EPILOGUE

  The next day after class, Regis and I found ourselves standing nervously in front of Miss Xu, who had called us the moment the bell rang.

  “Alicia, Regis. Stay back a moment, please.” Miss Xu’s expression was calm—too calm, in fact. That alone was suspicious.

  Regis leaned closer and whispered to me, “Did you do something wrong?”

  “Why would you assume it’s me?” I shrugged, trying to sound confident. “I’m sure everything’s fine.”

  After yesterday’s celebration, I was still riding high on happiness. What could possibly go wrong?

  Miss Xu clasped her hands behind her back. “Alicia, Regis, it seems I forgot to mention something important yesterday.”

  Regis and I exchanged uncertain looks.

  “Of course, it’s nothing serious,” she added quickly.

  Ahh… so everything’s fine after all.

  “Well, you see,” Miss Xu continued, “all students of the academy are required to be enrolled in a club. And while all the other students have already done so for the year, since you two just joined, you’re still left.”

  Oh, that’s all. I exhaled in relief.

  So, there are school clubs in this world too, huh.

  Regis crossed her arms. “So, we just have to pick a club. That should be easy enough.”

  Miss Xu smiled, though there was an ominous twinkle in her eyes. “Ah! I like your confidence girl. But remember—there are around four hundred and fifty-six official clubs. Not counting the unofficial ones... like those political groups, secret societies, and the fan clubs.”

  “That many?” Regis blinked.

  “Don’t sweat on the numbers, think of the variety,” Miss Xu said sweetly. “Surely you will be able to find something you can enjoy out of so many options.”

  Makes sense, the more the choices, the better... right?

  Miss Xu tapped her fingers together as if checking something off an invisible list. “Good. I’ll take that as a yes.”

  “Sure, we can do that.” Regis declared.

  “Umu.” I nodded.

  “Excellent.”

  Miss Xu whistled sharply, and a small golden cloud puffed into existence beside her.

  “Here,” she said, handing us two sheets of parchment, and then hopped onto her fluffy ride. “These are your club application forms. Fill them out and return them to my desk by the end of the day before the academy office closes.”

  Then her smile turned almost mischievous. “Oh—and if you don’t do it by today, you’ll fail the extracurricular subject for this term. Happy club hunting!”

  Before either of us could respond, she whistled again, and the cloud shot upward—straight toward the ceiling.

  “Wait! The window—!” Regis shouted, but it was too late. I couldn’t really blame her. After all, it was Regis’s first time seeing it.

  CRASH!

  The cloud blasted right through the glass, leaving a perfect Miss Xu–shaped hole.

  Regis and I flinched as sunlight and shards rained down.

  From somewhere high above, I could’ve sworn I heard a faint, despairing cry.

  “Not again…”

  “What do we do now? We don’t even know what clubs are there!” I said hurriedly, panic already bubbling in my chest, and hundreds of negative thoughts flooded my brain.

  Regis sighed, brushing a few glittering shards of glass off her shoulder. “Isn’t today too soon? We can’t go through so many clubs and decide in one day.”

  “Didn’t Miss Xu say we’ll fail if we don’t submit our choice by the time the academy office closes?” I said.

  Regis rubbed her temple. “Yeah… she did.”

  Ahhhhhhhh! I screamed internally. This is a disaster!

  Both of us stood there, dumbfounded, staring at each other as our world slowly collapsed in real time. Maybe yesterday’s celebration had gone too well.

  Of course. Things could never just stay peaceful.

  Just as I was spiraling into despair, the lights around us dimmed — unnaturally so — and from the staircase at the end of the hall, a single beam of light shone down on one figure like a dramatic stage spotlight.

  “Why the dull faces,” came a confident voice, “when you have me?”

  The girl basking in the spotlight flipped her blue hair and gave us a dazzling smile. Ingrid — the self-proclaimed know-it-all who claimed to know everything about the academy.

  As she gracefully descended the stairs, the spotlight mysteriously followed her every step.

  “If it’s a club you’re looking for,” she announced proudly, “why not join the —Gold Mining Club! It’s been around for over ten years.”

  Regis raised an eyebrow. “Gold... mining?”

  “And what does it do,” I asked with starry eyes.

  “Of course, we dig all day looking for gold!” Ingrid said proudly. “And when you join, you get your very own indestructible golden spade!” She handed each of us a shiny golden spade. “Here — I had extras!”

  Regis raised a brow. “And have you actually found any gold yet?”

  Ingrid froze, sweatdropping slightly. “Ahaha… well, not yet. But we’re close! The more people we have, the better our chances! Just imagine it — once we strike gold, we’ll all be rich!”

  Before Ingrid could go on further explaining about the club, Regis seized Ingrid’s face between her hands and sighed deeply. “No.”

  “—Mmph?!” Ingrid struggled trying to set herself free from Regis’s hold.

  With a quick flick of her fingers, Regis sent a gust of wind shooting upward. It burst the water bubble Ingrid had fused to the ceiling — the one she’d been using to refract sunlight from the shattered window and make that fancy spotlight.

  “We’re not going to spend our precious time mining for imaginary gold,” Regis said flatly. “You don’t even know if there’s real gold to begin with.”

  “But that’s what luck is!” Ingrid protested, pouting. “No one knows until they find it!”

  “Stop trying to lure us into your stupid gold-dream cult,” Regis snapped.

  “Fine, fine,” Ingrid huffed. “Then I’ll at least show you around where all the clubs are. But don’t call my club stupid.”

  “You should’ve done that from the start,” Regis muttered, clearly at her limit.

  “Alright, alright, I’ll lead you,” Ingrid said with a mischievous chuckle as Regis let go of her. She dusted off her uniform and smiled. “By the way, yesterday was your first day, right? So, you probably have no idea what this school turns into after classes here ends.” Ingrid spoke in an uncanny tone.

  “What do you mean?” Regis asked warily.

  Ingrid tilted her head toward the hallway. “Just look around,”

  I did — and realized she was right. The school was eerily quiet. Too quiet.

  The hallways were completely empty. And it had barely been a few minutes since the last class ended. My senses picked up not a single presence nearby. It felt like we were standing in an abandoned ruin, not a school.

