I woke at 6:50 A.M., my body heavy with fatigue. I'd stayed up most of the night poring over the beginner magic books. But today was the day my academy life would finally begin.
My efforts hadn't been in vain; I'd even managed to learn a few simple spells, like storage magic. It allowed me to store items in a special pocket dimension, the size of which depended on my mana capacity. To my surprise, it came easily. I stored the necessary books and supplies, completed my morning routine, and left the house, the click of the lock a final, familiar sound before I stepped into my new future.
My first stop was the bakery. The moment I entered, Rose noticed me and offered a wide, bright smile.
"So, you're going to the magic academy now, huh?" she said. "Hope you have fun there!" I had told her yesterday, but I still had the evaluation test to pass. Her faith in me felt like a tangible weight. I couldn't disappoint her.
She handed me a bag. "I put in some extra sandwiches for free, so you'll have more energy for your evaluation test!" Her smile was devastatingly cute. I thanked her, the force of her charm making it difficult to turn and leave.
At the bus stop, I saw Cherry. Her large breasts were, as always, prominently outlined by her uniform shirt. She noticed me and her face lit up as she hurried over.
"So, you decided to enroll after all," she said, a hint of accusation in her tone. "I thought you chickened out when I didn't see you yesterday." Why was she upset? Had she been lonely?
"I was reading the stack of beginner books the academy gave me," I explained. "I didn't have time to come to the bus stop. You must have been very lonely." It struck me that she was always alone when I saw her.
"Wh-what! I, I am not angry because I was feeling lonely, okay?" she insisted, her face flushing as she looked away. The contradiction was endearing.
"Okay, okay, I understand," I said, conceding. "Anyway, what's that book? Is it for me?" The volume in her hands was different from the standard-issue ones.
"W-well, since you're kind of new to magic, I thought I could give you some beginner spells I made specially for you," she said, her voice soft, her cheeks still tinged with pink.
"Well, thank you. I can't refuse such a gift from you." I took the book. It had a handmade feel, but its contents were what truly mattered.
The bus arrived, and we boarded, sitting together as had become our routine. The jealous stares from other passengers were a familiar backdrop to our conversation about magic and the day ahead.
When we reached our stop and disembarked together, the weight of those stares intensified, but I paid them no mind. My attention was fixed ahead on the magnificent, colossal structure of the Magica Academy, a building funded by the nation with immense resources. A thrill ran through me at the thought that I could soon be an official student.
Cherry walked beside me with a dignified air, though the bounce of her breasts with each step somewhat undermined her serious composure. I kept my gaze firmly ahead as we approached the giant entrance.
A man in a professor's coat emerged. He smiled at Cherry. "Ah, early again? What training did you do with Victor yesterday? You looked very tired." He seemed genuinely friendly.
"The usual training," she replied, her tone bordering on boredom. "Mana concentration." Their relationship seemed professional, not close. The man scratched his head, still smiling, and then his eyes fell on me.
"Ohh! Our Cherry has finally made a boyfriend! That's news!" he exclaimed. I couldn't tell if he was serious or just making a poor joke.
"Sh-shut up! It's none of your business!" Cherry's face flushed crimson as she tried to hush him. It was cute, but I noted she didn't outright deny the claim. The concept of being a boyfriend was so foreign to me I had no frame of reference for it.
The professor left, chuckling to himself, and we entered the academy. The interior was vast, a labyrinth of halls and sections. Cherry led me to a bustling area teeming with new students all waiting for their evaluation tests.
She seemed pleased to be my guide. Other students stared at us, their gazes a mix of curiosity and, perhaps, envy. We reached a counter with neatly stacked papers and a robotic attendant.
"Welcome to the Magica Academy, newbies!" it said in a synthesized voice. "This is where you'll learn about magic and the world. As you grow, we hope you'll become very good humans." The statement was both humorous and sincere.
