"I've made up my mind," Ryoshu declared with determination. "My goal in Chapter 1 is to snatch... no, borrow! I will borrow that Complete Grimoire at any cost."The importance of this decision weighed heavily on him. Only by obtaining the grimoire could he hope to reduce the difficulty of Chapter 1 from impossible to achievable. The Complete Grimoire held the key to unlocking knowledge and power to make the challenges manageable."But... I wonder if that old blacksmith is still okay?" Ryoshu mused, his thoughts drifting to the eccentric yet kind-hearted craftsman who had helped him in the past. "And I really want to see that fat cat again. I'm curious about what kind of cat it is to be so formidable."The memory of the strange, plump cat brought a smile to his face. He recalled the moment when the cat had perched on his shoulder without him noticing at all. Its weight and presence should have been impossible to ignore, yet it moved with such stealth and grace that Ryoshu had been
"I need some fresh air..."With each step, Ryoshu walked over to the window, feeling the soft carpet under his bare feet. He reached the window and flung it wide open, allowing the crisp, cool night air to rush into the room. The sudden temperature change made him shiver slightly, but it was a welcome sensation. He rested his hands on the windowsill, feeling the smooth, excellent wood beneath his fingers. It had a slightly worn texture, a testament to the many times he had leaned on it, lost in thought. He took a deep breath, letting the refreshing breeze fill his lungs, and closed his eyes momentarily, savoring the sensation.Opening his eyes, he looked up at the moon, which hung brilliantly in the night sky, casting a silver glow over everything. The moon was full, its round face shining with an almost supernatural brightness, illuminating the landscape with a soft, ethereal light. The stars twinkled more brightly around it as if they were drawing attention to the moon's magnifice
Renggg…The bell's resonant sound began to ring, breaking the serene silence that had enveloped the area. It was a crisp, clear tone that echoed through the surroundings, signaling the end of a quiet moment. As the sound reverberated, a late summer breeze swept through the trees, causing the crimson leaves to dance before gently drifting to the ground. The delicate cherry blossoms, caught in the wind, fluttered down like soft pink snowflakes, creating an enchanting and poetic scene that seemed almost otherworldly.A young girl with silky white hair strolled leisurely down the path, a path she knew she would come to walk many more times in the future. Her steps were slow and deliberate, as if trying to soak in every detail of her surroundings. The air was filled with the sweet, faint scent of cherry blossoms, mingling with the earthy aroma of fallen leaves. The sun casts a warm, golden glow over everything, making the entire scene look like a painting brought to life.Shimmering like
The exam had barely concluded, yet Charlotte and Katia were already waiting in their usual spot under the giant oak tree near the entrance of the school courtyard. The spot was their favorite, providing a mix of shade and comfort, making it a perfect rendezvous point. Esther noticed them immediately as she exited the examination hall, her heart warming at the sight of her two best friends already there as if they had eagerly anticipated her arrival."Shall I go say hello?" Esther pondered momentarily, a small, mischievous smile playing on her lips. She could never resist the urge to greet her friends in the most cheerful way possible. With a newfound energy, she decided to make her way towards them. Her steps were light and quick, and she waved energetically, her hand high to catch their attention."Halloo~" she called out, her voice carrying a musical lilt that echoed through the courtyard. This was her warmest and most affectionate greeting, one she reserved exclusively for Charl
"You're good at ending conversations, aren't you?" Charlotte's tone was sharp, her frustration evident. It was clear she was not in a good mood. Her ordinarily cheerful demeanor had been replaced by an edge that made Esther wince inwardly.Esther felt a pang of guilt. She hadn't meant to upset Charlotte, and seeing her friend this way made her feel awful. Desperate to fix things, she quickly seized the opportunity to keep the conversation going."But Esther—" Charlotte began again, her voice softer this time, almost as if she regretted snapping.Sensing a glimmer of hope, Esther eagerly asked, "What's up?" She leaned in slightly, trying to show Charlotte she was all ears and genuinely concerned.Charlotte hesitated, her eyes darting around the bustling corridor. The hallway was packed with students milling about, searching for their room numbers, and collecting their keys. It wasn't the best place for a private conversation, and the noise added to her discomfort. "Well, it's just th
"Now, I must push myself harder to catch up with Haruki and Charlotte! I can't afford to rest on my laurels just because I secured the top spot in the entrance exam!" she resolved, feeling a surge of determination. She stood by her window, gazing at the horizon as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the academy grounds. With its towering spires and sprawling courtyards, this place had become her new world, where every day was a test of her abilities and resilience.The memory of the exam still lingered in her mind. The grueling hours spent pouring over books, the sleepless nights practicing spells and techniques, all leading to that moment when her name was announced as the top scorer. It had been a moment of triumph, a validation of her hard work. But now, standing at the brink of a new challenge, she knew it wasn't enough. The competition was fierce, and she couldn't afford to be complacent."But the title of Star Student definitely won't be mine anymore," she muttered to hers
That day was an incredibly joyful one for Esther. It might have been the most beautiful day she had ever experienced... until she encountered that mysterious guy.Earlier in the morning, Esther had been eagerly leading her friends to the venue for the celebration. This party was being held in her honor, celebrating her remarkable achievement of scoring the highest marks in the Spiral Academy entrance exam. This accomplishment filled her with immense pride and happiness. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow on everything, and the air buzzed with a palpable sense of excitement.As they strolled through the bustling streets, Esther was utterly absorbed in a lively conversation with her friends Haruki and Charlotte. They laughed heartily and chatted animatedly about their plans at the academy, eagerly sharing their hopes and dreams. The streets were alive with people, their laughter blending seamlessly with the city's ambient sounds, creating a symphony of joyful noise.
"Are you okay, Ryoshu? You look... different. I mean, you've changed a lot. No, maybe a little bit. Two weeks ago, you looked so different compared to now," she said, her voice filled with confusion and curiosity. Her eyes scanned his face, taking in the gaunt cheeks, the shadows under his eyes, and the air of weariness that seemed to cling to him. There was something profoundly altered in his demeanor, a certain gloominess that hadn't been there before.She stood there, her mind racing to understand the transformation before her. Just a fortnight ago, Ryoshu had been a vibrant young man with confidence in his step and a hopeful glimmer in his eyes. Now, he seemed almost a shadow of his former self, as if his life had been drained.Then, a mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She decided to mock the person standing before her, hoping to provoke a reaction. Turning to Charlotte, she sneered, "I can't believe this idiot confessed to you, Charlotte."Her voice carried a biting edge,
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