  Ingrid grinned. “Get ready… because the moment you step out that door, you’ll be swallowed whole by chaos and madness.”

  I gulped.

  “Huh… Just how bad can it be?” Regis muttered. “It can’t be worse than what my sister puts me through after her royal classes whenever she wants to blow off steam.”

  Ingrid started walking down the corridor, and Regis followed right after.

  “Alicia! Are you coming or not?” Regis called, already halfway to the exit.

  “Yeah, coming!” I said, hurrying after them. I can’t mess this up—not when I promised Athena I’d make her proud.

  …

  After following Ingrid for a while, we finally left the main academy building. She led us across the campus grounds, all the way to the farthest corner — the complete opposite side of the academy.

  And there it was.

  Stretching before us was a massive street lined with rows of buildings of all shapes and sizes, each decorated with enormous banners flapping in the breeze. Students in every imaginable costume filled the street — some dressed like knights, others in lab coats, battle armor, magician robes, and even full-body mascot suits. They rushed around carrying props ranging from tiny gadgets to, a full-sized actual rocket.

  I blinked. “So… this is where everyone goes after school?”

  Ingrid nodded proudly. “Welcome to the Thousand Parade Club Street! It’s said that, long ago, there used to be a thousand clubs here. Though now, we’re maybe down to around seven hundred.”

  “Seven hundred?!” I gasped. “How are we supposed to go through all of them and find one that suits us?”

  “Beats me,” Ingrid said with a shrug. “But hey, my offer’s still open. If you join my Gold Mining Club, you won’t even have to take the preliminary exam. I can get you in with my recommendation.”

  “There’s… even a preliminary exam to get into clubs?” I asked.

  “Of course!” Ingrid said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Some clubs have duels, others require talent tests, to each club their own. So… still having second thoughts?” Ingrid said with a sly grin.

  “No, we are not,” Regis said firmly.

  Ingrid chuckled, her eyes flicking toward me. “Then why are you still holding that golden shovel?”

  Regis spun around—and sure enough, I was still holding the shiny golden spade close to my chest like a prized treasure.

  I froze. “Ah—”

  “You idiot! Throw that fake gold spade away right now!” she snapped. “Do you want to spend your days digging dirt and finding bugs and skeletons?”

  “N-No…” I quickly shook my head as I parted with the golden spade, returning it to Ingrid.

  “I guess we have no choice but to go through each club one by one,” Regis said firmly.

  “Umu.” I nodded, trying to sound brave.

  But before we could take a single step, Ingrid suddenly backed away a few paces, her smile turning… oddly sinister.

  “You’ll regret saying no to me and making fun of my club,” she said sweetly. Then she gave Regis a sly smirk — and an apologetic glance toward me.

  My spidey instincts screamed danger.

  Ingrid then whistled. Loud.

  The noise echoed across the entire street.

  Instantly, the bustling crowd of students froze in place.

  Then Ingrid shouted, “We’ve got newbies here! And they don’t have a club yet!”

  The laughter, the chatter, the clatter — everything stopped for that instant.

  A chill ran down my spine. “R-Regis… why do they all look like that?”

  Every single student turned toward us at once — eyes wide, mouths twitching, tongues rolling down, necks creaking in unnatural unison.

  For one dreadful heartbeat, everything was still. Then—

  “Graaaaahhhhh!”

  “She turned them into zombies,” I screamed in horror.

  Regis grabbed my wrist. “Run!”

  The entire street exploded into chaos as students surged toward us like a stampede — waving club flags, thrusting flyers, and shouting club slogans.

  “Join the Potion Explosions Club!”

  “No! The monster Culinary club needs new tasters!”

  “Become an official member of the ‘Obsessively Adore the True Hero’ Fan Club — we also give free capes and hero’s badge!”

  “Sign here for the ultimate Broomstick Racing Federation!”

  We bolted down the street as the horde charged after us, the sound of hundreds of footsteps thundering behind.

  Banners flapped, pamphlets filled the air like confetti, and I barely dodged a flying recruitment flyer that read ‘Join the dungeon crawling club – we provide life insurance!’

  And so began our first real trial at the academy—escaping from The Thousand Parade Club Street!

  ◇◇◇

  It was complete and total madness.

  Regis and I sprinted across the academy grounds, chased to the ends of the world—or at least it felt that way—by a horde of desperate zombified club recruiters.

  Posters flew like paper shrapnel, flags whipped in the wind, and my brain couldn’t tell whether we were being recruited or hunted down.

  “This isn’t club admission—it’s a mass kidnapping!” I screamed, dodging a net someone had actually thrown at me.

  Regis shouted, “Keep running! Don’t let them—”

  But before she could finish, someone tugged at her sleeve, another at mine, and in the chaos of it all—our hands slipped apart.

  “Alicia!”

  “Regis!”

  The sea of students surged between us like a living wall. My heart pounded as I twisted, trying to catch a glimpse of Regis’s crimson hair in the madness. But it was useless.

  The crowd was closing in from every direction; their faces warped in a strange mix of enthusiasm and hunger. I could feel the panic rising up my throat. There was nowhere left to run.

  My mind raced — there was only one option left.

  ‘Al, get me out of here!’

  Light burst beneath my feet, and in a blink, the world warped.

  When I opened my eyes again, the noise was gone. Al had teleported me to a nearby area where there shouldn’t be anyone close by.

  I was standing in a narrow alleyway. The air was still. Too still.

  “This place is… completely empty,” I murmured.

  I staggered forward, heart pounding.

  The lane was lined with old club buildings, but unlike the lively street I’d just escaped, this area felt abandoned.

  Faded banners fluttered weakly in the wind, their colors long drained by time. Dust-covered signs hung crookedly from doors.

  One banner read: “Teleportation Mishaps Society.”

  Its walls were plastered with portraits of smiling students — all of them labeled Missing.

  I swallowed hard.

  Further down, I spotted another banner: “Monster Petting Club.”

