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Join the ServerSimon woke up in a hazy heat.
He felt his whole body covered in sweat, the blanket filled with stifling warmth. His thoughts were sluggish for a moment as he looked up at the ceiling.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
“You’re finally awake.”
Simon first heard footsteps, then Siegfried’s voice. He raised his hand toward the ceiling, grasping at nothing, only cool air slipped through his fingers.
“When Lila brought you back, I thought she knocked you out. Good thing you’re fine.”
His usual bold tone carried less energy; only now did he truly relax his worry.
“She brought me back?” Simon’s mind was still foggy.
In his memory, the girl with crimson hair stood beneath an orange-red sunset sky. Wild winds blew as her hair danced, adding vivid color to the horizon.
Simon thought it would be nice if she smiled.
So in his imagination, the girl slowly curled her lips into a gentle smile.
But that was Lila.
The peaceful smile vanished, replaced by a teasing expression. Her grin widened, growing more arrogant and mocking.
Simon’s breathing quickened.
In the end, it became a sneering face. A silver-glinting sword in her hand as she stepped closer to him.
The next moment, Simon jolted upright in fear, shaking his head as if to throw the image out.
Then he let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.
Why would he imagine something like that…?
He had simply fainted. Though… it did feel like he had bumped into something warm and soft.
Better not think about it.
Meanwhile, seeing Simon making strange expressions—frowning one moment, smiling the next, Siegfried’s heart jumped again.
“Simon?”
“What?”
Hearing his voice, Simon realized his friend had been there the whole time. A hint of guilt rose within him.
‘All because of that witch Lila. It felt like her shadow was still lingering in his mind, making him shiver.’
“You’re not possessed or something, are you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You were laughing and frowning, did something break in your head? Should I go get Professor Smith?”
“Get out of here!”
Simon waved him off, trying to chase him out.
Professor Smith was infamous in the academy, not just a psychology teacher, but also the head of the student mental safety department.
Students with abnormalities would be sent for counseling.
That was fine… until you knew he was also a grand mage specializing in mental magic.
If you resisted him, he’d likely use a spell called Moment of Calm.
Anyone affected would instantly lose all emotional fluctuations, no anger, no desire, no thoughts. Just stillness.
Rumor had it it took at least a week to recover.
Some said… no one ever fully did.
Just thinking about it made Simon uneasy.
Though oddly, those who experienced it claimed it felt… good.
Most of them ended up joining some “Church of Tranquility.”
“Since you’re awake, hurry up and get to class,” Siegfried said. “You’re almost late.”
“What time is it?”
“It’s already afternoon.”
Simon immediately panicked.
On their first day at the practice site, their instructor would lead them into the Twilight Forest to familiarize them with the environment and magical beasts.
He quickly got up, washed up, and followed Siegfried out, grabbing some bread along the way.
He hadn’t eaten since last night.
“Simon! Siegfried!”
Alice waved at them.
Beside her, Vigus barely raised a hand, moving it slightly, as if even that was too much effort.
“Simon, I heard you fainted yesterday. Are you okay?”
Seeing the concern in Alice’s eyes, Simon felt warmth in his chest.
“I’m fine now,” he said, stretching a bit. “All good.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Class is about to start. Let’s go,” Vigus reminded.
They headed to the gathering point.
The Twilight Forest stood before Simon.
Behind him was a gently rolling plain under bright sunlight.
But ahead, the forest was shrouded in gray-white mist. Towering trees stretched upward, competing for scarce sunlight through the haze.
Even from a distance, Simon felt a chill.
Once everyone gathered, Kuroko began instructions.
“We will only stay at the forest’s edge. Do not wander deeper.”
“Stay close. Report before doing anything. Do not leave the group…”
She spoke at length.
This wasn’t a game. Magical beasts wouldn’t show mercy.
For first-year students, just observing weaker beasts was enough.
“Understood?”
“Understood!”
“Good. Let’s move.”
Led by their teacher, they entered the Twilight Forest.
Dark.
Damp.
Silent.
That was Simon’s first impression.
“Turn on your magic lamps.”
Lights flickered on.
In the dim glow, they could see banyan trees, palm trees, rubber trees…
But beneath that silence…
Countless unseen lives lurked within the forest’s depths.
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Read : The Boy Who Bit Moma's Leaf
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