I woke at 6:30 A.M., my eyes opening a moment before my alarm could sound. Why am I waking up so early? Is this some kind of sign? I shook off the thought. It didn't matter. I had already decided to take a break from part-time jobs; my schedule was about to become much busier. Yesterday, after returning from work, I had successfully enrolled in the Magica Academy. The registration process was surprisingly smooth, and my classes would begin tomorrow with the opening ceremony.
The academy had provided a stack of beginner's books to cover my complete lack of magical experience. The titles were daunting: "The Concept of Magic," "Spells," "Artifacts," "Martial Arts," "Summoning," and "The Void." They promised a crash course in the supernatural world.
I decided to skip the overview and dive into one I could start on immediately. I picked up "The Void," carried it to the sofa, and fetched a glass of juice from the refrigerator. A drink seemed necessary for such heavy reading.
---
In the beginning, there was nothing. No space, no time, no light to shine. Just endless nothing, empty and deep—a silent forever where nothing could sleep.
But then, nothing began to be… a thing. A place of nothing, which difference did bring. So now there were two: the old nothing, and the new.
These two things started to fight, a great cosmic crash in the absence of light. From that mighty clash, a new thing was born: a spark of pure knowledge on a celestial morn.
This knowledge, this info, flew far and fast. It gave everything meaning, a purpose to last. From that info, a mind, a conscience, awoke. And then from the pressure, new rules and laws broke.
Out came sweet Time, a river to flow. Out came wide Space, for stars to now grow. Space and Time spread so far and so wide, making countless new worlds where life could reside.
But the old nothing stayed; it didn't go away. It hated the night and the day. It started to spread, to destroy and consume. And that's why we call it The Void, and the gloom.
And that is the story of how all began, with a fight in the dark, a most wonderful plan.
---
Hours slipped away while I was lost in the book. For a beginner's text, it was profoundly descriptive. I had learned the terrifying, primordial origin of the Void. The scale of the information was immense, like giving a calculus textbook to a child—almost too much for my mind to hold.
A heavy, cold weight settled in my chest. If the Void was this fundamental, this almighty, was there any way to stop it? Did we exist only to suffer before being consumed by this all-devouring phenomenon?
Why? This is such bullshit! Frustration and a sense of cosmic injustice burned through me. Could we even hope to resist it with all our might and power?
But then, a new thought emerged, a spark against the gloom. Will I be able to contribute something if I learn magic? The idea kindled a fragile but determined hope. Maybe I could actually learn to save people from it.
I started devouring the other books, my eagerness renewed. Before I knew it, the clock showed nearly 2:00 P.M. I decided to take a break and get some food. Grabbing my keys, I left the house, the habitual lock-click a reassuring sound.
The bakery was quiet at this hour. Rose noticed me immediately.
"Welcome, Sparx. Did you not go to work today?" she asked. She was accustomed to my pre-shift visits.
"Yeah, I kind of took the day off," I said, trying to sound casual. "I'm enrolling in the Magica Academy. I start attending tomorrow." Mentioning the prestigious academy felt like a boast, but I couldn't help it. I didn't mention the tough evaluation test awaiting me tomorrow; I just hoped I would pass.
"Oh," she said, her face falling slightly. "I tried to enroll too, but my mana is too low to become a Magus." A shadow of a past disappointment crossed her features. She must have studied hard, only to be rejected. This bakery was likely her path forward after that dream died.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. I shouldn't have brought it up," I said quickly, my heart aching to see her look so sad. But I remembered the "Artifacts" book. Couldn't a person use enchanted objects to become stronger without immense personal mana?
"Oh, don't worry, I am trying to recover from it," she said, forcing a bright smile. She was always so supportive, offering kind words during her shifts. I wanted to protect people like her—good people who couldn't protect themselves. Seeing her pure smile warmed my heart.
She handed me the wrapped sandwiches. As I took them, an idea formed. "Hey, uhh, if you don't mind... When I become a Magus, I can teach you stuff related to artifacts. As a repayment for all your help till now." Artifacts were rare and powerful, operating on their own innate magic. It was a long shot, but maybe I could find one for her.
She was quiet for a moment, processing my offer. Suddenly, her face flushed a deep red. "Wh-what are you talking about!? Artifacts are very rare! I don't want you to waste them on someone like me!" She closed her eyes, her embarrassment only enhancing her attractiveness.
"No, no. It's not a problem for me," I insisted, committing to the lie. "I think I will get quite a lot of artifacts in the future. Just a hunch." In truth, I had no guarantee I'd ever even see one.
She stared at me, her face still crimson, then looked away nervously. "W-well, if you say so." She fidgeted with her fingers on the counter, a gesture that was both endearing and strangely alluring.
It was time to head home. "Well, meet you tomorrow, Rose," I said, heading for the door. She waved back as usual, her body moving with the gesture.
Sigh, am I being hypnotized by her breasts? I wondered, shaking my head as I walked back to my house.
---
[Cherry's POV]
At a lonely bus stop, a girl with long black hair stood waiting. Dressed in her college uniform, she held a magic book in her hand, her eyes scanning the surroundings for someone who never appeared.
With a soft sigh, she sat on the bench, puffing her cheeks in disappointment before turning her attention to the book. She had brought it for the new magic enthusiast she met yesterday, but he was nowhere to be found.
When the bus arrived, she boarded. As usual, all eyes turned to her the moment she stepped inside. She found a lone seat, but almost immediately, a man slid in beside her. She could feel his ill intentions like a physical chill.
He pressed his leg against hers, then let his hand wander to her thigh. The other passengers watched, but did nothing, treating the scene as a perverse form of entertainment.
Her discomfort grew. When his hand crept toward her breast, she'd had enough. Silently, she wove a mind-altering spell behind his back. As an average civilian, his mental defenses were weak. The spell struck, and he instantly went vacant, sitting motionless with a blank stare. She calmly removed his hand and sat in stoic silence.
The spell wasn't permanent; he would simply forget everything about today.
Soon, her stop arrived. She disembarked and walked toward a colossal structure in the distance—the Magica Academy. Its towering spires were visible from miles away. This prestigious institution was where humans learned the supernatural arts to defend themselves from the Void.
Other students arrived in spectacular fashion: on magic brooms, soaring through the air, teleporting in flashes of light. But she preferred not to waste mana on transportation, always taking the bus.
On the path to the main gates, she met her class instructor, an old man with a neat white beard and a professor's coat, a perpetual twinkle in his eye.
"Oh, if it isn't our gifted child! You're very early today, hmm?" he said in a jovial, joking tone.
She looked at him and offered a simple nod. Their relationship seemed cordial but distant. "Um, where is Sir Victor?" she asked, her voice suddenly animated with enthusiasm.
"Oh, such a fan girl for Victor, huh?" the old instructor said, feigning hurt. "I'm kind of as powerful as him, you know? You can come to me if you have any doubts."
"I will," she said, "but you're not as popular as he is." Her statement was a blunt, factual dagger.
"Oh, geez. Alright, come on, fan girl. Victor is right this way," he conceded, gesturing for her to follow. After all, Victor had invited her for special training today, and she wasn't about to be late.