“…and therefore—”
So sleepy.
Seriously sleepy.
Why is it that just sitting and listening to someone talk is this boring?
I’ve never been able to sit through classes. If I can speak up myself, I’m fine—but the moment I have to stay quiet, I start drifting off.
Before I know it, my eyes are closed.
If I really tried, I could lift a chunk of steel with a single finger. And yet, when I try to lift my eyelids… they won’t budge.
What is wrong with this?
Feels like some kind of supernatural curse.
“Then, Corines. Answer this.”
“Yes, teacher.”
Sleepy, sleepy, sleepy…
I’m about to pass out.
My head’s wobbling. The world’s spinning.
Why is it that the more useful something is, the more boring it becomes? Damn it… I know I should listen, but this is seriously impossible.
Feels like I haven’t changed at all since my past life.
Listening to people isn’t painful, but lectures—one-way talk like this—yeah, this happens.
Ah, crap…
I can’t be that problem student who sleeps through every class.
I’ve gotta endure. Just endure.
“Five, correct?”
“Correct. In magic, there are said to be five limits—so-called ‘walls.’ These are considered taboos. To surpass them—or even attempt to—is forbidden.”
I pinch the back of my hand. Useless.
My eyelids are too heavy.
How do I get back to normal?
Hold my breath?
I mean, I can go without breathing if I want.
Pinch harder?
Did nothing. Just hurts. If pain could keep me awake, I wouldn’t struggle like this.
Splash water on my face?
Where would I even get that?!
“Then… Rockford. Answer.”
“‘Interference with other dimensions,’ ‘time reversal,’ ‘resurrection of the dead,’ ‘duplication of the soul,’ and ‘creation of gods.’”
“Correct.”
…zzzzzz…
Hah!
I wasn’t asleep. Definitely wasn’t.
What were we talking about again?
“When humans attempt to surpass these ‘walls,’ the world itself screams. The sinners are judged by the world. It crushes and grinds them down.”
“……”
“Nowadays, no one attempts to cross these walls. But long ago, many were judged. As written in your textbooks—the scenes were nothing short of horrific. To punish a single offender, the world would kill tens of thousands along with them.”
I have to focus…
Right. If I just try to understand the lesson, I won’t get sleepy… probably.
Let’s see… yeah, the ‘Judgment.’
Even four hundred years ago, it wasn’t common, but it wasn’t zero either.
Back then, people underestimated it.
Some thought they could endure it.
But 99% of them died.
And not weak nobodies either—top-tier mages.
Break a taboo, and it’s like a nuclear warhead coming down on you.
Terrifying world… really.
“I teach you this because I expect you to be exceptional—mages capable of reaching these ‘walls.’”
Haha…
This teacher says funny things.
Does he seriously think people at this level can reach the walls?
Has the standard of mages dropped?
From my perspective… almost all of them are hopeless.
Or maybe my standards are just too high.
“Do not misuse your power. That is all.”
ZZZZZZZ……
Lunch Break
“Ain… aren’t you going to eat?”
“……”
Lunch break.
I was just wandering around to kill time, and somehow ended up here…
I didn’t want to interact with my classmates.
But in front of me is Chrono, and beside me is Miss Unlucky.
No escape.
How did this even happen?
They surrounded me so naturally and brought me along before I realized it.
I didn’t feel like refusing. Didn’t want to get on their bad side either.
I should’ve made some excuse and slipped away… but I don’t have that kind of skill.
I should’ve just pretended to sleep in the classroom.
The mysteries of the human body, I guess.
“Hey, look at this bread. It’s soft—and not black.”
“Haha… is this your first time seeing something like this?”
“It is. I’ve never eaten anything like this.”
…Socializing is a pain.
Not that I can’t do it—it’s just exhausting.
Do I really have to talk?
Staying completely silent would be weird…
What’s the correct move here?
“……”
“This noble academy is amazing. You get food this good for free.”
“Would you like mine? It’s too much for me…”
“Really?! Thanks!”
…Maybe I can just fade into the background?
If I stay quiet enough…
They look way too happy.
Do you seriously get that much joy out of food? Were you poor or something?
Miss Unlucky is smiling gently too.
“So, you’re not eating?”
“……”
Don’t bring it back to me.
Do I have to answer?
Aren’t there more important things you should be doing?
Like bonding with the others?
Don’t give me that confused look—I should be the one asking that.
“…I’m not eating.”
