Abrupt

"Mr. Moore. I don't believe you are good enough at Magistry and Natural Laws to stare off into the sky in my class."

Thinking he was dreaming, Victor remained still, expecting nothing more than the absurd plotlines dreams often followed. Instead, a hand tugged at his body, and a soft female voice whispered, "Victor, wake up."

Frowning, Victor opened his eyes. Instead of the bed, he thought he laid dormant in, a different scene emerged. An amphitheater. As spacious and bright as the ones he remembered.

'What.'

On the lower end of the classroom, a suited old man fixed him. The man grated his ruler against an old-school blackboard and sneered, "This is why, students, one needs to sleep. For you will avoid making a fool of yourself and the precious funds of your families!"

Laughter erupted from amongst the student populace. Knowing that the laughter was directed at him, but not knowing why – Victor had a vacant expression.

Next to him, however, the woman who whispered earlier retorted, "Sir, do not be so insensitive. Do not pretend you are unaware of Victor's struggles."

"Awareness! One of the Natural Laws! Indeed, I am aware – but I do believe any student deserves not tarnish our institution if a little predicament ceases his efforts entirely."

'Struggling? I believe I am doing quite well. Now then: Where the hell am I?"

"Victor! Speak back, for you have a right to speak!" The girl next to him shouted.

Behind him, another voice came by, "Just give it up, brother. Who cares about magic theory anyways? You know what they say about the teachers."

"I'm sorry, I'm quite disoriented right now," Victor's face flushed red. A million voices he did not know nor understand flooded into his brain.

The teacher clapped his ruler, "Perhaps you should have followed the class."

"I'm going to the bathroom."

Despite not knowing where he was, or where the bathroom was; Victor stood up under the attentive and collective stares of the students and left.

What greeted him was an appreciated break – a silent and long corridor.

Victor laid against the wall. Bloodshot eyes and confusion written across his face, he thought, 'Think about this with common sense. I've been kidnapped and taken to a school – perhaps a Swiss school from the looks.'

Shaking his head, he retorted, 'No, there's no common sense here. Why would someone kidnap me? What's magic theory?'

Trying to reply to his questions only created further questions. Victor slapped his face once. Twice then.

Turning back, he opened the gate to the amphitheater and sneakily made his way back to his seat.

"What's wrong with you today? You look lost," The girl next to him bumped her fist against his shoulder.

"I've…been sleeping badly," Victor used the teacher's own excuse to justify his irrational behavior.

As he caught them chatting, the teacher glared at the two, threatening to speak if any further conversation developed.

"We'll talk later, Victor."

Victor nodded, maintaining a simulacrum of composure.

"I trust you've all done your assignments on water-mana interaction. Right, Mr. Moore?" The teacher once again called him out.

Now, this was a pickle. What was water-mana interaction in the first place?

Deciding to bullshit an answer, Victor opened his mouth, only to have a foot crush his. The girl put a textbook next to him and said, "I'll cover for you. Read this."

"Thank you…."

His eyes slid down. 'Natalya Russell' was written in bold font on a piece of paper.

"Natalya."

"The concept of mana-water interactions covers the principles through which water affects mana: namely production. Indeed, water moving at high speeds causes a reaction known as 'Kinetic Conversion' through which water may not lose its energy in the form of heat, but mana. Then-

"That's enough, Mr. Moore. I acknowledge your work."

Victor glanced at Natalya. He slid the textbook back to her, and his eyes on her face. Quite a good-looking woman, if he had to say. She had the features of a person of comfortable living – wheat-like skin, clear eyes, a plump face and body, and shiny red hair.

Dozing off, he realized he maintained eye contact with the woman and cleared his throat.

"Please don't look at me like that. We've spoken about this."

"I'm sorry. I'm having trouble remembering stuff today."

And thus, a bell rung and the mundane class ended.

"Foundational Spellcasting next, huh? Are you feeling ready?" Looking forcefully cheerful, Natalya flashed him a smile.

"Yes! Definitely ready!" Victor chuckled and went along.

Before he could leave to follow the masses of students, a hand stopped him. "Have you been drinking?"

"No! Never!" This was an instinctive reaction. Repulsed by the thought even, Victor jumped back.

"I'm relieved…What did the lawyer say?" Natalya asked him in a calm manner, though her turbid eyes indicated to Victor that this might be a sensitive subject.

"I don't know…What did he say?" Victor acted clueless.

"Well, are you getting your father's funds anytime soon?"

"My father…huh, I-I don't know."

At the same time, a new anomaly emerged.

Text. A few lines of text hovered in front of his eyes. With the barest of attention he could allocate, Victor gave them a read.

[Rule N°1: There are 20 worlds]

[Rule N°2: Each world contains a breach to reach the next world]

[Rule N°3: Progression is linear]

[Rule N°4: Death is eternal]

[We will wait for you at the top]