Chapter 02: Smiling Fox II

I puked. After the ceremony was over, I quickly rushed to the school bathroom with the directions according to this body's memory. Yes, memory, It came easily to me like flowing water if I really want to recall some. I needed the bathroom and so my brain supplied me with the memory of where the bathroom is. Convenient, really. After finishing what's left in my stomach I washed my mouth. I properly looked at myself this time in the mirror.

I smiled. Then frowned. Then smiled. I proceeded to make silly expressions for a moment. "This is really fun," I said with all the fervor of a happy child. To think that I would be transmigrated into my own book. The one I wrote just so I could make money and chase the hype of 'Apocalypse' 'Transmigration' theme that year. It became popular and I finally cleared my debts.

The title is really cliche, fitting for a book like mine. It's like this;

Transmigrator Handbook of Surviving.

The book tells the story of a boy who got transmigrated into the world of a game he had played. He ended up as the Villain, doomed to be executed and die in many painful ways. To overturn his fate, he collects allies from far and wide to deal with the Apocalypse that will eventually ruin them all.

This boy is Azuly Geralt, real name Miyazaki Aoki.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in exasperation, I've never put the importance of Student Council in my story as Azuly's time in Arthea is short and serves to be the place he meets his love interest, Anya. I didn't linger too long on Arthea because not even a year into enrollment, the first gate, signaling the Apocalypse, opened here right in our own backyard.

The first casualty was Arthea.

"Man, this is troublesome."

And I'm the Student Council President of that school. Sure, I'm the author. I have a great deal of knowledge about Arthea, but it's been years since I wrote it. "Still, to think that a character with a large magic reservoir wasn't mentioned at all."

I rummaged through my bag and took out my Student ID.

What unsettled me was the name of this student.

'Arthur Shillian'

It's my name. My real name! I didn't write a self-insert, I know that! But, how? Even though my appearance is slightly different, I'm sure that's how I look like when I was 18!

I got my thoughts sorted out after a mini freak out and decided that I have a goal to achieve. That is to protect my children, especially Azuly! The man has been suffering for too long, "Don't worry, my son. You are not alone."

The walkout of bathroom was a nice one. I had no worries about being late because, for the first week, the Student Council members get a permit to not attend classes as they are the ones guiding the new students.

The first day is the tour of the Academy. As Arthea has 3 separate buildings, the tour takes three days to complete. With me being the President, I'm technically in charge of most of the activities. It's just for the few days, the plan was I'm overseeing the activities from the background. My role will be highlighted in the last two days of the week. The new students will be taken to a field in the Northwest of Tyfa Empire so they could camp there. I and the other members of the Student Council will be present as well as our Professors. That's what it was written on my phone's Notes application though.

I unconsciously rubbed my chin while thinking this. The protagonist would have his moment to shine after a horde of three-winged bats attacked the campsite, saving his peers while looking cool.

The slash of his magic weapon and the efficiency in which he handled the horde made him very popular afterward. At that time he will activate his skill, Puma. "With that, he'll be above his peers in leaps and bounds."

I chuckled, "But sadly, he's still weak." Because the journey to become the World's Strongest has just started. The Azuly I might see is still behind the start line, although he's powerful, the creatures later will be far more dangerous.

Without me realizing it, my body had gone autopilot and I stood in front of a classroom. This means I have reached my destination which is Class 1-1. I opened the door and the chatters reduced. I tried to keep my eyes open but damn, it's so bright. So I closed them again.

Letting my magic out, I made it cover the entire classroom and now I feel like I can see clearly. The magic here is as easy as breathing, even me who just arrived in this world not too long ago adapted to it quickly. Well, largely thanks to the memories left behind by 'Arthur'. The familiarity of my magic warmed me. Although I closed my eyes, I can see shiny orbs that represents the students. Those orbs are bright and unique. This is enough to identify the students. I nodded, satisfied, It seems like this year's batch is colorful and powerful. As expected of my children.

"Chil-ehem, Everyone, form a pair in 5 minutes."

The silence was deafening.

"Now."

I hope no one noticed my slip up. Whoops.

