Two days had passed since the exam.

  By now, Rowan had fully adjusted to controlling two bodies. The process felt seamless, as if each part of him was a completely separate person. They functioned independently, sharing only memories and thoughts, which he could compartmentalize with ease. The advantages were immense, but he knew this was only the beginning of what he could achieve.

  Sitting in his leather chair, he tapped his chin thoughtfully with his pen. In front of him, a half-finished Sharpness Enhancement Rune lay on the desk. He carefully traced the next line, ensuring every angle matched his mental blueprint.

  Just as he was about to complete the final stroke, a loud shout broke his concentration.

  “Rowan!!” his mother’s voice rang out from downstairs.

  Raising an eyebrow, Rowan set his pen down and turned toward the door. “What happened?” he called back.

  “The exam results are about to be published!” his mother shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

  “Oh?” A flicker of curiosity sparked within him. Rising from his chair, he walked downstairs, leaving the unfinished rune on his desk.

  In the living room, he found his parents sitting together on the couch, their attention focused on a holographic image floating in front of them. The screen displayed a colorful interface, with rows of student names listed beneath a glowing banner that read Placement Exam Results.

  His mother turned toward him as he entered, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Come sit, Rowan! The results are being updated live!”

  His father gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, son. I’m sure you did great.”

  Rowan walked over and sat beside them, his gaze fixed on the holographic screen. The names scrolled upward steadily as the system processed the rankings.

  “Look, they’re starting with the top scorers!” his mother exclaimed, leaning forward eagerly, her eyes glued to the holographic screen.

  Rowan’s name hadn’t appeared yet, but he wasn’t concerned. Based on his performance, he was confident that, although he might not be a top scorer, he should still place well.

  Being in the top ten was a coveted position, one that many students aimed for. It was incredibly competitive, with the first-place winner only missing two questions and the tenth-place winner just three. This highlighted how challenging the exam was, and Rowan knew that simply making it into the top 100 was a significant achievement.

  As the top ten scorers were announced, the tension in the room rose. Once those names were read out, the top 50 list followed shortly after, with explanations about how those students could select any academy they wished, their tuition fully paid. Rowan and his parents eagerly scanned the list, but his name was not among the top 50.

  Clicking his tongue, Rowan leaned back slightly, his thoughts drifting. ‘These kids are more impressive than I thought...’

  But just as the thought crossed his mind, the next wave of announcements came the top 100.

  To their surprise, Rowan’s name appeared on the list.

  “Top 100?!” his mother exclaimed, her voice rising with excitement. She jumped off the couch, nearly knocking over a cushion in her haste. “Rowan is a top 100 scorer within the city!”

  Rowan couldn’t help but smile as his mother rushed over to him. Before he could say anything, she grabbed him in a tight hug, her tears welling up as she squeezed him. “Oh, Rowan! You did amazing!” she cried, her voice thick with emotion.

  Rowan stood still for a moment, slightly surprised by her reaction, but then returned the embrace. He could feel her warmth and pride, and in that moment, the exhaustion of the past few days seemed to melt away. The love and joy in his mother’s voice made everything feel worth it.

  His father joined the moment with a proud smile. “You’ve done great, son. We’re so proud of you,” he said, his voice steady but filled with pride.

  Rowan gave them both a nod, a small smile tugging at his lips.

  Getting into the top 100 was certainly a surprise. After all, he had only been in this world for a few days. His performance was mostly due to inheriting the previous Rowan’s knowledge. Even without his transmigration, the previous Rowan would have likely been a top 100 scorer, and Rowan had simply inherited all of his memories and skills.

  “So, what are the benefits of being in the top 100?” Rowan asked, looking at his parents as they began to calm down.

  His father smiled and leaned back slightly, his pride still visible. “Top 10 scorers can enter prestigious academies with their tuition completely waived. They even get large sums of money to support their growth. The top 50 scorers are eligible for any academy, with support provided, but not for those prestigious ones. As for top 100 scorers like you, you can enter any academy you want, but only the tuition is covered.”

  Rowan nodded thoughtfully as his father continued.

  “Even without the extra support, being in the top 100 is still a significant achievement. The academies you can choose from are still among the best in the city.”

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  “That’s still amazing!” his mother chimed in, her excitement bubbling over. “Tuition in those top academies is unimaginably expensive. With this, you can study without any worries!”

  Rowan smiled again, appreciating her enthusiasm. He nodded slightly, feeling the weight of their pride. This was certainly a good outcome, and though it wasn’t as prestigious as the top 10 or 50, it was still a great opportunity.

  Although he wouldn't be attending one of those prestige academies, he would still be able to study in a top-tier magic academy, free from the burden of tuition costs.

  From what he remembered, prestige academies were historically renowned for producing some of the greatest magic sages in the world. On the other hand, normal academies hadn’t yet reached such heights. But for Rowan, at this stage, the distinction didn’t matter much. Both were solid choices, and he would get the same knowledge and skills at either one.

  He and his family celebrated for a while, the excitement of his exam results still fresh in the air. They discussed which academy would be the best fit for him, weighing the options carefully.

  After much deliberation, Rowan was presented with three academy options.

  ‘White Lions Academy, Thousand Spells Academy, and Runeforge Academy.’

