Chương 3: Scammer.

Ch. 3- Scammer.

Amy took a deep breath, straightening her posture as she abandoned her comfortable seat at the tea shop. Well, here goes nothing. She approached Crow's table with measured steps, trying to project confidence she absolutely did not feel. His body slightly tensed up as he noticed her presence, and he made that trademark suspicious glare she'd criticized as "comically edgy" in at least three different blog posts… It felt weird describing him that way, since he now wasn't any different from a real human being…

albeit a very edgy one. Just like old times, Amy. If someone knows how to act—for the good and the bad—it's you...

"Excuse me," Amy said, forcing her voice to sound calm.

"I couldn't help but notice your Academy uniform. I'm... seeking entrance to Arcanum, but I fear I may be lost." Crow looked up, his dark eyes widening slightly as they landed on her. Amy could almost see the manga cliché happening in real-time—the protagonist noticing the mysterious new female character, complete with sparkles and dramatic pause. God, I have truly become what I promised to destroy…

"You're... applying to the Academy?" Crow asked, his voice deeper than Amy had imagined from just reading the manga.

"Yes."

"Registrations close within two hours, and it's quite far from here. You'd never make it in time on your own." Amy glanced out the window at the rapidly darkening sky.

"Then I suppose I should hurry." Crow's eyes narrowed.

"... I'm heading there now for the second-year commencement. I can show you the way." Wait, what? That worked? Just like that?

"That would be... appreciated." Crow nodded, finishing his tea in one swift motion before standing. He was taller than she'd expected, towering over her by at least a head.

"I'm Crow."

"Amy," she blurted, then mentally facepalmed. Should've gone with something mysterious. Maybe 'Cassandra' or whatever.

"Well met." Crow glanced at the book floating beside her, his eyes narrowing again.

"Is that... an artifact?" He asked, his interest clearly piqued.

"I've never seen anything quite like this one." Shit. Forgot manga-boy's whole personality in the early chapters is 'magical object nerd'.

"Indeed."

"Where did you find it?"

"Somewhere not far from here." [Nice deflection,] the book commented. Silence stretched for a second. Then Crow nodded slowly, seemingly accepting this boundary.

"We should leave now if you want to make the inscription deadline." He placed a few coins on the table and headed for the door without waiting to see if she would follow. Amy hurried after him, giving a small wave to the elderly woman at the counter, who smiled in return. Outside, the sky was still bright, but the sun had moved somewhat. An agreeable warmth enveloped her as they walked.

"So," Crow said after they'd been walking in silence for several minutes.

"Is there a reason why you were in this teahouse? …It's kind of weird for an Academy hopeful to be loitering in a place like that hours before the inscription deadline." Amy hesitated for half a second. She could go with something believable but vague, or she could test the waters and try to plant seeds of her non-existent seer powers. Actually, this was the perfect opportunity.

"I was waiting," she finally said. Crow shot her a sidelong glance, clearly expecting more.

"Waiting for what?" Amy exhaled through her nose, tilting her chin slightly upward, trying to seem as if she were pondering something deep and cosmic.

"A sign." Crow's expression shifted from suspicion to confusion.

"A sign," he repeated.

"Like... destiny?" Amy shrugged.

"Something like that." Oh lord!!! I want to kill myself!!!!! She could feel his gaze lingering on her, assessing, weighing her words. Damn, this was so unbearable.

"And you found one?" he asked, voice carefully neutral. Amy turned her head slightly, meeting his eyes.

"You showed up, didn't you?" [That was probably the worst pickup line I have ever heard.] Amy resisted the urge to glare at the book and instead focused her gaze back on the boy. Crow blinked at her, clearly thrown off. His steps faltered just slightly before he recovered, looking ahead once more.

"... I see," he murmured. His tone was guarded, but Amy didn't miss the way his fingers flexed at his sides like he was trying to work through something in his head. Amy resisted the urge to grin. Despite the insane embarrassment she was currently feeling at the very least, she had Crow intrigued. Which she wished meant that this conversation had to be included in the chapter, right? The cobblestone streets grew more crowded as they moved deeper into the city.

