In the morning, we're all listening to Edward Sensei's class when he calls Will forward, like always.
Will sighs as he walks to the front.
Edward: "Will, show us how it's done." He means the full alchemy process, which requires fire magic.
The whole class watches Will with amusement—they already know what's about to happen.
Will sighs again, then says with determination, "O fire, obey me."
Everyone expects the usual outcome, but this time, the moment Will speaks, he channels his mana into the wand.
A bright glow bursts from the wand as it ignites into fire, striking the powder and sending sparks scattering.
The whole class freezes in shock—Will included, staring at himself in disbelief. But no one is more stunned than Edward, watching the entire scene unfold.
Sion: "No way... that talentless kid used magic. Is he cheating?"
Colette, equally stunned, murmurs, "W-Will…"
Will glances over at Colette, then remembers me from yesterday, watching him with a grin on my face. He mutters under his breath, "So the experiment worked."
Still not quite believing it, he casts the spell again to be sure. Fire erupts from his wand a second time, silencing the entire room.
He begins to cry, memories of his past flooding back—the mockery, the pressure to leave school, being torn apart from Elfia.
Sob… sob…
As he cries, I watch him with the quiet satisfaction of a child who's finally gotten what he wanted.
Will, voice low, drops to his knees, sobbing, "Thank… you…"
I'd told him not to tell anyone about my involvement, no matter the outcome, and being the kind of person he is, he accepted that without argument.
Edward Sensei is too stunned to say anything. I sigh and call out, "I'll head to your seat now. The lesson's not going to end with you just sitting there."
Will scrambles up and returns to his seat—we're sitting a little farther apart this time—and nods at me as he sits down.
The whole class remains shaken for the rest of the lesson, Edward included. Once class ends, Will and I leave together. Sion approaches Will outside.
Sion: "What kind of dirty trick did you pull, lag-head?"
Before it escalates, Colette arrives and pulls Will away with her.
Colette, practically glowing with excitement: "Will, tell me—how did you do it?"
Will: "Well… I'm not really sure myself."
Colette doesn't quite believe him, but seeing how happy he looks, she decides not to push.
Colette: "Now you can actually get into the tower!"
Will: "Yeah… maybe."
Looking around, Will realizes I'm nowhere to be seen.
Will: "Where did Akashic go?"
He'd noticed me with him only moments earlier.
Colette: "I don't know… but why are you so attached to him? I heard you even go to his house."
She pouts slightly as she says it. Will isn't quite sure how to answer.
Colette: "Well, you still need to learn magic properly, so I'll help you."
Will: "Thank you, Colette."
They head off together.
Meanwhile, I'm in the cafeteria eating with a satisfied grin, but the moment I sense Will's presence approaching, I duck out of sight.
Will and Colette arrive in the cafeteria just as Walkner Sensei rushes over to Will.
Walkner: "Will, I heard you used magic in class—is that true?"
Will: "Yeah… I did."
Colette, still buzzing with excitement: "Yeah! Walkner Sensei, he used magic in class and the whole room was stunned!"
Walkner: "Will, how did this happen?"
Will isn't good at lying, but true to his promise to me, he says, "I… I don't know."
Walkner can tell he's holding something back, but decides to respect it—Will isn't the type to lie unless he has a real reason.
Walkner: "All right, Will… but congratulations. Edward Sensei was shocked too. He said he'd have investigated you if this were like what happened before."
What Walkner means: back at the academy, Elfia had given Will a pendant, which he suspects was secretly helping him cast magic before.
Will: "Ohh… okay. Yeah, I guess that would confuse him."
Walkner: "By the way, the principal wants to see you too, after hearing what happened."
Will: "Oh… okay, I should go, then."
Walkner: "Colette, do you know how Will did that?"
Colette: "I have no idea. Will hasn't told me anything about it."
Walkner: "I see… but something definitely happened."
Colette and Walkner both watch Will as he walks off toward the principal's office.
The principal, an elderly woman named Cauldron, looks up as Will enters her office.
Cauldron: "Ah, welcome, Will. How are you?"
Will: "I'm fine, Principal."
He shifts nervously, already anticipating her next question.
Cauldron: "You know why I called you here, right?"
Will: "Well… I'm not entirely sure…"
Cauldron: "So, how did you do it?"
Will: "W-what?"
Cauldron: "You can tell me, Will. I promise it won't leave this room."
Will hesitates. "I'm sorry, but I can't say."
Cauldron: "Does this have something to do with Akashic?"
Will freezes at the mention of my name, saying nothing—which only confirms her suspicion.
Cauldron: "So my guess was right, huh."
Will: "H-how did you know…?"
Cauldron: "I'd heard about him before—how he was absent from school for two weeks, and when he came back, both his hair and his appearance had changed. I also heard he's been giving far more credit than before. Then Walkner Sensei mentioned he'd befriended you, and shortly after, this happened. Put it together, and it wasn't hard to guess."
Will: "Please don't tell him. He was just trying to help me."
Cauldron: "Of course, Will—we won't do anything to him. But I do find it a shame that someone so capable would choose to stay hidden. Still, that's his decision to make. You can go now."
Will nods and lowers his head as he leaves the office.
Cauldron watches the door close behind him, a faint, mysterious smile crossing her face.
Cauldron, quietly to herself: "He really is an interesting person… I wonder how things will unfold from here."