"Who are...?"The man's words hung in the air, suspended in a moment that was destined to remain unfinished. Before he could complete his sentence, his life slipped away, his final breath dissipating into the ether."Just an ORDINARY student," I stated, my voice as frigid as the unforgiving wind that swept through the scene.With a dispassionate gaze fixed upon the lifeless form before me, sprawled in a pool of crimson, I returned my hand to its resting place in my pocket. The other hand, devoid of empathy, lifted my mask, concealing any hint of emotion that might betray my chilling composure.Allow me to REINTRODUCE myself — Vallen Sephtis, a name that often echoes through the halls of Magic High as a lightheaded simp. In the realm of academia, I'm not one to shine in studies or command magic with finesse, all thanks to a certain reason. Despite my academic shortcomings, one particular aspect sets me apart in this hallowed institution — it's my OVERWHELMING want to live in peace.At t
'You know, you truly are a remarkable antagonist.'......'Do you truly believe that I've found satisfaction?'......'It's your turn to become my PIECE.'......[Synchronizing memory '2'... Complete]***(Vallen POV)"So... I'm not the only one, huh."In the fragments of my recollections, from the era preceding the world's reset, I recollect the actions of the earlier iteration of myself, Athan. Deliberately, he orchestrated an intricate scheme, excising a segment of his own memories and seamlessly implanting falsified recollections in their stead.Before his consciousness was transposed into the the past, he issued a directive to Deus, tasking the entity with overtaking his body. This veiled possession entailed the clandestine elimination of the elderly gentleman sporting a distinguished top hat. Meanwhile, he orchestrated the dispatch of Jack and his associate, Olivia, on a covert mission to infiltrate the organization's ranks. Their primary mandate was to discreetly relay in
Several hours whisked past in a blur. As I gathered my belongings, preparing to embark on my journey to school, I exited my room and embarked upon a solitary walk through the vacant corridor."It's been quiet today..." I mused aloud, the words softly punctuating the stillness. The once-familiar cadence of life within these walls seemed to have shifted inexplicably.I remembered the time when my cousin was still a child. We would often play outside until we're tired. Over time, much like the others, her disposition underwent a subtle metamorphosis, a transformation coinciding with my own affliction of blindness. To clarify, my sentiments towards her remain untouched by animosity. Rather, I suspect her malleable nature might be the root cause—susceptible to the prevailing influence of those around her.Children are easily influenced, which is why my cousin, who was once innocent, now exhibits a brattish demeanor."Speak of the devil..."Abruptly, my steps came to a halt as I fixed my ga
"This is it..."As I gazed at the solitary figure seated on a park bench, I involuntarily clenched my fist tightly, my emotions in turmoil. Ever since my vision was restored, my facial expressions also returned after a year of absence... This explained why I could express my joy when Jack presented me with the action figurine.However, such thoughts were inconsequential at this moment. My focus was solely on preventing her from spreading the foolish mistake I had made.Taking her life wasn't a viable option. She held significant influence and popularity, not to mention her pivotal role within the academy. Why? Because the girl before me happened to be the principal's only disciple!She was born with a magical prowess that was remarkable like the principal, a stark contrast to my own inclination towards physical strength. My proficiency extended to a multitude of weapons, though ranged arms like bows and firearms remained beyond my mastery.Strangely, there was a hint of familiarity i
"Why...?""Why.... Why...?""Athan.....!"As the voice calling a familiar yet weirdly unknown name became faint, I could feel someone grabbing me from behind.It was pulling me further into the darkness.I felt like I was drowning in a deep ocean; however, for some reason, I could still breath properly.Help... I wanted to scream, yet no words came out from my mouth except for bubbles. The experience felt suffocating.As the hand kept pulling me further away from the light, I felt my eyes becoming heavy. Soon, I let the darkness consume my consciousness as the feeling of emptiness overtake me......."....Ah!"My eyes shut open as I immediately sat up from my bed, my hand extended forward. What happened...? I thought, looking at my palm as I pant heavily. To calm down, I clutched on my chest and closed my eyes to take in some breath.After snapping out of trance and recovering my stupor, I immediately turned my attention to scrutinize my surroundings."I..."Noticing the action fi
After I finished explaining, Chloe finally released her grip on me. I fell on my bum, and she left me alone."Ugh..."...What should I do now? I pondered to myself. I had left my mask back in my room, and my remaining money would barely last a week. Therefore, I decided to head to school, looking rather disheveled. My hair was a mess, and I had developed dark circles under my eyes for some unknown reason."How troublesome..."I put on my glasses, the same ones I usually wore when venturing out incognito, and slung my bag over my shoulder.I should mention that when my vision partially returned a few years ago, it was still somewhat blurry.With my bag in tow, I left the estate to make my way to school.---(Alicia's POV)Staring at the imposing school gate ahead, I gripped my bag and adjusted the sword hanging by my side."I hope Vallen stops following me this year."The person in question is my childhood friend, Vallen. For some reason, after he lost his sight, he has become somewhat
(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