All Settled

By mid-September, it was time for Aisha to enroll. Unlike Aida, Aisha could return home freely while studying at River Bay City Mage Academy, which reassured Ang and the rest of the family considerably.

Ang took Aisha to River Bay City to register. Along the way, he kept encouraging her, filling her with confidence for the magical studies about to begin. When they arrived at the Mage Academy, they queued in the spacious registration hall. Looking at the other new students who had come to enroll, Aisha felt both nervous and excited.

Ang noticed that there were only eleven new students enrolling, two of whom had undergone the talent test with Aisha last time. One was a boy named Alyosha, and the other was a girl named Gwen. Since they were close in age, the three quickly began chatting.

Gwen curiously studied Ang. Her brother was also serving in the military, but he had never given her the same feeling Ang did. There was something distinct about his bearing. Ang, meanwhile, looked curiously at the eleven new students and wondered how many of these people with magical talent would eventually become true mages. They were all seeds of nobility, carrying their families' hopes and responsibilities.

Through his conversations with Alyosha and Gwen, Ang learned about their backgrounds and hopes for the future. Alyosha came from a merchant family, and his parents hoped he could raise the family's status by studying magic. Gwen came from a Lesser Nobles family, and her parents had placed great expectations on her, hoping she would become the pride of their family.

Although Aisha's talent was not as strong as some others', Ang believed that through hard work and perseverance, she would achieve something on the path of magic. He encouraged her to speak more with Alyosha and Gwen, learn from one another, and improve together.

After completing the enrollment procedures, Aisha chose to board at the academy. Oak Village was some distance from River Bay City, so returning home every day would be inconvenient. Gwen and Alyosha both lived in River Bay City, so neither of them chose to board. Ang took Aisha to see her dormitory.

The Mage Academy's accommodations were quite good. The dormitory was clean, orderly, and comfortable. River Bay City Mage Academy had few students, and even including the teachers, there were only a little over a hundred people. This included both senior and junior students. According to others, students with greater talent generally went to the Magic Academy in Tan'anster Provincial Capital, which was why River Bay City Mage Academy had relatively few students. Only the headmaster was a Rank 1 Mage; the other teachers were all senior Mage Assistants.

Ang accompanied Aisha to the new student enrollment ceremony. Each new student took turns going onstage to introduce themselves. Aisha was so nervous when she went up that, by the time she came down, she did not even know what she had said. She hurriedly asked Ang whether she had embarrassed herself. Ang smiled and replied, "No, you did very well." Then he joked, "Looks like Aisha has started paying attention to her image."

Aisha blushed and muttered, "I was just a little nervous." Ang patted her shoulder and encouraged her, "Everyone gets nervous sometimes. You've already done very well. From now on, just focus on studying."

After the ceremony, Ang took Aisha around the academy. Although River Bay City had flourishing trade, it was still remote and not a center of nobility, so the academy was relatively plain and far inferior to Wolf Mage Academy. Even so, Ang did not mind, while Aisha seemed extremely happy.

They passed the academy library, practice grounds, and dormitory area. Aisha excitedly asked questions about everything, curious about every corner. Ang patiently explained things to her, while he too looked forward to his future life at Tan'anster Warrior Academy.

Although the conditions are simple, this environment is better for Aisha to grow at her own pace. As long as she studies hard, she will certainly have better prospects in the future. Aisha said excitedly, "Brother, I'll definitely study hard and live up to your expectations!"

Ang smiled and rubbed Aisha's head. "I believe you can do it. Academy life is a new beginning. You'll meet many interesting people and experience many interesting things, and you'll face even more challenges. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, you must persevere."

Aisha nodded, her eyes filled with determination. She looked gratefully at Ang and silently resolved to study hard and keep improving.

They made a full circuit of the academy and saw the other new students getting familiar with their surroundings as well. Aisha gradually relaxed and began looking forward to academy life. Ang silently wished that she would find her own path here.

