The evening sun painted the city in gold.
Long shadows stretched across stone streets.
The interrogation chamber inside the administrative building had become significantly quieter than before.
Hours had passed.
Hours of questioning.
Hours of evaluations.
Hours of magical examinations.
And yet.
The professors sitting around the table remained unable to understand the woman before them.
Evelyne sat calmly in her chair.
Her posture was elegant.
Graceful.
Almost noble.
The professors had noticed that detail long ago.
Even without memories.
Even without remembering her identity.
Certain habits remained.
The way she sat.
The way she spoke.
The way she observed others.
Everything suggested refinement.
Everything suggested education.
Everything suggested nobility.
Yet nothing could be confirmed.
Professor Aldric rubbed his forehead.
The old mage had spent nearly four hours evaluating her.
And somehow.
Every answer created more questions.
Professor Gareth leaned backward.
"I refuse to believe she is ordinary."
Professor Isolde snorted.
"No one in this room believes that."
Several professors nodded.
Immediately.
Professor Valen opened another report.
Mana capacity.
Exceptional.
Spell comprehension.
Exceptional.
Dark magic understanding.
Terrifying.
Practical experience.
Clearly extensive.
Identity.
Unknown.
History.
Unknown.
Family.
Unknown.
Professor Valen sighed.
"This report looks absurd."
Professor Gareth pointed toward Evelyne.
"Everything about her is absurd."
The woman lowered her gaze politely.
She wasn't sure whether that was praise or criticism.
Possibly both.
Professor Aldric cleared his throat.
"Regardless."
The elderly professor picked up a document.
An official proposal.
Stamped.
Signed.
Approved.
The assistant professor position.
The room gradually became serious.
The old mage stood.
Then walked toward Evelyne.
The woman watched quietly.
A strange feeling appeared inside her heart.
For centuries.
No one had offered her anything except fear.
Yet now.
A position.
A future.
An opportunity.
Professor Aldric placed the proposal before her.
"Miss."
His voice became gentler.
"Aetherial Institute would like to officially offer you a temporary position."
Evelyne blinked.
The old mage smiled.
"Assistant Professor."
The woman stared at the document.
Then at the professors.
Then back at the document.
The title felt unreal.
Assistant Professor.
Yesterday she had been a monster beneath a cliff.
Today she was receiving employment from one of the continent's greatest academies.
The difference was so absurd she almost laughed.
Professor Isolde noticed.
Then smiled faintly.
"Trust me."
The female professor adjusted her spectacles.
"We find this situation equally absurd."
Several professors laughed.
Even Evelyne smiled slightly.
Professor Aldric continued.
"As an assistant professor."
The old mage pointed toward the document.
"You will receive a monthly salary."
Another point.
"Private accommodation within academy grounds."
Another point.
"Access to research facilities."
Another point.
"Library privileges."
Professor Gareth interrupted.
"Not normal library privileges."
The large man folded his arms.
"Faculty privileges."
The room became quiet.
Even Evelyne realized what that meant.
Aetherial Institute's library was famous across the continent.
Entire kingdoms sought access.
Rare manuscripts.
Ancient records.
Lost magical theories.
Forbidden texts.
The collection was legendary.
Professor Isolde nodded.
"You will also have access to restricted archives under supervision."
Professor Valen added.
"Research funding."
Another professor added.
"Faculty dining halls."
Another.
"Personal laboratory access."
The list continued.
Each benefit sounded more absurd than the previous one.
Evelyne listened quietly.
Then finally asked.
"Why?"
Silence followed.
The professors exchanged glances.
Professor Gareth answered first.
"Because you're terrifying."
The room froze.
Professor Aldric immediately sighed.
"You could have phrased that better."
"I stand by my statement."
The large professor pointed toward her evaluation reports.
"Do you know how many professors can casually identify flaws inside forbidden grimoires?"
Evelyne hesitated.
"No."
Professor Gareth raised one finger.
"Very few."
A second finger.
"And they are usually old."
A third finger.
"Very old."
Professor Isolde nodded.
"Unfortunately he's correct."
The female professor smiled.
"You possess extraordinary talent."
A pause.
"And extraordinary knowledge."
Another pause.
"The academy would be foolish not to recruit you."
Evelyne remained silent.
The words felt unfamiliar.
Talent.
Knowledge.
Value.
For centuries.
No one had associated such things with her.
The old mage continued.
"There are conditions."
The woman nodded.
That seemed reasonable.
Professor Aldric pointed toward the proposal.
"You will remain under observation."
Another point.
"Your memory loss remains unresolved."
Another point.
"We must verify your condition."
Another point.
"And if your memories return."
The old mage smiled.
"You must immediately inform the academy."
Evelyne nodded.
That was fair.
Very fair.
Then suddenly.
The chamber door opened.
A city guard entered.
Breathing heavily.
"Professors."
Everyone turned.
The guard saluted.
Then stepped forward.
"We recovered an item."
Something rested inside his hand.
A small silver keychain.
Old.
Worn by time.
The metal looked ancient.
Professor Aldric accepted it.
Then frowned.
"What is this?"
The guard pointed toward Evelyne.
"It was found among her belongings."
The room immediately became silent.
Evelyne herself looked surprised.
Because she didn't remember possessing it.
Professor Isolde examined the object.
Then suddenly froze.
"Wait."
The female professor looked closer.
There was writing engraved into the metal.
Old writing.
Elegant writing.
Beautiful writing.
A name.
Professor Isolde slowly read it.
Then looked toward Evelyne.
Then read it again.
"Evelyne."
Silence.
The room froze.
Professor Gareth blinked.
Professor Valen blinked.
Even Professor Aldric blinked.
The female professor held up the keychain.
"Evelyne."
She repeated.
The name felt strangely familiar.
Strangely warm.
The moment Evelyne heard it.
Something stirred inside her heart.
Not a memory.
Not exactly.
But a feeling.
A connection.
As though the name belonged to her.
As though she had carried it for a very long time.
The woman slowly whispered.
"Evelyne..."
The syllables felt natural.
Comfortable.
Right.
Professor Aldric smiled.
Then carefully placed the keychain before her.
"Perhaps."
The old mage's voice softened.
"We've recovered at least one thing."
Evelyne looked at the engraved name.
Her fingers gently touched the metal.
The keychain felt cold.
Yet somehow.
The simple object felt more valuable than everything else in the room.
Because for the first time since awakening.
She possessed something of her past.
A name.
Not a title.
Not a position.
Not a fabricated story.
A name.
And as the professors continued explaining academy responsibilities, faculty privileges, research opportunities, housing arrangements, and future prospects—
Evelyne found herself staring at that small silver keychain.
Quietly repeating a single word.
Her own name.
The first piece of herself she had managed to reclaim.