Rewriting Eternity

ESTELLA GLENDEWOOD
It's quiet in the dorm again.

The scent of the forest still lingers faintly in my hair from last night's camping event. My uniform jacket hangs over the chair, half-dried from the dew, and the magical lantern near my bedside gives off a soft flickering glow. Fiona is sprawled out on her bed, a book over her face and her legs dangling off the mattress. I shift in my seat, unable to shake the thought that's been plaguing me all morning.

"Fiona," I call out softly, trying to sound casual.

She lifts the book slightly. "Hm?"

"Is there... is there a way to graduate from the academy earlier?"

Her brows furrow, and she sits up slowly, clearly caught off guard. "Huh? That's... a strange question. But, yes. There is."

I lean forward, eyes locked with hers. "What is it then?"

She rubs her temple, as if recalling something from a textbook. "It's called the Celestial Mastery Examination. It's not publicized much, since only a few students ever ask to take it. It covers every subject, from magical disciplines to academic theory-everything from grade one to grade six. It's for prodigies, basically. Why are you asking? You're not planning on...?"

"Ah, nothing. I'm just curious." I wave her off, but my smile doesn't quite reach my eyes.

Fiona watches me for a moment. She doesn't press. Maybe she senses something, but chooses not to say it.

Because it isn't nothing.

Ten months from now, the Glendewood Empire will face a pandemic. A rare strain of magical rot will spread rapidly across the southern provinces, reaching the capital within weeks. Entire families will die. Panic will break out. People will begin to blame foreign magic or curse-born sickness.

But I know the truth.

Because I wrote it.

In the game Eclipse of Eternity, that disease was a pivotal part of Carsien's route-one that shaped the world's descent into chaos. And the only known cure was a potion I had designed in the game files myself: the Virelia Elixir.

Which means I must go back.

By the end of this year, I have to return to Glendewood. I have to make the potion and begin distribution. But I cannot apply for a long leave. Not without revealing my identity. Not without blowing everything.

So, the only path forward... is graduation.

And to do that, I need to pass the Celestial Mastery Examination.

The next morning, I walk through the long corridor leading to the administration building. Students buzz past me, talking about last night's challenge, some still in their enchanted camping gear, and some gossiping about who got paired with who. I ignore them.

My heart is pounding. This isn't something I can mess up.

I knock on the dean's door.

"Enter," his voice echoes from within.

I step inside.

He looks up from a stack of parchments and raises an eyebrow. "Miss Estella. A surprise. Is there any reason you are meeting me this early?"

I nod. "Yes, Dean. I'd like to request something."

He gestures for me to sit. "Go on."

"I would like to take the Celestial Mastery Examination."

He stills. Then he leans forward slightly, eyes narrowing. "What?"

"I understand that it is difficult, and that I've only just entered the academy. But I am confident in my abilities."