Chapter 11: Mind Control?

Aiden looked at Calista and thought inwardly,

'She seems to be talented in theory too… but I'm quite certain that when it comes to theories, I've definitely surpassed her. But magic… that's a different matter altogether. I don't even have the slightest idea how to start forming a magic circle. I just hope I can understand the principles and form my first circle before midterms.'

After finishing Alchemist Class, Aiden headed to Time Magic Class.

Upon entering, he noticed a list of students attending the class—forty-four names in total. Among them, he spotted Calista's name too.

Aiden was the first to enter and quietly chose a seat in the corner. He watched as the rest of the students began arriving. To his surprise, Calista walked in and sat right next to him. Completely caught off guard, Aiden sat stiffly, saying nothing.

Calista turned toward him and asked, "Aiden, why did you choose this class?"

He was startled—not just by the question, but also by the fact that she used his first name.

"No particular reason," he replied. "Just recently, my interest grew in Time Magic."

Calista smiled faintly. "You can call me by my first name. You don't have to use my surname like last time."

Still confused by the whole situation, Aiden replied nervously, "Okay… Calista?"

She nodded. "Yes."

After their awkward exchange, a woman entered the classroom. She appeared to be in her early thirties, with greenish-black hair and matching eyes. She wore a black dress adorned with elegant designs, and her skin was extremely pale.

But not as pale as Calista's, Aiden noted.

'Calista's skin is like snow… and it matches her hair so well…'

The woman, undeniably beautiful, introduced herself, "Hello everyone. My name is Rosaline Eva Green, and I'll be your Time Magic instructor."

---

After class, Aiden returned to his dorm, still in a daze—his mind completely occupied with thoughts of Calista.

He made himself dinner, meditated for an hour to calm down, then went to sleep.

That night, he didn't have a nightmare.

Instead, he had a sweet dream.

And it was about Calista.

In the morning, still dazed from the dream, he accidentally hit his head on the wall while trying to shake the memory from his mind.

But the dream remained crystal clear.

'Why the hell was she preparing breakfast for me?' he thought—and hit his head again.

After showering, he went straight to the Sanctum of Solace.

Walking up to the beautiful healer who had once saved him, he said seriously, "Ma'am, someone has attacked me using mind control magic. Please save me."

The healer looked at him and asked, "How do you know?"

"I saw in my dream… one of my classmates was preparing breakfast for me."

The healer blinked. "What?"

"I'm serious," Aiden said gravely. "Yes."

She stared at him—and then burst into laughter. She laughed for almost a full minute before catching her breath.

"Aiden, right?"

"Yes."

"You don't have to worry about that," she said, still chuckling. "You're perfectly fine. Go now."

But when she noticed his blank, unconvinced expression, she relented.

"Alright, alright, don't stare at me like that. I'll check."

She performed a light scan and noticed a minor injury on his forehead.

"You hit your head, didn't you?" she asked, smirking.

"…Maybe," Aiden muttered.

She healed it instantly.

"There's no mind control magic in you, so go to class now," she said—and began laughing like a maniac again as Aiden left, sighing.

---

Three months later, Aiden was walking to class when he passed the notice board. A list had been posted—names of students who had successfully formed their first magic circle.

He scanned the list.

Alaric—there.

Elric—there too.

But his own name… nowhere to be found.

He sighed and went to class, sitting next to Alaric and Elric as usual.

"Don't worry too much about the magic circle," Alaric said. "There's still plenty of time. If you try harder, you'll definitely be able to form your first circle."

"Yeah," Elric added. "So don't stress about it."

Aiden glanced at them and thought,

'I'm not worried. You two are the ones worried.'

At that moment, Calista entered the class. Aiden, now more composed compared to a few months ago, nodded slightly.

Those early days were rough—he had gone to complain to the beautiful healer multiple times.

And each time… she had laughed at him.

Now, at least, he knew the healer's name.

And he only occasionally had dreams about Calista.