The moment a raindrop fell from the sky and touched the ground, it heralded the onset of a fierce battle. The ground trembled violently as though an earthquake had struck under the onslaught of hundreds of synchronized footsteps charging toward the center of the building. The air buzzed with palpable tension and the synchronized rhythm of determined soldiers advancing with relentless precision. Esther stood momentarily paralyzed by uncertainty. The urgency of the situation quickly snapped her back to reality. Her friends' lives depended on her. With a deep breath, she summoned her resolve and invoked her Blood Magic, a powerful and ancient force that pulsed through her veins. This magic was her lifeline, and she intended to use it to transport her companions to safety. However, the task was anything but simple. The enemy forces, relentless and unyielding, bombarded them with elemental Mana orbs. The air around her crackled with the energy of blazing fireballs, sizzling with electric
"Phew... Are you t-two feeling b-better now?" Charlotte asked, her voice shaky and breathless as she struggled to catch her breath. Her chest heaved with the effort of drawing in air, and every exhale was accompanied by a slight tremor. She had pushed herself to her limits, which showed how her usually steady hands trembled slightly and how sweat glistened on her forehead like tiny jewels under the dim light. The divine energy she summoned had undoubtedly provided immense support, but it had also significantly affected her strength and Mana's reserves.Divine power, while incredibly potent and beneficial, has drawbacks. It demands a significant amount of the user's vitality and magical energy. Charlotte could feel the exhaustion creeping into her bones, a heavy weariness that threatened to overwhelm her. Yet, she remained resolute, her concern for her friends evident in her eyes, which sparkled with determination despite her fatigue."Thank you so much, Charlotte. I won't let your e
Magic operates through shadows rather than darkness. A shadow stands in contrast to light, marking its presence distinctly and sharply. On the other hand, darkness signifies the complete absence of light, a void that swallows everything within it. In this delicate balance between light and shadow, magic finds its mysterious and potent expression.Moments after this explanation, a figure began to materialize in the dimly lit surroundings. It was a silhouette with a human-like form, but there was something uncannily different about it. Its edges were unnaturally sharp, its presence defined with almost surgical precision as if carved from the very fabric of the shadows themselves. This shadowy entity exuded an aura that was both captivating and unsettling.In its hand, it held a Katana. The blade glinted ominously in the faint light. This was not just any Katana; it seemed to be an extension of the entity itself, imbued with the same enigmatic energy that animated its form. The sword's
"Form up in Alpha formation!" Alice Scarlet commanded, her voice carrying across the chaotic battlefield with an authority that brooked no disobedience. The clattering of armor and the synchronized steps of the soldiers followed as they moved into their designated positions with practiced precision. Within moments, they had formed a tight circle, the shield bearers at the forefront, creating a gleaming barricade. The sun reflected off their polished shields, forming a wall of light that stood as the first line of defense.Alice paused momentarily, eyes scanning the formation to ensure its perfection. Satisfied, she turned her gaze towards Kenzo, who stood still amidst the turmoil, his presence calm and unyielding. He seemed almost otherworldly, an island of tranquility in the storm of battle. Without a hint of hesitation, Alice propelled herself forward. Her body moved with an agility that blurred her form, making her seem like a phantom darting across the battlefield.Clutched tightl
The eldest sister, Cynthia Azure, had somehow managed to freeze Kenzo's legs without him noticing. It wasn't until he tried to lift his feet that he realized they were firmly encased in thick ice. The cold bit into his skin as he struggled, the ice creeping steadily higher, reaching up to his knees without any sign of stopping.Master Kenzo, maintaining his composure, glanced back at the two girls standing before him. He pondered the situation, his mind racing to understand how the ice had formed. 'But without water, how could she have frozen it...? Ah, that must be thanks to the second sister, Selene Azure, who is also adept in Water Magic.'"So, you've used Illusion Magic again, have you? Quite a comprehensive plan. Was this your doing, Student Scarlet? I award each of you 120 points, including the one hiding behind Cynthia and Selene," he said, his voice calm and measured.From behind the two older sisters, a younger girl slowly emerged. She appeared somewhat shy, her movements te
"Why is he only showing up now?" someone wondered aloud, their voice tinged with curiosity and frustration.The boy who finally appeared seemed almost different from his digital counterpart. He was a whirlwind of energy and audacity in the game, always quick to act and slow to think. In reality, he stood before them, a stark contrast—quieter, more composed, and decidedly less impulsive. His demeanor was calm, almost introspective as if he were constantly calculating his next move.With a steely determination set in his eyes, Ryan wasted no time on words. He moved with a speed and precision that left onlookers breathless. He had closed the gap between himself and the teacher in a flash, his fist igniting with a fiery aura as he launched a direct punch. The blow was powerful and unwavering, aimed straight at the teacher's face.But Ryan's Ryan's attack was far from over. With the agility of a seasoned fighter, he shifted his weight and delivered a cunning left hook that could shatter bo
