Zeno, the demon realm, evolves its technology through magic. Magic can be used to call someone from long distances, broadcast news, preserve food, and more. Zeno's current civilization doesn't accept any products of innovation. One's inventions can only be used personally. One can't sell it unless it doesn't threaten employment rates. From cell towers, to broadcast gems, and so forth, mages are the ones in charge of it. With the use of magic, one can decode texts, copy keys, and heat the hot springs. In this realm, magic is a form of currency, a requirement for survival. If one has a low aptitude, one will struggle in the lower class. But it's unfair that one's fate has already been decided since birth. But there are those whose talents are undiscovered. From generation to generation, people from the slums have been stereotyped as weak and having low magical aptitude. They are still claimed weak even if they are not able to determine their magic aptitude. There are those who bypas
"Aaah!" I yawned from bed, considering that it's my third day in Crutiara. I wonder how these days have become significant… and tiring. When I was being trained by my Sensei, I didn't realize time was passing. Sometimes, my whole day ends up being wasted. On other days, I spend my day reading novels and slacking. Of course, I also do chores! It's degrading and unmanly if one doesn't know how. I wonder how I'll spend my free day today. I wish time would just pass. It's the same time as when I woke up yesterday. As always, for every inch that I move, dust floats. Speaking of cleaning, Risano asked me to call a cleaner. She's still sleeping. I quickly close my room's door and go downstairs. I picked up the phone and dialed the address of my recipient. After seconds of ringing, I immediately got a reply. "Hello, welcome to Sonny's Cleaning and Laundry Services. How can I help you?" Sonny's Cleaning and Laundry Services is the most famous cleaning service in town. The shop was owned b
Peace has longed for centuries in the demon realm. It's a dream we thought impossible to attain. The aroma of fresh leaves replaces the rotten smell of blood. All red became green. But after the Great Depression, everything suddenly changed. The longed dream became reality. And its cost is the truth behind the word 'real'. The dream has been achieved, but no one knows why. Speaking of peace, Humaea park was filled with students like us as they enjoy their break time. There's no spot that can beat this place when it comes to the fresh breeze. Some of them eat their lunch, talk to friends, play in the grass, and more. But what caught the public attention was a man who got caught cheating by his girlfriend. The man got the slap he deserved. It's the right price for two-timing. I only wish Miss Chiho wasn't around. We're far away from the commotion. We don't want our food to be infected with gossip. At our table, just after Majiro finishes eating, he rests his head on his palm. By
"And behold! The challenger, the transfer student who has been involved in more matters than you realize! His first two days of school were spent in the principal's office! "Recently, he soloed a group of five people, resulting in the suspension of the other party. Let us welcome the new student, Ritake Hanashiba!" The announcer has been loud since the event started. I was walking towards the hallway ending to a window of light as I hear the crowds' cheer. "Are we all set?" Miss Chiho asked through telepathy. "What? Who are you guys?" Majiro asked. "You have five seconds to be serious if you don't want to end up floating again, Majiro," Miss Hirari snapped. "Again?" I asked. "Miss Hirari, I'm sorry," Majiro said in a sweet tone. "I'm taking on the right half." "And you, Ms. Hashimoto?" Miss Chiho asked. "I… I'm ready now… overviewing the left half." "Won't I be distracted by your loud voice? It's the top 3 I'm fighting with," I asked. But everyone gave the same reply to me.
Today is Monday, and now is my most hated day of the week. This is the first time that I lack freedom in my life. The subsequent Mondays will be the same. I'm not too lazy to go to school today. I can’t face people after what happened last Friday. I literally became the one thing I must avoid, a popular person. I became popular but not in a good way. My eyes are filled with a void as I eat my breakfast with my bowed head. Risano grimaces at me with narrowed eyes. “Are you really Ritake?” “I would be happy if that wasn’t a question.” That’s right. I want to become another person. “I would be happier if an idiot like you weren’t my brother.” Just hearing the harsh truth from her makes my heart sting. After I left the house and walked my way to school, I saw Rimi in the same spot where I first saw her. Even if her hair was cut off, her posture is still the same. I tried to chase her so we could go to university at the same time. “Rimi!” She turns around without trying to escape.
Monday, my sixth weekday. A freshman was spotted smoking in the center of the park. Air has continuously been polluted until the Discipline Officers came. The officers offered him a choice, but he declined. As opposed to moving to Linear Park, a 'secret' smoking area where instructors also hang out, he insisted on staying. Thus, both his feet broke as the officers carried him to the administrative building. It's only after that commotion that we're able to eat our food. Majiro, Rimi, and I headed to the same spot in the park last Friday to eat lunch. The flavor of our food should not be tainted by secondhand smoke. Majiro talks to Rimi in their first natural conversation. Majiro asks some unusual questions, but Rimi can only agree with her. I sat on the same lonely seat, thinking about Miss Chiho's words to me. I'm still curious about what she requested. I can't ask her this week because she's too busy. Was she the one who inserted a memory of a little girl into my mind in the mi
Majiro, Rimi, and I were seated in front of the coffee table facing each other in my freshly cleaned room. It was awkward because we could only stare at each other. The reason? Behind a mask, a creature lurks at the door watching our activities. We had been silent for five minutes as we could only communicate with gestures as to who would initiate the conversation. I nearly died earlier when Risano bought my explanation of the study session. I can't hit a person in front of my sister yet, that is why I'm still tempted at a time she would avert her eyes. A moment later, Majiro initiates a conversation, but the recipient isn't at the coffee table. "Oh, little sister, did you know that your brother, Ritake, has been famous for being intergalactic…" My hand, as heavy as a meteor, falls directly on Majiro's head. He screams in pain as his scalp grows a huge lump. "Oh, I'm sorry. There's dust in your head. I hate dust." "Why did you stop me? Isn't it cool to be called INTERGALACTIC…"
Thursday, the exam day. We took the written exam. Luckily, no one failed in the three of us, not even Majiro. We usually spent the same lunch break but I ditched them at dismissal. I need to settle this matter quickly. After the crowd gathers, she seems to disappear quickly! Still, I can't create a commotion in this room. It will be another noisy chaos. I'm tired of gossip. I wandered around the parks, the cafeteria, and the school buildings but I didn't see a fragment of her face. I headed to the administrator's room as a last resort, but Miss Chiho wasn't there. I have no choice but to ask the co-director about this matter. I rammed through the door as I was rushing. "Sir Takio…" I breathlessly hunched. And I thought I could inhale the stamina lost in me. I didn't expect to cough in a foggy room with almost zero visibility. I saw the silhouette of the co-director near the open window. "Sir… Are you smoking?" I asked. I heard a silent chant. Instantly, the window, which emits