Restart: the ultimate system

The Academy's Shadowed Halls

Kai moved through the academy's halls with silent precision. The lamps lining the corridors flickered, casting long shadows across the stone walls. Most students were asleep—except for the few who prowled these halls for their own secrets.

He had no doubt Selene Ravencourt was one of them.

If she had truly placed the contract on him, then confronting her directly would be risky. But time was against him. He had less than 48 hours before the next attempt on his life.

And if he had learned anything from his past life, it was that hesitation got you killed.

Selene Ravencourt

He found her exactly where he expected—in the secluded gardens behind the academy's west wing.

Selene stood beneath the moonlight, her long silver hair catching the glow. Dressed in a dark academy cloak, she looked every bit the perfect noble lady—graceful, untouchable. But Kai knew better.

Those green eyes weren't the eyes of a delicate aristocrat.

They were the eyes of a schemer.

She didn't look surprised to see him. If anything, her lips curved into the slightest smirk.

"Kai Veyr," she murmured. "Out for a midnight stroll?"

Kai didn't slow his pace as he stepped closer. "Cut the act, Selene. We both know why I'm here."

She tilted her head. "Do we?"

Kai watched her carefully. She was testing him. Seeing how much he already knew.

Fine. He would play along.

"House Ravencourt placed a contract on me," he said evenly. "Or rather, someone in your house did."

Selene let out a soft laugh, folding her arms. "And you think that someone is me?"

Kai held her gaze. "Isn't it?"

She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "That depends. Do you really think I'd be foolish enough to send an assassin after you?"

Kai studied her face. She wasn't denying it outright.

Which meant one of two things:

She was behind the contract, but wasn't afraid of admitting it.

Or she knew who was—but was letting Kai believe it was her.

Either way, he needed answers.

A Game of Words

Kai exhaled slowly. "The way I see it, you have two options."

Selene raised an eyebrow, amused. "Do tell."

"You can tell me who placed the contract." His voice was calm, but firm. "Or I can assume it was you, and I'll deal with you accordingly."

Selene's smirk didn't waver, but he caught the slight shift in her posture—a flicker of tension.

Good. He had her attention now.

But then she chuckled softly. "You've changed, Kai."

That threw him off for half a second. "What?"

She took a step closer, those piercing green eyes studying him. "You used to be… predictable." Her voice lowered slightly. "Now? I can't tell what move you'll make next."

Kai held his ground. She was trying to read him. Trying to see how much of the old him was still there.

So he gave her nothing. Just silence.

Finally, she sighed. "Fine. I'll give you something—consider it a gift."

She leaned in, just slightly. "It wasn't me."

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Then who?"

Selene's smirk returned. "Figure it out, and maybe you'll survive the next 48 hours."

Kai's patience was wearing thin. He could force the truth out of her if necessary.

But before he could make a move, Selene turned, walking toward the exit. "One last thing, Kai," she called over her shoulder.

He didn't answer, just watched her closely.

She glanced back, eyes gleaming. "Whoever placed that contract… isn't finished."

Then she disappeared into the shadows.

Kai exhaled slowly, his mind already working.

If it wasn't Selene—then who the hell wanted him dead?

The Second Attempt

A Presence in the Dark

Kai left the garden, his thoughts racing.

Selene had denied placing the contract—but she hadn't denied knowing who did. Which meant she was either protecting someone or playing her own game.

Either way, she was right about one thing.

Whoever wanted him dead wasn't finished.

The academy's hallways were nearly silent as he made his way back to his dorm. But the moment he stepped inside, every muscle in his body tensed.

Something was wrong.

The air was too still. The faint scent of iron lingered. Blood.

Kai didn't hesitate. He activated [Chrono Reflex], his vision sharpening, his senses expanding.

And that's when he heard it.

The soft whisper of cloth. The nearly inaudible shift of weight on the wooden beams above.

Someone was here. Waiting.

Kai exhaled slowly. They were fast, but he was faster.

A Blade in the Night

[Time Acceleration – Tier 1 Activated]

The world around him slowed.

In that fraction of a second, he spun, ducking just as a dagger slashed through the air where his throat had been.

The assassin landed silently, already recovering, already lunging again. Trained. Professional. This wasn't a mere hired thug. This was an expert.

But so was Kai.

His body moved before his thoughts caught up—sidestepping the second strike, twisting into a counterattack. He gripped the assassin's wrist, forcing the blade away, and drove his elbow into their ribs.

A sharp exhale of pain. A brief hesitation.

Kai didn't waste it.

He snatched the dagger from the assassin's grip and spun it into their own chest.

A wet gasp. A stumble.

The figure slumped, a pool of crimson spreading beneath them.

Silence.

The True Threat Revealed

Kai wiped the blood off the stolen dagger, his heart still steady. He had expected another attack—but not this soon.

And not from someone this skilled.

His eyes flickered to the assassin's clothing. No identifying marks. No insignia. Whoever sent them had covered their tracks well.

But there was something else.

A small parchment tucked into the assassin's belt.

Kai pulled it free, unfolding it with careful fingers. The moment he saw the handwriting, his eyes darkened.

It was a single sentence.

"You should have died the first time."

His grip on the note tightened.

They knew.

Someone out there knew he wasn't supposed to be alive.

Which meant this wasn't just about noble politics anymore.

This was about his return.

And whoever was behind it—

They weren't just trying to kill him.

They were trying to erase him.