The Academy's Time Looper

Staying silent, Athen halted mid-step, turned around, and began walking back to the railing to look at the clouds.

How could someone's personality change so much?

One moment, the girl was some silent and solemn princess, and now, she was an annoying and arrogant brat.

Ignoring the arrogant clicking sound the girl was making with her tongue, Athen glanced backward through the glass doors.

Back inside the lower deck, everyone was either sleeping or taking a nap as people rested their heads against the windowsill while staying silent.

And Athen really wanted to join them.

With all that chasing and sprinting he had done earlier, combined with his experience with the mercenaries in the prison cell, Athen was drained of his energy and completely exhausted.

Unfortunately...he couldn't, not yet.

The last time he had activated his time-stopping ability twice in a short amount of time, sleeping had been impossible, leading him to wander the streets at night when he was ambushed by the "imaginary" figures resembling the people from his hometown.

Similarly, Athen couldn't close his eyes right now to drift off to sleep as his body simply ignored his brain's commands when he attempted to close his eyes.

The first stage of Athens's punishment was already in effect.

Recalling how the announcement from earlier said that the trip would last eight hours, Athen let out an audible sigh.

That meant he would be arriving at the academy in the dead of night...or exactly when the mental attack had occurred last time.

What would happen this time?

Would he be attacked by the "imaginary" and "mental" figures of the school security guards, the professors, or even the students?

How would those "imaginary figures act?"

Would they attempt to merge with his body like last time... or perhaps, do something worse?

More importantly, what would happen after?

Would he be put in the same comatose state where he would be forced to stay awake for hours on end, enduring constant pain from his body?

Recalling how he had been essentially frozen and forced to endure pain for a day straight, Athen started shivering.

He wanted to believe that the punishment from last time was a one-time occurrence; however, the fact that he couldn't go to sleep or close his eyes easily proved him wrong.

Coping, Athen calmed himself down by telling himself that there was still a possibility that nothing would happen.

There was also the possibility that the attack could occur earlier than expected...maybe even right now.

What if, in the next moment, hundreds of "imaginary" figures resembling the passengers on the ship started rushing at him?

Thus, Athen decided to stay outside and endure the cold breeze, as it was just him and the black-haired girl outside.

On the other hand, the inside of the lower deck was packed full of passengers...and potential enemies.

And, of course, if Athen couldn't endure the pain, he had an... easy way out here, but he doubted it would come to that.

The sheer suspense and anticipation kept Athen on edge as he stood by the railing.

Although the punishment could happen at any moment, and he could instantly be plunged into a world of pain, Athen was still able to enjoy the beautiful and amazing scenery of the sky around him.

Trying to distract himself, Athen recalled the harsh words of the girl beside him.

"To think the number one school for mages would accept a homeless teenager with no training."

Was it that obvious?

Looking down at his clothes, Athen realized that he needed a major transformation before he got off the ship.

If this girl could tell he was out of the place, the teachers and professors would obviously be able to as well.

He wouldn't even get past the front gate, as the security guards would spot him and probably be able to tell he had stolen his diamond invitation from his outfit alone!

Although the woman's words were demeaning and annoying, they could have saved Athen from being exposed as a fraud.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Athen glanced at the figure, who was still staring up at the sky, before examining her clothing.

The difference in clothing was easily visible, but what did that girl mean when she said, "with no training."

How could she have known that Athen had no experience with magic or combat?

Realizing that there was only one way to find out, Athen shook his head before slowly opening his mouth.

"You're one to talk. It doesn't seem like you've trained a single day in your life. All that fancy-ass clothing for what? Seems like someone's trying to overcompensate."

"..."

Clearly caught off guard by Athen's response, the black-haired figure slowly moved her head until she stared right at Athen.

With her greenish-yellow eyes sparkling, the girl silently stood there for a moment before eventually replying in a completely emotionless tone.

"You have never even touched a wand in your life, have you? Your posture, your hand's uneven and inconsistent imprints all over the place...why are you talking to me!?"

Taking in all the information, Athen immediately stopped leaning downwards, feeling a sharp pain in his back as he raised and aligned his shoulders.

As for the next second problem, Athen simply stared at his hand before realizing that there were indeed scars everywhere rather than a consistent imprint that a wand would have left.

Grinning, Athen simply reached behind him and lifted up the black cloth covering his back, revealing a stick that was somehow attached to his back of the cloth.

"my trusty stick!"

Taking the stick, Athen tightly gripped its base before turning back to the confused and frustrated figure.

Shrugging his shoulders, Athen simply said.

"Hmm... alright! Could you wait here for a moment? I'll be back in a moment."

Without waiting for a response, Athen climbed the stairs that were outside up the top deck of the ship.

Reaching the top floor of the ship, Athen glanced below, immediately seeing the girl standing completely still like she had been electrocuted or something.

Ignoring her, Athen glanced around the slightly more populated outside area of the top deck, noticing a couple of other male boys who were around his sage.

Seeing most of them dressed in a collared shirt, a pair of black trousers, and a blazer, Athen got to work.