Leon was finally discharged from the infirmary, stepping out into the academy grounds with a deep breath. The crisp air carried the scent of old parchment, freshly cut grass, and the faint hum of mana that always lingered in the atmosphere. The Academy of Eldoria—an institution of magic and swordsmanship—was grander than he had remembered. Tall spires of ivory stone reached toward the sky, the banners of the kingdom swaying in the breeze. Even after all these years, it was still magnificent.
But admiration quickly faded as he thought about the Grandmaster. That eccentric old man was bound to give him trouble. Wise yet unpredictable, mischievous yet insightful—Leon knew that dealing with him would be anything but simple. He had to be careful not to attract unnecessary attention.
He made his way to his classroom, the familiar hallways sparking old memories. But the moment he stepped inside, his eyes immediately scanned the students. His instincts, honed through years of war, always made him assess his surroundings first. Three students caught his attention—two he had never heard of in his past life, and one who made his heart tighten for a brief second.
Darian Voss.
In his previous life, Darian had been more than a friend. He had been Leon's most trusted military commander, standing with him until the bitter end. Seeing him now, young and full of potential, was almost surreal. Leon clenched his fist. This time, he wouldn't let Darian die.
But then his gaze shifted to the other two students. Strangers. He had no memory of them in his past life. Had they died early in the invasion? Or was this another anomaly? His regression was already proving to be imperfect—things were changing, and he didn't know why.
As he took his seat, the teacher finally entered. The lecture began, but Leon's mind drifted, consumed by thoughts of the future. His regression, these unknown figures, and the war that would eventually come…
"Leon Akros."
His name being called snapped him out of his trance. He looked up to see the teacher's gaze locked onto him. A few students turned to glance at him, but he remained calm. "Yes, professor?"
"I asked you to summarize the fundamental principles of mana circulation. Or were you lost in a daydream?" the professor asked, his tone amused.
Leon exhaled slightly before answering in a controlled voice, effortlessly explaining the concept. The professor raised an eyebrow but nodded in approval, moving on.
Leon refocused, but his mind remained restless. He had no time to waste. He needed to grow stronger—faster than he had in his past life. Reviving House Akros was not just about reclaiming his legacy. It was the first step in a much greater plan.
If humanity was to survive, it needed a foundation. And he would be the one to build it.