“That’s not okay.”
Don’t look at me like I’m unbelievable.
Chrono, you’re way too much of a growing boy stereotype.
Stop acting like food is life’s greatest joy.
“I haven’t eaten lately. I’m fine.”
“…You still have to eat.”
“T-the meals here are free. You don’t have to hold back…”
I really don’t need to eat.
Ever since I became like this, I don’t need food or even breathing.
I haven’t eaten in hundreds of years.
There’s no tragic backstory here.
Still, it’s strange… being pitied like this.
I’ve always been treated like a nuisance before.
“I don’t need it.”
“…I see. If you ever feel like eating, call me. Let’s eat together.”
Yeah, not happening.
Food’s never been entertainment for me.
Same with desire and sleep—they only exist when necessary.
Sexual desire? Never felt it once.
Why waste time on someone like me—a withered plant?
“…Why are you talking to me?”
“Hm?”
“Don’t you have better things to do?”
Don’t you realize?
Or are you just that dense?
Even if you did realize… you probably couldn’t do anything about it.
“…What do you mean?”
“If you don’t understand, never mind. I just thought you must be bored.”
“That’s not it. I’ve always wanted to talk to you.”
“…?”
“Because you’re strong.”
Well, thanks.
Doesn’t really make me happy.
“I thought I was the strongest in this academy. I didn’t think anyone my age could surpass me.”
“……”
“You’re strong. I’d like to test that—see who wins.”
Kids say the funniest things.
Are you a battle junkie?
The type who lives to test their strength?
I don’t like those types.
They’ve caused me trouble for ages.
Not interested.
“I won’t fight.”
“Yeah, figured.”
Good. No disappointment.
If he pushed it, this could’ve gotten annoying.
Feels like a failed pickup attempt.
I’m not that cheap.
Try again after improving yourself.
“If you want to know, tell me about yourself first. My information isn’t free.”
Chrono crossed his arms and thought.
Miss Unlucky stayed quiet, listening.
Sharp one.
People like her are the hardest to deal with.
“…For the past five years, I trained under my master. Learned nothing but how to fight. Before that, I don’t remember.”
“Hmm.”
“Who is your master?”
“…Lyra. That’s what she called herself. She used light magic. Blonde, one eye gone, foul-mouthed…”
“Light, blonde, one eye… Lyra?! The ‘Aurora Sage’ Lyra?! The hero of the Lantsion Front twenty years ago!”
…So that’s what’s popular now.
Maybe I should listen to some bard songs sometime.
Actually, no. Too much effort.
“So she’s famous?”
“She ended a war between three nations! Appeared out of nowhere and crushed everything alone—dealing massive damage to all sides equally!”
…That’s… something.
Sounds more like a disaster than a hero.
“……”
Awkward silence.
Did I hit the mark?
“Don’t sugarcoat it. She had her own reasons. She didn’t care about the people. Not killing soldiers? Probably for a different reason too.”
Oof.
That backfired.
“…That’s how I got strong.”
I see.
Probably not the whole story, but fine.
“So how did you get strong?”
“……”
Ah.
That smile is way too bright.
Blinding.
How did I get strong?
Let’s see…
It’s been a while.
“…I ate a lot of good food. Meat… dirt… various things…”
…What am I even saying?
They’re staring at me.
Miss Unlucky looks like: “That’s the worst lie ever.”
Chrono looks like: “That’s all it takes?!”
…Awkward.
“If I eat dirt too, will I get strong…?”
“Absolutely not. Please don’t.”
“You shouldn’t copy that.”
This kid is way too gullible.
“The dirt around here tastes bad. Go somewhere else if you try.”
“…Really?”
“WHY are you believing that?!”
I’m not even lying.
Food builds the body.
I just… took it further.
“This guy worries me…”
That slipped out.
“You really are… something.”
“Hm?”
“If you can’t notice, then that’s all you are.”
I stand up.
That’s enough talking.
“You’re bad at dealing with people, aren’t you?”
“???”
How can you not notice hostility?
You’re being glared at.
Do you seriously think you can still be friends?
“If only he wasn’t here… if only he wasn’t here…”
Kids…
Did you think praising someone would make friends?
Didn’t realize it’d hurt someone’s pride?
“Well, not my problem anymore.”
“From here on… it’s up to you.”
“Huh? What do you—”
You’ll understand in class.
It was boring before.
But next time…
It’ll be interesting.