"Time for your evaluation test, User 9173826192," it announced, reciting a long identification number. It retrieved a blue crystal sphere from under the desk and placed it before me. Cherry watched me with hopeful eyes. I have to do my best.
As soon as my fingers touched the cool surface of the sphere, it began to glow, cycling through a riot of colors. Numbers flickered across it erratically: 50, 100, 2000, 5000, 9000, 20000, 8000, 3000, and finally... 0. The light stabilized into a steady, unwavering green. I looked to Cherry, expecting shared triumph, but found only confusion on her face.
Suddenly, the robot spoke again. "Error! Required mana insufficient. Error! User 9173826192 has passed the evaluation test!"
Huh? It said I passed because I failed? The shock on my face was mirrored by the students around us. The paradox hung in the air for only a moment before Cherry broke into a bright smile.
"Yay, you passed, Sparx!" she beamed. It was strange, but the result was what mattered. Happily, she took my hand and led me away, ready to begin our new journey together within the halls of the magic academy.
---
[Special practice]
In a sunny village where flowers bloom and sway,
A friendly mage calls girls to come and play.
With a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye,
He promises magic under a bright blue sky.
"Special practice, special practice," he sings with cheer,
A happy song that draws the young ones near.
Innocent and giggling, they skip to his door,
Ready for fun, not knowing what's in store.
The first time they visit, the room feels so grand;
Candles glow soft, like stars in his hand.
Lick lick lick, he starts with a playful grin,
Tasting their skin, from their toes to their chin.
It feels like a game, so ticklish and light,
Their laughter rings out in the warm candlelight.
But deep in his eyes, a shadow creeps slow,
Stealing their mana, a power they don't know.
Their spark fades a bit, though they smile and sway,
Caught in his spell, they think it's just play.
Special practice, special practice, the song calls again;
They return to the mage, like moths to a flame.
The second time's sweeter, with treats on the shelf;
Slurp slurp slurp, he drinks from their self.
His lips trace their arms, their necks, and their face,
Savoring slowly, in his cozy embrace.
They giggle and blush, feeling warm, feeling free,
Not seeing the chains in his magical spree.
Their minds grow hazy, their thoughts not their own,
Mana flows to him, like water to stone.
The third happy visit, they dance through his gate,
Dreaming of wonders, not guessing their fate.
Smooch smooch smooch, his kisses are deep,
Lips pressing close, as they drift half-asleep.
It feels like love, so thrilling and sweet,
Their hearts skip along to the magical beat.
But the mage's spell tightens, a web spun with care,
Binding their minds in a soft, dreamy snare.
More mana is pulled, their light starts to dim,
Yet they smile, believing it's all just for him.
Special practice, special practice, the tune hums along;
The fourth time they come, their hearts beating strong.
Thwop thwop thwop, their bodies entwine,
A dance in the dark, where the stars seem to shine.
They feel so alive, lost in joy and in heat,
Every touch electric, every moment so sweet.
But his power grows stronger, their wills fade away,
Puppets to his whims, in his twisted ballet.
Their mana drains fast, like a river run dry,
Yet they laugh, unaware of the truth in his lie.
The fifth time they enter, their eyes glow with trust;
Ah ah ah, they sigh, as their hearts turn to dust.
Moans fill the air, as they give all they are,
Bound to his will, like moths to a star.
They think it's pure bliss, this dream that they chase,
Not seeing the void in his cold, empty face.
Fully his now, they bend to his call,
No thoughts of their own, no freedom at all.
Their mana is gone, their spirits undone,
Yet they smile, believing the battle is won.
Special practice, special practice, all go in the void!
The song rings out loud, so happy, so coy.
The girls fade away, like mist in the dawn,
Their laughter now echoes, their essence is gone.
The mage hums his tune, his power so vast,
Calling new faces to join in his cast.
In his bright little world, where joy seems to reign,
Hides a darkness that feeds on their light and their pain.