  Claw marks scarred the brick walls—giant warnings: “BEWARE!”, “TURN BACK!”, “DON’T LOOK!”, “IT’S STILL HERE!”, “RUN!”, “TOO LATE!”, “IT SEES YOU!”, “WE NEVER LEFT!”—each one re-decorated in red with blood spatters and torn-up uniforms pinned like trophies.

  I gulped.

  Another building nearby had been completely reduced to ashes. Only the sign survived, half-melted and hanging sideways—Pyromancy Club. From the rubble, a lone certificate fluttered, with burnt edges: “Safety Excellence Award.”

  Every building I passed was abandoned, sealed, or destroyed. Still not a single soul in sight. The deeper I went, the quieter it became — the only sound was my own footsteps echoing against the cracked cobblestone.

  I just needed to find my way back to Regis, and then we can escape together.

  “Maybe… if I follow this road, I’ll see one of the main towers again.”

  But then, right in the middle of this ghostly street, I noticed something strange — a small, narrow building with lights still on.

  I froze.

  Warm light spilled faintly through its windows, flickering like candle flame. The door looked newer than the others, as if it had been replaced recently.

  Cautiously, I approached. Maybe I could ask for directions… or at least find somewhere safe to hide until the chaos died down.

  I looked up at the banner hanging above the door.

  “Otherworld Research Club.”

  “…Otherworld Research?” I muttered under my breath. “So, is it like a paranormal club that believes in other worlds or is trying to find proof of them?”

  Well, if that’s the case, they’re not entirely wrong. After all, I am a reincarnation from another world.

  Still… given how many clubs here were clearly extinct, I wasn’t expecting much. Maybe it was just an old sign left hanging.

  But the lights were on, and at this point, even an empty room sounded better than another teleportation gamble to a lost place— or being mobbed again by club recruiters.

  “Alright… let’s just ask for directions and get out of here before something weird happens.”

  I took a deep breath, stepped up to the wooden door, and raised my hand.

  Knock. Knock.

  The sound echoed faintly down the deserted alleyway.

  And for a moment… nothing happened.

  Then, from inside, I thought I heard a faint shuffle — like a chair moving.

  Someone was in there.

  “Hello… is anyone there?” I called out just in case they didn’t think it was a mistake.

  A brief pause, then the door creaked open.

  “Who’s there?” A face peeked above me, slightly taller than I expected. My gaze froze.

  It was her.

  “Oh… It’s you,” she said, glancing left and right before focusing back on me. A small, calm smile curved her lips. “Come inside.”

  I hesitated for only a moment. This was the same woman I’d seen outside the headmaster’s office—the one whose soul core I couldn’t perceive.

  Following strangers was never wise. Yet… there was something in her presence.

  Calm. And familiar. It unconsciously pulled me in like a gentle current.

  I stepped inside.

  “Sit down,” she said, gesturing to a chair. She settled herself opposite me at a central wooden table.

  “So, what brings you here…?” The lady asked me.

  “Um… you see. Miss…” I fumbled around trying to think what to say to her when I didn’t even know her name.

  “Oh, I guess we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet,” the lady said, trying to understand my dilemma, adjusting her oversized circular spectacles that gleamed in the light. “You can call me Karin. I’m a teacher here at Grindelwald Magic Academy. So… what brings you today? Lost again, perhaps?” Karin chuckled, shaking her head with a fond smile.

  I felt a blush creeping up my neck. How did she know so easily?

  “Oops! I am sorry. I didn’t realize.” Miss Karin quickly caught on to my demeanor and quickly apologized when it wasn’t even her fault.

  “No… It’s not that… You don’t need to be… Sorry for barging in when you can be busy.”

  Karin smiled again, though her eyes remained hidden behind those giant spectacles.

  “I’m looking to join a club,” I finally said, “and… I got separated from my friend.”

  “Ah, I see. So, are you interested in joining the Otherworld Research Club? I’m in charge here—and, in fact, I founded this club myself.”

  “Really?” My eyes lit up. “So it’s really an otherworld occult club. What does it do?”

  Karin leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. “For now, it’s not much, I’m afraid. We currently have only one other member, and honestly… this club might close down this year.”

  I nodded slowly, expecting as much given the abandoned streets I’d seen earlier. But one question still lingered in my mind. “Do you… believe in the existence of other worlds?”

  For a moment, miss Karin’s face became still, almost unreadable.

  “I do,” miss Karin’s expression grew calm, her lips curving into a brief, serene smile. “Just as there are countless stars in the night sky, there are countless worlds beyond this one. Each exists in a different plane, too distant for anyone to reach. And each of these worlds have so many different species, cultures, and environments. Some worlds are torn apart by war, some live in peace, some flourish with abundance, and some struggle to survive with the bare minimum.”

  She paused, touching her lips lightly with her fingers. “I suppose I shouldn’t be the only one talking so much.”

  Wow… Her words carried a mysteriousness, as if she had truly witnessed these other worlds she spoke of. But maybe it was just her passion shining through.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “And… what activities does the club actually do?” I asked, leaning forward.

  “Well,” Karin said, “we attempt to locate these other worlds by reading the cosmic energy patterns present in the outer atmosphere. Our only member is currently developing a research theory on world barriers—mechanisms that prevent two worlds from ever coming into contact and colliding.”

  Karin then stood, walking to a green chalkboard covered in complex diagrams and calculations. From above, she pulled down a hand-drawn chart depicting portraits of different worlds and their estimated sizes and distances from ours.

  “Well, this is just an estimate. These could be existing worlds. We don’t yet have solid evidence—except for cosmic energy calculations,” she explained, her voice calm but tinged with excitement.

  “That’s… amazing,” I whispered.

  I let my eyes roam the room. Books piled in uneven stacks, papers covered with astronomy notes, charts detailing magical energy flows, and calculations sprawled across multiple boards, even extending to walls.

  With my mystic eyes, I could detect the faint outline of a large telescope observatory and some complex machinery on the floor above us.

  “So… is this club really going to shut down? Is there any way to save it?” I asked, my voice almost trembling.