Now she could see teenagers of all races, from girls with cat ears to completely human boys, with the same uniform Crow wore, marching towards the same place. It was very peaceful. They continued down the road, the path surrounded by trees. The Academy loomed in the distance, a silhouette of towering spires and shimmering wards against the blue sky. It looked like a castle but on steroids.

"That book of yours," Crow suddenly said.

"It communicates with you." Amy stiffened, though she kept her expression neutral. Or at least she tried to, but some of her shock leaked through her facade. Just a little bit, but he still seemed to notice.

"I can feel faint intermittent signals from it—," Crow's eyes flicked to the floating tome, "and it reminded me of something similar that happened to me not too long ago." He's probably talking about his sentient sword. During the last arc, Crow had gained this overpowered sword that could also talk and which only he could hear because of some lineage thing, and he'd decided to keep it a secret from everyone. Still, I didn't expect he could tell just like that… Whatever, as long as no one else notices...

Amy exhaled slowly.

"You are very perceptive," she said, letting just the right amount of reluctance seep into her voice. Crow's gaze sharpened.

"Then it does talk?" Amy hesitated for a fraction of a second before offering a carefully measured nod.

"... In a way." [Don't you think you are overdoing it with the mysterious act…?] Probably, but I have to stay consistent with my character. Crow's eyes narrowed again, but he didn't press further. He seemed to be considering something before finally saying, "Artifacts with a consciousness are rare... and dangerous." Amy tilted her head.

"You sound knowledgeable."

"I'm…curious," he admitted.

"And cautious. Things like that don't just show up without purpose…nor do people like you… What is it that you want from me…Amy?" [Caught.] Did I overdo it…? I wanted him to be curious, not suspicious… She forced herself to breathe steadily, keeping her expression schooled into one of mild curiosity.

"Want?" she echoed. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she added, "Who says I want anything?" Crow didn't react immediately. His steps remained measured, steady, but she noticed the slight twitch in his fingers again—a tell.

"You approached me," he pointed out. Amy tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable.

"Did I?" [Okay, now you're just messing with him.] Crow stopped walking. Just for a second. His brows furrowed ever so slightly, as if he were re-evaluating everything that had just happened in the last ten minutes.

"What kind of game are you playing…?" he said at last. She shrugged, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make him uncomfortable.

"I just follow where fate leads me," she finally murmured.

"And fate, it seems, has led me here." [I'm actually impressed… you are very good at this.] Indeed, unsurprisingly, she was quite good at this; before quitting school, she used to be pretty damn popular. Manipulation and hiding herself behind masks were her specialty, and to be honest, she wasn't proud of it... Crow didn't respond right away. Instead, he turned his eyes back to the road and continued walking, his expression unreadable.

But Amy caught the slight tightening of his jaw, the way his fingers flexed again. He was turning it over in his mind, trying to decide whether to dig deeper. He was intrigued, and that was both good and bad: Good, because it meant she had his attention. Bad, because too much attention could get her into trouble. For example, she would rather not get branded as a villain by the readers.

Either way, it would be soon time to deliver the finishing blow; to make sure that he and the readers believed she could see the future, she needed to use her somewhat lacking knowledge of the manga. And she knew exactly what to use, though she would have to be careful about it since this was kind of a sensitive plot point. Moreover, she needed to wait for the right moment for dramatic purposes. They walked in silence for a while, the Academy looming ever closer with every step.

There were many students loitering around, some sitting on a bench chatting, while others crossed the gates and entered the building. The surrounding air shimmered slightly, the protective wards pulsing with arcane energy. Amy felt a thrill of excitement—and anxiety—at the sight; it was truly impressive seeing it in real life. The entrance was as imposing as she remembered from the manga: twin obsidian doors inlaid with glowing runes, a shimmering ward flickering over them.

A handful of robed figures—Academy staff, most likely—stood nearby, speaking in hushed tones.

"This is where we part ways," Crow said abruptly, stopping just before the threshold. He turned to face her, his sharp gaze unreadable.

