It was a rainy day. I was going to school by train. Luckily, I got a seat. I had many bruises on my face covered with plasters, because yesterday I was beaten up by Alex's gang for not giving them money. Of course, I lied to my aunt. Otherwise, it would have been another problem. I told her I fell down the staircase as a cover-up story.
Truly, this reality sucks! My hobbies are mostly those of an introvert: anime, web novels, chess, and games. I wish some kind of fantasy would happen in this real world.
(Others in the train are murmuring)
"Woah! Who's that beauty?"
"I want to talk to her… give it a try."
I turned my head toward the voices. Their eyes were locked on her, unmoving, as if they were petrified. I looked at her and recognized her. She was Selene Maraine—the top student in our school who excelled not only in academics but also in many sports. On top of that, she had a kind personality, always helping others with their work. Of course, above all else, she was beautiful—so much so that some became hypnotized the very moment they looked at her. She had silver-white hair, ruby-red eyes, and a slim figure. No wonder they were so captivated.
I don't feel anything for anyone. They're just people around me, doing their work, talking with each other. I don't like to interact with many people—it would be a nuisance if I had too many friends. As for me, I'm just an average guy who gets good grades on tests, though I'm very good at calculating possibilities, and I'm skilled at athletics.
At that moment, her eyes turned to me. She stood up, walked toward me, and asked,
"Are you Kael from our school?"
I was shocked. I'm not good at talking with people, especially girls. And she remembered my name? What a surprise. I thought, is this just a coincidence?
I replied,
"Oh! Yes. And you are Selene, right?"
"Yes," she replied.
I also stood up—it wouldn't be right to keep a girl standing. At the same time, an old woman came by, so I offered her my seat. While Selene and I talked, I felt hateful glares stabbing me from behind, like a heavy boulder pressing down on my head. I'm just an ordinary person with black hair and dark-blue eyes that sometimes look pale.
Selene noticed my plasters and asked,
"What happened to your face?"
I told her the same lie I told my aunt, but she didn't believe it. (Honestly, I suspect my aunt didn't believe me either.) Not that I cared.
She pressed on:
"Why are you lying? It's so obvious you got beaten up, and that's probably Alex's doing. Why aren't you telling the teacher?"
I replied,
"It would be another problem if Alex found out. So don't do anything. Please."
She frowned in frustration.
"I'll try my best, but if things get out of hand, I'll tell the teacher."
Why does she keep worrying about me? I thought. I don't understand. But it's really annoying. This is why I hate kind, nice girls—they always meddle in other people's business.
"Oh… okay," I said aloud.
At that moment, a blue circle appeared. It was like a tiny black hole, but glowing blue and horizontal. Later, I would learn that it was a portal.
From it stepped a mysterious man, dressed like a medieval noble. He carried a small walking cane. But what caught my eyes most was his face—it was painted like a clown's. It looked like powder for sure, but the expression was unnerving: a smile that seemed forced, twisted, as if he were straining to keep it on.
(He muttered to himself)
"Ahh, these filthy beings who can't even sense me. Their very existence frustrates me. I'd love to kill them all, but then I'd lose my Draevenholt knightship… and that would be a problem." He sighed.
(Kael thought to himself)
Who is this? Killing people? What is he talking about? Draevenholt? Where on Earth is that? I don't understand anything he's saying.
I asked Selene,
"Can you see that blue circle?"
She answered,
"No… Kael, are you okay?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," I said. But I wasn't fine at all.
Then he noticed me. His eyes locked onto mine, and his creepy smile widened, filled with hatred and rage. My body froze. He stepped closer and said,
"Oh, what amusement we have here. You can see me, can't you? This is interesting… very fortunate. Tonight, I'll come to see you. BE AWARE! HAHAHAHA!"
Then, as suddenly as he appeared, he vanished into the blue circle, which disappeared with him.
Who was that freak? His last words sounded like something a pervert would say. But the murderous intent and crushing pressure he gave off weren't a joke . I could feel it clearly, though I don't know why. I'll have to be careful tonight.