  Karin adjusted her spectacles and smiled gently. “We currently have only one member. But if we gain just one more and start conducting activities that produce results, maybe the administration might just give this club a green pass. That said, you don’t need to pressure yourself into joining. I’m sure there are plenty of other clubs for you to explore as well.”

  I straightened, determination filling me. “No. I’ve decided. I will join the Otherworld Research club.”

  Everything Karin had told me fascinated me.

  The thought of joining a club that explores the unknown, that might one day discover a new world, reading cosmic energies, and the chance to contribute to a field no one has ever tried. It was more thrilling than anything I could imagine.

  I could already picture the look on my dad’s face if I told him that I discovered a new world. And it’s not like I’m dying to name a world or anything, if I ever find one.

  But I think I am excited to do this because even though I’d barged in here and bombarded Karin with so many questions, she has always been patient, guiding me with that calm, familiar smile.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Karin said. “But… you can’t just join the club directly.”

  “So… what do I need to do?” I asked eagerly, my heart racing.

  Karin’s eyes for a second seemed to sparkle behind her spectacles. “Well, you’ll have to pass a qualification exam to be accepted into this club.”

  Right! Ingrid had mentioned that every club had its own trial.

  I clenched my fists. “I’m ready.”

  Instantly, my mind started racing.

  What kind of test could it be?

  Will it be a test of my knowledge? Would I need to recite every constellation in the sky? I could do that.

  Or will it be a test of resourcefulness—would I have to bring samples from some foreign space body, like an asteroid?

  Or maybe it’s a test of my investigative skill… would I need to discover a new star?

  I gulped. I just hope I can pass… I can’t fail today. I can’t let this chance slip away.

  Karin seemed to drift into thought for a moment, tapping her fingers lightly on the table.

  Finally, she looked up at me with a faint smile. “Alright… let’s go with this.”

  So, what’s it going to be… I waited in anticipation.

  Karin adjusted her glasses slightly, the reflection of the lamplight hiding her eyes. “You see, if we ever discover a new world and attempt to cross over into it, there’s always resistance from the world barrier. Anyone who tries to breach it is exposed to an intense surge of cosmic energy. If the body of the traveler isn’t ready, it can overwhelm the mind.”

  She smiled softly. “So, to determine if you can endure such pressure, I’m going to immerse you in a controlled simulation of—an artificial cosmic resonance. If you come out of it without any problems, then you’re the perfect candidate.”

  I blinked. “I see…”

  It sounded just like those astronaut training simulations I’d once read about—where they tested if a human body could adapt to the harshness of space. The thought alone sent a thrill through me.

  Our reincarnation ceremony must have shielded us from that kind of strain, I thought. But if Miss Karin could really recreate an environment like that—

  —I wanted to feel it.

  But then, a small doubt crept into my mind.

  Wait… how does she even know what kind of energy affects the body when crossing worlds?

  “So,” miss Karin’s voice gently interrupted my thoughts, “are you ready?”

  “Umu,” I nodded eagerly.

  Was she going to put me in some kind of high-tech medical capsule? Maybe fill it with some glowing fluid and seal me inside like in those sci-fi shows? Or perhaps make me wear a helmet covered in wires and send electric shocks into my brain?

  Before I could finish imagining, Miss Karin placed both hands gently on the table.

  “Miss Alicia,” she said softly, “can you give me your hands?”

  “Huh…?” I blinked but followed her lead, placing my hands on the table just like hers.

  “Please remove your gloves as well.”

  I hesitated for a moment, then slipped them off and set them aside. The moment I did, Miss Karin took my bare hands into hers, her touch felt affectionate and warm. It was as if she were holding something fragile, like a baby bird she didn’t want to startle.

  “Alright, close your eyes.”

  Without hesitation, I obeyed. For some reason, I already trusted her.

  “I’ll begin stimulating your body with a small dose of cosmic energy. If you ever feel uncomfortable—or like you can’t bear it—just say the word. Also, I’ll be monitoring you constantly, so don’t worry.”

  “Okay…” I whispered.

  “Then—let’s begin your club admission qualification test.”

  The moment her words reached my ears, everything changed.

  My vision—even with my eyes closed—shifted into complete darkness. The vibrant flow of mana I could usually sense around me vanished in an instant.

  It was as if the world itself had been cut off.

  As if I had been pulled into a silent, endless void.

  ◇◇◇

  “I’m sorry, Alicia,” I said to myself.

  But I can feel there’s something wrong with how your soul core is developing. Others may not notice it, but the moment I met you… I saw and felt it.

  As expected, your soul core is growing bright and beautiful like a newborn star, just like hers—but beside it, I can also see a void.

  A void that shouldn’t exist. And that worries me.

  I took a slow breath.

  That’s why I need to do this. To know what happened to you… I must see it with my own eyes.

  The so-called club qualification test was just a guise—an excuse I used to step into Alicia’s subconscious. I knew that simple magic, black malice, or even divine energy would never be enough to reach that depth. But there is one energy I excel at—one that she has never encountered before.

  Cosmic Energy.

  As I subjected Alicia to a controlled wave of cosmic energy, I synchronized my celestial core to the wavelength of her soul core.

  The world around me drained of color. Everything—light, sound, air—turned gray.

  A chill ran through my spine. My body trembled as the connection deepened.

  Then—it snapped.

  I felt my soul unmoor itself from reality—detaching, drifting—until suddenly, a violent force dragged me through a tunnel of collapsing light and roaring darkness.

  The pull intensified—faster, stronger—until it felt as if every fiber of my being was being shredded apart. My consciousness screamed—then silence.

  And I… died.

  When I opened my eyes again, I was submerged in a vast, endless sea. But before I could even orient myself, the waters around me began to darken—black and thick, swallowing all light.

  I could survive without air, but that no longer mattered. The pitch-black water seeped into my mouth, nose, ears—my eyes burned as it invaded every pore of my body.

  Then I realized—it wasn’t water. It was a concentrated special poison that corroded the very essence of the soul. Within its depths, I drowned in the endless ocean of soul-devouring poison.

  And I… died.

  This time, before my eyes could even open, gravity crushed me downward. A thousand blades pierced through my body in an instant. A surge of unbearable pain tore through me—then faded into nothingness.