Seeing that it was about time, Ang decided to leave the academy. Aisha would have to face the days ahead alone, but that was a necessary part of growing up. Before leaving, Ang gave her five hundred silver wacks, ten Gold Wacks, and a Black Magic Crystal.

Ang instructed Aisha, "This Black Magic Crystal is extremely precious, so you must keep it safe. If you encounter a problem that is difficult to resolve while I'm not around, you can use this Black Magic Crystal to deal with it." Aisha nodded to show that she understood. She knew how much thought her brother had put into this.

Aisha was very familiar with Ang's copy of the Wilderland Empire's Compendium of Magical Materials, and Ang often told her about his experiences in the military. She had already learned from him how vicious Demons were, so she deeply understood the Black Magic Crystal's precious value.

Ang repeatedly told Aisha to be careful. Her eyes glistened with tears, but she nodded firmly, understanding her brother's good intentions. Ang patted her shoulder and smiled. "You'll do very well. I believe in you."

Aisha watched Ang leave, silently resolving to study hard, improve herself, and not disappoint him. As Ang walked out through the academy gates, he looked back toward where Aisha was and prayed that she would grow smoothly and face the challenges ahead.

After returning home, Ang told his parents about Aisha's situation. Since it was the busy farming season and they needed to deal with the family's rye, they had not gone with him to River Bay City. Ang told them that Aisha would probably have one day off each month, and they could visit her in River Bay City then.

Over the next few days, Ang helped his parents work in the fields and harvested all the ripe barley and rye. The weather was clear, and sunlight spilled across the fields as Ang and his parents worked together, sharing the joy of the harvest. As they worked, they talked about Aisha's life at the Mage Academy.

His father, Baron, said admiringly, "Aisha has really made something of herself. Being able to study at the Mage Academy is a great honor for our family."

His mother replied with a smile, "Yes. When she comes back for her holiday, we must give her a proper treat."

Ang smiled at his parents' happy faces, warmth filling his heart. He knew that his family's support and love were the greatest motivation for both him and Aisha.

After the harvest, Ang and his parents planted new seeds, hoping for a good yield the following year. They busied themselves in the fields, looking forward to the next year's harvest. As the days passed, the family's farm work gradually came to an end, and Ang felt a deep sense of peace.

That night, the sky was clear and stars glittered overhead. Ang lay alone on the rooftop platform, gazing up at the sky. He murmured to himself, "My younger brother and sister are settled, and there's no problem at home now. Next, I need to think about my own future." He thought about his plans: further study at the Warrior Academy, then finding an opportunity to study at the Magic Academy. Mage Victor had said that his talent was very good and that he should be able to enroll easily.

Something stirred in Ang's heart, and he continued speaking to himself. "Ang, Ang, you should be able to see it, should be able to feel it, right? Your family is my family. I inherited everything you had, and I will protect everything you had. Whether it's our younger brother and sister or our parents, I'll take good care of them." Ever since returning to this world, Ang had always felt that something was slightly out of place, though he had never known exactly what it was. Although he had adapted to life in this world, there had always been a faint, inexplicable sense of discord.

For all this time, Ang had been unable to fully control the magical elements, which had left him doubtful. He guessed that it might stem from some special condition of his soul. Thinking this, he said, "Perhaps the things you were worried about have already been dealt with. Next, I'll accomplish my goals. I'll do what you never did and see the sights you never saw. What I do will be what you do, and what I see will be what you see. From now on, I'll truly be you. I'll be Ang."

After saying this, Ang's aura changed, as though he had suddenly realized something. He raised his hand, and tiny flames appeared in his palm. Ang withdrew his hand, excitement surging through him. He almost burst out laughing, but remembering that his parents were asleep, he could only sigh to himself before returning to his room to sleep.

Ang slept especially long that night, and especially soundly. He felt that he had truly become part of this world, that he had truly become Ang.