Primordial College

This world was still unfamiliar to him, but the mission screen hovering in the corner of his vision felt like something he could work with.

[Survive 365 Days. Unlock Second Path.]

Sounds easy, right?

He tightened his collar and pulled on the black traveling coat. The bag beside his bed was already packed—thanks to the original Erwin, who'd apparently been preparing for his first day at Primordial College before offing himself.

A soft sigh escaped his lips,

"Thanks for the prep, buddy."

Outside his room, James—the family's unnervingly efficient butler—was waiting with a leather notebook.

"Young master," James said with a bow, "your departure is in five minutes. Lady Janet requests that you eat something before you go. She's… concerned."

Erwin shrugged at his words before he nodded. "Tell her I'll stop by the dining hall."

James's glance lingered a second too long. Behind those cold eyes, Erwin couldn't help but imagine him snapping his neck with one hand if it came down to it.

As he descended the marble stairs, a voice called from the side hall.

"Leaving without saying goodbye, big bro?"

He paused as two girls stepped out—identical down to their chestnut hair, ribbon-tied ponytails, and school-issued capes fluttering lightly with mana.

Pamela reached him first, throwing her arms around him without a second thought. "You really look like a prince today!"

Erwin was baffled at the scene but then a memory crossed his mind and he remembered how much they loved their big step brother and his body relaxed from the thought.

Her twin, Satella, stood with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. "Tch. Don't get so full of yourself. It's just a uniform."

According to his new memories, the both of them were sixteen years. And where also students at Primordial College's Core Curriculum Division—two classes below his own.

Unlike Erwin, they hadn't been sorted yet, but rumors in the house mentioned Pamela once froze a grown man mid-laugh, and Satella… had a habit of breaking mirrors when angry—without touching them.

"Didn't think you'd actually go this time," Pamela pouted. "You always ran from this kind of stuff."

"I'm turning over a new leaf." Erwin said ruffling her hair.

"Stay out of trouble, and don't kill anyone by accident," he said briefly glancing at Satella.

Satella rolled her eyes. "If anyone touches me, it won't be an accident."

Pamela clung tighter. "Come visit our dorm later, okay big bro? We'll miss you!."

"I'll try," he said, gently prying her off.

The breakfast that followed tasted new, since he always had mild meals in his last life, like the egg that took his life.

So this time around, he made sure to savor every bite that he took, not leaving any untouched. Though they all stared at him weirdly but he didn't mind.

Afterward, the carriage was already waiting outside the mansion. A black crest with twin daggers behind a crescent moon—was etched into the door signifying royalty.

■■■■■■■■■■■■■

The ride to Primordial College took about an hour. As they moved, he noticed the scenery was magnificent.

There were mana-lit roads, forests whispering with unseen spirits, flying creatures casting shadows overhead—it was a different world entirely.

He had officially left Earth behind, facing a new life.

As he fantasised about his new life, the carriage passed through the final gate.

Primordial College wasn't just a school. It was a kingdom in the sky, with floating towers, light-bridges, arcane glyphs spinning in air like weather patterns. Students crossed courtyards on magic boards or simply flew.

He stared at the magnificent scene, his jaw dropping slightly "...What the hell did I sign up for?" he muttered.

James opened the door to the carriage "Orientation starts in fifteen minutes, the Head Prefect awaits your appearance."

Erwin stepped down from the carriage, adjusted his coat, and straightened his expression.

"Time to play the role" he whispered to himself as he stepped into the schools grounds.

The Prefect's Office resembled a magical war room. The walls pulsed with light and there were a few floating world maps around the place. A silver-haired young man stood at the center, cold gaze measuring.

"Erwin Bellingham?" the man asked, glancing at Erwin.

"That's me." He responded

"I'm Silas Vaer, head Prefect." He said offering a gloved handshake.

Erwin shook it with practiced ease like he'd been doing this type of stuff since his former life "Pleasure to meet you."

"You're an F-Class Arcane Wielder." Silas handed him a mana-banded wristband without saying much after.

