Marcus grinned as the heat built up beneath his sleeves, his elbows beginning to glow with a vivid orange hue—the combustion runes sparking to life like miniature suns.
"Explosive Jets!"
He shouted with giddy adrenaline as the blast detonated beneath him, launching his body several meters into the air. The sudden propulsion sent him arcing through the sky in a wild, barely-controlled trajectory, his coat whipping violently behind him.
"I can afford to waste mana now…"
He muttered through a grin as he landed hard in front of the academy gates, rolling instinctively to absorb the impact. A plume of dust kicked up in his wake, and a few nearby students stumbled back, blinking in disbelief at the guy who had quite literally fallen from the sky.
"Definitely wasn't my smartest idea," he added, groaning slightly as he stood and began brushing dust and grass from his uniform. The stunned onlookers gradually shook off their surprise and resumed filing into the academy as if this sort of thing was only mildly unusual.
Standing nearby, Victoria watched him with a flat expression, her arms folded as her luxurious carriage rolled away behind her, the wheels clacking gently against the cobblestone.
"What's with that entrance?" she asked, unimpressed. She wore the sharp-lined, navy-and-gold academy uniform, her long hair tied back neatly, and the same leather handbag from before dangling from her shoulder like a badge of quiet elegance.
"You're way too extra. Well… you are an extra, but not that kind of extra."
Marcus let out a laugh, stepping closer and giving her a light, playful flick to the back of the head.
"Ah—!"
"Watch it!" Victoria shouted, recoiling and giving him a death glare.
"Already energetic, huh?" Marcus teased, smirking as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
Victoria didn't hesitate. She swung a punch into his shoulder—though it was meant to be sharp and reprimanding, it landed with a dull thunk. Marcus didn't even flinch. Instead, it was her hand that recoiled from the impact, and her expression twisted in surprise and pain.
"Ow—!" she hissed, shaking out her fingers. "What in the world have you been up to, to get this kind of strength?"
She quickly muttered a minor healing incantation, a simple rune lighting up on her knuckles before fading as the discomfort eased.
"Perks of being a transmigrator," Marcus replied with a sly smirk, rolling his shoulder.
Victoria squinted at him, clearly unconvinced, and crossed her arms. Her sharp gaze scanned his face like she was trying to see through him, but once satisfied, she lowered her hands to her hips, now fully recovered.
"So, any plans?" she asked, voice casual but eyes curious.
Marcus raised a brow at the question, tilting his head slightly as he studied her expression.
"What do you mean?"
Victoria clicked her tongue in frustration and tapped her foot, impatience flickering across her otherwise composed features.
"We're both earthlings in another world from a novel. Do you plan on interrupting the main story and becoming your own character, or just stick to the background like some disposable NPC?"
Marcus laughed—deep and amused—as if the idea genuinely entertained him. His confident smile widened as he looked toward the academy entrance.
"I'll be my own person. If it interrupts the main plot, then so be it."
Victoria's stern expression melted into a grin. She nodded once, seemingly satisfied by his answer.
"Good answer. Anyways, we still have time before class starts. How about we take a quick walk?"
Marcus hesitated for a second, his gaze drifting toward the students streaming through the gates. Most of them had begun whispering and casting glances in their direction, their stares tinged with curiosity and assumptions.
"Won't that spread some rumors? Or put the wrong idea in people's heads?"
Victoria blinked, pausing briefly—then she burst into laughter, swatting the air as if brushing away invisible pests.
"Oh come on, that's just how academia works: rumors, drama, conspiracies, and whatever else they can cook up. Now quit overthinking and move."
Before Marcus could reply, she grabbed him by the arm and confidently pulled him forward, striding toward the grand double doors of the academy with the poise of someone who didn't care about whispers or stares.
This world never took a break—and neither, it seemed, would he.