
Soft fabric.
Buttons done properly—
mostly.
A fitted dark skirt reaching below the knees.
Black stockings.
Short academy jacket left open.
Nothing inappropriate.
But somehow—
everything looked intentionally coordinated.
Her sleeves were folded slightly.
Her glasses rested low enough to make her look smarter than necessary.
Her hair was tied loosely today—
with a few strands framing her face.
Professional.
Elegant.
And somehow—
dramatic.
Like she dressed for a lecture—
but also wanted everyone to remember she existed.
Will looked once.
Then immediately looked away.
Then paused.
Actually—
why were both of them dressed so well?
This wasn't some academy ceremony.
It was just him reporting training results.
Kael looked like he was attending an interview.
Emma looked like she expected someone to paint her portrait afterward.
Will stared briefly.
Then decided not to ask.
Emma noticed.
Smiled proudly.
Kael looked up.
Then smiled slightly.
"Finally."
Will greeted.
Kael nodded.
Then leaned back.
"So."
"How was training?"
Will answered simply.
"...Good."
Emma immediately leaned forward.
"So?"
"Can you use magic normally now?"
Will looked at her.
"...Not exactly."
Emma blinked.
Then immediately pointed.
"That's not fair."
"You said you'd improve."
Kael sighed.
Then looked at Emma.
"...Professor."
Emma froze.
Kael calmly continued.
"I know you're close."
"But stop acting like a student."
"Act like professor."
Emma coughed.
"...Sorry."
Then she immediately sat properly.
Kael looked back.
"Continue."
Will nodded.
Then said—
"I tried."
"But I still can't use magic like normal."
Emma looked disappointed.
But before she spoke—
Will took folded paper from pocket.
He placed it down.
Kael looked.
"...What is this?"
Will answered calmly.
"When I was studying mana cultivation."
"I found old experimental theory."
Kael picked it up.
Emma immediately moved beside him.
Will stayed quiet.
Actually—
this wasn't entirely a lie.
During library searching—
he really found strange theories.
Most useless.
But one section mentioned:
alternative casting methods.
That gave him idea.
Perfect.
If he wanted use jutsu—
he needed explanation.
Otherwise—
his magic would become impossible to explain.
Kael read.
Then frowned.
Emma stared.
Eventually—
Kael looked up.
"...Hand signs?"
Will nodded.
Kael read again.
Then asked—
"So."
"You want say instead of using wand."
"You can cast through sequential hand movements?"
Will nodded.
Emma immediately got excited.
Her eyes lit up.
"THAT'S MY—"
Kael slowly turned.
"...Professor."
Emma immediately straightened.
"...Sorry."
Will almost laughed.
Kael continued reading.
Then looked at Will.
"...Interesting."
"But theory means nothing."
Will nodded.
Then looked directly at both of them.
"That's why I came."
Both looked at him.
Will stayed calm.
Then said—
"If this works."
"I want to submit it."
Silence.
Emma blinked.
Kael stared.
Will continued—
"As a new casting method."
Emma's eyes widened.
She looked at him.
Then at the paper.
Then back at him.
"...Wait."
Her voice rose.
"You're not asking for permission to train?"
Will shook his head.
Emma stared.
Then pointed.
"YOU WANT TO REGISTER NEW MAGIC?"
Will nodded.
Emma looked completely shocked.
Then immediately excited.
She grabbed the paper again.
Her eyes moved quickly.
She muttered—
"Alternative casting..."
"Sequential activation..."
"Mana shaping..."
Her expression became brighter.
She looked at Will.
"...Wait."
"...This is actually interesting."
Kael stayed quiet.
He looked at the paper.
Then looked at Will.
Then looked again.
His expression didn't change much—
but Will noticed.
His eyes looked different.
Surprised.
Interested.
And—
happy.
Kael stayed silent for several seconds.
Then suddenly stood.
Will blinked.
Kael turned.
Walked toward the cabinet.
Opened it.
Started searching.
Emma looked confused.
"...Professor?"
Kael ignored her.
He searched another drawer.
Then another.
After a few minutes—
he finally pulled out a thick form.
He returned.
Placed it on desk.
Will looked.
"...Professor?"
Kael sat down.
Then calmly said—
"Formal registration request."
Will looked surprised.
Emma immediately looked at the form.
Then looked at Kael.
Then at Will.
Her eyes widened again.
"...Wait."
"You're serious?"
Kael looked at her.
