*Cough. Cough. Thud.* "I'm awake!" I blurt, wiping drool from the corner of my mouth.
Right next to me stands my teacher.
"Ryouma, care to explain why you're sleeping in my class?"
Damn, she looks pissed. What should I say? The truth probably won't save me here.
"Sorry, sensei. I fell asleep because my head's still hurting… from Taiga-sensei."
Her eyes narrow.
Looks like I can't win here… "Teacher, how about I clean the classroom today as punishment?"
"If you're so reluctant, I guess that could work. But next time, you won't get away so easily!"
That was close. Luckily, I got out of the situation.
The other students laugh among themselves, probably mocking me. Like I care.
Time passes quickly, and lunch break arrives.
I need to go quickly, or that damn tiger might eat everything!
"Hey, Ryo." Ah, dammit. What now?
"Yes?" I really don't want to be here, but I can't cause a scene.
I turn toward the voice. It's Mori Haruto cheerful, just like his name.
"I was just asking if you could have lunch with us." He points at a table where Ishikawa Kai sits beside our class beauty, Fujita Hana.
I glance back at Haruto. "I really want to, but Taiga-sensei called me to meet her." I give a polite decline.
As I leave, I hear them whispering.
"Told you he wouldn't join."
"Kai, you shouldn't be so rude. He's even doing you a favor by cleaning today." Ah, so that's why they approached me. It was Kai's turn to clean.
"Yeah, what Hana said. We should at least thank him for it."
Like I care about their appreciation.
I keep walking toward the teachers' office.
"Enter," a voice calls just as I raise my hand to knock.
"Um… is Taiga-sensei here?" I ask.
"Ai, ai, ai… Sorry, sensei's! I've got business with Ryouma, if you'll excuse me!"
Thank god she's here.
"Taiga-sensei, where should we eat? If we stay here, students will look at us weirdly."
Judging from her face, it looks like she hadn't thought about that at all.
Suddenly Taiga-sensei smirks "let's go to the student council room. Except for Issei nobody uses that room."
Wait that's right it's a perfect place since Issei was there when I pranked Taiga-sensei.
And he cannot say no to a teacher's request.
Entering the student council room we both look surprised at Shirou being here. And eating lunch.
Both Issei and Shirou look at us.
"Yo, Shirou. Didn't know you were here." Taiga speaks first, as if it's normal to find him in the council room.
I only nod and follow her inside.
Taiga pulls out the bento I've been waiting for.
Issei, the student council president, twitches at the sight of us invading his room. Even Shirou rubs his cheek with an awkward laugh.
While Taiga chats with Shirou, I seize the chance to eat as much of the food as possible.
No way I'm letting this opportunity go.
Halfway through ste-I mean, eating, my magical senses alarm. Someone is standing just beyond the door, eavesdropping.
"Come in!" I call out, startling everyone.
Shirou quickly moves to the door and opens it.
No one is there.
Was I wrong? I scratch my cheek nervously. "Ah… sorry. Guess I thought someone was spying on us."
When I glance back at the table, my heart stops. The bento is empty.
Taiga-sensei sits there with a smug grin, looking away.
uI can't even tell if I should grieve the loss or be impressed.
The bell rings, ending lunch.
I lost… because I got distracted. Damn Taiga-sensei, eating most of the food!
---
School ends. Finally, I can drop the act.
As I was about to leave when the teacher came in. Ah, right… I promised to clean the classroom.
Just a bit more acting won't hurt.
By the time I'm done, the sun is low. I run home like a madman, not at my house, but for my shed.
"Because once I'm inside the shed… I'm not 'just Ryouma' anymore. Nope. I'm Junketsu Ryouma™. Sorcerer. Totally legit."
A sorcerer...no, that title feels too prideful. Let's just say… I was once a sorcerer.
The highest level of magecraft, achieved at the age of seven.
I should have been in the Mage's Association. But the moment I created a Reality Marble, which is an unforgivable taboo by the magic association I knew, I would be hunted down.
I was also a survivor of the Fourth Holy Grail War.
I somehow survived, so I had to wipe my memories of magic
That's why I exist now. The "second personality."
Sigh. Why am I narrating this to myself? My original version really had some weird habits.
Well, whatever. It's time.
First, I need a summoning circle.
…Right. I forgot to buy animal blood. Guess I could use my palm… No, it's too messy. Ketchup it is.
Why did I buy so much ketchup again? My fridge is 80% ketchup packets and 20% air.
Oh right...I stole them. Well, at least I can put them to "meaningful" use.
Even after stuffing my pockets and filling two whole bags, there's still plenty left. How did I even stol *cough* manage to get this much?
Later problem. For now the summoning!
I kneel down and carefully draw the circle in ketchup.
"…May this work at least once."
I chant
"Of the winds I came forth, leaving the prayers to summon a star with no guide. Even a grain of rice will lend me will. So answer, Gaia! answer my call! Bless me with a heroic spirit!"
My circuits glow, burning through my whole body.
Shit... it's draining my mana too fast! gritting my teeth. Just a little longer…
But before I can finish, the world darkness.
---
When I open my eyes, I'm standing in a vast flower field.
Our mindscape.
And the one glaring at me is him the original Ryouma. The sorcerer.
"You dumbass. Who the hell told you to use ketchup?! You burned your circuits dry. I had to cut the connections myself just to save us!"
I stay silent as to calm him down.
"Ugh, it's fine. Even without a servant, I've got high hopes of winning."
"Really?" I hope he is telling the truth.
"Of course not, you imbecile! I may be a sorcerer, but even I have limits!"
Oh. I got tricked.
"Why not just use your reality marble, then? With that, we can survive long enough to be the last Master standing. The bounded fields will help in the fight!"
I hope that calms him down.
Please, gods, let it calm him down.