Raviel sat at his desk, the book [Anatomy of the eyes and Muscles] open in front of him.

His eyes slowly traced over the diagrams of nerves and thin lines, which showed muscle layers, where mana could pass easily with minimum amount of backlash.

He paused, then reached to his Arctic lying near one of the book, and checked the time.

The screen lit up.

[ 8:45 A.M ]

"Hmm... time really goes faster while reading".

He closed the book, and leaned back in his chair.

One full day had already passed since the VR exam ended. Nova had given them a three-day holiday, and he only had one day left now.

For him, yesterday had been... productive. Way more than he had imagined.

He hadn't just skimmed past the book due to the heavy dumping of information, but, he actually tried to understand the concept. The training he did after learning was also a bit fruitful for him.

According to what he read, pushing lightning mana straight into his eyes like he'd been doing wasn't the only method. There were other ways — threading it through peripheral muscles first, using circulation paths as buffers, even dispersing the charge across the optic nerves before focusing it.

"Safer...and way more efficient." Raviel muttered.

A small smile crept onto his face as ideas started lining up in his head.

'So I don't have to blind myself or strain my eyes every time, I want the slow mode'.

That alone felt like a win.

He checked the time again.

"Shit, I can't stay reading like this...I have work to do".

He stood up, stretched his arms, and cracked his neck.

As he walked towards the wardrobe, his fingers absentmindedly traced the smooth surface of his storage ring.

Raviel finished changing, slipped his storage ring on his finger and headed out of the S-room dorm.

The halls were quieter than usual — most of the students were still sleeping or enjoying their holiday.

He made his way toward the Academy gates, the ones set right beside the teleportation hall facility from which he came to N.O.V.A on his exam day. Massive stone pillars stood tall on either side, lights faintly glowing along the metal frame. Just outside the gate, two guards were leaning against the wall, chatting casually.

Raviel stepped out of the gates, and scrolled his Arctic.

[ Do you want to finalize the booking. ]

Raviel tapped — yes.

The request went through instantly. He stepped aside, letting a few vehicles pass inside, and waited.

A minute later, a low engine sound rolled in.

Raviel looked up — and whistled.

"Damn…"

The cab that pulled up wasn't the usual plain hunk of metal. This thing looked sporty but old-school, with a vintage body, smooth curves, and a polished finish that caught the sunlight, It felt fast even while standing still.

He walked over and opened the door.

Inside sat a man wearing dark sunglasses, one hand resting casually on the steering wheel. He didn't say anything at first.

Raviel got in and shut the door.

The driver finally spoke, voice calm and soft. "No midway stops till destination."

Raviel smiled. "Yeah, works for me. Slick car though."

The man tapped on the screen and asked.

"The location you mentioned is Parragon Yard, right? Just to be sure."

"Yes."

The driver adjusted the rearview mirror slightly, giving Raviel a short nod. Then the engine growled to life, smooth and powerful, and the car pulled away from the gate.

....

Raviel stood across the street, staring at the café sign.

Heaven's Nectar.

It was hard to miss even from the onlookers eyes. Compared to other shops lined along the street, this place was huge. The others shops looked almost cramped in comparison.

"This is the location..."

He felt slight nervousness at his side. He thought about the first time he had met Chico.

He let out a short laugh.

"Well I was a bit haughty back then..."

Back then, he'd believed he was in control, that he had it all figured out due to his knowledge about the future. But after that mysterious skill, reality had hit him hard. A reminder that he was still weak and trying to expect results from half assed attempts.

Raviel chuckled softly at himself.

"Arrogant idiot…"

It was a fitting tittle for the previous him, as he had missed many points.

He glanced around. The street was quiet, and the café itself didn't seem crowded at all. Only a few people inside.

His thumb brushed over his storage ring without thinking. After a second, he shook his head slightly.

'Won't be needing this now.'

Raviel stepped inside the café, the sweet smell of honey and lavender instantly filled in his nose.

Near the entrance, an attendant was calmly asking question to an individual.

When the attendant noticed Raviel, he came to his side, expectant. "If I may ask, are you Raviel Thanarion. Sir?"

Raviel nodded knowingly. "Yep, that's me".

The attendant exhaled a breath.

"Please follow me".

They moved pass the seating area and turned towards a pristine crème coloured staircase leading up.

The sounds of the soft music playing downward stopped as they reached the upper floor.

The attendant then, walked in front of the second room on the floor and knocked once, before opening the door.

Inside, a man sat alone at a table meant for two.

He looked bored — fidgeting the wine glass in his hands, eyes half lidded as if everything around him didn't matter.

Screech—!!.

Raviel took the seat across from him without being invited.

Only then did the man look up.

"Nice to meet you," he said calmly. "Raviel Thanarion."

Raviel leaned forward and shook his hand. "You too. Fredrick Williamson."

The person, infront of Raviel was none other than Fredrick Williamson — in his real face, sitting right in front of him. Healthy skin, sharp features, green hair that stood out without looking strange, and deep black eyes that didn't miss anything. He was handsome enough that Raviel noticed a female bartender across, stealing glances at both of them.

