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
“Stop talking like that, you commoner!” Esther’s voice rang out, sharper and more irritable than ever before. Her tone was laced with an intense disdain that made it clear she saw Ryoshu as beneath her.Ryoshu’s mind reeled, trying to process the sheer audacity of the child standing before him. Esther’s outburst was sudden, and her aggressive tone was jarring. The situation was disorienting, and it felt like the world had tilted off its axis for a moment. Ryoshu could hardly believe the gall of the young girl. The way she carried herself, the arrogance in her eyes, and the sheer volume of her voice were too much for him to take in. At that moment, he decided that engaging with her was a waste of time and energy. Without saying a word, he turned on his heel, his movements deliberate and controlled, and began to walk away.“Hey! Where are you going? I’m talking to you!” Esther’s voice followed him, each word growing louder and more desperate. The anger in her tone was palpable, as if
"Even without Mana, he's this strong..." she mused silently, her mind swirling with astonishment and concern. The previous day had been a testament to Ryoshu's formidable abilities, as he hadn't used Mana even once yet had demonstrated remarkable prowess. His movements had been swift and precise. Each strike was delivered with an uncanny accuracy that belied his lack of magical enhancement. The onlookers had watched in stunned silence, unable to believe their eyes as Ryoshu outmaneuvered opponents heavily reliant on Mana.It was precisely because he lacked Mana that she felt a twinge of pity for the young man. She understood all too well the harsh reality: without Mana, one could not advance far in this world. Mana was not just a source of power but a measure of one's potential and worth in society. Those who wielded it were revered and respected, while those who did not were often looked down upon, their futures bleak and filled with limitations.Despite her attempts to intimidate