5 - Lumen Academy (1)

After packing my belongings into a small, worn travel bag, I left my room and descended the creaky stairs for the last time. The soft murmur of voices below turned into an eruption of footsteps and chatter as the younger children rushed to me.

I knelt down, wrapping my arms around the cluster of kids. I ruffled their hair and smiled as they tried to hide their tears by hugging me. The older ones stood near the wall, shyly bidding their good bye.

"Come on now, what's with the long faces?" I said brightly. "I'm not gone forever you know?"

"Try to keep up with my footsteps while waiting for my visits," I added, flashing a teasing smile.

"There she goes, full of herself again," someone muttered with a grin, cutting through the gloom and drawing a ripple of laughter from the group.

I turned to one person in particular. "Especially you, Frey. I expect you to keep your promise and chase my shadow."

"Ugh... did you have to say it in front of everyone?" Frey muttered, clearly flustered. Her usual stoic face tinged pink, to the amusement of everyone else.

It was rare to see Frey like this. Everybody laughed and teased her.

And then my eyes met Geld's.

The man who had taken Ellen in when she had nothing. Who gave her shelter and life.

Ellen really fond of this guy. And all I can do is...

"Thank you, Sir Geld," A thank you. I could only said that.

Geld gave her a warm smile. "No need. Just pay me back once you've landed a job." He patted my shoulder.

Then his voice lowered slightly. "Look, uh... Frey told me you've grown tired of playing the gentle, soft-spoken girl. Thats why you're changing. Is that true?"

She blinked. After all this time, he still worried about that?

"Well, you could say it like that," Ellen answered with a small chuckle.

Geld nodded, looking relieved. "I see... Then good luck on your journey, Ellen."

With one last round of hugs, goodbyes, and word exchanged, Ellen turned her back on the orphanage and began walking down the road toward the city of Rukht.

---

The sky was clear, sunlight spilling over the cobbled road like gold dust. A gentle breeze brushed against my cheeks.

Perfect weather for travel.

And my destination? The Arcane Ship docked in the city. As a Lumen Academy candidate, the acceptance letter alone served as a golden ticket. No need for reservations or fees. Just show up, and you're on board.

Now, what exactly is an Arcane Ship?

Well, it's a ship that sails the skies, held by magic instead of wind or water. Back in my old world, the closest thing would've been a blimp. But from what I've seen in game, it might be bigger than that.

I could already feel the buzz in my chest, the anticipation bubbling up—

SLAP

I smacked my own cheek without hesitation.

"That wasn't me." I muttered under my breath.

That giddy feeling? That was all Ellen's. Her lingering emotions sometimes crept up on me.

it is starting to get annoying. How should I say, it was like having someone else inside your head.

Uncomfortable.

But honestly, I had more pressing concerns than it.

First, this body, Ellen's body. Wasn't in top shape. Not weak, but clearly molded for magic, not physical exertion. The past few weeks of aura training had helped me understand its limits. My own limits.

Not that I had much time to improve. I'd been too focused cramming knowledge into my brain like a maniac. History, geography, noble etiquette, the Lumen curriculum, combat theory… everything I could get my hands on at the orphanage.

Even now, as my boots clicked against the stones of the road, I was reviewing facts in my head. The possible orientation test scenarios.

You see, this game is hard. Not in a sense of mechanic. The mechanic itself is hard. But what made this game harder is the possibility of two or three randomized outcome of an event.

Just like now, there are a possibilities there might be an orientation test. Not like I worry about the test. I am worried if 'that' teacher is the one who hold the test.

---

After a long walk, I finally reached the city. Once past inspection, I saw the Arcane Ship.

It was massive. Larger than I expected. A huge wooden vessel reinforced with magic, floating silently above a glowing platform.

I approached the guard and handed over my letter.

"Ellen Ymara," he read. "Half-Noble, huh? And Lumen Academy? Not bad. Alright, go ahead."

He gave the letter back.

I stared at it as I walked. My name...

Names were important in this world. Commoners usually had one name. If they had a last name, it often meant their family had bought a noble title, making them Half-Nobles.

Like me.

Ymara was Geld's last name. He bought a baron title years ago.

Then there were Pure Nobles. People with first, middle, and last names. High-ranking nobles, born into power.

"Ridiculous," I muttered, taking the nearest empty seat on the ship.

I placed my bag on my lap and glanced out the window. The deck was slowly filling up.

Then, a soft voice spoke beside me.

"Is this seat taken?"

I turned.

A girl stood there, asking with a slight smile.

Something about her face felt... familiar.

"No. Go ahead," I said quietly.

She sat down beside me, brushing her hair behind her ear.

The ship started to shake slightly as the engines powered up, rising from the dock with a soft hum of magic. Outside the window, the city slowly grew smaller, buildings shrinking into toy-like shapes.