"The inscription hall is through there. If you have a recommendation letter, present it immediately. Otherwise, they'll test your aptitude on the spot." Amy nodded, trying to suppress her nerves.

"I understand." This was it; it was time. Once he turned to leave, she would say her piece. It was always like that in stories, the last words were the most important, so she should, of course, say her ultimatum at that moment. Once he turned... Crow hesitated for a fraction of a second, turning around to leave, but suddenly deciding to speak again.

"You're… an odd one, Amy." She arched her brow at this. Hey, you are killing my timing!

"Is that a compliment?" she responded without missing a beat.

"It's an observation," he said flatly.

"But—" He paused as he considered saying something, his fingers flexing at his sides again.

"Be careful in there. The Academy might like anomalies, but its enemies don't." Enemies, huh... He was most probably referring to the numerous antagonists of the story, specifically the Tribe of Onyx, whose objective was to resurrect an evil God. For this goal, they sometimes even teamed up with the Chaos creatures, whose objective was to destroy everything, and who were basically at war with the whole world. Those Onyx guys…ugh, I always found them so damn cringe…

"I'll keep that in mind..." she trailed off, wondering if her plan of saying her ultimatum at the last minute would work now. Looking at the flow of the conversation... Honestly, she should just say it right now. Amy made the effort to smile slightly, as if remembering something amusing.

"I suppose I'll be seeing you again soon enough." Ok, this is it... Crow paused, tilting his head.

"What do you mean?" She stared at him in silence for a few seconds before taking a small breath. No point in delaying it any longer.

"A golden key... Something tells me it connects our paths, though I'm not entirely sure why." Crow's entire demeanor changed in an instant. His body tensed while his posture shifted to a defensive one, almost like he was ready to fight. Scary!! [Now you've done it.] Crow's eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

"Who sent you?" His voice had dropped to a near-whisper. Amy let the silence stretch between them, despite her increasingly faster beating heart; her mind was still calm and collected. After a few more seconds of no response, she finally spoke.

"Fate sent me, and I chose to answer." [For the Goddess, someone get me out of here.] You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. Without another word, Amy turned and walked away, leaving Crow in there, fighting the urge to just sprint; she could practically feel his scary gaze burning into her back. As she passed through the Academy's ward, a slight pressure settled over her skin, like walking through static. She continued walking towards the interior of the Academy.

Once she was a safe distance away, she risked a glance back toward the entrance, only to freeze mid-step. Oh shit. Aren't those guys part of the main cast? Her breath hitched slightly as she recognized them. Of course, they were here. They were the ones Crow had stuck with throughout the early arcs of the story. The first girl, tall and elegant, had icy pale hair and piercing silver eyes—Lain Arkwright, user of frost magic and noble heir to the Arkwright family.

She had an air of coldness about her, but Amy knew from the manga that she was excessively timid and could barely utter a few words in public. Beside her stood a shorter girl with wild auburn curls and an energetic demeanor—Lyra Thronfield, the healer. She was known for being incredibly cowardly. Basically, one of those 'protect me' kinds of girls.

And lastly, standing behind them, was a tall, broad-shouldered young man with tan skin, cropped blonde hair, and sharp golden eyes—Ash something, the tank with exaggerated strength. He acted as the group's de facto moral compass and was Crow's best friend; both grew up together in the same orphanage. They were speaking with Crow right now. Not wanting to be caught staring, Amy quickly turned away and finally entered the building. The interior of the Academy was as grand as she'd imagined.

Towering stone pillars lined the hall, and intricate chandeliers cast ethereal blue light from floating crystals. A long, ornate desk stretched across the room where several officials sat reviewing applicants one by one as they led them to another room to probably test them. Oh, thank god she wasn't the only one who had arrived at the last second; that would've been embarrassing. Alright, now the only thing left to do was to wait and see if she had done things correctly and received superpowers.

She wouldn't join the line yet and instead let other people pass. If everything fell into place, the chapter would update right before the time limit. Hopefully, with some luck, everything would be alright. -————-　■　-————- A bell chimed, the sound resonating through the hall with an otherworldly timbre. One of the robed officials at the desk stood, her silver-embroidered sleeves catching the light of the floating crystals above.

