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
The crack reached the bottom and causes the amethyst to break. A flow of liquid aura circulated around it and formed a figure of a monster. Its head and claws depict a wolf and its body is a well-built titan. It has nothing below its waste as it floats. The pressure in the air became heavy. Its body absorbed most of the cave rocks until it materializes. Then, it made a roar that resonated throughout the cave. It screamed the same way he did in my head. "SHOW YOURSELF, ARGOS! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! I SMELL YOUR PRESENCE YOU PEST!" "Argos? What a lame ancient name for an easily forgettable character," I murmured. "I don't mind such jokes," Nazuno replies. "Moreover, it is speculating how it got activated." "Do you know anything about forbidden gems?" "Usually, they contain swarms of monsters detained for periods of time. Most of the monsters contained in it are evil ones that became refugees." "Un," I nodded.
Nazuno has been staring at me intensely as we dive deeper into the glowing cave. It bugs me for real."What?" I asked. "You really think I would kill my father and marry my mother?""Yes.""Why didn't you put your saw in my neck?""I will.""Look. I would be long dead if I have that despicable character. There's only a trick in unlocking the gate. Sensei taught me." I lied though. Sorry, Sensei."Liar.""Look who's talking!"She stopped speaking. Moreover, she's pinching her chin as she looks down at the ground."Is it just the difference in mentors? Did I choose wrong?""No. This is not the time to diss anybody.""However, the more I know about you, the greater the reason I shouldn't trust you."I sighed. "I'm just showing you that I have nothing to hide against you. Isn't that what you've said?""That's not what I meant.""A demon like you shouldn't be talking about human tales. I know you're curious but you shouldn't step into deeper boundaries. If the authorities found out that yo
After my first fight with Nazuno at the arena in Crutiara, I had a one-on-one talk with Miss Chiho after. She pointed her palm at my forehead like she's going to cast some transfer to my brain."Please… Hear me out on my selfish request…"Suddenly, the thing that happened in the arena happened again. I lost consciousness, but this time, I saw a vision of Nazuno getting stroked by a mysterious person whose face I couldn't see.It's dark and raining, and there's no one that could help her. I'm only spectating but I tried to reach her as I scream her name.As my consciousness came back again, my palm is trying to reach something inexistent.Then Miss Chiho told me my real mission."From these unavoidable futures… Please save my daughter.""Then you're…" No doubt. She's the one who has shown me a memory of the match. "Whose memory did I see earlier? Who is that girl on the brink of death? Is that Nazuno?"She presses her lips and grabs one of her arms. She made a slight pause before reply
I painted a sin in my blood. Its flow drives like a calm wave in the ocean. My obstruction-less breathing makes me feel refreshed.The astral world absorbed me. I'm standing in a white space and the first rule is silence. It's strange yet I feel comfortable in it.Images form through an abstract spiral. It plays a video after being completed. I've set foot in the imaginary slums where I once lived.This place has gained quite old. People from my past kicked me into this bed of trash to wake me up. The broken post light remained unfixed.My eyes wandered with infinite rounds until I saw someone. The first person who passed was an adult malicious person with torn cloth and reeks of alcohol.That person… was me.This is the present I'm going to end up to if the real me didn't wake up in cowardice and truth. This was me if Risano didn't die.Suddenly, another person followed the other me into that alleyway. Her hair shines brightly contrasting the clothing that she had. She already steps
And as I opened my eyes, the roof of the stadium collapsed. People are screaming, and Nazuno is missing.I can see a glowing person in front of the seat area we were in. No. It was Nazuno! As she casts air magic against the falling debris, she is fully focused.The crowd is in chaos, causing a stampede and jamming the exits. Nazuno was the only one who was trying to stop the crisis, but it looks like it’s too much for her to handle.“Risano, follow the crowd! Evacuate to the exit!”“But… where are you going!? It’s dangerous already! Are you an idiot!?” Risano exclaimed with worried wrinkled brows.I responded as I looked at Nazuno, “I’m doing what my Sensei told me to do.”“But…” Risano muttered with tearful eyes and a squirming body. “Promise me… You’ll go back… Onii-chan…”“What!? I can’t hear you! It’s too loud in the crowd!”"Idiot!" she exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows. “You go there and don’t come back ever again! You’re going to cook for a month if you do!”Then she runs her wa
