Rumors
"Ugh…."
A weight like lead slabs pressed down on my eyelids, crushing my entire body.
And that was just the start.
Pain throbbed everywhere—no part of me felt intact.
Part of it was the aftermath of yesterday's brutal clash in the training grounds.
But mostly, it was because I'd crammed unrefined, massive mana into my body by force.
No wonder my flesh was screaming.
"Ah…."
It was brutal.
Maybe I should just skip class.
I lay there, eyes still shut, lost in the thought.
"……."
Of course, I knew better.
It was just a pointless fantasy.
"Hoo…."
I steadied my breathing, shaking off the haze in my mind.
Crackle—
A shiver raced to my fingertips.
The sensations flooding back were sharper than ever—nothing like before.
Mana coursed through my veins, denser than yesterday, thick beyond compare.
The result of shattering my vessel and forcing it wider wrapped around my whole body.
“…….”
I barely turned my head to eye the water glass by the bed.
I hadn't even reached out, but the ambient mana quivered in response.
A realm I'd clawed my way to over ten years of dogged grinding in my past life.
And now, I'd stepped into it overnight.
What a hollow feeling….
A sudden power-up from some stroke of fate.
Yet I couldn't even feel pure joy—somehow, that just made me sad.
"…Zeek? You're up already?"
A rustle from the next bed, then someone sat up.
He rubbed his eyes with a sleepy voice, peering my way.
"……."
"Zeek?"
Orange hair a tangled mess like a bird's nest.
I stared blankly for a moment, then dredged the name from fuzzy memories.
Hans.
A name I'd forgotten.
And one I'd missed.
No standout talent, but a great guy at heart.
"Run, you idiot!"
Boom—!
"Z-Zeek… you… you have to survive…."
In that desperate fight against the ancient god's minions.
He'd stuck by my side till the end, shield shattered, and died for it.
A comrade whose body I couldn't even recover properly.
"……."
Seeing that friend alive and moving heated something deep in my chest.
But…
"…Sorry. My head's still fuzzy."
A cracked voice slipped from my lips.
I'd thought I had no tears left for grief.
But with this young body, had my mind grown young too?
Gazing at that familiar face, I felt like bursting into tears right then.
"Always so casual. Anyway, what happened yesterday—for real?"
"…What?"
"What do you mean, what? Dude! You wrecked that Kaiden prick. What the hell were you thinking?"
Ah.
That explained it.
The rumors had spread that fast, huh.
I nodded.
It was an official spar, after all. Bound to happen.
Not just my class—other classes, even other years had gathered for the lesson.
If anything, it was slower than I expected.
Creeeak.
"Ugh."
Hans climbed out of bed, stretching and grumbling.
"I'm serious. What are you gonna do?"
"……."
"Even if this academy downplays status, you know that, right? Not some baron or viscount—a duke's house! Side branch or not, those guys live off their pride!"
"…Hoo."
"Don't just sigh, man! Why not go beg Miss Lorraine right now? She could—"
"Hans."
I cut off that familiar, nostalgic nagging and sat up.
Muscles screamed across my body, but mana surging from my core turned the pain into feverish exhilaration.
"I won't drag you down, and I won't die. Don't worry."
"No, it's not about me—you idiot…!"
I ignored his worried scolding and checked the mirror.
Hollow eyes, but my pupils brimmed with life.
Yesterday's nobody, today's genius.
Standing on that line felt… strange.
"Whatever. I'm going for food. Starving here."
"…Hah, food? In this mess? Ugh, you're killing me."
Hans clawed at his hair but gave up, sighing as he grabbed his clothes.
Grumbling all the way, but sticking by me—same as always.
My lips loosened on their own.
Still the same guy.
In my past life, I couldn't protect him.
He'd stepped up to shield me and died pointlessly to those ancient god's spawn.
Not this time.
No one dies in vain.
That's why I seized this power.
***
"……."
"……."
