WebNovels

Chapter 3 - # Chapter 3: The First Encounter… and Shadows of the Future

---

# Novel: Echoes of Cursed Time

## Chapter 3: The First Encounter… and Shadows of the Future

---

Ayan took his seat at the back of the large hall, carefully designed for the Genius Class. Tall windows allowed golden sunlight to stream in, illuminating the young faces filled with ambition. There were whispers and small gatherings, each student trying to explore their new surroundings—or rather, very old surroundings for Ayan.

Ayan looked around carefully, recalling memories and matching faces with names and destinies he knew well. His mind was like a vast library containing records of the future, and now, he had to browse it with extreme caution.

The teacher, Lena, stood before them, looking much younger than her high academic rank suggested. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bright eyes reflected a mix of intelligence and serenity. Her smile was warm, but Ayan remembered that she could show unexpected sternness when necessary. "Good morning, geniuses," she began in a soft voice, yet carrying a confident resonance. "Welcome to your first day as part of Acadia Academy. Here, you will hone your talents and discover your true abilities. I look forward to working with all of you."

Ayan's eyes moved between the prominent faces in the class, pausing at places he knew well.

In the front row, sitting with quiet confidence, was **Aparit**, the undisputed number 1 student. His gleaming golden hair stood out under the lights, and his blue eyes reflected intelligence and a quiet strength. Ayan remembered his painful story, and how the loss of his parents at the hands of demons had forged him into this hero. But more importantly, Ayan realized that Aparit possessed his own unique system, a unique ability that allowed him to acquire skills and spells by completing tasks imposed by the system. No one in this era knew about this secret except Ayan himself from the distant future, and this knowledge alone was an invaluable treasure.

Beside Aparit, sitting with dignity and elegance, was **Daker**, the individual occupying the second rank. He was a young man with sharp features and dark brown hair, and his piercing eyes hinted at ambition and influence. Daker was the heir to the most powerful guild in the city, and his status preceded him. Ayan remembered how Daker's ambition was boundless, and how in the future, Daker had tried to recruit Ayan, only for the attempt to end in silent animosity between them. These memories made Ayan plan his dealings with him with extreme caution.

And near them, in the third rank, sat a girl with crimson hair and sharp eyes. Her name was **Liana**. Beside her, in the fourth rank, another girl with her usual calm demeanor, blonde hair, and green eyes, named **Serena**. Ayan remembered that both of them were prominent female figures in Aparit and Daker's future paths, and would play important roles in the coming conflicts. His knowledge of their potential strength and weaknesses gave him a significant advantage.

In the fifth rank, sat a muscular young man with a broad smile, named **Jared**. Ayan remembered that he would be a reliable ally in some difficult situations, representing a simpler, more physically powerful aspect at the top of the class. As for the sixth rank, a girl with delicate features and long silver hair, named **Elisa**, sat there. She tended to be introverted but possessed latent magical abilities that would emerge later.

"My plan is clear," Ayan thought as he pretended to pay attention to Teacher Lena's words. "I won't stand out. I won't compete for the top ranks. I'll stay in the middle, doing just enough to avoid expulsion, but I won't reveal the true extent of my knowledge."

Ayan didn't possess any personal system, nor any sudden superpowers that appeared with him after his time travel. All he had was the memory of his previous life with all its harsh details. He had to use this memory as a roadmap, to avoid dangers, seize opportunities, and perhaps... to change the fate of some people he had harmed or couldn't protect in the past.

He remembered his two closest friends who were sitting in the back rows, ranked 250 and 260. They had waved at him when he entered the classroom. They were kind and loyal, and they would serve as the screen behind which he would hide while weaving his complex plans in secret.

"Acadia Academy is a new starting point," Ayan whispered to himself. "But this time, I won't be a pawn in others' games. This time, I'm the gamemaker... or at least, I'll try to change the rules."

Ayan looked once more at Aparit, then at Daker. They were the heroes of the future, characters who would lead the world. But Ayan knew their secrets, their weaknesses, and their greatest threats. The question now was not how he would save the world, but how he would use this knowledge to his advantage, without anyone realizing that the Grey Ghost had returned, and that his plans had just begun.

---

More Chapters