  White Lions Academy was the most renowned of the three. It had a long-standing reputation for producing powerful combat mages, with a special focus on their signature White Lions spells, which combined offensive power with defensive resilience. It was also the academy his father had always dreamed of attending. When he was younger, he had aspired to join White Lions, but after discovering his lack of magical talent, he was forced to settle for a utility school and eventually took up a career as an accountant in a large firm.

  “White Lions Academy would be a great choice, son,” his father said, his eyes filled with nostalgia. “It has a proud legacy, and its focus on combat magic would serve you well in the future.”

  Rowan nodded thoughtfully, but he wasn’t fully convinced.

  The second option, Thousand Spells Academy, was renowned for its immense variety of spells that students could choose from, ranging from elemental magic to more specialized schools like illusion and healing magic. While the academy excelled in magical studies, its other departments such as combat magic, artificing, and rune creation were not as strong.

  “This academy offers a tremendous selection of spells,” his mother explained.

  Rowan rubbed his chin. Thousand Spells Academy was a great choice.

  Lastly, there was the Runeforge Academy. This academy specialized in material-based and utility magic, excelling in fields like weapon enhancing, artificing, and magical crafting. Despite its focus on practical magic, it wasn’t lacking in combat training either.

  “I’ve seen a couple of their students fight in tournaments. They have quite the unique combat styles,” his father commented, a hint of respect in his tone.

  Feeling conflicted, Rowan began to weigh the pros and cons of each academy. He considered what he could learn, the opportunities he might miss, and, most importantly, which choice would suit both him and his other self.

  Almost a week had passed since the exam, and while things had been relatively uneventful in the other world, he had started to get a clearer picture of it. It was a martial arts and cultivation world. The memory of the small snake coiling around the patriarch’s cane came to mind, and he smiled faintly.

  “I’ll join the Runeforge Academy,” he declared, his voice firm.

  His parents exchanged a surprised glance. They had expected him to choose either White Lions Academy or Thousand Spells Academy. But seeing the resolute look in his eyes, they smiled and nodded in approval.

  “Alright! Since you’ve decided, we’ll inform the school right away,” his mother said warmly, patting his head affectionately.

  “Good choice,” his father added. “Runeforge is a solid academy. I’m sure you’ll do great.”

  After chatting a bit longer, Rowan excused himself and returned to his room. He sat at his desk, ready to dive back into his studies. For him, there was no time to waste.

  …

  The next day.

  With school wrapped up after the exams, Rowan had the day free. However, his parents had other plans.

  To celebrate his placement in the top 100, they took him to a well-known restaurant in the city. It was the kind of place where reservations were required in advance, and the polished floors, crisp tablecloths, and hovering magical lights all screamed luxury.

  The three of them sat at a corner table near a softly glowing fountain, the faint hum of mana emanating from its base. The food was leagues above anything Rowan had tasted back on Earth. Delicate cuts of meat, vibrant vegetables enhanced with mana for better flavor, and desserts that practically melted in his mouth were served in succession.

  “This is great!” his mother exclaimed, savoring another bite of her dish. “Rowan, we’re so proud of you.”

  His father chuckled. “It’s not every day you earn a top spot like that. You deserve this.”

  Rowan smiled faintly as he busied himself eating.

  The lunch passed with light chatter about the academy, what his life would be like there, and a few stories from his father’s school days. Rowan contributed here and there, but his thoughts occasionally wandered to what lay ahead.

  After the meal, they headed to a nearby store.

  “We’re planning to buy you a phone since you’ll be heading to the academy soon,” his father said with a smile as they entered. “Feel free to choose one.”

  The store was spacious and filled with displays showcasing the latest magical and technological gadgets. Devices of all shapes and sizes were arranged neatly on shelves and tables, glowing faintly under enchanted lighting. Some items were familiar—holographic computers, sleek tablets, and cellphones that looked almost identical to Earth’s. Others were entirely new to Rowan, like magical washing machines that barely needed detergent or self-repairing kitchen appliances enhanced with runes.

  Walking among the displays, Rowan marveled at the blend of practicality and innovation. Despite their advanced technology, the designs felt natural, seamlessly integrating magic into everyday life.

  As they reached the cellphone section, a holographic panel lit up, showcasing a variety of models. The options ranged from high-end devices brimming with features to simpler, budget-friendly models.

  “This one has a holographic projector and mana flow tracker,” the salesman explained, pointing to a sleek device that was clearly top-of-the-line.

  Rowan glanced at the price tag and shook his head slightly. While the features were impressive, he knew his parents could not afford it. Instead, he browsed through the mid-range section, where he found a device that struck a perfect balance.

  “I’ll go with this one,” Rowan said, pointing to a model with a sturdy design, a crisp holographic display, and decent storage capacity. It was well-built and reliable, with enough features to suit his needs without being overly flashy.

  His father examined the choice and nodded approvingly. “Good pick. It’s practical and will last a while.”

  The salesman quickly prepared the device and within minutes, the purchase was complete, and Rowan held the phone in his hand, already scrolling through its features.

  “Thank you,” he said while fiddling with his new phone, exploring its features with curiosity. It worked exactly like a cellphone back on Earth, complete with apps, games, and plenty of useful tools. What caught his attention most, however, was the existence of an internet-like system in this world.

  Until now, he hadn’t encountered it because he hadn’t had a device to access it. But now that he had access to the internet in this world, he could do a lot more things.

  With the day’s errands complete, they headed home.