Heading from the dorm to the cafeteria.
People's stares stabbed like needles.
Yesterday's events had spread across the whole academy already.
"Hey, that's him? The second-year who knocked Kaiden's teeth out."
"Crazy? Even an academy has limits on ignoring rank."
"Lowborn trash fearless of a duke's house…."
"House Borgi won't let it slide. He's done for."
Whispers grazed my ears, but my brow didn't twitch.
Compared to brushing death, stares like these were nothing.
"Tch. Can't say it outright, so they mutter."
"…You sure you're okay?"
"What now, man?"
I didn't care if the academy turned against me.
But that was my standard. Hans was different.
"Eating with me might drag you in. Go solo…"
"Nah. If seniors complain, I'll play dumb."
"……."
Bold or just dense?
Either way, forcing him apart would be ridiculous.
Stubborn guy anyway.
"Fine. Do you."
"Like I wasn't already?"
Not a single concession.
I raised the white flag first.
Sighing, I pushed open the cafeteria doors.
The buzz died like cold water poured on it.
"Let's go."
Hundreds of eyes locked on us, pressure mounting.
No hesitation. I strode to the serving line.
That's when—
"Senior Zeek!"
A bright voice shattered the silence, echoing through.
I halted, turning toward the caller.
A girl dashed our way from afar, waving furiously.
Platinum blonde hair swaying, emerald eyes sparkling like sunlight.
First-year uniform suited her perfectly—a doll-like, radiant beauty.
"…Her again?"
Hans beside me shuddered in dismay.
"…?"
Familiar face, but no memory surfaced.
Well, not immediately.
I narrowed my eyes, sifting through recollections.
Then it clicked from some dusty corner.
Airi.
Youngest daughter of Count Leticia—one of the empire's top magic houses.
A prodigy with brilliant talent, bright future ahead.
If memory served, around now.
She'd started following me obsessively.
The trigger? Trivial.
I'd just helped her when she was lost.
"……."
She'd have shone in the coming war, if not for dying early.
Such a waste.
My darkening expression didn't faze her.
She rushed up, clasping her hands, eyes shining.
"Senior! You beat a third-year senior? For real?"
"Miss Airi. Shh! Too loud!"
"Ah…! S-sorry. I was just so shocked…."
"Yeah. It's true."
No point hiding it.
Couldn't anyway.
Already out there—meaningless now.
Her eyes widened at my flat confirmation.
"Ah…."
"Told you it was real…!"
Low gasps rose from students eavesdropping breathlessly.
The rumor confirmed straight from me.
"Whoa! So like you, Senior! I knew that guy would cause trouble someday. Hated watching him bully juniors."
Thud.
"Watch your mouth, please…."
"Huh? Why? Is it a problem?"
Hans paled, glancing around nervously.
She didn't care—her energy unflagging.
Cheerful, or just blind to the mood?
Grew up loved, I guess.
"Whatever. Grab food first, then talk."
We'd stopped mid-line, chatting.
People piled up behind us.
Standing here meant endless waiting.
I led them to the counter.
Plain soup and bread on the tray.
But to my battle-worn body, vital fuel.
"Enjoy!"
"Yeah."
Now I could eat in peace.
I sat, utensils in hand.
Then—
"But Senior! How'd you win? Rumor says you overwhelmed Kaiden—who used mana—with one wooden sword! What's the secret? Secret training over break?"
"……."
Questions. Lots.
Insanely many.
"…Got lucky."
"Aww, no fairytales! I know you're amazing already…."
"Heh, look at her, totally smitten."
"N-no, I'm not?"
Memories trickled back, one by one.
She'd always been like this.
Count's lady or not, she valued people over status.
While Lorraine rose as the empire's hero.
Airi warmed the cold corners of my heart, bit by bit.
Her lively voice mixed with Hans's grumbles.
The cafeteria's tension eased.
Stares still stung.
But here, at least, peaceful daily life settled in.