”The Heart Will Never Betray You.”“Did you know that?” Nazuno asked.I shook my head. I just muttered the title. I don’t even know who they are. “Do you know it, Risano?”“It must be their newly composed song,” she replied with her eyes glued to the stage. Even Risano didn’t know.The lights gradually dim and later Tsuki gets the spotlight. The stadium remained quiet for minutes to fully grasp the emotions of the performance.As soon as I heard Tsuki's voice, my skull opened into a world of universality and horizons of illusion. It is as if she makes us wander through her memories, even if we are sitting here.A lone girl's love story caught my attention. It’s a very complicated life. Their choreography contributes to why everyone feels this type of hallucination.But this isn’t necessarily a negative thing. I’m constantly getting chills thinking about how they portray a girl in the story.It’s a tale of a girl named Selene. She’s a kind princess from a noble family who later ran int
The huge stadium made my neck twist upward as I stepped off the carriage. It’s a huge circular stadium, but even the outside is flooded with people.We lined up at the entrance to the stadium and prepared our tickets. Then I remember…“Nazuno,” I said and looked at her. She already had her ticket out though. “Wait… Didn’t you tear it? Did you have the power to turn back time?”“Mom gave me this," she replied."You are braver than a superhero," Risano told her. “Not even a rich person can create confetti through a ticket.”“You can, though. I’m not even rich.”“You’re the most awful influencer!”But it’s better than Miss Chiho having a backup plan. Tsuki directly asked Miss Chiho for her cooperation. Nazuno can’t decline an invitation from her mother.The demon realm had discovered forms of entertainment by the time ‘boredom’ was defined. Boredom causes a person's mind to be caged in their limitations.Entertainment transcends not only limitations but expectations as well. Forms of art
It’s currently Monday. As I walk down the hallway, I'm still surrounded by eyes.Our meeting last Saturday didn’t last. Tsuki was fetched by her co-worker who is also an idol. I thought she would have a pleasant free time with us but…Our report is incomplete. We can only give them their respective sections. Tsuki knows hers, but I didn’t inform Nazuno about it yet.The presentation could be embarrassing for our group, but I have another thing to do today. Tsuki gave me this chance, so I must not let it pass me by.It is imperative that I procure Nazuno by all means in order to complete our presentation and our group.It is also to protect her from an unwanted future.At the end of today’s class, Tsuki gave a folded paper to Nazuno. “I’m looking forward to being in a group with you,” she said with a smile.Everyone squints their eyes as she leaves the room together with the guards. Nazuno presses her lips as she reads the content of the paper.I wonder what Tsuki wrote on that paper.
Today is Saturday, and…"You are a liar, a cheater, a piece of shit!" I shouted. "Your rotten cobra tongue should have been cut since birth!""Really, huh?" Majiro replied with a smug smile. "You're just a financial sucker, a bankrupting tool, who thinks you can get away with everything you do! WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, SON!""I don't hear a word you have said, Majiro! I don't care about you, but I will take Rimi with me!"Rimi's face was flushed as she stuttered, "Ritake-kun...".Tsuki, on the other hand, picked up the Monopoly board. "We should stop playing now, don't you think?""Y... Yeah... yeah... we should... st..." Rimi stuttered much more than before."Rimi-san, are you fine? Did you catch some disease?" Tsuki asked as she put her hand on Rimi's forehead."I… I… I'm f… fine… really…"I said, "Maybe we should let her rest a little bit. She seems tired from all the work she did.""I'm… really fine… don't worry…"Tsuki inserts, "I still can't believe she's working as a cleaner