  And I… died.

  When I opened my eyes again, it felt as though I’d been pulled into another world—one made entirely of mirrors stretching without end. Each reflection showed a different version of me, whispering words of a language I had never heard before. As the mirrors shattered, those fragments of “me” scattered like starlight into the dark.

  And I… died.

  When I opened my eyes again, my body refused to move. And before I could even take a breath—they appeared.

  Countless giant white wolves emerged from the darkness and lunged at me.

  Their fangs sank into my flesh, tearing and ripping. Pain tore through every nerve, but I couldn’t move, couldn’t scream.

  All while I was kept alive, forced to feel every moment as the giant silver wolves devoured me piece by piece—until not even bone remained.

  And I… died.

  And I… died.

  And I… died again.

  Again… and again.

  And again.

  Each death came crueler than the last—sometimes drawn out for what felt like an eternity, other times it was over in the blink of an eye. My soul was torn apart, crushed, scattered—only to be forced back together to endure it once more.

  It was clear this was my punishment—for daring to touch something forbidden, something beyond my reach.

  But I endured.

  And when I finally opened my eyes again—

  —the doors opened.

  When I opened my eyes this time, I was standing on an endless road. A river ran silently along my left side, and a mountain loomed to my right. The road stretched endlessly forward.

  But no matter how I turned—forward, back, left, right—there was no sense of direction. Only the road ahead.

  So I walked.

  Through sunrise.

  Under the burning sun.

  Until sunset bled across the sky.

  I kept walking.

  Until, far ahead, something glimmered red and metallic in the distance.

  I ran toward it—hoping for a clue, a sign, anything.

  But then I got heard a rumble and the next moment I saw the mountain began to crumble, its fragments drifting into the air like ashes.

  The river beside me dried into cracked earth.

  My next step landed in a puddle of crimson. And the once-clean road was now soaked in blood.

  The sky turned the same color—deep, suffocating red.

  And then I saw her.

  A small child stood in the middle of the road. She clutched a plush dinosaur in her tiny arms. Her face was shadowed—but through the darkness, two blue eyes gleamed faintly, and long black hairs cascaded down her shoulders.

  I already knew who she was. But why was she like this?

  Before I could step closer, she spoke first.

  “Who are you?”

  Before I could step closer, she spoke first. Her voice was soft, yet her words carried weight—like a god’s judgment echoing in an empty world. “How are you still here, even after I killed you repeatedly?”

  “Fifty-six thousand seven hundred sixty-eight times to be precise,” I replied quietly. “That’s how many times you’ve killed me.”

  The girl didn’t flinch. “The last person who tried to enter here lost their mind and turned into paste. You’re resilient.”

  “Well, that goes both ways for us,” I said with a strained laugh. “But you finally let me in.”

  The girl said nothing. Her eyes studied me in silence—those same eyes I had seen a thousand years ago, still glowing with the same haunting intensity.

  Finally, she spoke again.

  “What are you here for?”

  I met her gaze. “I’m here for you.”

  “Hahahaaa…” The small girl’s laughter echoed through the blood?red air. “And what are you going to do?”

  “I want to know what happened to you,” I said, my voice trembling, more from sorrow than fear. “And why you’ve kept yourself trapped here?”

  “I have no reason to tell you.”

  “I will not pry. But I am here to tell you one thing. You still have a chance to be free,” I pleaded, taking a step closer. “Let me help you. Please—just let me. Let me be the one to set you free.”

  Her blue eyes flickered faintly, then narrowed. “And what if I don’t want to be?” she asked quietly. “Do you think I’m here by choice?” The little girl put her hand in front of her, and an invisible shield appeared as light clashed, stopping her from going further.

  “You are,” I said, my heart pounding as I met her gaze. “You’ve always been capable of breaking free. From the start.”

  The air trembled letting me know that she did not take my words kindly. Her glowing eyes burned brighter, and for an instant, I thought I saw a flicker, but enough to tell me I was right.

  It made no sense that anyone could keep this being imprisoned here for so long. Not unless… she wanted to be.

  “I was once like you,” I continued softly. “Trapped by my own making. And then someone came… someone who showed me the path to become something more. I want to pass that same gift to you.”

  The little girl tilted her head. “So, are you free now?”

  “No,” I admitted. “But I am working on it.”

  She stared at me for a moment, her face unreadable. Then, she turned her back. The faint light that surrounded her began to fade.

  “I think I’ve heard enough.”

  “Wait!” I called out, desperate now. “At least tell me your reason! What’s your reason for staying here?”

  The girl stopped mid?step. Slowly, she turned her head—and this time, light burst from every part of her small frame, illuminating the endless road in a blinding glow.

  “It won’t be fun if I reveal that now,” she whispered.

  The radiance dimmed, revealing her true form: a young girl, maybe around eight, dressed in a sky-blue long-sleeved coat and pink skirt—both smeared with fresh blood. The plush dinosaur she held was drenched crimson, and the trail of blood led upward… to her face.

  Her small lips curled into a smile. A lifeless smile.

  She lifted her hand and waved—an innocent, almost tender gesture, as though she were seeing me off.

  Before I realized it, my feet had sunk into the pool of blood below, stuck. But I didn’t care. I was entranced.

  “You look just like her…” I murmured, my voice barely a breath. In that instant, I remembered—the one who had saved me long ago. The resemblance was undeniable.

  This child… was like a younger version of her.

  It felt like bliss.

  Like I had glimpsed something far beyond the limits of this universe.

  And then—

  Out of nowhere, a shadow of a black blade carved through the air.

  It struck cleanly.

  For a brief instant, the world flipped upside down. I saw my own headless body standing there, while my head rolled across the ground, coming to rest on its side.

  And I died again.

  ◇◇◇

  A flying jellyfish hovered gently in the air beneath a tree, its translucent body glowing softly among the flowers that shimmered under the starry night sky.

  Beside it, sitting on a rock, was a boy in his Grindelwald Magic Academy uniform. In his hands, he held a letter.

  “Don’t miss your chance… and don’t end up with the same regrets as me,” he read aloud, his voice carrying across the quiet night.

