Reincarnation Of A Swordsman: The Omni Mage

[BZZZZZZZZZ!!!]

The sound of Kyle's system alarm blaring in his head jolted him awake; it was the only noise that could wake him up as it sounded directly into his head. That didn't mean it was welcoming though, Kyle had endured a late long night the previous day and couldn't help but wish he could sleep some more.

Kyle sat up slowly, blinking away the remnants of sleep. The previous day had been a marathon of studying, cramming historical facts, notable figures, and key events into his mind. While he was already decent at history, he wasn't content with just 'decent.'

Rumors had been swirling around the academy about the significance of excelling in the midterms. Some said the top scorers would receive rare rewards or recognition from the academy.

Others speculated that exceptional performance could open doors to hidden opportunities. Whether the rumors were true or not, Kyle wasn't about to take any chances.

He stretched, feeling the satisfying crack of his joints. The study session had clearly paid off. He felt as if his brain had been sharpened to a razor's edge, flooded with facts and figures.

"Maybe it's my intelligence stat," Kyle mused. Ever since his reincarnation, Kyle had noticed that his understanding and memory seemed to improve with every boost to his stats. Memorizing pages of dense historical information wasn't nearly as grueling as it used to be.

Kyle swung his legs off the bed and stood, shaking off the last vestiges of drowsiness. He glanced over at Void, who was still curled up on the bed, the little dragon's chest rising and falling rhythmically.

Kyle had already decided that the dragon wouldn't be coming with him this time. Instructor Dan had formerly made it clear to the students that save for their weapons, they weren't allowed to bring any thing with them, even their beasts.

And while no one could detect the dragon, if he was nestled in the system pet space, Kyle just felt like leaving him behind. He wanted to pass without breaking any rules.

He quietly prepared for the day, careful not to wake Void. After a quick shower, he pulled on his academy uniform, the crisp fabric making him feel oddly confident. He opened his inventory and pulled out some of the food he had stored—a simple breakfast of bread, eggs, and a small flask of juice. He also left a portion for Void, enough to keep the dragon satisfied for the day.

Once his daily quests were completed; a habit he had maintained religiously, Kyle stepped out of his dorm room and headed toward homeroom.

The air was crisp, and the campus buzzed with a subdued energy. Students hurried toward their respective buildings, some looking calm and composed while others appeared ready to collapse under the weight of stress. Kyle smirked. He was determined to be in the former group.

When he entered the classroom, he immediately noticed that his usual groups of friends were scattered. Everyone seemed to be reviewing notes, their faces etched with varying degrees of concentration and panic. Kyle scanned the room for any of his friends and spotted Orion sitting near the back. Find more chapters on empire

"Hey, mind if I sit here?" Kyle asked as he approached.

Orion glanced up from the desk, he seemed to be sleeping and Kyle was 100% certain that it wasn't from reading.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

'He probably spent all night in his lab once again,' Kyle thought, a smile forming on his face at the irony.

"If you must," Orion replied after adjusting his glasses, cutting through Kyle's thoughts.

Kyle dropped into the seat beside him, leaning back with a casual grin. "Ready for the exams?"

"Ready? Please, Kyle. I've been ready since the syllabus was handed out," Orion replied with a yawn and a stretch.

Kyle chuckled. "Of course you were. You probably memorized the entire curriculum in a day."

"Two days, actually," Orion corrected, his tone dripping with self-satisfaction. "I wouldn't want to rush the process and risk missing any nuances."

"Nuances, huh?" Kyle teased. "Well, I hope your perfect brain can handle the combat sections."

Orion's confident demeanor faltered slightly. "A minor inconvenience," he admitted, waving a hand dismissively. "But one I'll overcome with my superior intellect."

"Sure, sure," Kyle said, grinning. "I'll clear the whole exam, though. Just watch."

Orion let out a sharp laugh, adjusting his glasses once more. "You? Clear the whole exam? Don't make me laugh harder, Kyle. Your brain can only handle so much before it short-circuits."

"Try me," Kyle challenged, leaning forward.

Orion smirked. "Fine. Let's test that overconfidence of yours. Here's an easy one: Who led the Great Mage Revolt of 842 A.C.?"

Kyle didn't hesitate. "Hector Valor, a rogue Archmage who turned against the kingdom after being denied a seat on the Council of Seven."

Orion nodded, clearly impressed but unwilling to admit it. "Not bad. But don't feel too pleased with yourself just yet."

"Here's a real question: What was the primary cause of the Displacement Wars, and how did the Treaty of Elevar affect territorial governance?"

Kyle blinked, caught off guard. He racked his brain, but the answer eluded him. He had read about the Displacement Wars in passing, but this level of detail was beyond what had been covered in class or the standard textbooks.

"I... I don't know," Kyle admitted reluctantly. "Pretty sure we haven't been taught that yet."

"Exactly," Orion said, his smugness in full force. "That's why you're dumb for relying solely on class lectures and textbooks. Knowledge isn't spoon-fed, Kyle. You have to dig deeper."

Kyle opened his mouth to retort but was cut off by the sound of the classroom door opening.

Instructor Dan strode in, his presence commanding instant attention. His sharp eyes scanned the room, and the chatter died down immediately.

"Good morning, Instructor Dan!"

The students announced in unison before taking their seats.

"Good morning," Dan replied, his voice firm but not unkind. "I hope you're all prepared because today marks the beginning of your midterms.

We'll head to the examination hall shortly. But before we do, I have a few things to say..."