"Final call for inscriptions," the woman announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the chamber.

"The wards will seal in one minute."

"When are the superpowers supposed to arrive…!?" Amy muttered. [The chapter hasn't been released yet; it will arrive with some delay.]"You have to be joking…! What the fuck do I do?" Amy hissed at the book, panic rising in her chest as the final call echoed through the hall. [Soon. While you wait, I recommend you get in line,] the book replied calmly, hovering serenely beside her as if they weren't in a crisis. Amy cursed under her breath, panic rising in her chest.

"Shit, shit, shit! You're telling me I have to somehow bluff my way through a magical aptitude test with absolutely no powers?" she hissed. [Essentially, yes. But I wouldn't worry too much. The chapter is about to be updated soon. Probably.]"Probably?!" Amy whispered.

"That's not exactly reassuring!" With no other choice, she reluctantly joined the dwindling line of hopefuls. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she watched the officials process the applicants ahead of her, most leaving with excited expressions, a few with dejected slumps to their shoulders.

"Next!" called a woman with silver-embroidered sleeves, just as Amy reached the front of the line. Amy stepped forward, trying to project confidence she absolutely did not feel. The woman looked up, her eyes—a startling shade of violet—narrowing immediately.

"Cutting it rather close, aren't we?" the official said, her tone clipped with disapproval.

"Another minute and you would have had to wait until next year's admissions."

"Sorry," Amy managed, trying to look appropriately contrite while simultaneously fighting the urge to tell the woman where she could shove her forty-three seconds.

"I, uh, got lost." The official's eyes narrowed, then flicked to the floating book beside Amy. Her expression shifted instantly from annoyance to intrigue.

"An artifact?" She leaned forward, studying the book without touching it.

"Most unusual for a prospective student to already possess such a thing." Amy forced a mysterious smile, the kind that hopefully screamed enigmatic and totally competent instead of I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing and might vomit from stress at any moment.

"It found me," she said vaguely.

"Did it now?" [You know you don't have to keep the mysterious act here, right? I doubt the author would include this part of the story.] Amy thought the same, but she still wanted to do it just in case. Moreover, it was kind of fun… The official's violet eyes flicked between Amy and the book.

"And what, exactly, does this artifact do?" Crap. Amy hesitated. She had no idea what to say. If she claimed the book was sentient, that would raise way too many questions. But if she played it off as just some ordinary enchanted object, she risked being asked to demonstrate magic—magic she definitely didn't have yet. [Let me handle this, dear host,] the book purred in her mind. Before Amy could respond, the book tilted slightly in the air, its cover shimmering with a faint, golden glow.

Its pages fluttered open, displaying lines of text that seemed to write themselves in real-time. It contained the same exact conversation they'd just had seconds ago. The official's eyes widened slightly.

"A self-recording grimoire?" She reached for the book, but before her fingers could make contact, the pages snapped shut with a thud. [You're welcome,] the book whispered smugly in her mind. The official, meanwhile smiled, clearly impressed.

"How fascinating. I haven't seen one of these in years. They're rare even among scholars." Amy gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"It's… helpful," she reluctantly said. [Did you just hesitate…?]"I'm sure it is." The woman grinned and then turned once again towards Amy.

"What is your name, young lady?"

"Amy Stake." The official dipped an ornate quill into what looked like liquid starlight and scratched Amy's name onto a parchment that seemed to shimmer and change colors as the ink dried.

"Do you possess a recommendation letter, Amy?" Amy shook her head.

"I see. So, what is your special ability?" This was it—the moment Amy had been dreading. When was that damn chapter going to be released! Ughh, I guess this is now or never… I really hope they don't have a lie detector of some kind…

"Foresight." The official's violet eyes widened, her quill freezing mid-stroke.

"A seer?" Skepticism colored her voice.

"That's quite the claim, young lady. The gift of foresight is exceedingly rare for anyone except the Gaspard."

"I'm aware," Amy replied, her voice steadier than she felt. The woman set down her quill and stood up.

