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
"I truly despise poverty..." he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible yet heavy with bitterness. The memories of his past, laced with the constant struggle and humiliation that poverty brought, were etched deeply into his mind. Each recollection was like a thorn pricking at his consciousness, a reminder of the harsh realities he once faced. These thoughts had no nostalgia, only a profound disdain for the insidious grip poverty had once held over him.As Ryoshu heaved a weary sigh, a sense of fatigue washed over him. At that moment, as the breath escaped his lips, he felt a sharp, almost tangible glare directed straight at him. It was a gaze so intense it felt as if it could bore a hole through him. Despite the palpable hostility in the air, Ryoshu remained composed, his demeanour calm and steadfast. He turned slowly, deliberately, towards the source of this menacing gaze, his movements controlled and precise.There she was, Esther, the epitome of haughty nobility, standing w
"Oh, the system crashed, so I can't even get an appraisal," Ryoshu sighed, his voice tinged with frustration and resignation. He felt a wave of irritation wash over him, his shoulders slumping slightly as the day's weight seemed to settle more heavily upon them. With a deep breath, he stood up, bracing himself for what would come next: England's national anthem. The familiar tune began to play, and although the surrounding students sang with gusto, Ryoshu merely moved his lips in sync with the music. He didn't know the lyrics, and this charade was his only way to get through the ordeal without drawing too much attention to himself. He felt a bit of a fraud, but it was better than openly admitting his ignorance.He glanced down at the cheap watch strapped to his wrist, its plastic casing and flimsy strap a stark reminder of his current misfortunes. He let out an exasperated breath, the sound lost amidst the singing. "Now I have to learn how to use this damn thing," he thought, his an
The students seated below began to stir more and more, creating a buzz of excitement that rippled through the room like an electric current. Most of this restlessness came from the first-year students, who were not yet accustomed to the teacher's presence and found her aura somewhat intimidating yet intriguing. They whispered among themselves, their eyes wide with curiosity and awe. In contrast, the upper-level students, who had already experienced her lessons and were familiar with her demeanor, remained calm and composed. They sat with a relaxed confidence, their faces reflecting respect and indifference.The teacher, a figure of authority and charisma, stood at the front of the classroom. Her clear and resonant voice commanded attention as she began her lecture. "Mages must meet certain criteria regarding circuits, rings, and cores, but that's not all," she explained, her eyes scanning the room to ensure everyone followed. "They also need to form connections with the stars. This
The teacher paused for a moment, long enough for those who felt the sting of his words to fully experience their crushing disappointment. The silence stretched, allowing the weight of their emotions to settle deeply."However," he resumed, his voice firm and unwavering, "listen to me. Life is not fair."Ryoshu, standing off to the side, watched the scene unfold. He thought, 'So he's going to tell these kids the harsh truth bluntly? I wonder if they can handle it.' As he glanced around the room, he could see the intensely bitter expressions on the faces of the teenagers. It didn't matter if they were nobles or commoners; yesterday's test was far more challenging than any of them had anticipated."Yesterday," the teacher continued, "some of you might have thought you had the right to underestimate the test. But let me clarify: you must always be on high alert as heroes. The moments you allow yourselves to relax, even for an instant, are the moments when you truly risk your lives."He
"No, we must promptly announce the Combat Department students' results so the principal can address everyone. It's crucial to note that these scores have been meticulously graded by numerous teachers who dedicated all of yesterday to thoroughly reviewing the camera footage. Given that this is the first time the academy has implemented this type of assessment, the teachers wanted to ensure absolute accuracy in the grading process. I won't be discussing the grading criteria today. Therefore, the scores you calculated for yourselves yesterday are merely the minimum scores."Her voice was clear and authoritative as she spoke, capturing the attention of every student in the room. The weight of her words hung in the air, adding to the already tense atmosphere. She was a tall woman with an air of confidence. Her glasses perched perfectly on her nose as she scanned the faces of the students before her. The large hall was filled with rows of seats, each occupied by students in neatly pressed
"But I must admit, they are noisy," Ryoshu thought, observing the animated conversations and occasional outbursts of laughter echoing through the hall.Just as this thought crossed his mind, a sudden, piercing noise erupted, nearly bursting his eardrums. The sound was so loud and unexpected that it made him wince and cover his ears."Ah... I apologize for that. Just a little technical glitch," came the voice of Vivian, the event organizer, as she fiddled with the microphone, trying to get it to work correctly.The entire hall fell silent in the aftermath of the deafening noise. It was as if the sound had stunned everyone into momentary silence. Ryoshu looked around and saw that his fellow students were all reacting similarly, rubbing their ears and grimacing. It was clear that they all shared the same thought: "We almost went deaf, Miss!"Vivian, now composed and with the microphone functioning correctly, addressed the audience. "Now, we will announce the Combat Department's placem
"I know this girl," she declared confidently, her voice echoing in the large hall."You thought I didn't-didn't know? She's the least talented among the three sisters, isn't she?"" Her tone carried a mix of curiosity and a hint of smugness, as if she enjoyed revealing this information."Yes, that's right," came the quick and affirmative response, solidifying her assumption."I find myself feeling quite sorry for her all of a sudden," she added with a soft sigh, her expression shifting to sympathy. The room fell silent for a moment as everyone absorbed her words.After a prolonged barrage of harsh criticisms that left the girl visibly shaken, Vivian decided it was time to change her approach. She had delivered her harsh words with precision, but now, seeing the girl's sad demeanor, she felt a pang of regret. Switching her tone from stern to reassuring, she said:"But let's not forget that being in class A-1, with guidance and support from the dedicated teachers at Spiral Academy, will