As Sato rested on his bed, he flipped open the book, each page revealing truths he had never known, things that felt almost unreal.
Irina said that everyone in this world was born with a certain amount of mana. But when she said everyone, I never expected it would mean every living being: humans, animals, even plants. Anything that breathes carries mana within it.
Because of that, mana exists everywhere in the air, allowing heroes to harvest it and convert it into their own power. But even so, it isn't enough to sustain their existence in a foreign world…and that is why they need an exis.
Closing the manual, Sato looked at it.
This isn't just a book that gives me tips on how to improve my mana, it's a special guide made for me.…she really thought about everything.
Curious to learn more, Sato walked into the living room, where he found Irina watching a late-night comedy show. With the book in his hands, he sat down next to her.
"Do you have a minute?"
She was clearly bothered by the interruption, but even so, she decided to listen.
"Make it quick."
"So, I went through a few chapters of the book you gave me… and I was wondering if you could give me some pointers."
Irina sighed deeply, making Sato think he said something wrong.
"From what I can remember, you said that you would get stronger as long as I give you a chance, we never agreed that I'd help you."
Come on, there's no way you still see me as a waste of time.
"I know what I said, but things have changed, my circuits are open, I can feel mana inside me. Helping each other benefits us both… unless you still want to replace me with another exis?"
Hearing this question, Irina fell silent, thinking carefully.
"I won't deny it. You managed to achieve something few can. Because of that, I no longer see you as a nobody. But if you expect me to teach you magic…you're still far from ready."
Sato was pleased by her answer and understood why she didn't want to teach him yet, but he couldn't help feeling distressed.
Coming from her, I can say this isn't something she tells everybody, but at the same time, is it really worth it if she's just going to find someone new?
"And when it comes…"
Irina continued, catching Sato by surprise.
"As for your second question… Sure, there might be stronger exis out there, but I doubt I'll find a better one anytime soon. So I'll stick with you. Don't make me regret it."
And with that, Irina's words came to an end. A quiet smile spread across Sato's face—she had finally recognized his effort and, more than that, was willing to fight this competition by his side.
He nodded to Irina and went back to his room, studying the book harder than he ever had for any test.
As night fell, Sato retreated to the living room, leaving the bed for Irina.
In the morning, Sato slowly opened his eyes. His vision was still blurry, but in the corner he thought he saw a figure watching him.
A moment later, his sight cleared, and he finally saw who it was.
"Irina!?"
The name echoed through the room as he recoiled, his legs catching on the couch and sending him falling off. She was just standing there, looking at him without saying a word.
"Did something happen?"
"Did you dream about her?" Irina asked coldly, fixing him with her eyes.
So it is about Puppeteer. Now that I think about it, I didn't have any dreams last night.
"No, I didn't."
Irina studied him closely, as if checking whether he was lying, until finally…
"Very well then."
She left the room, leaving him to get ready for school.
That was strange. I never expected her to be so worried about something… and seeing her first thing in the morning just staring at me was even weirder.
Once they were ready, the two set out for school. Irina left Sato at a corner not far from the building, and after a short walk, he arrived safely. In class, he met up with Asahi.
"Yo!"
"So, ready for another day of torture?" Sato said with a sarcastic smile.
"Never."
"Exactly what I expected."
Both laughed together as they took their seats when Sato noticed that Bobby was missing.
"Did Bobby disappear too?" he said, worried.
"If by disappear you mean he had practice early today, then yes."
"I see, that is good…"
Sato breathed a sigh of relief as Asahi came closer to him.
"What?"
"…Don't 'what' me! You know exactly what I'm asking. How was your alone time with Miss Celebrity?"
Asahi's eyes gleamed with curiosity, his gaze locked firmly on Sato.
"Are you talking about Megumi? We didn't do anything, just chatted a little."
"Is that so…? So I guess you just happened to spend the whole break behind the school with her, laughing and having a great time, talking about who knows what."
"Wait, did you spy on us?" Sato was shocked.
"…Maybe."
Asahi lay back in his chair, closing his eyes and ignoring Sato, who was now questioning why he'd do something like that.
Since Sato had turned off his phone the previous day to escape Asahi's constant buzzing, now Asahi wasn't paying attention to him anymore. In the end, the teacher arrived, and Sato had no choice but to quiet down as class began.
"Alright everybody, I have your tests here."
The teacher's voice was weak, his face pale and exhausted. After announcing that he had already graded everything, the classroom instantly erupted in murmurs.
"Already!?"
"It's been only a day…"
"Did he stay up all night to grade them?"
Sato sat silently in his seat, forgetting all about Asahi and focusing on what everyone was whispering. Even he was confused by how quickly the tests had been graded, though he tried not to show it.
I don't like it… I can't put my finger on it, but something feels wrong.
With his hand trembling, the teacher wanted to hand one of the tests to a student when he dropped the paper, his hand suddenly opening and on the back of his hand a mark appeared.
"...Not this…again!" the teacher muttered as he tried to close his hand.
Sweat poured down his face as he gripped his hand. The light pulsating from the mark grew brighter, and fresh cuts split open across his skin, blood flowing steadily.
The entire class was horrified by what was unfolding before their eyes. The teacher clenched his teeth, trying to hold back his screams and endure the pain, until… he lost consciousness and collapsed, a puddle of blood spreading beneath him.
All the students were shocked, nobody knew what to do. One student stood up from his chair and walked to the front of the class, trying to take charge and calm everyone down.
"Everyone, first of all, let's stay calm. We won't achieve anything if we panic like this."
The class was still terrified, but now, with someone in front, everyone began to calm down little by little.
Sato was petrified. Staring at the blood and the body of their professor, his mind went blank, while Asahi only glared at the scene, disgusted by what he saw.
The student who took charge of the situation crouched down to take a closer look, blood still leaking from the teacher's body. Placing two fingers on his neck, he checked for a pulse, and confirmed that he was dead.
"Alright everyone, someone needs…"
He suddenly stopped speaking. As he tried to take a step, he realized he couldn't move—something was holding him in place. Looking down, he saw a puddle of blood forming at his feet.
"What the…"
In an instant, spikes shot up from the puddle, impaling the student through his entire body. Still alive, he stared at his hands, now drenched in his own blood, his vision blurry, before lifting his head to see the class, more horrified than ever.
As quickly as they appeared, the spikes retreated, leaving the student's body to bleed out on the floor. The light in his eyes slowly faded—then a psychotic laugh echoed through the classroom.
The pool of blood rippled, twisting upward into the form of a man. In its hands gleamed two knives, dripping with fresh blood.