"Very well. If you claim to possess foresight, then the usual test won't suffice. Instead, we will have to do a more thorough test." I'm so fucked… The official gestured to a side door.

"This way, please." Reluctantly, she followed the official through the door into a smaller chamber. Unlike the grand hall, this room was sparse—just a round table with three high-backed chairs, two of which were already occupied by older individuals dressed in the Academy's formal robes.

"Masters," the woman addressed them with a slight bow.

"This applicant claims the gift of foresight." Both figures looked up with curiosity, their gazes momentarily focusing on the book beside her before once again returning to Amy.

"A seer?" The first, an elderly man with a silver beard that seemed to float as if underwater, spoke with clear disbelief.

"Is she a Gaspard?" Amy swallowed.

"No, I don't have a family—at least, none that you would recognize." The second examiner, a stern-faced woman with intricate braids coiled atop her head, narrowed her eyes, her fingers steepled as she scrutinized Amy with unsettling intensity.

"Which tradition of foresight do you practice?" she asked, her tone sharp and clinical.

"Temporal projection? Dream walking? Astral divination?" [Stall,] the book whispered urgently in her mind. [The chapter is coming. Just keep them talking. Vague answers. Make them ask more questions.] Amy's mind raced. She needed to align her answer with what she'd already implied to the readers based on her conversation with Crow—the mysterious girl who waited for "signs" and somehow knew he would appear. Straightening her posture, Amy adopted what she hoped was an enigmatic expression.

"I don't practice a tradition in the conventional sense," she said carefully.

"My... gift... manifests through recognition of patterns, convergence points, and moments where paths cross." The silver-bearded man exchanged a glance with the braided woman.

"Like a crossroads seer?" he asked, skepticism evident in his tone.

"Similar," Amy replied, having no idea whatever the fuck that was.

"I perceive... moments of significance with decision points that ripple forward." [Wow, you truly are good at this,] the book commented with amusement in its voice. [Keep going. Be mysterious but not too specific.] The braided woman's eyes narrowed further.

"Did a…

"sign"… lead you here today?" Amy allowed herself a moment of silence, thinking deeply about what she would say.

"I saw myself standing before these doors," she said, gesturing vaguely.

"And I knew that if I did not come here, something essential would be lost." The silver-bearded man grunted.

"Convenient that your vision left so little time for preparation." [They're not buying it. Pivot. Make them prove you wrong instead of you proving yourself right.] And how in the hell am I supposed to do that!? Amy tilted her head slightly.

"I don't choose what I see or when I see it," she said, letting just a hint of defensiveness color her tone.

"The timeline isn't always... linear for me. Sometimes, what will happen tomorrow appears to me months in advance. Sometimes what happened years ago only becomes clear in the present." The official who had escorted her frowned.

"That sounds more like retroactive insight than true foresight."

"Perhaps to those who experience time in only one direction." [Oh, snap!] The silver-bearded man let out a low chuckle that seemed to reverberate through the small chamber.

"Bold words from one so young." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with interest.

"Very well. If you truly possess the gift of foresight, then a set of demonstrations is in order." The braided woman reached into her robes and produced a small wooden box. She placed it on the table between them with deliberate care, her movements precise and measured.

"Let's start with a simple test," she said, her voice crisp.

"Inside this box are three objects. Tell us what they are." Amy's heart sank. This was exactly the kind of straightforward test she couldn't possibly pass without actual powers. She glanced at the floating book beside her, hoping for some guidance. [Still no chapter update,] the book whispered in her mind, its tone annoyingly casual. [But don't worry. There's always a loophole in these kinds of tests. Think outside the box—literally.] Amy took a deep breath, considering her options.

If she refused, she'd be dismissed immediately. If she guessed wrong, the same result. But if she could somehow reframe the test...

"I don't see objects in that way," Amy said carefully, meeting the woman's stern gaze.

"My gift doesn't work on command like pulling rabbits from a hat. What I see are... convergence points and moments where choices matter." The silver-bearded man frowned.

"Convenient excuse." Amy felt a flicker of indignation at his words despite the fact that, just like the man suspected, she was indeed full of shit.

