When renowned game developer Giri meets his untimely end, he awakens as twelve-year-old Vel in the magical realm of Aeonalus-his own creation. Five hundred years have passed since he crafted the world, and Vel finds himself in the village of Oakhave...
Three knocks interrupted Vel's work on a spell modification. He closed the interface with a thought.
"Coming," he called.
A caretaker stood at his door holding a brown paper package. "Your Academy uniform, sir."
"Thank you." Vel took the surprisingly light package and unwrapped it at his desk.
Inside lay his Academy uniform: a navy blue jacket with white trim, matching trousers, and a short mantle designed to drape over the shoulders. The formal white shirt came with a collar and bowtie that extended downward in the Academy's distinctive style.
Vel held up the uniform, admiring it for a moment before trying it on. The fit was perfect—they'd taken his measurements after that session with Instructor Lyvenna. As he adjusted the mantle across his shoulders, his fingers brushed against something that made him pause.
A patch had been sewn onto the right shoulder—an emblem depicting a swirling cloud in silver thread against a darker background. The stylized design was unmistakable in its meaning, marking him clearly as an unstable attunement student.
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[Cloud Emblem Concept Art]
Vel ran his fingers over the embroidery. He stepped back, examining his appearance. The reflection that stared back at him looked the part of an Academy student, yet that single emblem carried weight, setting him apart.
"They think they understand what this cloud means," he murmured, touching the patch again. "Instability. Divided potential. Magic that will never reach its fullest expression."
But if his theory about Chaos attunement was correct, the Academy had misunderstood everything. This wasn't a mark of weakness but of potential they couldn't yet comprehend.
A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.
"Young Master?" Hileya's voice came through the door. "I've brought your tea."
"Come in," he called, still facing the mirror.
Hileya entered with a small tray, which she nearly dropped when she saw him in the uniform.
"Oh!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Your Academy uniform arrived."
"Just now," Vel confirmed, turning to face her properly.
She set down the tray and approached, her eyes taking in every detail of the uniform with that quiet observance that seemed to miss nothing. A light blush spread across her cheeks.
"You look presentable, like a true gentleman," she said softly, tilting her head slightly. "May I?"
She gestured toward his collar, which had twisted slightly when he put on the uniform.