"Head to the east wing, Dorm 5. Room 512. Don't lose the tag, and don't tamper with it."

"Tamper?" Erwin asked, glancing at the wristbands before staring back up at Silas.

"They explode." He cautioned

"…Great."

"You're dismissed, hope you enjoy your school life here in Primordial College"

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

The school was a vast area, he still believed that some places in the school weren't in view because of how large it was. Everywhere glimmered with intricate patterns, diamond and silver chandeliers brightening up the hallway.

Dorm 5 looked more like a luxury resort than a dorm—marble, gold, floating runes sweeping dust off the floors.

Room 512 was already occupied, by some people.

One guy lounged on a bed with a sword strapped to his back, blond and sharp-eyed. Another had a mop of curly hair, untucked shirt, and was holding a plate of glowing cheese puffs.

The guy on the bed turned to the stranger which he immediately recognised "Erwin?" Blondie stood.

"Took you long enough. You still owe me a rematch"

"Jack?" Erwin blinked, his mind a bit fuzzy. He stared down and noticed his hand was lingering in the air for a fist bump which he responded to immediately.

"About time you got here" Jack smirked. "You still suck at dodging."

"Only when I want to," Erwin replied.

"Name's Bimbo as you may recall" a famale said, walking up from behind him, her voice was warm and smug.

"Still not my real name though, but you never bothered using it, so now it's permanent."

She pulled back, hands on her hips, looking him up and down like she was assessing livestock.

"Damn, you got taller. I'm gonna have to punch you to fix that ego before it grows."

"Yeah, puberty hit late," Erwin replied with a laugh, surprised by how natural it felt.

"Still talk like a nerd, huh?" Bimbo said. "Good, I was worried they'd replace you with a clone." she teased as the others laughed at her comment

He was… oddly relieved that these two remembered him, and so far, no one questioned the change.

"So, you ready for class?" Jack said, tossing him a class schedule.

Combat Theory classes, arcane application. Magic Civ History, general studies.

"Yeah," he muttered, his voice low "I'm thrilled."

●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●

The orientation was chaos. Two hundred thousand students packed into the grand auditorium. Some floated, some radiated mana like breathing gods, while the professors stood like ancient warlords.

Upperclassmen were introduced—like Silas, who led with a glance that could cut steel.

Erwin stayed in the back with Jack and Bimbo to avoid unnecessary attention.

"Why'd you list yourself as unawakened, Erwin?" Bimbo asked, curiously

Jack added, "Your mana signature's seems good, so why did you choose to"

Jack was like a sensory type, which could sense mama signature's in people and know if there's a disruption signifying possession or something more which he didn't recognize on Erwin.

Erwin shrugged a bit before he answered "Lost control during training. My step-mom told me to lay low until it stabilizes."

Jack nodded slowly. "Smart. Better to look weak than attract wolves."

Erwin nodded in response, "yea.."

After the orientation, everyone was sent to the dinning halls to have their food and get accustomed to the school grounds since school activities would begin the day after.

Just as Erwin and his friends grabbed their lunch, a strange looking kid walked up to them and slapped Erwin's lunch away from his hand.

The attention of the dining hall immediately turned toward them.

"You little rascal, what brings you to this school grounds!"

Erwin glanced at his surroundings, and back at the bully that walked up to him. In that moment he remembered who the bully was.

He was just another bully back in his elementary school, who never thought of growing up from his irrational behaviour.

"what are you staring at?" he barked at him.

Erwin simply bent over and started cleaning the mess, the silence that hung over at his response caused Bimbo to start giggling

Jack pulled in close, and asked him "Aren't you going to fight back?"

"I don't see any use in wasting energy on an empty vase, Jack" he responded, causing the whole dinning hall to erupt in laughter.

The bully glanced around him in shame, then turned back to Erwin

"you'll surely regret this!" he shouted as he walked out of the dinning hall, lowering his head.

"I doubt I would" he responded, watching him as he waltzed out of the hall.