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Chapter 6 - Ragnar's daily life

Ragnar opened his eyes. His vision was hazy, shapes melting into one another. The muffled ringing in his ears made every sound distant, like he was underwater. He felt perfectly fine—yet also like he was standing at death's door.

Around him, healers moved frantically, chanting spells, pouring potion after potion over his chest, but nothing worked.

One of the healers slammed his hands on the desk. "Nothing's responding…! We've patched the body, stabilized his breathing, healed his bones—yet he's still fading!"

Another muttered in panic. "Maybe the damage is internal, maybe his mana core—" He stopped, gripping his head. "No… maybe I'm just making excuses. This shouldn't be possible!"

On the bed, Ragnar stirred weakly. "...Where am I? His voice cracked, so faint the nearest healer almost missed it.

"Don't worry, kid. You're… alright for the time being," the healer lied with a trembling smile, desperately hiding his cluelessness.

"All you need to do is rest. You'll be fine…"

Ragnar didn't respond. His eyes closed, his chest stilled.

The healer screamed. "OH NO—!" He checked Ragnar's chest, found the heartbeat, and exhaled in relief. "...He's alive. Haaah… gods above, he almost gave me a heart attack. If he dies, I lose my job."

---

Darkness. Silence. Cold emptiness.

Ragnar floated in a void, unable to feel his body, his breath, even his heartbeat. He tried to move, but nothing answered him.

"What's happening…? Why can't I move?" His voice echoed back at him, fragile in the endless dark.

He stopped struggling, despair washing over him. His lips curled into a bitter smile.

"So this is it…? This is how I die? Useless… worthless." He let out a hollow chuckle.

Then—

A titanic eye opened in the void. Its iris stretched wider than a mountain. Ragnar froze, a cold sweat trickling down his neck—though he had no body to sweat with.

"You're still alive, idiot."

The deep voice rumbled like thunder, and the void shook under its weight. Ragnar's fear spiked instantly.

"H-Hey kid… can you hear me?"

"Yes!" Ragnar shouted, his voice cracking. "I can hear you! But who are you?"

"As I told you before…" the eye narrowed, "you're not strong enough to know my name."

The longer Ragnar looked into the eye, the more something deep inside stirred. Familiarity. A memory he couldn't quite place.

"Do I… know you?"

The eye ignored his question. "I saved you… but to do that, I had to damage one of your mana cores."

Ragnar blinked. "...Mana cores? Wait—you mean core. Singular. Everyone knows you can only have one!"

The eye glowed brighter, bathing the void in faint light. "Don't worry. When you're stronger, you'll understand."

The light expanded, and Ragnar felt warmth rushing back into his limbs. He could move again. The void collapsed.

"Wait—! Don't go! I still have questions!" Ragnar shouted.

---

Ragnar's arm shot up, his voice hoarse but desperate. "WAIT!"

Alys, who had been sitting nearby, jumped in surprise. "Wait for what, Ragnar?"

He blinked, slowly realizing he was back in the infirmary. He lowered his arm and smiled faintly. "...Nothing. Just a dream. A very confusing one."

Light leaned forward, his usual carefree grin dimmed with worry. "We were scared, man. They said they didn't know what happened to you. I'm just glad you woke up."

A knock came at the door. "Young Ragnar, are you well?"

To everyone's shock, Edward Godfrey strolled in casually, hands behind his back.

Ragnar sat up, smiling like nothing was wrong. "Yeah, I'm fine, old man."

The two shared a laugh like old friends, confusing everyone else in the room.

Magna stood, narrowing his eyes. "Sir… are you acquainted with Ragnar?"

Edward nodded without hesitation. "Yes. Young Ragnar is my student."

"Since when?!" Alys shouted, standing up so fast her chair scraped the floor.

Light smirked. "Isn't it obvious? A kid with a bottomless mana pool and portal magic—something nobody's used in a thousand years? Who else would take him in but Edward Godfrey?"

Alys crossed her arms, still pouting. "...Fine. It does make sense."