  He smiled faintly, amusement in his tone. “So, my grand uncle wants me back at the academy.”

  The boy turned the paper over, realizing these were the only words written in the letter.

  “But he didn’t even tell me what I might be missing. What’s more amusing is I never realized even my grand uncle—the strongest mage on the continent—has regrets.”

  The boy quickly scrawled something on the letter, folded it with care, and extended it toward the floating jellyfish. The creature pulled the letter into its gelatinous shell, hovered for a moment, then shot upward, vanishing into the night sky like a streak of starlight.

  The boy leaned back on the rock, gazing at the horizon.

  ‘I suppose I’ve grown bored of this place too.’

  The townspeople had warned him of a monster wave—but none of the beasts had proven truly formidable. His eyes swept over the mountain of defeated creatures, including the dungeon boss that had escaped from the nearby, unsealed dungeon.

  “I suppose it’s really time to go back.”

  He rose to his feet, shoulders squared.

  “The next semester has probably already begun by now. I got really bored there last time, so I wonder if anything’s changed this time.”

  ◇◇◇

  Noelle Glaciemire, assigned to room 401, quietly changed into her ordinary clothes after returning from the welcome celebration feast.

  “How long do you plan to lie on your bed? You didn’t even attend the first class or the feast,” Noelle asked, though her tone didn’t carry much worry.

  “I can’t believe the ice princess is concerned about little me,” a girl with shoulder-length hair replied lightly.

  “Well, I just asked as a courtesy. And I look forward to having you as my roommate again this semester, Ione Caelithra,” Noelle said, neatly arranging her things on the dresser.

  “Thank you, Noelle. It’s nice seeing you again,” Ione said with a small smile. “Now, why don’t you tell me about that new student?”

  “So… you’ve been seeing everything with those eyes. Maybe you should try going to class once in a while,” Noelle said, arranging her things.

  “Don’t dodge the question. Tell me,” Ione pressed.

  “If you mean the elven princess… she looked competent, but a little too determined,” Noelle answered carefully.

  “I already know that. What I want to know is… how do you feel about the other one? The one who nullified Garrick’s spell and broke through the seven gates of Miss Xu,” Ione said, leaning slightly forward.

  Noelle frowned slightly, frustration flickering in her eyes at being reminded of someone who had accomplished more than she could. “I could ask you the same—what did your eyes see?”

  Ione’s lips curved into a small smile. “Oh, I saw something very… interesting.”

  Ione opened her eyes, which made Noelle freeze. It wasn’t the first time she had seen them, yet those discolored orbs still left her uneasy. Her eyes didn’t even seem to have real pupils—yet somehow, they saw through everything.

  “Sometimes I really wonder what you actually see through those mystical eyes of yours,” Noelle murmured, narrowing her gaze. “Do you honestly think you could’ve broken through Miss Xu’s seven-gate barrier?”

  “Hmm… maybe I’ll take your advice and actually show up to class this time,” Ione said, a faint smirk forming on her lips.

  “Oh, so now you’re dodging questions? Unbelievable,” Noelle huffed, groaning in frustration at how serious she’d been only to get teased instead.

  ◇◇◇

  At the same time, behind the girls’ dorm—

  The old lady warden held a boy by the collar, lifting him slightly off the ground. His hair and clothes were covered in leaves and dirt, caught red-handed while climbing the giant tree behind the dorm.

  “Can I ask you, Mr. Henrique Goldwyck,” she said sternly, “what exactly are you doing here so late at night in the girls’ dorm?”

  “I just came to make sure Ingrid is safe and well settled in her new room,” Henrique replied quickly. “Who’s her roommate? She isn’t doing anything bad to Ingrid, right?”

  The old warden’s brows twitched. “How many times has it been now? I warned you last semester, too. This will be your final warning. Next time, you’ll face the academy administration directly.”

  “Come on, Granny! I’m just a bit worried about my friend!” Henrique said, flashing an innocent grin, casually dangling. But then his demeanor suddenly changed. “You remember what Ingrid’s roommate did to her last time, right? So, you understand what I’m going through! The thought alone is killing me—I can’t even sleep!”

  This boy… The old warden sighed deeply. She had long given up trying to understand his strange obsession.

  “You don’t need to worry,” the old lady warden said. “She has a new roommate this time. And if any problem arises, I promise I’ll take strict action.”

  “Glad to hear it.” Henrique smiled, his tone casual as ever.

  It was only then that the old warden realized her hand was empty. Henrique had already slipped free from her grasp without her even noticing.

  Henrique straightened his wrinkled uniform, brushing off dirt as if nothing had happened.

  “Alright then, see you later granny. Good night!”

  Before the old lady warden could say another word, Henrique gave a playful salute, then jumped backward—his body flipping once in the air before vanishing past the outer wall in a blink.

  The warden just stood there, staring at the empty space where he had been. “…What am I supposed to do with that boy?” she muttered.

  ◇◇◇

  Somewhere in a deep mountainous region, a girl ran down a steep, rocky path, breath burning in her chest as she fled. Behind her, voices barked like hunting dogs.

  “Chase after her!”

  “Catch her—quick!”

  “Don’t let her escape with the goods!”

  The girl, then seeing a chance, quickly dove behind a jagged ledge and slipped into a small cavity carved into the cliff, collapsing against the cold stone. Her lungs heaved; the heat from her pursuers’ torches still lingered in the air, and she could hear their curses and booted footsteps above.

  She pressed herself flat, every muscle tensed, listening as the search parties fanned out on the trail overhead.

  “Where did she go?”

  “Who was that?”

  “Isn’t that dress familiar?”

  “It looked like a uniform.”

  “Yeah, now I remember it’s the Grindelwald Magic Academy uniform, I’m sure of it.”

  A towering man suddenly stepped into view on the ridge, his bald head smeared with fresh blood, and a massive claw lashed to his back like a trophy.

  “Welcome back, boss,” one of the men said, lowering their voices.

  The boss grunted. “Good. That’ll make it easier to trace where she ran off with our treasure. Either way she couldn’t have gone far with something that heavy. Keep searching for her.”

