(Vallen POV)Earlier...As soon as I arrived at the school, I immediately noticed Alicia standing in front of the gate. From the looks of it, she appeared to be nervous. It was probably because, after this year, she would officially become a Guardian.Upon graduation, each student had the option to choose a profession. For civilians, the options ranged from entrepreneurship and accounting to science, police work, politics, and various other common occupations.However, for students like us who attended a Magic School, there were six special job categories to choose from. These options included Guardians, Magic Police, Mages, Mercenaries, Hunters, and Wanderers.Guardians were often likened to modern-day heroes. They were ranked by number, with the number one spot occupied by a Guardian known as Felix. This number was both a codename and an indication of their mastery of Sky and Lightning magic.Magic Police were essentially law enforcement officers who wielded magic.Mages acted as re
"Vallen!"I was jolted from my thoughts as the sudden call of my name pierced the classroom. Slowly, I turned my head toward the source of the voice, managing a forced smile in response."Erm, yeah?" I replied, affirming her guess.Before I could say more, our professor intervened, addressing Alicia with a request. "Miss Alicia, could you please take your seat? We're about to begin our class."A look of realization crossed Alicia's face as she glanced around the classroom. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she promptly returned to her seat.Professor Cossette continued with her introduction, and soon she delved into the topic of magic and its elements. I listened attentively, thankful for the return to normalcy.During the lecture, I couldn't help but feel the weight of Alicia's gaze on me. It was unusual and slightly uncomfortable. To distract myself, I lightly tapped my index finger on the table and shifted in my chair.As the class progressed, I found myself gazing out the w
I found myself disoriented, uttering a bewildered, "Where am I?" As I gradually opened my eyes, a faint glimmer of light pierced through, beckoning me to the surface.Panic coursed through me, and I knew I had to swim back to that elusive light above. I attempted to move my limbs, but an invisible force held me in a motionless state.In a frantic bid to escape the drowning darkness, I scanned my surroundings, but all I saw was water. My mouth finally moved, releasing a bubbling cry as I continued to sink away from the distant light.My attempts to swim upwards were thwarted when an unseen force gripped my foot, pulling me deeper into the abyss. The sensation was strange; I could still breathe, as if there was air within this underwater realm."Help!" I screamed, though I knew my voice only resonated within my own head.Am I... Going to die?Time lost meaning, and though I could breathe, a suffocating sensation began to creep over me. My vision dimmed, and my eyes grew heavy.In that
"Ah!! Brother!!!"Chloe's piercing scream rang in my ears, snapping me back to reality.Am I going to die again...? I thought, my vision blurring. I could feel my life's blood pooling beneath me, the room growing cold, and my vision splitting into two. One eye remained locked on the heartwarming scene of Chloe's father hugging her tightly, while my other eye swung back and forth like a pendulum, as if someone were pushing it on a swing."Are you okay? Did that person do anything strange to you?" Chloe's father asked her, his concern evident.This jerk... I'm not some sick guy with a sister complex! I tried to speak, but my jaw only twitched slightly. It must have been a gruesome sight for Chloe, and I felt a pang of guilt for putting her through this."You killed him!!"Those were the last words I heard before my consciousness began to fade.......Water...?I awoke to the sensation of being submerged. I was back in the eerie underwater abyss, unable to move an inch. Something seeme
As I made my way to school, I found myself caught in a familiar scene, mirroring events from my previous experiences. There she was, Alicia, hesitating and struggling to take the next step, just as she had countless times before. And just as before, I chose to ignore her, not wanting to be drawn into whatever was unfolding.I mixed myself in with the group of students entering the school, hoping to remain unnoticed by Alicia. Her presence alone had been a catalyst for the inexplicable time loop I was trapped in, and I had no intention of interacting with her this time around. I simply walked past her without acknowledging her existence."Bye bye," I muttered to her in my thoughts, stealing a glance at her as I moved past, my expression unreadable.The events leading up to my school entrance were playing out almost identically to previous iterations. The same students were arguing at the entrance, venting their frustration about being trapped in this strange world."It's because of you
"You... You're Vallen, aren't you?"Alicia's voice rang out with a mix of shock and disbelief. Her eyes were fixed on the young man who had just entered the room, and she was struggling to comprehend the situation. Her gaze remained locked on him as she took a step closer, confirming her suspicion.Vallen, for his part, met her words with silence. He sat up straight, closed his eyes for a brief moment, and scratched the back of his neck before meeting her gaze."Uh... Yeah. Is there supposed to be a problem with that?" he responded, his tone laced with nonchalance.Alicia was brimming with questions, and her curiosity was getting the best of her. She was about to press further when Vallen raised his right hand, signaling for her to stop."Then, how are you—?"He interrupted her again, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "How am I able to see? I apologize, but I'll refrain from explaining. Just to clear things, I'm not here for you. It's just a coincidence that I got placed in the same c
It's her...I spotted her from across the hallway – the girl with the striking blonde hair and vivid ocean-blue eyes. Her presence seemed to magnify as the sunlight streamed in through the window, casting an ethereal glow on her. She wore a unique white uniform adorned with the school's emblem, a clear sign that she was part of the student council.Our eyes locked, and time appeared to slow down for a brief moment. I could feel the gentle breeze outside rustling leaves and hear the distant sounds of students in the hallway. The world around us seemed to pause until Alicia's voice broke the spell."Look at me," she said, her tone laced with annoyance.I reluctantly tore my gaze away from the mysterious girl and turned my attention back to Alicia. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, tinged with frustration. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" I asked, the hint of irritation evident in my expression.Alicia clicked her tongue in response, which made my eye twitch in bewilderment. I could
"Yes, the newly established Magic Department Club."Upon hearing Artoria's words, Vallen's eyes widened, caught in a momentary surprise. The information seemed to settle in as he slowly closed his eyes, absorbing the revelation. A deep sigh escaped him, carrying a weight of realization and perhaps a tinge of resignation. He shook his head in response to his internal musings.The atmosphere shifted between them, an unspoken tension lingering in the air. Artoria, still curious, began to pose a question when, before she could finish, Vallen, with a casual air, walked past her. His hands were tucked inside his pockets, an almost nonchalant demeanor painted on his face.As he moved away, there was a subtle murmur, as if thoughts were finding expression in muted sounds. A chuckle, soft yet distinct, escaped Vallen's lips. The echo of it lingered briefly, leaving an intriguing layer to the atmosphere. The clubroom's ambiance held a certain enigmatic quality, as though secrets whispered withi