Magna sighed and sat back down. "Yeah. I'll admit… it makes sense."

Edward rubbed his head, as if suddenly remembering. "That's right. I didn't just come to see Ragnar—I came to see all four of you." His grin widened as he pulled out an envelope.

"What is it, old man?" Ragnar asked.

Edward's voice dropped to a proud tone. "Ragnar Wryd, Alys Voldric, Magna Voldric, and Light Excalibur—I say this with great pleasure: you have all been accepted into Saint High."

All four froze, then shouted in unison, "YES!"

Edward chuckled as he turned to leave. "Good. Enjoy this moment."

---

Ragnar suddenly burst into laughter, startling the others.

"Why are you laughing?" Alys frowned.

He wiped his eyes, still chuckling. "Sorry. I just… never thought I'd make it this far."

"Why not? You're ridiculously strong." Alys tilted her head.

"That's the thing." Ragnar looked away, embarrassed. "I wasn't always strong. Not even close."

Her eyes narrowed. "Then how did you get this strong so fast?"

Ragnar pointed at the door. "The old man helped me out."

" SonMr. Godfrey really trained you?!" the three shouted together.

"Yes." Ragnar shrugged. "It's not that big a deal. Though I didn't know he was the headmaster of this school. No wonder he wanted me here…" He muttered on, rambling to himself.

The others exchanged glances, watching him babble. Magna whispered, "He's… weird."

---

When they offered to walk Ragnar home, he hesitated. "Are you sure? You might regret it."

"Why would we regret it?" Alys asked.

Ragnar sighed. "My sister. She… tends to jump to conclusions. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Wait—you're a commoner, right?" Magna asked.

'You even dress like one," Alys added.

Ragnar rolled his eyes. "...You know what, never mind."

But when they reached his house, all three froze.

It wasn't a hut. Or a shabby cottage. It was a sprawling mansion.

"Master Ragnar!" A beautiful maid rushed out, slapping Ragnar across the cheek. "How many times have I told you not to leave dressed like that?!"

"Ow—Merlin, that hurts! I told you, I wear these clothes so I can walk around the capital without standing out!"

"That is no excuse! You are the brother of a prestigious Viscount—start acting like it!"

The argument spiraled for fifteen minutes until Alys finally coughed loudly.

Ragnar scratched his head. "Oh, right. Introductions. These are my friends—Alys and Magna Voldric, and Light Excalibur."

Merlin's eyes widened. "Voldric? As in Duke Voldric?"

Yes," Alys said proudly. "I am Alys Voldric."

"And I am Magna," her brother added.

Merlin instantly bowed elegantly, her tone switching from scolding to refined. "An honor to meet you both. But tell me, why accompany a boy like Ragnar?"

Ragnar groaned. "That switch-up was too fast…"

Feeling left out, Light cleared his throat. "And I am Light Excalibur."

Merlin tilted her head. "Excalibur? I don't recall that name. Are you a noble?"

"Yes, from another country."

"Which one?"

Light's grin faltered. "...Can't say. Succession war."

"Ah, then Light isn't your real name."

"Correct."

Merlin smirked. "That's fine. I'll figure it out eventually."

Light brightened, feeling oddly validated.

They entered the mansion, Alys marveling at the decor. "The interior is exquisite. Well-maintained. You must be an excellent maid, Merlin."

Merlin bowed slightly. "I hardly deserve such praise, but I humbly accept."

Ragnar pouted. "Why don't you ever talk to me like that?"

Merlin turned, her glare sharp enough to kill. "Ragnar. If you don't get upstairs and change out of those rags you call clothes, I will end you."

"Okay, okay! I'm going!" Ragnar bolted upstairs like a scolded child.

"And take a bath while you're at it!"

"I HEARD YOU!"

Magna blinked. "...Is this normal for him?"

Alys sighed. "Honestly, it explains a lot."

Light smirked. "I kinda like her. She's scary."

Merlin with a blank expression. "And I won't be joining you, I have to tend to the guests"

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