I Scoured Everywhere and Barely Nabbed One
Class 2, defeated in the score tally, faced punishment drills while Class 1 enjoyed an early dinner. The spacious cafeteria was still open, warm food steaming on the tables. It was perfect for savoring the thrill of their first classroom victory.
"By the way, Iris."
"Yeah?"
"How'd you find that magic stone you brought back? It got the highest score."
By the time Iris had handed the magic stone to Professor Metaph and returned to the meeting spot, Professor Almond already knew about it. Some remote communication spell, no doubt.
"Got lucky."
"Lucky?"
Kyle echoed her unexpected answer, and Iris just nodded. Strictly speaking, it hadn't been her who'd found the stone—it was Maness Pictri. And since he'd called it luck, that's all she could say.
Luck. Back then, she'd been exhausted, desperate to salvage something from the day, so she'd taken his word at face value. But looking back now, a few things felt off.
For starters, both mana detection attempts on the mountain had been at Maness's suggestion. No amount of luck explained pinpointing a magic stone inside a vast mountain rock. Recalling his actions, he'd seemed confident, like he knew. It might've been just a hunch, but he didn't strike her as the type to stumble on a needle in a desert haystack.
Anxiety, unease, worry—emotions any student climbing halfway up the mountain empty-handed should show. He hadn't displayed a trace of them.
- Just say you found it alone.
- Why? I didn't do much.
- Do as I say. Wandering around with that spoiled punk? It'll only hurt you.
That was what Maness had whispered to her after class, away from prying eyes. Rumors of cozying up to the public enemy would make school life hell.
"Truth is, Maness deserves most of the credit."
"Oh, ri— who?"
But Iris didn't care much for sidelong glances. She hated injustice most of all—a duke's daughter who'd bolted from a gilded cage fate just because it was "proper." Hogging the glory for Class 1's win? Unacceptable.
"Maness. You know."
The cafeteria fell silent, all eyes on her. That name shouldn't come from a model student like Iris.
"What're you talking about?"
Morras reacted most explosively. Maness was the rival company's heir, a pretty-boy thug riding his looks, the villain who'd publicly humiliated him. No way that guy pulled off anything big for Class 1.
"I just followed him."
"You followed Maness?"
"He found the mana well same as me in mana control class. Made me think he had better magic talent."
Clink—the words hit so hard, Morras dropped his spoon.
"N-No way. He couldn't even handle mana control like you."
"That's why I got curious and tagged along."
The shocking reveal sparked whispers among the students—not condemnation of Iris hanging with Maness, but doubt over whether that punk really shone. Iris was a class pillar; she wouldn't catch flak over nothing.
"So, you trailed Maness, and he sniffed out the stone with magic?"
Kyle calmed the fuming Morras beside him and probed gently. He'd normally dodge drama, but curiosity won out. Pictri Trading heir? Best to learn all he could.
"Told you—good luck, he said."
"Hmm..."
Kyle smiled faintly, murmuring thoughtfully. Luck? He didn't buy intangible forces like that. Magic could be proven; luck couldn't. So he reframed it: a simple excuse. Maness had found it through pure skill.
"Oh, right."
Kyle turned to Conien, who'd joined late and was quietly eating.
"Conien, you said you were late cleaning up that big explosion site up top with the professors?"
"Yeah."
"Know anything about the blast?"
Conien met Kyle's innocent gaze. The question baited a specific answer, like you'd know. Kyle's instincts rivaled Conien's wild senses—he was sharper than most.
"Joined late, so not much."
"...I see."
No need to spill details. Professors were already eyeing Maness; airing it would just stoke Class 1's grudge. Besides, Maness had coldly rejected Kyle's friendly overture. No reason to drag his name into this.
"Anyway, that guy's just bluffing. Saw him drag in a dazed Class 2 kid at the end? Bet he clocked him on sight!"
"What do you know?"
