Green robe
William forcefully opened the door to the study and stormed towards his desk, pushing aside the previous day's research.
He grabbed a large blank scroll and a pen, then began reproducing the preliminary form of the circle that had led to his body swap.
After about thirty minutes, the most important part of the circle, nicknamed the "skeleton," was finally completed.
William set down his pen and observed the circle. He had been able to recreate it so quickly because he wasn't using a magic pen, which limited the circle's effects. Additionally, the skeleton of a magic circle is the simplest part to create.
As he looked at the circle he had just drawn, William could clearly visualize the one he had previously created. He studied it for a long time but found nothing abnormal.
The circle was correct. If an error had occurred, considering the spell's objective was to destroy my magic and the contract, something else would have been destroyed. The fact that I switched bodies is not a consistent error.
If an external influence had altered my spell despite all the precautions I had taken, and without my noticing, it must have been of a very high level.
However, why would such a person seek to make me switch bodies with William… What would they gain from this change?
Perhaps it's a method to eliminate William, but doing so directly would have been much more effective. Such an entity would likely have the means to do so without being discovered.
Maybe their goal is something else, something I can't even comprehend at my level…
William sank into his chair, playing with his pen. A new piece of the puzzle had just been added to the mysteries surrounding his body swap.
He turned his chair towards the window, where the beautiful garden calmed his mind.
...
The next day, William was awakened by a maid. After spending ten minutes in bed, he completed his morning routine and headed to the dining room, eagerly anticipating breakfast.
As he walked cheerfully through the corridors, imagining the feast awaiting him, he ran into Alfred, the butler.
Alfred bowed slightly and spoke, pointing to his watch. "Sir, you have an appointment at the academy this morning. I was just coming to get you. The car is ready, we can leave."
William felt his joy evaporate as if Alfred had blown it away mercilessly.
"Very well," he replied, pretending it was natural.
He followed Alfred towards the outside, passing by the dining room with regret.
Before stepping out, Alfred retrieved a green wizard's robe from the arms of Tesse, the maid, and handed it to William.
William looked at the robe with reluctance before taking it without putting it on.
He was used to wearing a wizard's robe as Isaac. However, a wizard's robe is a sign of their rank. The green color is reserved for fourth-rank wizards. He didn't feel entitled to wear such a robe without reason.
Alfred looked at him with surprise, stroking his mustache. "I'm surprised you're not wearing your robe directly. You're not used to it yet?"
William replied curtly, "I'll wear it at the academy."
Alfred nodded, guiding William to the car. After exchanging a few words with the driver, the car set off for the academy.
William examined the landscape through the window, lost in thought.
William is a respected professor, the youngest in the academy's history… He teaches the application of magic, specializing in offensive magic… My areas of expertise are magical circles and theory more generally. I don't have much experience in offensive magic.
The school term doesn't start today, but I should prepare in advance for it, as well as for my current research on my physical condition and the body swap.
William mentally reviewed all the offensive spells he knew and recited the knowledge he had on the subject for the rest of the trip.
Finally, the car stopped and the driver opened the door. William stepped out hesitantly, having donned the long green robe that reached his knees. Numerous runes and delicate decorations were embroidered on the robe, giving it an irresistible charm, a clear sign of high status among wizards.
The many enchantments engraved on the robe protected William from heat and cold, providing great comfort. So much so that he didn't want to take it off.
The car was parked in a space reserved for professors. William felt their gazes on him, but as he sought to meet them, they looked away.
"Tsch!"
William clicked his tongue. The driver visibly trembled before slowly backing away.
Paying him no attention, William headed towards the academy, ignoring the professors he passed. He didn't know how to interact with them as William, so he chose to ignore them for now. Additionally, the unpleasant feeling of being watched by them bothered him.
William made his way to a large statue depicting a mage in a robe holding a staff towards the sky. His posture exuded unparalleled nobility and scholarship.
At the foot of the towering statue, about fifteen meters high, William extended his hand and murmured, "Rose."
A rose-shaped tattoo suddenly illuminated the back of his hand. It seemed alive, moving with the wind, and gradually merged with William, disappearing completely.
Suddenly, the empty space behind the statue changed. A massive tower appeared—no, an entire campus was revealed behind the statue, as if it had previously been hidden by an illusion.
The campus was vast. From his position, William couldn't see the end of it. He walked calmly through the beautifully maintained campus, heading towards the tower that overlooked the entire area.
At the foot of the tower, a door opened on its own, inviting William inside.
As he entered quietly, a cold voice sounded behind him, startling him.
"You're early, how surprising. You usually arrive late to attract attention."
William turned towards the voice. A beautiful woman looked at him with eyes as sharp as knives. She ran her hand through her short hair, smiling coldly. "So, you don't greet your sister anymore? I should have expected that from the youngest professor at the academy."
"Hmm, your new robe doesn't suit you either. Perhaps that's the case for wizards who don't deserve their title."