"It's not an excuse. It's the nature of my ability."

"Perhaps," the official who had escorted her interjected, "we should utilize the Veritas Mirror instead." The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense. The braided woman's lips thinned into a tight line.

"The Veritas Mirror is reserved for exceptional cases," she said sharply.

"It's not a tool to be used lightly."

"And what is more exceptional than a potential new kind of seer outside of the Gaspards?" the official countered.

"If her gift is genuine, the Mirror will confirm it." Amy tried to keep her expression neutral, but panic was rising in her chest. What the hell was a Veritas Mirror? It sounded ominous, definitely something that would expose her as a fraud. [Stall!] the book urged. [The chapter must be coming any second now.]"What exactly is this mirror?" Amy asked, trying to sound curious rather than terrified.

"The Veritas Mirror is not for the uninitiated to understand," he said dismissively.

"But it will reveal the truth of your abilities—or lack thereof." [Stall!!!!] Amy's mind raced. The three examiners were watching her carefully, their expressions a mix of skepticism and curiosity.

"I understand your caution," Amy said, trying to sound confident.

"But perhaps there is a more... conventional way to demonstrate my abilities?" The braided woman shook her head.

"You've already refused our standard test. The Mirror is the only alternative."

"Or she could simply leave," the silver-bearded man added coldly.

"The inscription period is already over." Amy felt sweat beading at her temples as the silver-bearded man walked away towards a room and moments later brought a tall object covered by a dark velvet cloth into the corner of the room. The official with the silver-embroidered sleeves moved to unveil it. [This is cutting it really close,] the book whispered, sounding almost nervous for the first time.

"Wait," Amy said, her voice trembling slightly despite her best efforts.

"Before we proceed, I should warn you that in very specific occasions when my ability manifests strongly, it can have... unpredictable effects." The braided woman scoffed.

"Many have tried to avoid the Veritas Mirror with similar claims."

"It's not a question of avoiding anything," Amy insisted, desperately buying seconds.

"I just don't want to be responsible for any... damage." The silver-bearded man waved his hand dismissively.

"The Academy's artifacts are well-protected against magical surges. Now, shall we proceed, or shall we conclude that you've wasted our time?"

"Listen, girl. This artifact is quite expensive to use. If you truly don't have clairvoyance, just say it right now. You are risking a very expensive fine…" The official warned her.

"Do not worry," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. She took a step forward. Amy's heart pounded in her ears as the official grasped the velvet cloth. The cloth fell away, revealing an ornate mirror with a frame of intricately carved silver. Its surface didn't reflect the room but swirled with what looked like liquid mercury, constantly shifting and changing.

"Place your hand on the surface," the braided woman instructed.

"The Mirror will do the rest." Amy reached out, her fingers trembling slightly. This was it… She could say bye to her hopes of getting back home. Maybe if she had done things differently… maybe if the Goddess hadn't been such a petty loser… Life truly sucks, does it not…? Just as her fingertips were about to make contact with the mirror's mercurial surface, a strange tingling sensation shot up her arm. [Wait—] the book suddenly tensed in the air beside her. [Something's happening.] Time seemed to slow down around her. The examiners' faces blurred slightly, their movements becoming sluggish as if they were moving through honey. And then, like a dam breaking, knowledge flooded into her mind—images, sensations, fragments of conversations yet to happen. She saw Crow standing in a courtyard, sword drawn against shadowy figures. She saw the black-haired man with the face of Crow's father—Abaddon—before a golden key, his face contorted in shock.

She saw a hidden chamber deep beneath the Academy, filled with ancient texts. She saw herself in the current situation, standing before the Veritas Mirror, while power radiated from her fingertips. [The chapter has gone live!] The book practically sang in her mind. Amy gasped as power surged through her body, a wave of golden light emanating from her core and spreading outward. The triangle on her book cover flared brilliantly in response, its pages fluttering wildly.

The examiners jerked back in shock as Amy's eyes began to glow with an ethereal light. The Veritas Mirror's surface rippled violently, responding to her awakening power.

