Noah stepped into the lecture hall, feeling the weight of dozens of eyes falling upon him.
He could sense the stares even before he looked around.
Each gaze seemed to linger, watching his every move, and he knew exactly why.
Maya had already told him—his title as the Blessed Sage was gone.
Stripped from him during the two months he had been away.
He was no longer the leader of the first-year student council.
The title had been passed on to the next student who had scored the highest in the magic power evaluation exam.
And that student was none other than Amy Blue Rose.
Noah didn't care, not at first. In fact, he expected it.
After all, in the original game, Amy was supposed to be the one who earned the Blessed Sage title.
It had only returned to its rightful owner.
But now, standing in the midst of a hall filled with whispers, he couldn't help but feel the shift.
As Noah made his way down the aisle, he spotted a seat near the window.
It seemed like a quiet spot, away from the murmurs.
But as he walked, he could hear the hushed voices behind his back, students whispering as he passed.
"Isn't that Noah?" one student whispered.
"I heard he's the one responsible for the demonic summoning," another muttered.
"He was gone for two months after that... makes you wonder," a voice chimed in.
Noah clenched his fists slightly.
Some of the rumors he overheard were wild and outlandish.
But others... well, some of them were true.
He had been responsible for the demonic summoning, even if things hadn't gone the way he had expected.
It was a mistake, one he hadn't foreseen.
And now, that mistake had painted a target on his back.
Still, he kept his head down and ignored the whispers as he moved toward the window seat.
He didn't need their approval or their understanding.
The Blue Rose House had hired top-notch protectors to ensure the safety of their members.
Draven, with his formidable skills, was one of those hired.
He was there to guard Amy, and now, he was positioned right next to Noah.
Noah couldn't help but continue glancing at Draven, marveling at the reality of encountering someone who had been a central figure in the game's narrative.
As students continued to murmur in the lecture hall, the door creaked open.
Two stern-faced guards in polished armor entered, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
Their presence commanded silence, and the room grew tense.
One of the guards stepped forward and called out, "Is there a student named Noah Ashbourne present?"
Instantly, all eyes shifted to Noah, who was seated by the window.
The room fell quiet, the air thick with curiosity and suspicion.
Noah muttered under his breath, "Bastards. How could they all betray me like this?"
Feeling trapped, Noah raised his hand in a resigned gesture.
A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek as he stood up.
The guards' gaze never wavered from him.
They motioned for him to follow.
Noah stood and walked toward them, his heart pounding.
The guards led him out of the lecture hall and down the dimly lit hallway.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Maya had informed him of this moment.
As soon as he woke up after two months, he would be summoned to explain the Starlight Manor incident.
He knew this was essentially an interrogation, a chance for the higher-ups, professors, and possibly noble families to hear his side of the story.
The incident had involved demonic summoning and chaos, making him a key figure in the scandal.
Noah walked in silence, his mind racing.
He wasn't sure what awaited him—whether the academy would expel him or if he might face worse consequences from the noble families.
Despite his outward composure, a sense of dread gnawed at him.
He cursed under his breath, hoping that he wouldn't be expelled or, even worse, face death for the turmoil caused.