December 9th, 8:30 AM.

At this point, Cassien sat alone within the carriage he rode in daily.

Though, unlike usual, luck seemed to be on his side. Tiara had personally come along to clear his path.

That meant there would be no unnecessary disturbances on the way to the academy.

This time, however, they traveled in the opposite direction.

The academy wasn’t located anywhere near the royal capital.

Why?

Because it required something far more dangerous and expansive than The Thieving Forest. Not only that, but the academy itself was surrounded by territorial locks and layers of protection.

Everything around it held purpose.

Whether it was barren stone, rigid cliffs, or simple stretches of grass and trees, every inch of land surrounding the academy had been intentionally preserved.

It was essentially isolated in the middle of nowhere, heavily guarded from all directions.

Nosguard Academy was, after all, considered the most prestigious institution in the world at the current date.

Though students from rival academies occasionally proved troublesome.

"Young Master, we’ll be there soon!"

Cassien smiled faintly as Tiara’s voice came through the slight crack in the carriage window.

"Got it."

He tapped his right shoulder absentmindedly, replaying what he had just discovered during the ride.

’Cassien Artfold, Fated for Exile.’

That simple thought had unlocked information he never knew he could access.

A character’s fate. Name. Transmigration status.

And perhaps even more, depending on the importance of their role in the novel.

Thinking about himself also revealed slight additional details.

------------------------

[Host: Cassien Artfold | Age: 16 | Title: Fated For Exile | Expulsion: 190 Days]

[Transmigrate #15]

[Earth Name: Alex Alonso]

[Role: Side-Character]

[Character Name: Cassien Artfold]

------------------------

’Wonder what I’d have to do to change it.’

But that thought immediately came with a problem.

’I can’t alter too many events. If I change the path too much, then I lose my advantage. I won’t know what happens next.’

Tampering with the future too recklessly would only destroy the knowledge he currently possesses.

He couldn’t dwell on it for much longer.

Because they had arrived.

At Nosguard Academy.

"Young Master, we’ve arrived!"

The carriage came to a gradual stop. Cassien stood from the cushioned seat and pulled the curtains aside.

Outside, Tiara had already stepped off her horse.

She approached him while hiding something behind her back, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Here you go." She extended a gift package toward him proudly. "We all spent time deciding what to give you. But... there’s one issue."

Cassien looked down at the gift, amused.

"What issue could there possibly be?"

Her face became unusually serious.

"Trust me when I say this." She didn’t hesitate once. "Do not open it until the academy’s speech ceremony is over. And not until you receive your designated room."

Cassien was about to ask why, but stopped himself.

Now he was even more intrigued.

"I see. That’s fine. I can wait."

Tiara stared at him for a moment before suddenly lowering herself onto one knee.

"Good luck, Young Master. I truly hope you succeed at the academy and return during your vacations."

Cassien sighed.

"Raise your head."

She froze.

"For the last time, Tiara, stop speaking to me so formally." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

He turned toward the massive gates in front of him.

"Anyways..."

His gaze sharpened.

"Only time will tell."

Tiara stood back up and handed him the gift properly.

Cassien waved without turning around.

"Tell father and sister I said goodbye. Take care, Tiara."

She waved back before climbing onto her horse once more.

As Cassien walked away, Tiara suddenly felt an odd whisper pass through her mind.

A sensation she couldn’t understand.

[Thank you, Tiara, for delivering the long-awaited present.]

[:

A sinister chuckle echoed alongside the strange user-like voice.

[Now, let’s see how they react.]

Tiara immediately shook her head.

’Weird... it felt like something controlled my thoughts for a second.’

...

8:45 AM.

Time continued ticking forward.

The ceremony was about to begin.

As Cassien approached the towering metal gates, two guards stationed at the entrance stepped forward.

"Name, family, family degree, and ID."

Cassien searched through his pockets.

"Cassien Artfold. Artfold family. Third degree."

He handed over the identification he received from Tiara earlier.

The guards scanned it using a strange device infused with mana. A faint glow flashed across its surface before they returned it.

"You’re free to enter. Best of wishes."

Cassien stepped forward.

The shimmering gates dissolved from top to bottom as he passed through them.

And then...

The full sight of Nosguard Academy revealed itself.

The area was vast, open, and breathtaking.

Stone pathways stretched endlessly ahead. Trees and bushes lined both sides of the road. Sunlight poured down from above.

Cassien instinctively looked upward.

The academy itself was massive.

At the very center stood an elegant waterfall cascading around a towering pillar-like platform where speeches were likely held. Dormitories surrounded the grounds in perfect arrangement, along with several additional facilities he couldn’t immediately identify.

Students were already gathering.

Some looked excited.

Others nervous.

A few simply appeared overwhelmed.

Cassien, meanwhile, scanned the area with focus.

He was searching for someone.

But couldn’t find him.

’Ren Castor. There’s only so many places you can hide.’

Nothing.

Groups continued chatting amongst themselves while awaiting the ceremony.

"Hm. I remember you."

A familiar feminine voice came from behind him.

"You were Victoria’s boyfriend back there."

Cassien ignored the remark entirely and continued scanning the crowd.

A slight twitch crossed her face.

"Interesting..."

He started walking again before pausing.

"Hello, Ms. Aiysha." He finally spoke without looking at her. "I don’t want you to think I’m ignoring you. I simply have truly important matters to attend to."

Aiysha crossed her arms, her expression unchanged.

"What could possibly be more important than the opening ceremony?"

Before Cassien could answer, a few of her friends suddenly interrupted, dragging her away.

He smiled lightly and waved in her direction.

’Ren Castor...’

He stopped again.

Something felt wrong.

’He’s not here.’

Cassien slowly turned his gaze back toward the academy entrance.

And that was when he saw him.

[Transmigrator #3].

Jameson Sparrow.

The same third-rate villain who was supposedly [Fated To Die].

But something was off.

This wasn’t how the novel described his entrance.

Not even close.

The novel never mentioned him arriving drenched in blood.

His clothes were stained.

His hands, too.

Fresh crimson wrapped around him like proof of something terrible having just occurred.