"If this succeeds."
He looked at Will.
"This becomes application for provisional recognition."
Emma looked excited again.
She immediately leaned over.
"...Wait wait wait."
"That means if accepted—"
Kael nodded.
"It enters review."
Emma looked at Will.
Then smiled.
"...That's insane."
Kael pushed form toward Will.
"Fill it."
Will looked down.
Description.
Method.
Activation.
Category.
Risk.
Creator.
Will stared briefly.
Then started writing.
After finishing—
Kael read.
Then read again.
Emma looked too.
Both became quieter.
Will noticed.
But neither commented.
Finally—
Kael spoke.
"...Alright."
"We need preparation."
He placed paper down.
"Two days."
Will blinked.
Kael continued.
"In two days."
"You'll demonstrate."
"In front of evaluation judges."
"If accepted."
"It may become registered."
Will looked surprised.
Then smiled.
"...Thank you."
Kael shook head.
"Don't thank me."
"I only gave room."
Then added—
"Oh."
"You can use training room next two days."
"If you want final adjustments."
Will smiled.
"...Thank you anyway."
Emma smiled proudly.
Will left.
Training room.
Final training.
That afternoon—
Will was inside the training room.
Practicing hand signs.
Adjusting mana flow.
Again.
And again.
Nothing flashy.
Just repetition.
He stopped briefly.
Took water.
Then—
the training room door suddenly opened.
Fast.
Too fast.
Will turned.
Emma entered.
Actually—
ran in.
Her expression looked excited.
She raised her hand.
"Will—"
Then—
her foot caught slightly.
Will's eyes widened.
Emma's eyes widened.
She stumbled forward.
Will reacted immediately.
He stepped forward—
trying to catch her.
But—
because she came too fast—
instead of catching her—
both lost balance.
Thud.
Silence.
Emma froze.
Will froze.
Emma had fallen directly on top of him.
For several seconds—
neither moved.
Then—
Emma's face turned red.
Very red.
She immediately stood up.
Too quickly.
Almost tripped again.
Then fixed posture.
"...SORRY."
Will slowly sat up.
His face felt warm too.
"...It's okay."
Awkward silence.
Then Will looked at her.
"...Why are you here?"
As he asked—
he remembered.
Right.
Emma acted confident.
Strict.
Professional.
In front of others.
But privately—
she was surprisingly clumsy.
Careless.
And somehow—
easy to misguide.
Original Will used to stop her from making strange decisions more than once.
Emma looked away.
Then coughed.
"...I wanted to meet you."
Will blinked.
Emma adjusted her glasses.
Then quietly said—
"...And cheer for you."
Will looked surprised.
Emma continued—
"And ask if you need anything."
She looked at him.
"...Books."
"...Advice."
"...Artifact support."
"...Snacks."
Will stared.
"...Snacks?"
Emma looked offended.
"Training is hard."
Will laughed.
Then shook his head.
"...I'm okay."
Emma looked at him for a second.
Then smiled.
"...Good."
She looked around.
Then quietly asked—
"Nervous?"
Will thought.
Then nodded.
"...Little."
Emma smiled.
Then crossed her arms.
"...Good."
Will blinked.
Emma continued—
"If you're nervous."
"That means you care."
She smiled.
"...But don't overthink."
She looked directly at him.
"You already worked hard."
Will stayed quiet.
Emma smiled softly.
"...So show them."
Silence.
Then Will smiled.
"...Thanks."
Emma looked satisfied.
Then looked away.
"...Obviously."
They talked a little longer.
About training.
About registration.
About how ridiculous it sounded.
Emma got excited imagining history books mentioning her department.
Will reminded her she wasn't the inventor.
Emma ignored him.
Eventually—
she stood.
Then walked toward the door.
Before leaving—
she turned.
Then smiled.
"...Good luck, Will."
Then she left.
Will looked at the closed door.
Then quietly smiled.
After that—
training continued.
Two days passed quickly.
Very quickly.
One last refinement.
Sword.
Control.
Hand signs.
Flow.
Nothing dramatic.
Then—
day arrived.
Will stood outside large training hall.
His uniform looked clean.
But inside—
he felt strange.
Excited.
Nervous.
Kael arrived.
Today—
he wore his formal academy coat.
Dark long coat.
Structured shoulders.
Silver academy insignia.
Gloves tucked into one hand.
Clean lines.
Minimal effort.
Unfair result.
Will noticed several female students nearby pretending not to stare.
