The rhythmic squeak of Ethan’s mop against the pristine, polished floors of Blackwood Academy was a familiar soundtrack to his life, usually a lonely one. But today, the sound felt amplified, echoing not just through the empty halls, but within the confines of his own skull. Ever since the AR interface had manifested, turning his mundane existence into a bizarre, alchemically-infused game, everything had been… different. He'd cleaned the Alchemy Lab, brewed a surprisingly effective healing potion, and even, against his better judgment, started tutoring Penelope, the flame-haired junior with a penchant for setting things (and herself) alight.