Noah remained frozen in place for a few seconds, staring at the screen of his phone as it continued to ring.
His heartbeat quickened slightly. After a brief hesitation, he inhaled quietly and pressed the accept button.
He lifted the phone to his ear. For a moment, there was only faint static from the other side.
Then a heavy and indifferent voice came through.
"Noah."
Just hearing that single word made his back stiffen unconsciously.
"I got to know about what happened during your exploration… about how you were injured."
The voice remained cold. Calm. Distant.
"Are you okay?"
Noah's eyes widened slightly. He was shocked. It was his father. Duke Eldritch, the person who exiled him from the family. But now he was calling and asking about his health.
He didn't know how to react to this situation. He didn't say anything at first.
The voice spoke again, a little firmer this time.
"Noah. Are you listening?"
"…Yes," Noah replied quickly, steadying his voice. "I'm fine."
He responded abruptly. There was silence on the other end. Not the comfortable kind. Just a quiet pause that felt heavy.
Then his father spoke again. "The academy will start soon."
His tone remained the same strict and composed.
"If you do well… and get into the top ranks… then I might be able to take you back into the family."
Noah's fingers tightened slightly around the phone.
"But your mother is still against that," his father continued. "I will try to convince her if you become top-ranked in the academy."
Another short pause.
"At least I hope you can achieve that. Even if it's hard, it's only good for you."
His voice did not soften. It did not waver.
"Take care. If you need money, just message me."
Before Noah could respond, the call ended. The line went silent.
Noah slowly lowered the phone from his ear. The screen had already gone dark.
"What just happened in seven hells? Did my father just call me… ask about my health… even tell me a way to get back into the family and tell me to ask for money if needed?" He recounted everything.
But what made him the happiest was the money… he could ask for money whenever he needed from the father of this life.
"Hahahah!" Suddenly, Noah started to laugh like an idiot.
"Oh God, it's much better. I thought I needed to face some family arc myself… getting into family drama with my bad parents. But it seems they don't hate me… they just had to exile me for political reasons… wait, it's my father who doesn't seem to hate me. But Mother… she's still angry."
Noah lay on his bed. He covered his face with his palm.
"Hah… for now, I need to focus on the academy. I have no desire to go back to the family or anything. But it might be useful to be part of the Duke family… so I still have to do it."
Noah lay there while thinking about his future plan of action.
The academy would start next week. It was currently the first month of the year 2048.
The name of the academy was Novaris Academy.
The most prestigious academy in the Aurelian Imperium Empire. Located in a city named Novaris. Yes, its name was based on the academy.
At least that much was what was written on the internet.
Noah had checked about that.
This year was supposed to be the same year when the main protagonist of this game would enter the academy. So, of course, this year must be special compared to other years.
'I need to get ready and leave for Novaris City this Saturday.'
The academy would start next Monday. Today was Tuesday.
Noah really didn't want to attend this academy, but he had no choice. The world would be in chaos for sure. If he needed to get stronger, he needed to attend the academy where the main acts of this game would occur.
He needed to make some contribution to get rewards from the so-called useless system, which might be his cheat. Giving him rewards that could help him grow beyond what he could imagine.
'Shit, I am really cooked. I have no knowledge or any guide. How can I survive in this world?'
After thinking for a while, Noah decided to push those thoughts aside and take a nap.
'I will sleep for a while.'
He was mentally exhausted. So sleep came to him instantly.
---
Noah slowly opened his eyes.
For a few seconds, he stared blankly at the ceiling, his mind still hazy from sleep.
Then he turned his head toward the bedside table and grabbed his phone.
3:30 PM.
He blinked twice.
"I slept that long…"
His body felt lighter than before. The mental exhaustion had eased a little. The headache from earlier was almost gone.
He sat up on the bed and stretched his arms slightly.
"No point wasting time."
If he was really going to survive in this world. Especially with the academy starting next week. Then resting alone wouldn't help.
He needed strength. He needed control over his mana. He needed experience.
Noah stood up and adjusted the same navy-blue t-shirt and black trousers he had worn earlier. He didn't bother changing. These were comfortable enough for light training.
After slipping on his shoes, he grabbed his phone and wallet, then stepped out of the apartment.
The hallway was quiet as usual.
He took the elevator down and walked out of Silvercrest Residences.
The evening air was cool. The sun was still up but slowly beginning its descent.
Noah walked out of the residential colony, hands in his pockets.
Not far from the complex, just about a ten-minute walk away stood a large building made of reinforced glass and dark steel panels.
A glowing sign hung above the entrance.
Crythos Combat & Mana Training Center
In this world, training centers were as common as gyms back on Earth.
Except here, they were more advanced. Also more expensive. Good thing that previous Noah had take one month membership.
Inside, people didn't just lift weights.
They trained with swords, spears, shields, elemental spells, and mana control techniques.
There were specialized compartments designed to handle mana bursts. Reinforced floors. Impact-resistant walls.
Of course, the cost was quite high. Mana-infused equipment wasn't cheap. Noah stopped in front of the building and looked up at it.
"Well… I guess this is where my suffering begins."
He exhaled and stepped inside. The interior was spacious and modern.
To the left, there was a regular gym area. Rows of enhanced weight machines, free weights, treadmills, and resistance platforms designed to measure physical stats.
To the right were private training compartments separated by thick transparent barriers glowing faintly with protective runes.
Farther inside were weapon racks, training swords, spears, staves, even practice bows. All made from special alloy materials designed to withstand mana infusion.
Several people were already training. Some were practicing sword forms.
Some were meditating cross-legged, mana faintly swirling around their bodies.
Others were sparring inside enclosed compartments, flashes of elemental light flickering with every clash.
Noah felt a small spark ignite inside him. This felt right. 'This place is amazing.'
He walked toward the reception counter.
Time to start preparing.
Novaris Academy wasn't going to be kind to an exiled young master.