It might seem paradoxical at first glance, but when you think about it more deeply, it actually makes perfect sense. Ryoshu found himself contemplating this as he carefully picked up his mask, an object that had become both a shield and a liability.'But I'm still being hunted, so I have to be extremely cautious with my movements…' he mused silently, the weight of his situation pressing down on him. He knew all too well that his mask, once an anonymity tool, had become a potential beacon for those seeking him. 'Quite a few people already know about my mask. Maybe I should stop using it altogether. If those agents have found any clues about my identity, it will spell disaster for me,' he thought, a cold dread creeping up his spine.Despite his fears, there was a small comfort in knowing that the Spiral Academy was renowned for its impregnable security and strict defensive measures. Remembering this, Ryoshu felt a slight easing of the tension coiled within him.'Although it's true th
"It's all your fault that I suddenly have more work to do, Fumiya!" Ryoshu exclaimed, a mix of frustration and affection in his voice.Fumiya, however, seemed completely unaware of his owner's irritation. The tiny creature continued to nuzzle and circle around Ryoshu, its actions filled with innocent and playful energy that made it impossible to stay mad for long."You're so cute that I can't even stay mad at you..." Ryoshu sighed, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite himself. He gently petted Fumiya, feeling the soft fur beneath his fingers, and then turned to look out the window.The view outside was serene, starkly contrasting the turmoil inside him. He thought about the morning's events, still fresh in his mind. If it weren't for Fumiya's unique ability to absorb and fuse with weapons, he wouldn't have any powerful technique to challenge Mr. Kenzo, the stern and formidable instructor.Mr. Kenzo was known for his rigorous standards and unyielding demeanor. Many stud
---0w0---In the present moment, Ryoshu found himself meticulously writing in his goal journal, contemplating his objectives for the near future. The light from his desk lamp cast a warm glow on the pages, and the soft sound of his pen scratching against the paper filled the room. He paused momentarily, admiring the bold, eye-catching title that dominated the page.**The Complete Grimoire.**This wasn't just any ordinary skill book. Unlike the common ones that dotted the world, this grimoire was said to contain every bit of knowledge that had ever existed from the dawn of the universe itself. Its vast repository of wisdom and secrets made it one of the most revered Treasures. The thought of such a tome, filled with ancient spells, forgotten lore, and the mysteries of creation, sent a thrill down Ryoshu's spine.In the world of Rainfall Disorder, Treasures are not just items; they are legendary artifacts shrouded in myth and legend, held in awe by the inhabitants of this fantastical r
"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
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