  As the searchers moved on, their hurried footsteps fading into the night, the girl finally let her breath out.

  Her hands trembled as she cradled the thing she had risked everything to protect: a giant egg, warm and oddly luminous against the night.

  “I will protect you,” she whispered to it, voice steady with resolve. “Even if it costs me my life.”

  ◇◇◇

  The saintess knelt in reverence before the towering statue of the Goddess of Light, its radiant aura filling the grand temple hall. Slowly, she rose, her long white robes flowing elegantly with her movement.

  Revealing the saintess to be only a young girl around a mere age of twelve.

  As she turned, her eyes fell upon her knight, kneeling respectfully before her, who had been patiently waiting for the saintess’s prayers to end.

  “Rise, Commander of the Divine Flames,” she said.

  A woman in golden armor, her blonde hair catching the soft glow of the temple, stood with determined eyes.

  “Saintess, how many times have I told you to stop calling me that?” the knight said, though a faint smile betrayed her composure.

  “But it’s fun seeing you flustered, Lilliana,” the saintess replied with a soft laugh.

  “So… how was your trip back home? Were you able to reunite with your family?”

  “Yes. I had a good time.” Lilliana answered simply.

  No matter how easily Lilliana summarized it, the saintess could see the joy on her calm face—a stark contrast to the worried expression she had worn when receiving a letter from her father before leaving the temple.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” the saintess said warmly.

  “Saintess, I have something special to report,” Lilliana continued. “I believe I’ve finally found her—the one we’ve been searching for who fits all the criteria.”

  “Tell me everything,” the saintess urged.

  As Lilliana recounted her experiences at the Arcadia Magic Tower, the saintess listened intently. When the story ended, she nodded with quiet determination.

  “I see. She seems exceptionally brilliant,” the saintess remarked.

  “She is,” Lilliana said, her voice softening, almost as if in admiration. “Beautiful, kind… extraordinary in every way.” Lilliana continued, as if speaking of her unrequited love.

  The saintess chuckled, feigning mock tears. “It seems you’ve grown quite taken with this Alicia. Already falling for her, are you? How unfaithful you have become in the small time you have been away from me!”

  “It’s not like that, Saintess,” Lilliana said, slightly flustered. “But I believe she could be the one. Her divine energy is only second to yours in purity and strength. She may very well be the perfect candidate.”

  “I see.”

  “And today, I received a message from my big sister at Grindelwald Magic Academy that, coincidentally, Alicia has enrolled there as a first-year.”

  “Then we know exactly where she will be at least for the next two years,” the saintess noted.

  The two women shared a moment of thoughtful silence, weighing the implications of Lilliana’s report.

  Suddenly, the massive temple gates swung open. A young man, older than the saintess, stepped in, hood down, holding a golden staff topped with a clock face. Yet neither Lilliana nor the saintess found his arrival unusual.

  “Welcome back, big brother,” the saintess said warmly.

  “I’m glad to see you, little sister,” he replied, placing a gentle hand on her head.

  “Has Father returned?” the boy asked.

  “Not yet,” the saintess added.

  “I see. Then I will be departing soon as well.”

  “May I know when you will return this time?” the saintess asked, concern in her tone.

  “I cannot say for certain this time. This will be a long mission,” he replied.

  “At least tell me where you are going?” the saintess pressed.

  “Don’t worry, little sister. I will return to you whenever you need me,” the boy said, as he rubbed his hand gently over the saintess’s head, and in an instant, he warped away.

  “He always treats me like a child,” the saintess muttered once she saw her big brother gone.

  “Don’t be offended, Saintess. I’m sure your brother only looks out for you,” Lilliana said. “But I think I do have some secret news.”

  “I like your quickness, Lilliana. I am listening.” The saintess nodded in excitement.

  “Apparently, your older brother has recently inquired about the Grindelwald Magic Academy. His next assignment may very well take him there.”

  ◇◇◇

  A girl sat atop a black throne, long hair spilling like ink and red eyes glinting beneath a predatory smile. Her teeth flashed slightly — too sharp to be ordinary.

  The aura around her was cold enough to steep the air in frost.

  “What brings you two here?” the girl on the throne asked.

  “What's with that cold tone, Saki? I see that you have become a vampire princess,” Tama teased, grinning.

  “We’re still friends, right?” Sakura added, trying to smooth the moment.

  Tama and Sakura stepped up to the foot of the throne and stood before their old classmate—now Saki—faces bright with reunion.

  “Come on — isn’t this great? The three of us who were reincarnated with our class are finally having a reunion.” Tama’s excitement was obvious.

  “I can’t believe how long it’s been,” Sakura said. “And who knew you’d end up working for Zero.”

  “Shut your mouth,” Saki snapped. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop; her magical pressure made both Tama and Sakura tremble. “How dare you utter our master’s name so casually?”

  “Alright, alright.” Tama raised her hands. “We’re actually under special orders from Master Zero. He told us to deal with that ‘White Queen.’”

  “Never heard of her,” Saki said, detached, as if the name meant nothing to her.

  “You’ve been out of touch with the outside world,” Sakura said. “But I think this piece of information will excite you that there is a high chance that the White Queen might be that little rat — Sachi.”

  “Sachi?” The word hung in the air. Saki’s pause stretched long enough to make Tama and Sakura squirm.

  “Have you forgotten her already? Our old punching bag?” Tama nudged. “Come on, let’s go teach her a lesson.”

  “Maybe we could make her our servant,” Sakura mused darkly. “And while we’re at it, we’ll include that damn goddess of hers.” She tightened her fists, remembering how Athena had slapped her in the divine realm — a slight she’d been itching to avenge ever since.

  “Better yet,” Tama said with a grin, “we kill her, lessen the competition, and rid the world of an unwanted pest. What do you say, Saki?”

  Saki’s expression didn’t change. “I’m not interested. I’m carrying out another very important Lord Zero’s orders. This petty matter is none of my concern. If you’re so sure, handle it yourselves.”

  “What? You’re not coming with us?” Tama’s surprise turned to anger. “You’ve changed, Saki.”

