The first thing Noah saw when he opened his eyes was a familiar white ceiling.

He blinked several times, his vision gradually clearing. His breathing remained slow and steady as the lingering haze of unconsciousness faded away.

"...Where...?"

He turned his head slightly.

The room was spacious and spotless. Rows of neatly arranged beds stretched across the infirmary, separated by white curtains. The faint scent of medicinal herbs mixed with disinfectant filled the air.

The Academy infirmary.

A quiet sigh escaped his lips. "So... I survived..."

As he attempted to sit up, a soft female voice interrupted him. "Oh? You’re finally awake."

A woman wearing a white lab coat approached his bedside. She appeared to be in her early thirties, her gentle eyes carrying the calm composure of an experienced healer.

She placed two fingers on his wrist before channeling a thread of mana through his body to examine his condition.

After a few moments, she nodded in satisfaction. "Your pulse is stable."

She looked into his eyes.

"How are you feeling? Any dizziness? Difficulty breathing? Pain anywhere?"

Noah slowly shook his head.

"...I’m fine. Just feeling weak."

"That’s good."

She smiled faintly before saying,

"You’ve been unconscious for two whole days."

Noah blinked in surprise.

"...Two days?"

He hadn’t expected that. He only remembered escaping the underground passage.

Mary.

The healer adjusted the blanket covering him.

"Your injuries were severe. You had exhausted nearly all of your mana, suffered extensive muscle damage, internal injuries, and mana channel fatigue. Frankly, it’s surprising you recovered this quickly."

Noah remained silent.

The healer stood up. "You should continue resting. If everything remains stable, you’ll probably be discharged this evening."

"...Okay."

She turned to leave.

"Wait."

The healer stopped and looked back.

Noah’s expression became tense. "What happened to Mary?"

His voice had become noticeably quieter. He was really worried about her. he didn’t remember what happened after he was thrown out of the hole.

"The student who was with me. Is she alright? Is she safe? And what about the exam? What happened to the demons that attacked us? What about Damien... Kaelan... everyone else?"

The questions poured out one after another. His breathing unconsciously became faster.

The healer noticed the panic growing in his expression.

She gently raised one hand. "Calm down. Your body still needs rest."

She gently said, "I can’t answer those questions."

She gave him a reassuring smile. "I’ll inform your head instructor that you’ve regained consciousness. She will come her and explain everything herself."

Noah slowly lowered his gaze.

"...Alright."

The healer quietly walked out of the room, closing the door behind her. Silence filled the infirmary once again.

Noah leaned back against the pillow. Mary’s final moments replayed vividly inside his mind.

Her body, the massive sword piercing through her chest.

The blood that belong to Mary staining his clothes. Her trembling hands reaching toward him.

Her desperate smile.

"...Noah..."

He slowly covered his eyes with his forearm. His teeth clenched tightly. An unbearable ache spread through his chest. He already knew what had most likely happened.

Since the first day he came to this world, Noah felt so much pain. Because of someone’s death.

Somewhere deep inside. He still wished he was wrong. After several long moments, he lowered his arm.

His eyes had become slightly red, moisture gathering at their corners.

Just then a familiar translucent screen appeared before him.

[A reward is available.]

[Would you like to claim it?]

[ YES ]

Noah stared at it quietly. Normally, he would have accepted it immediately.

He would have wondered what new ability or reward awaited him.

But today he felt almost nothing. After a long silence, he slowly raised his hand. His movements were sluggish.

His fingertip touched the floating [YES] button.

The screen dissolved into countless particles before reforming.

A mechanical female voice echoed inside his mind.

[Congratulations, Extra!]

[You have successfully survived the Fourth Act of Chapter I — First Semester Exam: Hunting for Kaelan.]

[First Chapter of The Game ’Odyssey Of Eternal Gods’ War’, The Beginning of The New Fate has ended. Congratulations!]

[Despite encountering multiple hostile demons during the examination, you survived the battle, eliminated enemy targets, protected Kaelan, and discovered the hidden underground Temple of the Moon Goddess.]

[Reward Granted:]

[Passive Ability Acquired — Heart of Absolute Frost]

[Complete immunity to ice and cold-based damage. Significantly increases the power of all Ice-element spells and techniques. Allows survival in environments approaching Absolute Zero.]

Another notification appeared almost immediately.

[Congratulations!]

[Your bloodline has responded to recent events.]

[Active Bloodline Ability Awakened.]

The floating blue windows remained suspended for several seconds.

Then they quietly dissolved into countless tiny particles before disappearing completely, leaving behind nothing except the silent atmosphere of the infirmary.

Noah stared blankly at the empty space.

He was surprised. Not by the rewards themselves but by the mention of the Moon Goddess.

"So... it wasn’t an illusion..."

He unconsciously touched his forehead. He could still remember that freezing fingertip.

That divine presence. That overwhelming pressure. The mysterious woman.

The statue beneath the ruins. The frozen world beneath the stars.

Were they truly connected? Before he could think further.

The sound of door opening came.

The handle slowly turned. The door opened. A tall woman entered the room.

Her long sky-blue hair flowed elegantly behind her, reaching almost to her waist. Today she didn’t tie them in bun.

Amethyst-colored eyes observed him calmly.

Her beautiful face remained expressionless as always, carrying the cold dignity that made countless first-year students nervous just by looking at her.

She wore the black suit befitting for academy instructor.

It was none other than Instructor Morgana. She closed the door behind her before walking toward Noah’s bed.

For several seconds, neither of them spoke.

Then, in her usual calm voice, she broke the silence.

"So... It seems you’ve finally awakened. How are you feeling Noah?"

Her amethyst eyes quietly met Noah’s.

"And I imagine you have many questions."

Noah watched her with complicated expression. And nodded.

He wanted to ask her... only one question.

It was about Mary