I pinched my cheeks to check if I was dreaming. My name was on the list of Potentia Academy's representatives for the hero's party recruitment.
My heart was beating fast. I didn't know what to express. Instead, I just stood there looking at my name wide eyed.
That was until Elio patted my back, but because of his monstrous strength, it was more like a slap.
"Ow!" I winced, rubbing the spot where his hand landed. "Careful, man."
Elio blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Ah—my bad."
Before I could say anything else, his grin returned full force. "But seriously, you're on the list! This is huge, Aran! You, me, and Kristina—all three of us were chosen! Can you believe that?!"
Kristina stepped closer to the board, her arms crossed but a satisfied smile tugging at her lips. "It does feel kind of unreal… but I'm not complaining."
I looked back at my name.
When Headmaster Valen said that people were watching… did he mean this?
Whispers started to stir around us, quiet at first, then sharper with every second.
"Did he cheat?"
"This has to be a joke, right?"
"What are they thinking, putting him up there?!"
The voices piled on top of each other, pressing against me harder than the words themselves. My chest felt tight just standing in front of the board.
Noticing my anxious state, Kristina suddenly grabbed my hand.
Before I could even react, she lifted my arm high into the air and shouted, her voice ringing above the whispers:
"AW YEAH! THEY'RE FINALLY NOTICING YOUR TALENTS, ARAN!"
The crowd actually paused, stunned by her sheer volume. A few students even flinched.
My face burned. "What the—?! What are you doing?!"
Kristina just smirked, still holding my hand up like I'd just won a tournament. "Relax. If they're going to stare, might as well give them something worth staring at."
My face went red. "Kristina—!"
Elio, laughing nervously but genuinely, stepped in. "She's right! Whether some people like it or not, you made it! Personally, I couldn't be happier for you!"
I looked at both of them. It's a rare thing to see.
They're happy for me... No questions asked...?
This feels strange to me, but it's not bad.
Kristina nudged me with her elbow, her smirk softening into something gentler. "What's with that face? Don't tell me you're about to cry."
"I'm not!" I said quickly, though my voice cracked enough to make Elio chuckle. "Let's get to class already!"
My face was red as a tomato, and my nostrils were flaring. But despite this, I couldn't help but be happy.
I guess what I was feeling was pride.
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An old man looked down from his window, one hand folded behind his back as he observed the crowd of students forming below. His gaze lingered on the dark-haired boy walking between his peers.
"I've seen the list of the representatives, but sir…" The voice came from behind him, low and uncertain. "The boy without any abilities. Is it really fine to pick him?"
The old man didn't answer immediately. His eyes narrowed, watching Aran laugh awkwardly as Kristina and Elio kept pace beside him.
Finally, he spoke.
"Two months ago, I was shocked to read the report given to me by Isaac. Two young boys were involved, the other not having a perk. In other words, he was too weak to save himself when danger appears."
He paused.
"But despite his weakness, he not only assisted behind the scenes, but also fought to save lives."
He looked back at his secretary.
"I believe that abilities alone do not decide a person's worth. That boy has something the others lack."
The subordinate hesitated. "And what is that?"
The old man's lips curved in the faintest of smiles.
"We'll find out soon enough."
"I see. Very well, Headmaster Valen."
Valen leaned back, scratching his head. "But honestly, that last spot was just an afterthought. I only tossed Aran in because I felt like it!" He suddenly burst into raucous laughter that echoed through the office.
—
At the school gates, a young man suddenly twitched.
"Huh? What's with the face, Aran?"
"I don't know…" Aran frowned. "I just got the feeling someone said something really rude."
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When Kristina and I stepped into the classroom, a wave of students immediately swarmed us with questions.
Well—swarmed her. I was basically treated like air.
"Kristina! You actually made it onto the representative list, right?"
"Do you think the Headmaster put you in because of your ability? It has to be!"
"Do you know how they even chose people? Some of the names don't make sense."
Kristina forced a polite smile, answering vaguely, while the questions piled on.
I slipped into my seat without so much as a glance in my direction.
From the looks of it, Pincer had a crowd around him too, half the class buzzing with questions about his ranking.
Meanwhile—I sat there like a piece of discarded furniture. Not even the "oh wow, so you're on the list too?" pity-question.
I could already guess why—because if they wanted real answers, I was about as reliable as a fortune cookie.
A few whispers drifted over anyway.
"…must've been a mistake."
"Maybe they just needed to fill space at the bottom."
I propped my chin on my hand. Well hey, someone's gotta be the inspirational underdog story.
I looked at Pincer who was moving his hands around from joy. "Of course I'd get picked! Have you seen my practical grades?"
Kristina, meanwhile, was flawlessly interacting with everyone with a smile. It still makes me wonder why she still hangs around me. We do get along, but she's hot way more friends than just me and Elio.
I guess I'll never understand the power of being a social butterfly.
After a while Professor Stein walks into the class and tells us to settle down.
"First of all," he said, brushing chalk dust from his coat sleeve, "congratulations to Aran, Kristina, and Pincer for making the list of representatives!"
Everyone clapped and cheered, although most of it was aimed at the two over-achievers in class.
Kristina received her usual wave of admiration, while Pincer puffed up with the smugness of someone who thought applause was his birthright.
My name had been in the announcement too, but the few glances thrown my way carried more curiosity than celebration.
Professor Stein didn't give the room time to dwell. He turned back to the board, already shifting into lecture mode as though the list was nothing more than routine.
________________________________________
"A toast to our victory!"
Kristina exclaimed before the three of us clinked our juice boxes together like they were champagne flutes.
We were having lunch on the rooftop, away from the noise of the cafeteria.
Elio took a sip before looking at us.
"So, I'm guessing there were some great reactions from you guys?"
Kristina smirked. "Naturally. Half the class nearly suffocated me with congratulations." She puffed out her chest, clearly enjoying the memory. "How about you?"
"Well, uh..." Elio paused. "No one really wanted to approach me... I guess even after so long, they still haven't gotten used to me in class." He chuckled nervously.
I patted his shoulder and gave a thumbs up.
"I feel you, brother."
"Eh…?" Elio tilted his head.
Kristina chimed in, her tone even. "He means the same thing happened to him."
Elio blinked, then his expression softened into a small smile. "…Oh. Then I guess that makes two of us."
I grinned. "Like peas in a pod..."
"Why does it feel like I'm being left out here?" Kristina sulked, crossing her arms with a pouting face.
Elio snorted quietly, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. "You're part of the pod, Kristina. Don't worry."
I grinned at her. "Three peas. The ultimate trio."
Kristina huffed, but her lips tugged into a small smile. "Fine, fine… I guess I'll allow it."
For a little while, we just sat there, enjoying our lunch in each other's company, the city stretching out beneath us. Today was for celebrating—but the moment carried a quiet edge.
I couldn't shake the thought: it wouldn't be long before we'd have to prove ourselves for real. The nationwide selection was coming, and if I wanted any chance of holding my own… I'd have to bring my absolute A game.
Even as the breeze ruffled my hair, I felt it. Excitement mixed with tension. Today's just one step forward. I need to work harder.
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