I wake up, make breakfast, and eat. Since I don't need to rush to school, I start walking down the road toward the academy. Along the way, I see people using magic for all sorts of things. Soon, I reach the academy gate. The Reharden Academy is enormous—like something straight out of an anime, one of the most prestigious schools around.
I walk in and head toward my classroom. The moment I enter, I feel countless gazes turn toward me. Everyone is whispering about my new appearance.
Colette: Huh? Who is he?
Will: Well, I think that's Akashic Reyford—our classmate. Apparently, he's been absent for two weeks.
Colette: What???
As they talk, they keep watching me.
I stand there thinking, Where should I sit? There's an empty bench where no one sits, so I calmly walk over, sit down, and lean my head against it, pretending to sleep—not caring what anyone's saying about me.
Will: He looks different, though. He always sits alone; he seems like the introverted type.
Colette: Ohhh, I see. How are your credits going?
Will: They're fine.
Soon, class begins.
Then, a scene straight out of the anime plays out—yes, this is from the first episode. Edward-sensei calls Will to the front to perform some alchemy using magic, but Will can't do it as smoothly as Sion, who uses his wand with ease. Then Edward-sensei calls my name.
Edward: Now, Akashic Reyford, you try.
Akashic:(Crap!!! Why does he have to call on me?)
I try to ignore him at first, but he keeps calling my name, again and again. After the third call, I finally stand up and walk forward, now with the whole class's attention fixed on me.
Edward: What happened? Why didn't you come to school for two whole weeks without reporting it?
Akashic: I got sick, so I wasn't able to report it to the school, sensei.
Edward: Okay. Complete the exercise—use fire magic on that orb.
I've forgotten my wand, so he notices and hands me his own with a smile. But now what? I don't actually know how to use magic.
I try to recall how the others do it, focusing my magic into the wand as I say, "Fire, obey me."
Nothing happens. Edward watches me, clearly confused. I quickly claim I'm not feeling well, so he tells me to go sit back down. Sion then shoots fire from his wand effortlessly, and everything unfolds just as it did in the anime.
After school lets out, I watch Sion bullying Will. Then Sion's attention shifts to me.
Sion: What?! Why are you staring?
Akashic: Nothing, really. Just watching a kid bully others to show off.
Sion storms toward me, furious, but Colette steps in and sends him away before things escalate.
Will: Um... thanks, Akashic.
Akashic: Well, I didn't really do anything to help.
Colette: So you're Akashic, right? Why did your appearance change so much? Even your hair color is different.
Akashic: I got sick, and when I woke up, my appearance had just changed.
Colette: What kind of sickness changes your appearance?
Will: Colette, don't—you shouldn't ask such personal questions.
Akashic: Are you two free? Want to grab lunch near the school café?
Will: Huh... really?
Akashic: Yeah. Is that a problem?
Will: N-no. I'm free—I can join.
Colette glances between us, so I ask her too, and she nods. We head to the café to eat together. Will seems genuinely happy that someone finally talked to him and invited him along. As we sit and chat about class, I turn to Will.
Akashic: Will, can I ask you something?
Will: Yeah, what is it?
Akashic: Why can't you use magic?
Both Will and Colette stare at me, and Will's expression turns a little sad. I quickly add, "If you're uncomfortable, you don't have to answer."
Will shakes his head slightly. Colette watches him with concern as he finally says, "I don't have any mana to perform magic," with a sad smile.
Akashic: Ohh... I see. But you never gave up, even after that. That's really admirable—no one has as much courage as you do.
Hearing this, Will smiles a little. We chat a bit longer before parting ways.
I need to figure out my powers, fast, I mutter to myself, walking alone down the road.