Iris cut off Morras's rant. Cowardly bully or not, he'd carried her while fleeing skeletons.
"Why defend him so hard, Iris? Some deal between you two...?"
"You jerk! You think that's me?"
"Calm down, both of you."
Kyle restrained them as Iris slammed the table and stood. Better avoid provocations like this.
"You saw those skeletons coming down with disqualification bracelets. Probably snatched Boltman from them."
"That punk saving someone? I'd sooner believe a griffon ignoring a jewel pile!"
"If they headbutted, he wouldn't haul him down like that."
"Th-That's..."
With Kyle mediating, tension eased; eyes drifted back to food. Morras, realizing his overheat, coughed awkwardly and sat.
"Sorry. Got carried away."
"Yeah, spouting off without knowing."
"Let's drop it and chat about today's first classes?"
Soothing Iris's barbs at Morras, Kyle swiftly shifted topics—from strict Professor Hiteri Solik to eccentric Professor Almond's mana well extremes. He revived the mood with fresh stories, inwardly satisfied. No hard facts, but gains on Maness Pictri.
*
Maness had planned to grab academy lunch amid the cafeteria crowd, but Class 1's early end left him buying snacks from the shop and heading to a quiet walkway. Better than drawing eyes in the bustling plaza.
Before tearing into his bread bag, he sat on a bench and gathered mana between his palms. Same as mana control class: mana pooled, but colorless, formless.
Professor Metaph had called it illusion affinity this afternoon. Feeling his mana anew, Maness released focus with a sigh.
Illusion magic. The magic mages dreaded most. Hearing of his talent brought disappointment over joy.
Illusion twisted senses— like Professor Metaph's perception hacks in morning class, directly messing with minds. Practicality rivaled other magics, but the issue was impact.
A fireball spell delivered real fireball damage, be the target archmage or knight. It flew, hit, resulted. No vanishing mid-air.
But illusions? If the target's mana outclassed yours, poof—nullified. Mana superiority bred magic resistance, erasing illusion's effects entirely.
"Hoo..."
Slumped, Maness raked back his hair. Beyond unreliability, it lacked flash, suited few scenarios—more reasons for scorn. Worst: tough against anti-magic groups or demons in life-or-death scraps.
Small mercy, though. Pessimism mounted, but not hopeless.
- Your mana reserves are vast to begin with. Talent to shine anywhere, not just illusions.
Professor Zentina, via skeleton, had praised his innate mana volume as elite potential. No need to lock into illusions for a bright future.
Maness inhaled deeply, extended an arm—then withdrew. Zentina warned against casting without control; one slip could crater the walkway like the mountain.
"Nothing works right."
"Highest scorer whining? Cute."
Maness shot up, whirling. Right behind: a black-haired woman scratching her head, the picture of boredom.
"...Professor Almond."
She held a bag like his from the shop.
*
"Reserved seat, huh."
"Yup. Low traffic on these outer paths."
Returning a passing student's greeting, Maness eyed Almond gnawing jerky, then bit into his bacon bread.
"You look worried, though."
"Counseling too?"
"Not one for hassle unless asked. But sometimes."
Swallowing jerky, Almond pulled two more pieces, handing one over.
"Thanks."
"Eh. Gotta score points with Metaph's new favorite."
"Close with Professor Metaph?"
"Hmph, bad blood."
She grumbled, stuffing more jerky.
"Childhood pals, basically."
Waving to another student, Almond showed unexpected warmth. This world differed from the game. Her dialogue hinted depth beyond the reckless nutcase. Sure, lounging on benches screamed crazy, but texts weren't everything.
"No counseling needed?"
"Right, counseling."
No point brooding alone. Students saw him as a punk, but professors shrugged it off. Mages were quirky; his antics fit their worldly views.
"They say I've got illusion talent, but wondering if that's my path."
Almond blinked, pausing mid-chew at his cautious worry, looking baffled.
"Skip it, and you'll regret."