"In the name of—" the silver-bearded man started, but his words were cut short as the mirror's surface suddenly stilled, becoming as clear as glass. Instead of reflecting the room, however, it showed a series of rapidly changing scenes—future events playing out in quick succession. The braided woman rose from her seat, her skepticism replaced by undisguised awe.

"Temporal projection," she whispered.

"But so different from any I've ever seen..." The official with the silver-embroidered sleeves took a step back, her violet eyes wide with disbelief.

"This is..."

"Extraordinary," The silver-bearded man finished, his earlier skepticism entirely gone. He slowly sat back down, regarding Amy with new respect.

"It appears we owe you an apology, Miss Stake. Your gift is indeed... unconventional. But undeniably genuine." Amy took a deep breath, the golden glow in her eyes gradually fading as she centered herself. The rush of visions receded to a manageable stream of impressions at the edges of her awareness. What the fuckkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!?????? That shit was freaky as fuck, I almost had a heart attack!

"Will that be enough…?" She said softly. Not even she could comprehend how she managed to keep her composure. The braided woman's eyes fixed on Amy with intense interest.

"In all my years at the Academy, I've never encountered a seer whose abilities manifested in quite this way." She glanced at her colleagues.

"I believe we have our decision." The silver-bearded man nodded solemnly.

"Indeed. Amy Stake, we formally accept your application to Arcanum Academy. Your gift will be classified as Fate Insight, a rare variant of foresight magic." He paused, studying her closely.

"You will require specialized training, of course. The traditional curriculum won't suffice. A special case, such as you will definitely go directly to class S." The official stepped forward.

"I'll personally see to it that accommodations are made," she said, her earlier skepticism replaced by barely contained excitement.

"A seer of this caliber hasn't entered our halls in generations." Amy tried not to let her relief show too obviously on her face. She had done it.

"Thank you," she said simply, inclining her head in what she hoped was a dignified manner. As the examiners began discussing arrangements among themselves, Amy took a moment to compose her thoughts. [I thought you were done for,] the book whispered, floating a little closer to her. [Oh well, all's well that ends well. You're now officially a student of Arcanum Academy. Congratulations.] Amy allowed herself a small smile of relief.

"Those readers and that damn Goddess better be enjoying the absolute shit out of the chapter, because I feel like my lifespan just got shortened…" she muttered. [If you're curious about the chapter and reader reactions, I can access the internet for you.] Amy's eyes widened slightly at this new revelation.

"You can do that?" she whispered under her breath, careful not to let the examiners overhear. [Of course. How do you think I've been tracking the chapter updates? Did you imagine I was receiving magical notifications out of thin air?] Before Amy could fully process this information or formulate a response, the braided woman cleared her throat pointedly.

"Miss Stake," she said, her stern demeanor somewhat softened by lingering awe, "there are several administrative matters we must attend to before you can be properly situated at the Academy." Amy straightened immediately, trying to look appropriately attentive rather than like someone who'd just been caught passing notes in class.

"Yes, of course."

"Come with me," the official with the silver-embroidered sleeves said, gesturing toward the door.

"We need to complete your registration, assign you quarters, and provide you with the necessary materials for your studies." As Amy moved to follow, the book floated alongside her, its pages rustling slightly as if in anticipation. [We can explore the chapter update later,] it murmured. [For now, focus on not looking too suspiciously confused by basic Academy procedures.] The official led her through a series of winding corridors, each more grand than the last.

Polished marble floors gave way to intricate mosaics depicting cosmic events and historical moments. Enchanted portraits lined the walls, their subjects turning to watch Amy pass with undisguised curiosity.

"I am Magistra Lyrien," the official said as they walked.

"I oversee new admissions and will be your primary administrative contact during your first term. It's a pleasure to meet you, Amy Stake."

"The pleasure is mine," Amy replied, struggling to keep her tone measured despite the chaos of emotions swirling inside her. Relief that she'd made it through the worst part. Excitement that she had just obtained superpowers. And a very deep fear of what the future held. The next few days would be quite interesting, to say the least… She just hoped they would be the good kind of interesting…