Chapter 2

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Chapter 2: Past and Present

In 984 of the Arad Calendar, twenty years before Midi’s downfall, the Belmar Duchy in the southern continent still basked in peace.

Though animals and plants had mutated over three years, the danger remained no greater than scattered bandits – troubling yet far from catastrophic.

Belmar’s fertile lands and recent lack of wars meant little attention was paid to military matters. Even the historic Royal Magic Academy saw more lazy noble youths than true elites.

But Midi, bearing memories from his past life, knew a storm-like barrage of crises would soon strike one after another, shattering the duchy.

In 985, the cataclysmic fire in Forest of Gran would herald Sky City’s return and worsening mutations. Belmar’s meager defenses – a handful of Knight Orders and mercenaries – would collapse into chaos.

By 986, the Delos Empire’s invasion would deliver the deathblow to the crumbling royal family.

Most nobles would perish in the coming war. Their lands, wealth, and even families would become Delos spoils – including Fina’s Hamilton family and Midi’s own Asreks lineage.

Though joy from rebirth and reunion with his revived lover warmed him, Midi hadn’t lost his clarity. Having endured despair, he knew this was no time for sentimentality. Power had to be gained swiftly to change fate.

He remembered clearly: the academy trial’s true danger wasn’t monsters, but assassins!

Belmar’s decades-old conflict between Queen’s faction and Senator’s faction raged on through schemes and counter-schemes.

Fina’s arrival as a magic genius shifted the balance. Her flawless performances outshone noble peers, strengthening the Queen’s faction. Hence Senator leader Grand Duke Sais plotted to eliminate this rising pillar early.

Even Midi’s placement in Fina’s team was the Senator’s scheme – inserting a minor noble the Queen’s side couldn’t reasonably reject without appearing biased.

In his past life, Midi’s incompetence had burdened Fina. When assassins struck, his blunders left her injured, costing their trial victory and forcing months of recovery.

That failure first drove Midi to earn Fina’s approval. But it came too late.

Missing their chance to use the duchy’s strategic magic array for proper transmutation, they became refugees tasting hardship’s bitter lessons.

This time differed.

From the start, Midi knew his enemies and what to protect. He wouldn’t lose her again.

To prepare, he needed power before the academy trial. The demon god he’d once bonded with slumbered in a canyon near his family lands. Becoming a Demon Swordman early could prove decisive.

More crucially, he must rebuild trust with Fina gradually. No battle was won without tacit cooperation and reliable allies.

Yet as Midi steeled his resolve, his "lover" wore disdain.

The red-haired girl stared coldly at Midi’s outstretched hand. With a dismissive sniff, she gripped back challengingly – her frost-coated palm numbing his through magic. She’d rather freeze her hand than touch him directly, making her anger clear.

Midi smiled bitterly. What else could he expect?

The current him remained the academy’s notorious playboy. The future Queen of Magic had no reason to tolerate him.

"Miss Hamilton…" Midi coughed, breaking the icy silence.

"You don’t have to be so formal; just call me Fina. I dislike complications. Besides, you already used my name earlier," the future Queen of Magic shrugged, her tone casual before adding coldly, "But don’t get any foolish ideas. You’ll bear the consequences yourself."

To Fina, the young man before her was merely a spoiled noble riding his family’s coattails, unworthy of courtesy. Had the Senator’s faction not schemed, she’d have refused him joining her team outright.

Diplomacy and social graces meant nothing to Fina – she’d never bowed to noble niceties. Yet this familiar bluntness made Midi’s eyes soften with nostalgia. Even in her youth, Fina remained true to herself.

"Then call me Midi," he replied easily. "Since we’re teammates, let’s test our coordination on the practice field."

Trust required time, but Midi intended to prove his worth immediately. The red-haired girl had expected excuses from this swordsmanship dilettante, not a practical challenge.

"Not boring after all," Fina mused, her first smile of the day curling faintly. "Surprising resolve. The arrangements are made – let’s settle this quickly."

Rain pattered on empty outdoor equipment at Belmar Duchy’s training ground, only indoor ranges seeing activity. Even winter drizzle deterred the academy’s elite from drills – telling of the nation’s declining rigor.

The Queen of Storms’ arrival still caused commotion. Trailing her vivid crimson hair, Midi became instant spectacle – no male student had ever walked so close to the tempestuous leader.

No special privilege granted this. Years of intimacy let Midi read Fina’s moods: crossed arms meant "Don’t bother me;" that icy smile signaled mild interest. Proper responses could narrow her guarded distance.

Ignoring whispers, Fina led him to a training chamber where blond Sigmund and freckled Lilian waited – her team’s core members. Now Midi understood her "arrangements."

In past life, his procrastination had delayed this test for days, making him miss crucial bonding. He’d foolishly thought avoiding scrutiny a victory, unaware of Fina’s disappointment.

Never again. This time, he’d seize the chance.

"Sigmund, gunslinger. Lilian, cleric." Fina’s introduction proved unnecessary – Midi knew these future Hawk Brigade pillars well.

The skilled duo showed open contempt for the pampered noble. If Fina saw him as roadside pebble, they viewed dead weight. Though unable to remove him, their scornful stares spoke volumes.

Most youths would rage under such disdain. Midi merely nodded calmly.

"Composed, but can he fight?" Sigmund’s raised eyebrow asked Lilian.

"Six intermediate automatons," Fina declared, arms crossed. Standard training protocol used puppeteer-made foes simulating monsters, stoppable instantly for safety.

Level 14 bull-headed Behemoth equivalents posed no threat to students nearing level 16 transmutation. True to her word to Dean Lind, Fina set no traps.

"Even dragging dead weight, I’ll top the trial," the crimson-haired girl’s stance declared.

Midi believed her. But he refused to be baggage again.

"Six intermediates are dull. Let’s try Flame Challenge."

Sigmund and Lilian, already level 19, could crush that trial. Ordinary numbers meant nothing – only matching their prowess would earn respect.

Flame Challenge: Belmar Royal Magic Academy’s notorious test. One magic automaton (level 17 fire mage), two advanced (level 16 Cat Demons), eight intermediates (level 14 vanguards) – a full assault team lethal to any below level 20.

Though his untrained body barely reached level 16, two decades of combat experience and second awakening’s tactical vision could compensate.

"Reckless fool," Lilian chirped, venom beneath sweetness. "Think you can stop charging automatons? They’ll pulp you before halting."

"Stick to basics." Sigmund’s pitying tone stung worse than scorn. "Don’t embarrass Miss Fina with corpse-cleanup."

Yet Fina saw determination in Midi’s lean frame. Odd – this supposedly inept noble stayed calm under her gaze. His rude staring should anger her, yet those dark eyes held familiar warmth…

Illogical. Irritating. But…

"Try then," the Storm Queen unexpectedly conceded.

The team gaped as Midi nodded, unsurprised.

"Fail, and you’re out," Fina warned coldly.

"One chance suffices." His quiet repetition sounded like personal vow. "More than enough."