Morning at the Academy
Morning at the Academy began with the rustle of robes and echoing footsteps over stone floors. Hiro entered the classroom, where the students of Omega-1 were already gathered. At the podium stood the magic professor—a lean man with streaks of gray in his hair, eyes tired yet sparkling when the topic turned to magic.
“Today we’ll study the Ignition spell,” he began, dictating the incantation. “The foundation of foundations. Focus on the object, the words—and the candle will light.”
He demonstrated. The candle on the desk flickered into a weak flame. The students whispered among themselves.
“Now, you try,” said the professor, scanning the class.
Hiro leaned on his hand, not bothering to attempt it. The professor frowned.
“Hiro, since you think yourself above this, demonstrate for us.”
Hiro lazily raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The candle flared instantly—far brighter than the professor’s.
A collective gasp of astonishment filled the room.
“…Yes, exactly like that,” the professor muttered, stumbling over his words. “Correct… did you whisper it, or…?” His tone held not anger, but excitement.
---
After class, the professor caught up with Hiro in the corridor.
“Hiro, wait! I… I beg you, become my pupil. I want to teach you personally.”
Hiro raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Only if I get full access to the library. And a separate room for experiments.”
“Agreed!” the professor blurted joyfully. “I’ll arrange everything. I’m glad you take magic so seriously!”
Hiro smirked faintly.
“Deal.”
---
In the courtyard, he spotted two students—a boy and a girl—struggling to lift a heavy crate of books. Without effort, he picked it up and set it against the wall.
Stolen novel; please report.
“Wow… thank you,” the girl breathed. “I’m Leah from Omega-3.”
“And I’m Martin from Omega-2,” the boy added. “You’re… from Omega-1, right?”
They looked at him with disbelief, as if elite students weren’t supposed to help.
“Hiro,” he said simply. “I’m just a student.”
Yet respect already flickered in their eyes.
---
Later, while they were talking, Rosaline entered the garden with her entourage. Everyone fell silent immediately.
“So this is where you are,” she said coldly. “You think you can break discipline and act however you like?”
Hiro replied calmly:
“I just don’t like wasting time. If a lesson teaches nothing—why sit through it?”
“Arrogance is the worst trait a student can have,” Rosaline snapped sharply.
Hiro smirked.
“Only worse is living for someone else’s approval.”
Muffled giggles rippled around. Rosaline’s cheeks flushed with anger. She spun, her robe whipping through the air.
“Hmph. I’ll put you in your place yet.”
As she left, Hiro muttered quietly:
“She definitely hates me.”
---
Rosaline’s thoughts:
“What an insolent brat! Why does he irritate me so… Could it be because he acts like that S-rank adventurer… the Void God? My idol… But this boy is just a pale imitation. I’ll prove he’s nothing compared to a real hero.”
---
In the evening, Director Selveran peeked into Hiro’s room.
“You had… a bright start today. I’ll be frank: you can skip mandatory classes. But show up occasionally—to respect the Academy.”
Hiro grinned.
“So I’ll have freedom. I like that.”
The director nodded and left. Hiro lay on his bed, thinking that the most interesting part was only beginning.
---
The Next Morning
The next morning began quietly. Hiro woke earlier than anyone else—a habit from his guild days. He washed quickly, draped his haori over his shoulders, and stepped out into the city unhurried. With no classes today, he could explore the Academy grounds and nearby markets at his leisure.
The town around the Academy buzzed with life: blacksmiths hammered glowing metal, alchemists sold potions of every color, and scroll shops displayed posters promising “Rare Magic at Low Prices!”
Hiro walked slowly, eyes roaming, curious yet bored. His magic already surpassed these trivial trinkets. Still, he knew observing people was important.
At the entrance to an alchemy shop, he noticed a boy in glasses, buried in a scroll, nearly bumping into the counter.
“Hey, careful,” Hiro said, steadying him by the shoulder.
The boy looked up—chestnut hair, lean, eyes bright with curiosity.
“Ah, sorry!” he stammered. “I’m just… this is a scroll on arcane seals! Look at the complexity!”
Hiro smirked.
“Not impressed.”
“Really? You probably just don’t understand!” the boy said proudly. “I’m Elmar, from Omega-2. And you… wait, you’re the newcomer from Omega-1?”
“Hiro.”
Elmar held out his hand, and Hiro shook it.
“Honestly, I thought you’d be arrogant, like everyone from the elite class. But you stopped to talk… you can call me ‘Botan,’ everyone does.”
“Haha. Botan’s a title, not a name. Fine, I’ll call you Bota,” Hiro said with a light grin.
They entered the shop together. Elmar enthusiastically showed rare ingredients, crystals, and flasks of strange liquids. Hiro listened half-heartedly, occasionally dropping sharp remarks.
“This powder triples fire output,” Elmar explained. “But I always wonder: what if we connect it directly to mana, skipping the catalyst?”
“Then,” Hiro said, “it just burns stronger, depending on the powder’s quantity.”
Elmar stared in surprise.
“You… know your stuff?”
“I’m just familiar with mana.”
They chatted a bit more, and Elmar offered to show him the alchemy library, but Hiro decided to walk on.
“See you in class,” Elmar said. “Good to meet you.”
Hiro nodded and continued.
At the blacksmith, he paused at the swords. Each was finely decorated, but Hiro saw their flaws immediately. One would snap at the first blow, another bore a crack in its mana aura. He glanced behind the counter and noticed a short girl. Smirking, he muttered:
“The smith is garbage.”
“Don’t like them?” came a voice.
Hiro turned to see Rosaline, flanked by two girls. Her chin lifted, her gaze tinged with amusement.
“Again? Yeah, these swords aren’t worth a single strike,” Hiro replied.
“For a guild peasant, you talk too much,” Rosaline said coldly.
The girls giggled, then froze as Hiro burst into laughter himself. Catching his breath, he said:
“Oh, how banal… and funny.”
Rosaline’s eyes narrowed.
“You think it’s funny!? Then let’s settle this.”
“Settle how?”
“You say these swords are worthless. I say skill matters more than the blade.” She stepped closer. “If I can beat you in training with any of these swords, you’ll carry a wooden sword at your waist in the Academy at all times.”
Hiro considered, then smiled.
“Hm. Fine. But if I win—you bow to me for a week whenever you see me.”
Gasps ran through her entourage. Rosaline herself flared with anger.
“Cheeky brat… We’ll see.”
She spun sharply and left, her entourage trailing. Hiro watched her go, quietly smirking.
“Finally… something fun at last.”