I leaned back on the cushioned seat and glanced to my side. The girl beside me hadn't moved since we sat down. Her long hair gently swayed with the breeze from the open window, and her eyes were fixed on the book in her hands. The title was too small to read, but the cover looked like a magical theory book.

She didn't say anything after greeting me. Just a nod and that was it.

I closed my eyes, letting my body relax. The sun was warm against my skin, and the gentle vibration in the dock, lulled me into drowsiness. And I drifted into a nap.

I don't know how long I slept, but the sharp sound of a scream snapped me awake.

I opened my eyes.

Then I heard it.

"Everyone stay where you are! Hands where I can see them!"

The voice was rough, loud, and full of hostility.

I didn't move. Neither did the girl next to me.

More shouting followed. The sounds of boots stomping along the wooden floor. Someone was crying. Someone else was trying to calm them down.

My eyes slowly scanned my surroundings.

The girl beside me closed her book gently, her fingers sliding between the pages to mark the page.

Neither of us spoke.

Until I broke the silence. "You're a mage, right?"

"?... Yes," she answered.

"Can you take out that guy?" I asked, lazily pointing to the masked man standing about seven meters ahead.

"Of course," she said without hesitation.

"Cover me if things go south."

"That should be easy."

"Hey! No talking! Stay quiet!" the masked man barked, stepping a bit closer, his hand on the hilt of a dagger.

I kept my voice calm. "Now?"

She flicked her fingers. A small magic circle formed.

Lightning surged from it, striking the masked man in the chest. He dropped instantly, twitching as the bolt paralyzed him.

"Nice shot."

Before the rest of the hijackers could react, I drew in a breath and infused aura into my limbs.

It always amaze me. The way everything sharpened and slowed. Strength flooded my muscles, and the world felt just a bit lighter.

Someone shouted, "She's moving! Get her—"

Too late.

I was already there.

One punch to the gut. The masked man folded like paper.

Another swung his blade. I ducked low and swept his legs out from under him.

If you asked me the most important part of my body in a fight, it's not my fists.

It's my eyes and my brain.

Eyes that see the world at a much slower rate. A mind fast enough to keep up. It is a Superhuman Reflexes.

But without a body that could follow their lead, none of that mattered. That's why I need to train this body. For now, aura is more than enough.

From the corner of my vision, I saw someone casting a spell.

A glowing magic circle began to form.

I moved to intercept, but before I even got close.

Crack

The magic circle shattered.

The caster froze.

That girl, she must have canceled the spell. I didn't waste the chance.

A swift kick, and he was down.

Another attacker came from the side. I grabbed his wrist and smashed my elbow into his nose. He dropped with a grunt.

The rest paused, unsure. Some even stepped back.

Their plan was crumbling.

And I?

I smiled.

Right... I, Eun Hee-Jin, was built to be perfect. That cursed household of mine tried to sculpt me into a masterpiece. A tool for their household. Intelligence, strength, experience. They forced it all into me.

And in the end, I used all of it to crush their precious household.

A kick to the chest. A jab to the ribs. Quickly moving between targets. They fell like a domino.

I breathed out slowly. Not even tired.

"Come on," I mocked, brushing hair from my face. "If you want to hijack a ship, at least send someone who can fight."

Groans filled the space. Fear melted into relief among the passengers.

Crackling sound could be heard behind me.

The girl was handling the last of the mage.

It was over.

I stretched my neck side to side.

"So," I said without turning, "what's your name?"

She didn't answer right away. I glanced back.

She stared at me with flat expression.

"...You're good," she said finally.

I smirked. "Of course I am."

But we didn't get to talk further.

Two more hijackers entered from the cockpit.

One was huge a walking wall of muscle.

The other, a loud woman with a sharp tongue and a sharper glare.

"What the hell happened here?!" she shouted. "Hey! Get up! Why the hell are you lying around like trash?"

"W-we were taken down, boss... by them."

She stared. Then burst into laughter.

"You got wrecked by kids? Pathetic!"

Her tone shifted suddenly, voice cold. "Hope you enjoyed breathing. You won't be doing it much longer."

She turned to us.

"Well then, what should I do with you two... Ah! Go get them!"

Her voice rang out sharply. Instinctively, we turned our heads to scan for threats—

But there was no one.

"Where are you looking?" she whispered.

"!"

Her voice was right behind us.

Both of us reacted fast, pushing each other aside just in time to dodge.

Boom!

The big guy's fist slammed into the floor where we stood. The solid metal cracked like brittle wood.

"You take the aura user," she ordered, pointing at me. "I'll handle the mage."

I landed in a crouch and took a breath.

"Well, this much should be fun, yeah?" I said with a smile.