The orbs started to mingle, moving about. I cupped my chin while smiling at them. Ah, it's so fun seeing them run around trying to find pairs. It's like seeing hamsters running here and there, so cute.

Five minutes were up, I clapped my hands to get their attention. The orbs stopped moving and I hummed. "Today we are touring Building A of Arthea, which is the one across from this one, you might have seen it when you came in." Yes, I decided to join the tour. Because why not? I also needed to freshen up those memories so it doesn't somehow disappear.

"But we already toured..."

"Ah?"

Damn it.

"Okay, follow me to the courtyard then"

I turned around and left the class before any of them had the chance to speak. Change of plans. I pulled my phone out of my bag and unlocked it with my fingerprint. I tried opening my eyes a little. It's not...bright. Great, I quickly went into contacts and called the first name I see, Yuya.

"It's Yuya."

"Hey"

"Pres!! I'm still on tour, what do you need?"

"I need to use the courtyard."

"What for? It's empty until...let's see, until 12."

"For Class 1-1, Thanks."

"You decided on a class?! Wow, I thought you said you don't want to involve yourself in troublesome things!"

"Changed my mind, see you."

"Wait till Matilda hears this, she'll-"

And i hung up. I looked up and found that the hallway is not as bright as the classroom, this is weird. Back when I woke up I can still see clearly with no hassle, but the moment I arrived in Arthea and tried to open my eyes I was bombarded with light. It's so troublesome.

In the bathroom I also can see clearly, if you ignore the fact I'm nearsighted, I can see everything normally, no lights disrupting my view. I licked my lips and hummed. Time to test a theory.

I can faintly hear the footsteps of those students following me behind, I turned to look at them but that damned light obstructed my view and I managed to see them for a second. That's when I saw someone familiar.

A long brown-haired girl and a light blue-haired boy stood side-by-side, I didn't see their face but as a loving parent, I know. It's my children, Anya and Azuly! Sadly I can't open my eyes or else I could become blind from the dangerous amount of suspicious lights. Seriously, why?

I have my own theory about this but...Let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?

"What's the matter, Senior?"

A soft male voice rang out and I tried not to show them my excitement. "Hmm..." I pretended to be thinking instead and pulled out a smile to look friendly. Good thing when I closed my eyes the orbs are still visible. Previously, I didn't really pay attention to the orbs of the students, only noting the fact that they were colorful. But when I paid attention to Anya and Azuly's orbs now, It became clear. Anya's orb is a gorgeous red. Not the red of fire but a glittering ball of red. It resembles a crimson galaxy. Meanwhile Azuly's...

Instantly I felt chills. His is an ordinary grey. No glitter, no bolts of lightning, nothing inside his orb. Just grey and when I focused more, A small crack can be seen. What happened? Azuly, I wrote you as a brilliant and talented child. Your orb should be as bright if not more than Anya's. You're God's favorite, but how? How is it so dull? With a crack on top of that?

"Senior?" this time a female voice asked.

I turned around without saying anything, continuing my walk to the courtyard. My mind is full of Azuly's orb. I remembered designing orbs, I remember the method of seeing orbs. This is a powerful technique not everyone can use, but because I have the privilege of being the author, I know a shortcut to it. Orbs are the window of the soul. Yes, by seeing the orbs of a human you can see the condition their souls are in. For example, Anya. Hers is a bright crimson galaxy orb, this shows that she's a bright and excitable child, the galaxy represents the vast knowledge that she holds inside her mind.

Most scholars have galaxies as their orbs with added decorations that show their true selves. This is why I'm concerned about Azuly. For a 15-year-old child, his orb is way too broken. It seems as if he has given up everything in life, the crack might represent how much his soul has gone through. He's tired.

I frowned while remembering what orb I gave Azuly. I should remember it, after all, orbs are a big deal later in the story because they encountered someone from someone who defected from the enemy camp that can see orbs.

While busy thinking, me and my class have arrived at the courtyard. I stopped my train of thought and let the students line up behind me. "Okay," I placed my hand on my hips, secretly enjoying the gentle breeze of morning. "We're going to see what you can do. I want to see your magic."

I paused. Hoping the suspense gets to them. "I want to know what makes you special."