Kael looked at him.
"Nervous?"
Will smiled.
"...Little."
Kael nodded.
"Good."
Then they entered.
Large training hall.
Much bigger than private room.
Seats prepared.
Recording devices.
Barrier setup.
Evaluation area.
Will looked.
Then saw—
Elena.
She waved.
Will blinked.
She smiled.
When he came—
she walked over.
"...I heard."
Will smiled.
"You came?"
She looked away.
"...Obviously."
Then quietly—
"I wanted see."
She looked at him.
Then smiled.
"...Good luck."
Will smiled.
"...Thanks."
Elena looked at him for a second.
Then suddenly said—
"...When you told me about your new magic."
Will blinked.
She looked away.
"...I was so shocked."
She crossed her arms.
"...I couldn't believe it."
Will looked at her.
Then smiled slightly.
"...That's why you hugged me so tightly?"
Silence.
Elena froze.
Then—
her face turned red.
Immediately.
She coughed.
"...I was just excited."
Will looked at her.
Then calmly said—
"Really?"
Elena looked away harder.
"...Yes."
Will nodded slowly.
"...Interesting."
She narrowed her eyes.
"...What?"
Will smiled.
"...You seemed very enthusiastic."
Elena stared.
Then realized.
Her face became even redder.
"...Stop teasing me."
Will laughed quietly.
Elena looked offended.
Then muttered—
"...You're annoying."
But she didn't move away.
Instead—
she quietly stood beside him.
Then looked toward the arena.
After a second—
she quietly added—
"...Still."
Her voice softened.
"...I'm glad."
Will looked at her.
She looked away.
"...You looked happier talking about it."
Silence.
Will smiled.
"...Thanks."
Elena coughed again.
"...Don't make it weird."
Will smiled.
Then started stretching.
Soon—
people started arriving.
Two officials.
Tower administration.
Serious expressions.
Then—
Headmistress.
Seraphina Vale.
As she entered—
the atmosphere changed immediately.
Not because she tried.
But because she didn't need to.
She wore a long academy formal dress in deep midnight blue.
Elegant.
Refined.
The fabric flowed smoothly with every step—
heavy enough to feel expensive—
light enough to move effortlessly.
The dress was structured at the waist—
then fell cleanly to the floor.
No excessive decoration.
Only subtle silver embroidery along the cuffs and collar.
Like quiet authority.
Over it—
she wore a tailored black overcoat draped across her shoulders instead of properly worn.
Academy insignia embroidered in silver thread.
Simple.
But impossible to ignore.
Her gloves were dark.
Her heels quiet.
Her jewelry minimal—
only a thin silver ring and small earrings.
Her long hair was neatly arranged—
not overly styled—
just controlled.
Mature.
Elegant.
Composed.
The kind of appearance that didn't ask for respect.
It assumed it.
People straightened unconsciously.
Even conversations lowered.
She calmly took her seat.
Then—
Edward arrived.
Emma followed.
Emma had changed into formal evaluation attire.
Same teacher style—
but more polished.
Dark fitted blazer.
White blouse.
Long skirt.
Hair tied neatly.
Elegant.
Professional.
And somehow—
still looked like she expected compliments.
Will looked once.
Then looked at Kael.
Then at Emma.
Again—
why was everyone dressed like this was some national event?
Wasn't he just showing magic?
Judges settled.
Will moved toward preparation area.
Started stretching.
Meanwhile—
Kael walked toward Edward.
Then smiled.
"...Remember our bet?"
Edward looked.
Then sighed.
"...Yes."
Emma blinked.
"...What bet?"
Kael smiled.
"When I approved Will."
"This idiot said."
He pointed at Edward.
"Private room was waste."
Edward crossed arms.
"...I said."
"He wouldn't improve enough."
Kael smiled.
"And then."
"He bet."
Emma immediately looked offended.
She turned.
"...You did WHAT?"
Edward stared.
Emma immediately pointed.
"Will definitely improved."
Edward looked at her.
Emma immediately stopped.
Edward calmly answered.
"...Not decided yet."
He looked at arena.
"We'll see."
Emma crossed arms.
"...You'll lose."
Edward ignored her.
Meanwhile—
Will finished stretching.
Staff finished recording setup.
Judge looked.
Everything ready.
The hall became quiet.
One official looked at Will.
Then nodded.
Signal.
Ready.
Will stepped forward.
And raised his hand.
Scene End.