Reborn as the Archmage's Rival

The last of the food vanished from Ethan's plate, dissolving into a flicker of warm golden light that shimmered and faded in the air.

He blinked down at the now-empty tray. "...Okay, still not used to that."

Kai stood, brushing crumbs from his coat. "Get used to it fast. You've got about five seconds before the bell—"

SCREEEEEECH.

"—and there it is," he added with a grimace.

Aiden rose too, casually adjusting the cuffs on his uniform. "Time for the surprise class."

Ethan groaned, leaning back in his chair. "Right. The mysterious mystery of mystery lessons. I think I'll just go back to the dorm and maybe not die today."

Kai snorted. "You skipping the new mandatory class?"

"It's not on the schedule," Ethan countered.

"Yeah, 'cause they announced it this morning," Aiden said with just the right amount of smugness. "Which you'd know if you weren't face-first in your pillow during the announcements. Again."

Ethan opened his mouth, paused, and slowly shut it. "...Okay, valid."