Kazuto pushed open the squeaky wooden door of F-class. The room looked as if it hadn't seen maintenance since the dawn of magic itself. Dusty desks were lined up unevenly, chairs wobbled like they'd collapse at any moment, and the windows had cracks that whistled when the wind blew through.
"Hmm... being a F rank student doesn't feel that much to me."
"It always happen in academy isekai anime."
Kazuto muttered, stepping inside.
Every seat seemed occupied already. The students inside were chatting in small groups, each one clearly a fellow misfit. He scanned the room until his eyes landed on the only empty seat in the back corner, next to a girl quietly flipping through a worn-out spellbook.
Kazuto made his way over, adjusting his new academy uniform that somehow already felt itchy.
"Uh… hey. Is this seat taken?"
he asked, pointing to the chair beside her.
The girl looked up, her amber eyes curious but calm. She shook her head.
"No. You can sit there if you want."
Kazuto exhaled dramatically, plopping down.
"Oh, thank God… I mean, thanks. I'll sit here."
Score! I didn't get rejected on day one.
The girl tilted her head at him, clearly confused by his muttering.
Before Kazuto could embarrass himself further, the classroom door opened again, and their homeroom teacher strode in.
First Lesson
The teacher, a tall man with short silver hair and a long coat, placed his hands behind his back and gave the class a stern look.
"Welcome, F-class students. My name is Instructor Darius. Starting today, you will train here at Arcana Academy. Your survival depends on your effort. Now we have to test your skills. Then, enough introductions—follow me. We're heading to the training grounds."
Kazuto's smile froze.
"Wait. Training? Isn't it too early? Don't we at least get to study some of magic formulae?"
But the class was already filing out, and Kazuto had no choice but to follow.
The Training Grounds
The wide outdoor field stretched across several acres, lined with practice dummies made of enchanted straw. Students gathered in a half-circle, buzzing with excitement.
Instructor Darius clapped his hand to get their attentions and explained about the rules.
"Each of you will show your magic. Attack the decoy with your spell. But just enough to destroy the decoy."
One by one, students stepped up.
A boy with glasses, Theo, launched a small fireball.
A tall, nervous girl, Mira, cast a gust of wind that toppled her dummy.
A bulky guy named Roland blasted his decoy with rock spikes.
The students cheered each other on, some laughs here and there, but overall supportive.
Then it was the turn of the girl sitting beside Kazuto earlier. She stepped forward at ready position, lifting her wand. Blue sparks danced at her fingertips.
"Aqua Shot!"
A sphere of water formed and shot forward, striking her dummy square in the chest. The decoy staggered back.
The class clapped. She smiled shyly and stepped back. Kazuto blinked.
"Okay, that was actually cool… and she's sitting next to me? Maybe my luck isn't that bad."
Then, Darius' eyes fell on him.
"Kazuto Hoshin. Step forward."
Kazuto felt every ounce of blood drain from his face. His body stiffened.
"M-me? Right now? Uh… maybe we should… you know, skip straight to the written test?"
"Nope."
Kazuto dragged his feet forward, his heart hammering.
The Embarrassing Attempt
Kazuto stood in front of the dummy. He raised his hand dramatically.
"Alright, let's do this. I am the chosen reincarnator! Witness my hidden power!"
Nothing happened.
He coughed.
"…Ahem. Must've been a warm-up. Let's try again."
He thrust his hand forward.
"Fireball! Lightning bolt!"
"How about this one?"
" Kamehameha?!"
Still nothing. Not even a spark.
The crowd started whispering.
"Is he… broken?" "Didn't the crystal say he had zero mana?" "Maybe he's just pretending to be weak… nah, he's actually failure."
Kazuto's shoulders slumped. His heart sank deeper with each failed attempt.
"…Hughh. So this is what failure tastes like. Thank to that forgettable god!"
POV: The God
Far above, in the heaven, the god who reincarnated Kazuto was slapping his forehead.
"How could I forget something so basic?!
"Now he looks like a failure."
"I feel bad for him... But well all I can do now is watch."
Then, the girl from earlier stepped forward to him. She gave him a softly smile.
"Don't worry. Don't give up! At least you're trying. Keep trying."
It caught him off guard. Her voice was soft but steady, and Kazuto felt a little less nervous.
"H-Hey, thanks… umm.., what's your name again?"
"Arisa."
"Arisa, huh? Nice name. I'm Kazuto."
She chuckled softly, and for some reason, he felt better now. Finally a waifuuuu!!!
Lunchtime Gossip
The bell rang, signaling lunch. Students gathered in groups across the courtyard.Kazuto sat alone on a bench, stabbing at his bread roll like it owed him money. Whispers followed him everywhere.
"That's him, the boy with no mana." "What kind of mage has zero mana? What a joke." "He's going to drop out before the week's over."
Kazuto clenched his fists.
"Yup. Reincarnated life: ten out of ten. I'm living the dream, guys."
Then, a shadow fell over his table. He looked up to Arisa holding her lunch tray.
"Mind if I sit here?"
Kazuto blinked.
"You… wanna sit with me? Are you aware of my current social reputation?"
She chuckled softly.
"I don't mind."
"Let them talk. I don't care."
Kazuto blinked, then grinned.
"Wow… a heroine sitting with the loser MC. This is an isekai after all!"
She sat down, and for the first time, Kazuto relaxed.
"So… uh, thanks for earlier. I mean, cheering me on while I was single-handedly rewriting the definition of 'failure."
"You looked like you needed it."
She smiled.
"Well I can't do anything so yeah.."
They both laughed. Soon, the awkwardness melted, and they chatted about classes, the academy, and the city. Kazuto found himself actually enjoying lunch for once.
Afternoon Classes
Back in the classroom, the next session was focused on magical theory. While the other students practiced basic spells, Kazuto sat buried in books, scribbling notes furiously.
"Okay, now I understand basic about magic."
"Hmm... So magic is not a power just imagination?"
"Huhh.. I don't understand this."
"I have to try it...umm ohh yeah.. I don't have mana."
Arisa glanced at him.
"You're really studying hard."
"Well, I don't have much choice, do I? If I can't cast magic, I'll just have to do whatever I can!"
Evening at the Dorms
When school ended, Kazuto wandered the academy's apartment halls, holding a slip of paper with his room number.
"Room 3-B… let's see who my unlucky roommate is. Please let it be someone quiet. Or a cute girl. Yeah, preferably a cute girl."
I gotta stay with a cute waifuuu ahh.. can't wait to see her.
He reached the door, turned the handle, and stepped inside.
There, unpacking her books on the desk, was Arisa.
Kazuto froze.
"…No. Way."
Arisa turned and blinked.
"Kazuto? You're my roommate?"
Kazuto pointed at the ceiling.
"God! Don't you tell me this was your plan..."
Silence.
Then he grinned sheepishly at Arisa.
"Well… Let's get along!"
She smiled.
"I guess we'll be roommates from now on."
"I'll be counting on you!"
Kazuto jumped onto his bed, throwing his arms behind his head.
"God, I know you messed up with the mana thing, but… I'll forgive you for this one."
He glanced at the readers.
"Well guys my life is not bad at all right? I should be glad for having a waifu and staying in a same room."
"I can't wait to see her in next chapter!!"