That morning, as soon as the sun rose, they departed, heading back toward the academy.

"By the way, Ruvian..."

Silvena paused for a moment, her expression turning slightly thoughtful.

"...What are you planning to do during the Vazrun Island Test if Julian decides to come looking for you?"

She shifted her gaze toward him before continuing.

"I know Vazrun Island is enormous, and under normal circumstances, the chances of two people finding each other by accident are incredibly low. But this is Julian we’re talking about. If he truly sets his mind on finding someone, I doubt the island’s size will stop him for long."

A faint sigh escaped her lips.

"Considering everything that’s happened between the two of you recently, I wouldn’t be surprised if he actively searches for you the moment the test begins. So... do you already have a plan in mind for dealing with him?"

Ruvian, who had been lounging casually in his seat, turned toward her and shrugged.

"Well, if he comes looking for me, then I’ll be more than happy to welcome him."

Silvena’s expression immediately tightened. A faint frown appeared on her face as she studied him for a moment.

"I’m not... questioning your abilities, Ruvian. You’ve already proven more than once that you’re far stronger than most people realize."

She paused before letting out a quiet sigh. "But Julian isn’t someone you can compare to an ordinary scholar."

Her gaze drifted toward the window as if recalling the young noble’s reputation.

"He’s the direct heir of House Rozenberg — the main branch, no less. For generations, the Rozenbergs have been regarded as one of the kingdom’s most prestigious noble families. Some even believe they carry the bloodline of the Heroes themselves."

Silvena folded her arms across her chest.

"Personally, I think half the stories about the Rozenbergs are exaggerated. Though, the unfortunate part is that the other half usually turn out to be true. Because... hero bloodline or not, the Rozenbergs have an annoying habit of producing geniuses — knights, mages, commanders, their achievements are so renowned that even someone living under the rock knows their name."

Her eyes returned to Ruvian.

Ruvian merely smiled.

"There are still two weeks left before the test.

That’s more than enough time for me to close the gap."

He paused briefly.

"Besides, I already have a plan."

Silvena studied his face for a few moments, as if trying to determine whether he was bluffing.

Eventually, she let out a relieved sigh.

"Alright, then. I suppose I’ve been worrying over nothing."

Her shoulders relaxed slightly before a faint smile appeared on her face.

"Still, it’s a shame we won’t be on the same team."

"I think it’s more of a shame that I won’t get to team up with you, Lady Silvena..." Irene murmured quietly.

The disappointment in her voice was so obvious that she looked less like a lady and more like a dejected puppy.

Silvena blinked.

Then, unable to help herself, she chuckled softly.

"There, there~"

Reaching out, she gently patted Irene’s head.

"Don’t look so heartbroken. It’s not as though we’re being separated forever."

Ruvian smiled at the two of them before turning his attention toward the window.

Outside, the capital was slowly coming to life.

Morning sunlight bathed the streets in a warm golden glow as merchants opened their shops and vendors prepared their stalls. Carriages rolled across the roads while streams of pedestrians gradually filled the bustling avenues, breathing life into the waking city.

Ruvian rested his chin against his hand as he watched the scenery pass by.

’Vazrun Island, huh?’

A faint smile appeared on his face.

’Looks like it’s finally time.’

"By the way," Silvena suddenly spoke up, pulling him from his thoughts. "What are you planning to do with that scroll?"

Ruvian blinked.

The scroll in question was currently tucked away inside his dimensional storage.

To be honest, he still hadn’t decided.

Despite everything that had happened, he knew surprisingly little about the mysterious artifact.

Keeping it was risky.

Handing it over was equally questionable.

As for destroying it...

That option never even crossed his mind!

After a brief pause, Ruvian scratched the back of his neck.

"Honestly?" he admitted. "I have no idea what to do with it."

He had already examined the scrolls countless times, but the contents remained completely incomprehensible to him.

Not a single word made sense!

After discussing the matter with the Duchess, they eventually reached the same conclusion.

The text was most likely written in the Dead Runes Language — an ancient script that had long vanished from common use.

A relic from a bygone era.

Without someone capable of reading it, deciphering the contents would be nearly impossible.

That said...

Ruvian did happen to know someone with an absurd amount of knowledge regarding ancient languages and magical history.

Unfortunately, now wasn’t the right time.

Leaning back against his seat, he answered calmly,

"So yeah, nothing for now. I’ll just keep it with me."

His eyes wandered toward the bustling streets beyond the carriage window again.

"We can worry about deciphering them after the Vazrun Island Test is over."

For now, his priorities lay elsewhere.

A mysterious ancient scroll could wait.

But his plan for the Vazrun Island Test could not.

*****

Once they finally returned to the academy, the three eventually separated to head back toward their respective quarters.

Silvena waved lightly before turning toward the Celestia Hall together with Irene, the two girls slowly disappearing into the busy academy pathways filled with passing scholars returning from their own activities.

Meanwhile, Ruvian quietly made his way back toward his room alone.

’The academy is as lively as ever.’

By the time he reached his room, he let out a small sigh before pushing the door open.

Click.

As soon as he stepped inside and shut the door behind him, he had barely taken more than a few steps before his eyes landed on the wall beside the entrance.

The mailbox attached there was softly beaming with light.

Ruvian froze.

’Haa... shit. I forgot to write a letter for Avina... again.’

’How the hell did I keep forgetting about this?’

At this point, even he felt terrible about it. Considering how long he had gone without writing one, they were probably already worried sick by now.

Ruvian rubbed his face tiredly before suddenly slapping both of his cheeks lightly.

Pak!

’Enough with the procrastination. Write the letter to them right after this.’

After mentally scolding himself, Ruvian finally walked toward the glowing mailbox to inspect it.

Peering inside, he found a letter resting quietly within. The faint glow surrounding the mailbox gradually dimmed as Ruvian pulled the envelope out.

He stared silently at the envelope for a moment before finally walking toward the desk near the window.

He pulled out the chair and sat down quietly.

The late morning sunlight spilled gently across the room, illuminating the wooden desk and the unopened letter resting within his hand.

’I wonder what this is about.’

Then, after taking a small breath, Ruvian slowly opened the letter.

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[Chapter 184: Return to the Academy]