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
All those actions unfolded within just one or two fleeting seconds. The air seemed to crackle with tension as events cascaded rapidly, each moment blending seamlessly into the next, leaving no time for contemplation."What the heck-! I thought you didn't use a sword! And why did you bring out that mask!? Don't tell me you're going to use-" Esther's exclamation hung in the air, a mixture of confusion and shock evident in his voice. His eyes widened in disbelief as he struggled to comprehend the sudden shift in the situation.In a split second, Esther's composure shattered. The calm, collected demeanor he had maintained was replaced by frantic urgency. His eyes, now glowing with the noble blue hue of Mana, darted around, frantically scanning the area for any sign of his opponent. But it was too late. The presence he had sensed moments ago had vanished entirely, leaving behind only a space where the figure once stood."Damn it! Such a cowardly trick!" he cursed aloud, his frustration p
"Have I truly managed to deceive the foolish duchess?" Ryoshu's face, already marred by an unsightly appearance and a perpetually disagreeable demeanor, gradually twisted into a smug, self-satisfied grin. His eyes glinted with malicious glee, savoring the moment of his triumph.Esther, her movements restricted by the binding restraints, struggled to process the full extent of his betrayal. Her voice, trembling with disbelief and anger, echoed in the dimly lit room. "So... from the start, you planned to turn me into a fool, didn't you!" The accusation hung heavily in the air, laden with the weight of her shattered trust."It's too late for you to understand now," Ryoshu replied, his tone dripping with mockery and condescension. He reveled in her despair, the realization of his deceit meant to inflict the most profound wound possible. Each word was a dagger, twisting in the heart of the once-confident duchess."Remove your filthy hands from me this instant!" Esther's demand, fueled by
After speaking, he nonchalantly turned away and began to walk off as if their conversation had never happened. His movements were casual and indifferent, each step resonating with an air of detachment. Watching him leave, Esther couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration boiling up inside her. How could he walk away like that? Her eyes followed his retreating figure, her mind racing with thoughts of his audacity. She quickly called out after him, her voice tinged with a mix of desperation and annoyance:"Wa-wait a minute!"At the sound of her voice, he paused. He didn't turn around entirely but slightly tilted his head to the side, just enough to indicate that he was listening. "What now?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of impatience that only added to Esther's irritation.Esther fumed silently, her thoughts a whirlwind of indignation. 'He can't even be bothered to face me when he talks? This is so infuriating! I'll get my revenge on him next time!' She clenched her fists, he
The full name of the young man in question was Ryan Jackson. He was a character whose presence was immediately noticeable, thanks to his striking ginger-colored hair that bore an uncanny resemblance to the color of freshly peeled ginger root. This vibrant hue added a unique flair to his appearance, making him stand out in any crowd. Ryan's personality was an intriguing blend of humor and crudeness, often making him the center of attention. He possessed a quick wit and a sharp tongue, capable of eliciting laughter with his clever remarks, though his humor could sometimes border on the abrasive. Despite this, his endearing qualities shone through, endearing him to those who took the time to understand him.In many ways, Ryan fits the mold of a stereotypical character—specifically, the archetypal best friend of the protagonist, a role that could be found in countless novels. He was the dependable sidekick, always ready with a joke or a sarcastic comment to lighten the mood, yet capable
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