The situation was becoming increasingly dire. Alice Scarlet found herself kneeling on the ground, her once beautiful and fair face now streaked with water droplets. The intensity of the recent battle had left her visibly shaken. The blinding light from Kenzo's sword had disoriented her, but she refused to forget her duty even in her dazed state.With a determined shout, she called out to her allies, "Beta formation!" Her voice, though strained, carried a note of authority and desperation. When the command left her lips, a coordinated barrage of attacks from mages and archers lit up the sky. The array of colors from the magical spells and arrows created a spectacular display. Under different circumstances, one might have mistaken it for a grand fireworks show at a summer festival.The vibrant colors illuminated the battlefield, casting an eerie glow on the chaotic scene below. Each spell and arrow was aimed precisely to overwhelm and outmaneuver Kenzo. Alice had put her faith in this
Like lying at the bottom of a deep ocean, a cold, dark sensation swiftly infiltrated his mind. In that brief moment, the entire space around Kenzo seemed to undergo desertification thousands of times. Albert, Alice, Ryan, and the three Azure sisters quickly vanished, followed by hundreds of other students. The building and the surrounding trees were the last to disappear completely.A whirlwind with golden-red edges appeared in the blink of an eye, destroying everything else. As the remnants of the ultimate technique faded away, a blood-soaked battlefield gradually came into view. Despair and silence coexisted in that space."Only five... no, six people left..." His face wrinkled as he corrected himself, indicating something was not right. Only one small group had managed to survive the recent cataclysmic attack. His expression of confusion and unease spread through the group like wildfire, heightening the already palpable sense of dread.They soared through the air, their makeshift
Charlotte's sigh was heavy with the weight of her disappointment. Her eyes locked onto the paper she held, searching for hidden meaning in the inked numbers. The quiet room seemed to echo with her despondence. Her brows knitted together, and her lips pursed in a faint frown. "I only got 200 points... so I'm ranked 13th," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, each word laced with a palpable sense of frustration and regret. "Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th."Ever attentive to his friend's emotions, Haruki moved closer, his expression softening with empathy. His blue hair fell into his eyes as he leaned in, a small, comforting smile on his lips. "You both were so close, weren't you?" he said, his tone gentle and encouraging. "If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers at the end, our whole group would have made it into the top 10.Charlotte's gaze shifted from the paper to Haruki, her mind replaying the chaotic events of the competition's final moments. Her brow f
"What on earth is going on?" he muttered, utterly bewildered by the sight before him. The scene was so unexpected that it left him momentarily stunned. Although he lacked the courage to step inside, his curiosity got the better of him, and he cautiously peered in. Just at the entrance of the dormitory, Haruki and Charlotte were deeply engrossed in an unusually intimate conversation, their heads close together, sharing words he couldn't quite hear."They look so close... why does this scene seem so familiar?" he thought, a profound sense of déjà vu washing over him. The familiarity was unsettling. "This is the scene right after that cold, unfeeling guy Midnight—supposed to be a Star student—challenges the academy."Reflecting further, he realized, "Because I've temporarily taken his place, now everything is unfolding as it should... according to the script of the game Rainfall Disorder."As he stood there, lost in his thoughts and trying to piece everything together, a group of other
"See you later... but... next time, please don't pull on someone else's shirt like that..."At that precise moment, it seemed that the petite angelic girl had just realized she was clutching the hem of Ryoshu's shirt. Her eyes widened in sudden awareness, and she quickly let go as if the fabric had burned her fingers. What stood out most in this scene was the incredible proximity of their heads. Their faces were so close that even the slightest movement could have resulted in an undeniably awkward situation, almost as if the air between them had thickened with tension.Ryoshu's mind raced, struggling to process the sudden nearness. The image of a tomato was the only thing he could conjure to describe Luna's face, which had flushed a vibrant, almost luminous shade of red. Her cheeks seemed to glow with embarrassment, and he could practically feel the heat radiating from her skin.This moment was incredibly challenging for someone like Ryoshu, who was acutely sensitive and easily flust
