Night had fully settled over Belgrave University.
Soft lights illuminated the stone courtyard while the tall buildings around it cast long shadows across the ground. From a distance, it looked like nothing more than a group of students casually gathering after classes.
But Lucas knew better.
He stood near one of the stone pillars, silently observing the group in the courtyard. At the center stood Alyssa Drake, her calm expression making it clear that she was the one in charge of whatever was about to happen.
Around her were several students Lucas vaguely recognized from the events of The Order.
Among them was Jack Morton, who looked slightly confused but curious at the same time.
Lucas focused his senses.
Mana Sense activated quietly.
The invisible currents of magical energy around the courtyard suddenly became much clearer. Several mana signatures were now gathered in one place, forming a concentrated cluster of energy.
This was definitely not a normal student meeting.
Alyssa looked at the small group in front of her.
"You all came here because you want to know what the Order really is," she said calmly.
Jack crossed his arms slightly. "You keep saying that word like it's some secret club."
Alyssa gave a faint smile.
"In a way, it is."
Lucas remained silent, but his attention sharpened.
This moment was important.
If the story followed the same path as the original timeline, the Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose would soon begin recruiting students who showed potential.
And Alyssa was one of the people responsible for observing them.
Alyssa slowly raised her hand.
"You've probably heard rumors about magic," she continued. "Most people dismiss them as myths."
A faint pulse of mana began gathering around her fingers.
"But here at Belgrave…"
The air in the courtyard shifted slightly.
"…some myths are real."
A small spark of light appeared above her palm.
Jack's eyes widened slightly.
"What the—"
The spark floated upward before splitting into several smaller lights that circled around Alyssa like tiny stars.
Several students gasped.
Lucas simply watched.
His Mana Sense clearly showed the flow of energy moving from the surrounding environment into Alyssa's control. Her mastery over magic was far more refined than anything Lucas could currently achieve.
Still, he wasn't surprised.
He already knew how talented she was.
After a few seconds, Alyssa closed her hand and the lights disappeared instantly.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Jack stared at her.
"…Okay," he said slowly. "So magic is real."
Alyssa lowered her hand.
"The Hermetic Order of the Blue Rose studies and controls that magic," she explained. "But we don't invite just anyone."
Lucas noticed something interesting.
While Alyssa was speaking, her gaze briefly scanned across the courtyard again.
For a moment, her eyes paused on him.
Only for a second.
But Lucas noticed.
"She's observing everyone," he thought.
The Order didn't simply recruit people randomly.
They tested them.
Alyssa stepped closer to the group.
"Some of you might have potential," she continued. "If you do, you'll receive an invitation."
Jack raised an eyebrow.
"And if we don't?"
"Then you forget tonight ever happened."
Lucas almost laughed.
If only it were that simple.
The Order had plenty of ways to erase memories if necessary.
At that moment, Lucas heard the system again.
Ding! Quest Completed — Witness the Magic of the Order.
Ding! Reward Obtained — Skill: Mana Flow Control.
Lucas's eyes flickered slightly.
A new skill.
That was faster progress than he expected.
Without drawing attention, he focused on the new ability.
Mana Flow Control allowed him to guide magical energy through his body more efficiently, improving both spell casting and mana regeneration.
"Perfect," he thought.
If he combined Mana Flow Control with Mana Bolt, his combat ability would increase significantly.
Meanwhile, the gathering in the courtyard was ending.
Alyssa looked at the group once more.
"That's all for tonight," she said.
The students slowly began leaving, whispering among themselves about what they had just witnessed.
Jack remained standing for a moment before shaking his head.
"Belgrave really is weird," he muttered before walking away.
Lucas watched everyone leave.
Within a few minutes, the courtyard became almost empty again.
Only Alyssa remained.
She stood quietly near the center of the courtyard, as if waiting for something.
Lucas considered leaving.
But before he could move, Alyssa spoke.
"You can come out now."
Lucas froze.
"…I wasn't hiding," he replied calmly, stepping forward.
Alyssa turned toward him.
Her eyes studied him carefully.
"You were watching earlier today too," she said.
Lucas shrugged slightly.
"Just curious."
For a moment, Alyssa said nothing.
Then she asked a question that made Lucas pause.
"You felt the magic, didn't you?"
Lucas remained silent.
Most students wouldn't even notice magic unless it was shown directly to them.
But Alyssa seemed convinced that he was different.
After a few seconds, Lucas gave a small smile.
"Maybe."
Alyssa's expression didn't change, but her eyes became sharper.
"Interesting."
Lucas could almost hear the gears turning in her mind.
She was evaluating him.
Testing him.
Finally, she turned away.
"If you're still curious," she said calmly, "Belgrave has many secrets."
Then she started walking toward the exit of the courtyard.
Lucas watched her leave.
Only after she disappeared did he exhale slowly.
"That was close," he murmured.
But another system message appeared immediately afterward.
Ding! Hidden Condition Met.
Ding! New Quest Unlocked — Enter the World of the Order.
Lucas looked toward the dark campus beyond the courtyard.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Things were about to become far more interesting.