Fredrick released his hand and leaned back.

"Shall we talk over breakfast?" he said casually. "I'm guessing you haven't eaten yet. Chocolate, maybe some pasta?". He asked staring at Raviel's face.

Raviel picked up the menu, scanned it once, then closed it.

"Chocolate-covered ice cream."

Fredrick nodded and waved the bartender over without even looking at her.

"One chocolate-covered ice cream," he said, then added, "And for me, Islemooree 12, forty percent."

The bartender wrote quickly. "Sir, what should be—"

Before she could ask, Fredrick muttered. "Make it one is to two"

"Got it".

The bartender smiled, and walked away.

Silence settled between them.

Fredrick rested his elbows on the table, fingers interlocked, eyes fixed on Raviel.

Fredrick didn't say anything.

He just watched Raviel, slow and patient.

While, Raviel kept a calm posture, hiding his initial nervousness.

'This is the best choice.' He thought.

From their first encounter, even though he had acted with arrogance he knew that Fredrick was the one who led the scene. It was obvious— why would a seasoned broker crumble before a sixteen year old.

But the main reason was not that.

What bothered Raviel wasn't the contract itself.

It was: why Fredrick signed it.

That was the hole in the logic.

So Raviel had taken a risk. A big one.

He used his real account to send money to Fredrick from their previous conversation.

It was dangerous, but deliberate.

As Fredrick was truly suspicious, this would calm him down just enough. And if Fredrick was pretending not to be suspicious, this would force him to move. Either way, Raviel would get information.

The second reason was more personal — and more annoying for him.

Raviel didn't know this body's past.

Not fully.

And that was the problem.

He couldn't just ask his "sister" casually. From their first meeting, he could already tell the relationship wasn't simple, as his sister hadn't once message him or met him after the exam. Asking the questions about his past could raise alarms instantly.

He didn't know what kind of person Raviel Thanarion used to be. Whether he had enemies or anything else.

He knew going forward, while his past remained dark was dangerous for him in the future.

So, he revealed his identity — to Fredrick: First to erase his suspicion and second, so he could dig in his past.

Raviel, knew that even if he didn't reveal his identity, Fredrick would have just gathered it anyhow if he had made just a single mistake.

As, the guy, whom he was talking to had contacts with various departments all over the world.

The silence lingered.

Then.

Fredrick broke it first. "Didn't wear a mask now, did you? What's the reason?"

Raviel stared and spoke. "Same as yours".

"I see" Fredrick nodded his head.

"So," he said calmly, eyes fixed on Raviel, "why the money? And the sudden reveal? I didn't ask for it. You know as well as I do — no one uses their real account while doing bussiness."

For Fredrick, it was odd because he had worked with various people before, but this was new.

Raviel spoke, maintaining the calmness, "Gotta build a healthy relationship." He said, "Can't do it if doubts keep piling up."

Fredrick's fingers twitched slightly.

At that moment, the attendant arrived and placed their orders on the table. Raviel wiped his hands with a napkin and picked up his spoon. Fredrick didn't touch his drink yet, just slowly twirled the wine glass between his fingers.

"Let's play a game," Fredrick said. "We ask questions. We answer honestly. Simple."

Raviel nodded.

"I'll go first," Fredrick said, taking a small sip of his whiskey. "Why did you hide your face when we first met — if you were planning to reveal it?"

Raviel scooped the ice cream and answered, "Would you have taken me seriously if I hadn't? And I showed you a bit of your past too. That was the point."

Fredrick hummed, and drank again.

Raviel looked up. "Why didn't you kill me?"

Fredrick paused for half a second. "Because I was surprised. Someone knowing my past isn't normal. And who knows how many of you there were."

Fredrick leaned back slightly. "Next. Were you using an artifact to hide your rank? I remember you being F-rank."

'Aah! even I don't know that.'

Raviel thought for a moment, then said lightly, "Training does wonders."

Fredrick let out a quiet sigh and took another sip.

Raviel didn't miss a beat. "Why open a potion shop?"

Fredrick smiled faintly. "Call it wish fulfillment."

Then his expression sharpened. "Now my turn. How do you know my name and past?"

Raviel took a spoonful and replied without looking up, "just like you, I researched."

The silence stretched, heavier this time.

Raviel broke it. "Why Beacon Healthcare? We both know it's expensive. So why there? And why did you sign the contract?"

Fredrick's fingers tightened around the glass.

"I have my reasons," he said flatly.

Hearing this, Raviel knew he also had another source of income even if, he was showing to be bankrupt to the black market.

As the medical facility was expensive and no way he could have afforded a shop that big with his savings.

Fredrick pointed his finger at the table. "You're ice cream is melting."

Raviel followed his finger and saw that his desert was slowly turning to a brown sludge.

'No! Not my ice-cream.'

"Well final question". Fredrick said calmly. "Why do you need me".

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