"Instead of paying for tuition right away, I'll invest in the shares of potential guilds with promising futures," he mused aloud, his eyes shimmering with a glint of ambition. Securing financial growth through guild investments excited him; it seemed a wise move in a world where connections and wealth often determined one's success. "And if I gather enough goods, I might even consider starting a small business in the Trading Guild."The thought filled him with a sense of purpose and hope. He could already see the possibilities unfold before him—ventures that would bring wealth and establish his reputation in the bustling city. Money, he understood, was not merely a tool for survival but a powerful key to opening doors to numerous opportunities and connections.In the quieter corners of his mind, the stark reality of his ambitions loomed large. "In the future, the amount of money I'll need is no small sum," he murmured, his tone shifting to one of sober reflection. Supporting the ta
Upon hearing the alarming beep of the error sound, the saleswoman immediately hurried over. Her steps were quick and purposeful, a clear indication of her concern. As she approached, she leaned closer to the counter, her eyes searching for the source of the problem, and asked, "Are you out of money, dear?"The young man, visibly flustered, responded with a slight tremble, "No... please wait a moment. It seems there might be an error." His fingers moved swiftly over the device, trying to troubleshoot the issue with an almost palpable urgency. Sweat began to form on his brow as he frantically tried to resolve the situation.Standing right beside Ryoshu, the saleswoman scrutinized him with a look that betrayed her suspicion. Her eyebrows knitted together, and her lips pressed into a thin line as she tried to decipher what was going wrong. Her eyes darted between Ryoshu and the device, seeking any clue that might explain the unexpected error.Ryoshu felt the weight of her gaze bearing do
"Ryoshu... What are you looking at out there?" Charlotte called out to him, her voice tinged with concern after he had been silent for an unusually long time.Startled from his thoughts, Ryoshu turned towards them, his face pale and eyes wide as if he had just seen a ghost. The unsettling expression made both Charlotte and Haruki exchange worried glances.'Could it be... these two?' Ryoshu wondered internally, his mind racing. 'Is it because they know me or because they are actively engaging with me? If that's the case... I need to come up with a plan quickly. These scenes are making me sick!!!'Desperately trying to compose himself, Ryoshu quickly blurted out, "Oh, um... I saw a white cat passing by, but it's nothing special." He cringed inwardly, realizing it was one of the lamest excuses he had ever concocted.Charlotte raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued but not fully satisfied. "A white cat, you say?""Yeah," Ryoshu stammered, nodding a bit too vigorously. "It just caught my
"Wow, looking over this list again, it's clear just how impressive Amemura is. He scored an incredible 600 points, outpacing Midnight by a substantial margin of 100 points!"Ryoshu'sRyoshu's friend exclaimed, eyes wide with amazement as they reviewed the freshly printed results. The numbers were still crisp on the page, highlighting Amemura's name at the top with a bold score beside it. Ryoshu, however, seemed preoccupied as he fumbled with a newspaper he had just picked up."This... just came out... I didn't have a chance to hear the scores earlier, but... it doesn't," Ryoshu muttered, his voice trailing off as he opened the newspaper. He was soon engrossed, his eyes moving methodically across the columns of text. Despite his initial nonchalance, he found himself compelled to read each word meticulously. A sense of helplessness washed over him as he realized he had no choice but to absorb every detail. The weight of the information bore down on him, making him feel like he was being
"Well, I only got 200 points, so I'm ranked 13th. But Katia got 235 points and is ranked 11th," Charlotte sighed, her eyes scanning the paper in her hand with a mix of disappointment and resignation.Seeing the sadness on his friend's face, Haruki felt a pang of empathy and immediately sought to comfort her. His voice was gentle yet filled with a determination to lift her spirits."Both of you were so close, weren't you? If it hadn't been for those demon worshippers causing trouble at the end, our whole group might have made it into the top 10," he said, trying to inject positivity into the situation.Charlotte nodded slightly, appreciating his effort but still feeling the sting of their narrow miss. "I'm not so sure about that... but we should still celebrate the 2... no, now 3 of us who made it into the top 10! Maybe we could go out for dinner tonight... have a little party or something?"As she spoke, Charlotte absentmindedly twirled a lock of her shiny golden hair around her finge
They walked through it unharmed, and not only that, they managed to carry on a lively conversation, smiling as if they were taking a casual stroll. The air was filled with their laughter and light-hearted banter, starkly contrasting the tense situation at hand. "Do you think we'll be alright?" one of them asked, their voice tinged with curiosity and concern.Ryoshu's mind was racing. He vividly remembered the second scene, every detail etched into his memory, and knew he had to act swiftly. The weight of urgency pressed down on him, his thoughts a chaotic whirl as he considered the implications. "I hope the scene hasn't progressed too far… I need to hurry…" he muttered under his breath, feeling the pressure mount. Without wasting another moment, he took a deep breath and plunged into the invisible curtain that separated him from his goal.The instant he entered, an eerie sensation washed over him. Once responsive and under his control, his body began to betray him. It was as if an u