"I hate that name!!!" she exclaimed with frustration, her voice echoing through the quiet room."Still, you must admit he's quite talented..." she continued, her tone softening. "It's such a shame he doesn't possess Mana, but his abilities are powerful. It seems he underwent a significant transformation after being rejected, right?" She pondered this, her mind replaying the events that had profoundly changed him.Love, however, is a powerful and respectable motivator. Esther couldn't help but admire him a bit more for that. Despite the pain he had endured, he had found a way to turn his suffering into strength."But... just thinking about Haruki's rejection... ugh... it already breaks my heart," she murmured, clutching her chest as if to hold back the physical pain she felt for him. "How did he get through that and emerge as a completely different person?" Her voice trailed off as she became lost in thought.She moved towards the window, which was slightly ajar. The night had settle
As he lay there, Ryoshu thought about the significance of the time. It was supposed to be the key to unlocking a new level of magical proficiency, yet here he was, unable to make any progress.The frustration of repeated failure gnawed at him, but he knew he couldn't give up. The path to mastery was never easy, and every setback was a step toward eventual success.Fumiya, sensing Ryoshu's gloom, fluttered over and perched on his chest, looking at him with eyes full of mischief and encouragement. Ryoshu chuckled softly, gently stroking the little creature's head. "Thanks, Fumiya," he murmured. "I guess I just need to keep trying." Ryoshu sat up and picked up the Lightning Magic Tome once more. The Trial of Courage had taught him the value of perseverance, and he wasn't about to let a few failures stop him now.Unfortunately, even with the tome's guidance, Ryoshu still couldn't grasp the fundamental principles of Lightning Magic. The intricate diagrams and complex explanations seemed
Ryoshu stepped into the elevator, the cold metallic walls reflecting the faint fluorescent lighting overhead. With a habitual motion, he adjusted his collar once more, feeling the stiff fabric between his fingers. He could not resist taking a moment to scrutinize his reflection in the polished metal, examining every detail of his rather plain and unremarkable school uniform. The dark blazer, white shirt, and neatly tied tie all seemed alien yet familiar."Not too bad, huh?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper in the confined space. "Fumiya has a knack for this stuff. Moreover, a 0.3 boost to my charm stat is making a difference, too. You can notice the improvement when you look closely… I am excited to see how dashing I will look when I hit 40 points!"He turned slightly, inspecting his appearance from different angles, the elevator's mirrored walls providing multiple perspectives. Though slightly disheveled from his earlier adjustments, his clothes looked significantly better.
"Ryoshu, right?" Haruki's voice was smooth, with a hint of authority. "We need to talk."Ryoshu nodded, still trying to wrap his mind around the situation. He could feel other students' eyes on them, whispers starting to circulate. However, at that moment, none of that mattered.What mattered was the blue-haired boy who seemed to have stepped out of his favorite game and into his real life."The price certainly was not cheap at all," Ryoshu thought, recalling his overheard conversation about the cost of Haruki's custom-made uniform.However, the truth is that the uniform suits the protagonist perfectly. The dark blazer, impeccably tailored to Haruki's frame, and the crisp, white shirt beneath it made him look the part of the main character. Even someone with Ryoshu's critical eye for aesthetics could not deny that. The uniform highlighted Haruki's muscular build and gave him an air of authority and elegance that was hard to ignore."Ah! Amemura!" Haruki's voice broke through Ryoshu's
"Don't tell me... they haven't met each other yet. This is unbelievable." Haruki's face remained frozen in surprise as he processed Ryoshu's remark. His eyes widened, and his brows furrowed in confusion, reflecting his genuine curiosity. "You mean the guy next door? How did you find out? I only met him yesterday," Haruki responded, his voice tinged with intrigue and bewilderment.Ryoshu felt an immense wave of relief, like a heavy weight lifted from his chest. He released a deep sigh, his shoulders relaxing slightly. Inwardly, however, he was chastising himself for his careless slip-up. "Damn, I shouldn't have let that slip. But thankfully, it didn't throw everything off track as I feared," he thought, feeling a mix of regret and relief.Realizing he needed to cover his mistake quickly, Ryoshu hurriedly explained. "Oh, it's because you were talking quite loudly yesterday so that I couldn't help but overhear," he said, trying to sound casual and convincing. His mind raced, scramblin
Thinking is doing. He responded in a cold, detached tone that lacked any warmth or emotion. "Really? I think it's taking a bit long."They stood together silently for an eternity, each immersed in their thoughts. The silence between them was thick, almost palpable as if it held all the unspoken words and emotions that neither was willing to express. The air around them was tense, filled with the weight of their unvoiced thoughts and conflicting emotions.Two individuals from entirely different worlds—one from a life of privilege and responsibility, the other from a background of struggle and survival. Their upbringings, experiences, and beliefs were vastly different, shaping their perspectives and motivations in unique ways.The first person, who had grown up in an environment where a strong sense of duty guided every action, viewed the task ahead as a noble obligation. From a young age, they were taught the importance of responsibility and the need to protect those who could not def
The opening ceremony was scheduled to take place in the grand auditorium of the academy. This auditorium, located next to the multifunctional room, was a significant space within the school, exclusively for hosting large-scale seminars and conferences. Its high ceilings and expansive stage made it the perfect venue for such important events.Ryoshu had quite a journey ahead of him to reach the multifunctional room. Starting from the dormitory campus at the foot of the mountain, he needed to navigate the central school grounds. This path took him past various buildings and landmarks of the academy, each holding its significance. Originally, Ryoshu had planned to take the academy bus, which would have provided a swift and convenient ride through the scenic route.However, to his dismay, he had missed the bus by mere minutes. This left him with a choice: wait for the next bus, which could take a while, or set out on foot. He was determined to avoid further delays, so he quickly walked.
"Why... am I running into her again!" Ryoshu's mind raced as he tried to comprehend the situation."Why are you here!" came the sharp, clear voice that cut through his thoughts.He turned to see the familiar figure of Lady Esther White, the esteemed heroine of the game Rainfall Disorder and a distinguished member of the prestigious White family. Her presence was unmistakable, with her ash-white hair shimmering under the sunlight and those rare, mesmerizing blood-red eyes that seemed to pierce through everything they gazed upon. It was said that only a handful of people in the world possessed such unique eyes.Ryoshu hadn't expected to see her again, especially not in this secluded part of the garden. Their previous encounter had been brief, and he had assumed their paths wouldn't cross again so soon. The suddenness of their meeting left him both surprised and a bit puzzled."What about you?" he retorted, trying to mask his confusion."Why are
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