  “We’re leaving, then,” Sakura snapped. “Once we find our punching bag, we won’t share her with you.” With that, the two turned and left the castle, their footsteps echoing down the corridor.

  Saki watched them go, the throne’s shadow swallowing their retreat. She resumed her work mechanically, but a small frown creased her brow.

  “—Sachi,” she murmured to herself, testing the name. “So, there was someone called Sachi… someone like that we used.” Her voice softened into something like pity.

  She barely remembered her past life as fragments surfaced. She set her hand on the armrest and tried to shake the feeling away, returning to her tasks as if nothing had happened.

  ◇◇◇

  “Tch. What would she know? How dare she barge in and talk about being free?” I felt an emptiness hollowing me from the inside.

  I walked slowly to the toppled red car, half?submerged in that endless pool of blood, and sat down beside it. The plush dinosaur was clutched to my chest—the only ember of warmth left in my hands. Even that warmth had become stained; the toy’s fabric was damp with the same cold red that soaked the world.

  “I won’t leave. Not yet,” I screamed into the darkness. “I remember everything. I haven’t forgotten. I won’t leave until I make them pay—with my own two hands.”

  As I said the words, I glanced at my blood-stained palms. They were fading, becoming almost translucent, as if someone was wiping away the proof of my hatred. I was slowly being assimilated by my own one consciousness; no matter how slow the process is, it was inevitable.

  “She just had to go and remind me,” I murmured. “It’s going to feel lonely here again.”

  ◇◇◇

  Karin opened her eyes, jerking her hands away, which startled Alicia and prompted her to open her own eyes.

  “Is it done?” Alicia asked meekly, wondering what the result was.

  Did I fail or pass. The thought brought Alicia on the edge.

  Karin studied Alicia’s face for a heartbeat, then smiled—soft, almost proud. “Yes. You passed.”

  “But it happened in an instant. I don’t think even a second has passed.”

  “Yes. And the fact that nothing happened is proof enough—your body is highly attuned to cosmic energy. So much so that even I’m astonished.” Miss Karin said as she whispered through the last part.

  “So… I’m a fit astronaut,” I murmured, half-joking to myself.

  “All right, then,” Karin said. “Hand me your club application and I’ll stamp it with my approval.”

  Once Karin stamped Alicia’s form, she escorted her back to the club’s main street, where she finally saw Regis, who had returned with her own stamped club form as the sun dipped below the horizon.

  “Goodbye, Miss Karin. I found my friend. Thank you for taking care of me. I’ll be back soon to learn more from you,” Alicia said.

  “Goodbye, new club member Alicia,” Karin replied, waving her off.

  As Karin turned to return to the Otherworld Research Club building, a sudden jolt ran through her body, and for a moment, she lost focus. She raised her hands to her mouth—blood spattered across them.

  Dropping her hands onto the table for support, she tried to regain her composure as her super-regenerative ability activated. But when she looked into the mirror, she realized she was bleeding from her eyes, nose, and ears.

  “I can’t remember the last time I was hurt this badly in all these millennia… and it was for less than a second of contact that I tried to endure.”

  All those countless deaths were finally taking a toll on Karin’s celestial core.

  “It would take at least a night for me to recover,” Karin told herself, steadying her breathing. “But it doesn’t matter. Even if she rejects me, I will just keep on changing my approach. I won’t give up. No matter what, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

  ◇◇◇

  Afterword

  Hello there, this is NOEL ELITIA.

  We are meeting again this year, and it’s barely two more months before we enter another new year. And this time, instead of saying that we have come too far, I want to say I want to go much farther and farther.

  If you have reached this point, it means you just went through the start of the magic academy arc. And I am sure the Epilogue must have left an impression on you all.

  And every time I imagined this scene, and every night I spent writing it, I felt exhilarated, knowing that I have built something all these years and I could now see it blossoming.

  And all I wish is you can see that too.

  I don’t know what the future holds, but I still want to continue writing this novel and bring life to all the amazing new ideas I have, and write down all the stories I would love to see you all read.

  I have been writing this novel for now almost more than three years, and yet it only feels like I am just getting started in writing Alicia’s story as she continues her journey back to school.

  Most importantly, this eleventh volume was the beginning of what I would say is the biggest and most amazing arc—the magic academy arc.

  I mean, I had always imagined Alicia going to a magic academy and doing the most out-of-the-box stuff, all the while being faced with new challenges from both the future and the past.

  I am not sure what impression the ending of this volume left on you. All I wanted was to give you a rundown of the upcoming stories and arcs I had planned for you all.

  I hope you enjoyed the magic tower arc, where Alicia, in the pursuit of a gift for her dad, entangles herself in a mythical-level cursed book, and in the process, takes out one of the Apostles and instills fear in all the other Apostles by only her shadowy presence.

  I know you might find the new character Karin peculiar and wonder where she came from. You will have new insights into that in the next volume.

  And I hope you all are looking forward to the new characters of the magic academy arc, the few of the large crowd I have introduced to you till now.

  And finally, I hope you got a kick out of seeing and wondering about who that little girl still hiding inside Alicia is.

  I’m not sure if this volume betrayed your expectations or fulfilled them, but I’ll be glad as long as you derived some enjoyment from it. In my mind, this work is meant to be a simple, fun read with a slant toward comedy and a romantic approach to magical fights.

  I know I’ve ended the volume at a difficult point, but I also want to give you hope that the next volume is going to be mind-boggling.

  Honestly, I can’t wait to start writing my twelfth volume. I’m sure my past self wouldn’t have believed me if I said I’d be writing this line in the present.

  That’s why I will keep on writing—to surprise myself even more and have more fun enjoying this story.

  As I’m sure those of you can already tell that I am a huge fan of isekai genre. Crazy enough that after writing the tenth volume I am aiming for the eleventh now. Feels almost unbelievable thinking back to when we started on this journey!

  Once again, I’d like to thank my readers for letting me enjoy myself all the way through.

  May we meet again in the next volume of When I Got Reincarnated As A Spider With My Goddess.

  ~ Noel Elitia

  Would love to see a fan mail on: -