My (Not-so-fake) Introduction

-Hey, it's him.

-Oh... He's probably going to do it again.

-...I wonder when will he give up.

-Who knows...

Ignoring the murmurs about me, I continued walking straight with the help of my cane.

Allow me to introduce myself — Vallen Sephtis, a name that often echoes through the halls of Magic High. In the realm of academia, I'm not one to shine in studies or command magic with finesse, all thanks to a certain reason. Despite my academic shortcomings, one particular aspect sets me apart in this hallowed institution — the mask I don with unwavering commitment.

This unique mask is a gift from my genius cousin, Chloe. It boasts a distinctive feature, a button discreetly nestled on the side, granting me the ability to switch expressions at will—smiles, nervous glances, looks of confusion, teary eyes, and even expressions of anger. It's a clever solution, since I can't actually show an expression... Not because I'm acting cool or some sort, but because of a specific reason.

Perhaps you're wondering, why do I choose to wear such an enigmatic mask? The reason is simpler than you might imagine. I'm blind—not from birth, but as a result of a fateful incident.

Years ago, in the innocent days of my childhood, I came to the aid of a young girl who found herself threatened by a venomous salamander. In a surge of instinctive courage, I intervened, using my wrist as a makeshift shield to protect her.

The adults dispatched the threat, but my stupid bravery came at a price. Rushed to a hospital in the aftermath, their efforts spared my life and successfully purged the venom from my body. Yet, the insidious poison had already wrought irreparable damage.

It was the venom's cruel legacy that robbed me of my sight and ability to freely express my emotions.

Do I regret my actions? No, not in the slightest. I find myself feeling relieved knowing I spared that young girl from harm, even at the cost of my own vision and expression. When she learned of what transpired, she approached me with gratitude and apologies, her tone of voice was nervous and sadness.

I never truly knew her, and over time, even the memory of her features began to fade... Well, that's that for my quick story about myself.

Oh... I nearly forgot to mention—I'm born into the embrace of nobility. My roots dig deep into the soil of "privilege", tracing a lineage of prominence and prestige. However, the course of my life took unforeseen turns... as it so often does.

My parents' demise—shrouded in mystery and a specific reason yet unknown to me—occurred when I was still a helpless baby. It was my father's brother who extended a sheltering hand, adopting me into his family.

The initial chapter of this new life seemed promising, marked by a facade of contentment, or so I thought. Yet, as the wheel of fate spun onward, a shadow was cast over our household, darkening the once-peaceful corners.

The shift began with my loss of sight, a cruel twist of destiny that shook the very foundations of my noble lineage. The people I thought I knew underwent a chilling metamorphosis, as if my affliction had ignited dormant flames of malice.

Leader among the transfigured was my uncle—the same man who had taken me in as his own. No longer the pillar of kindness I once revered, he became the cause of brutality. His fists rained blows upon me, his words laced with curses. It was as though my condition had laid bare his dormant frustrations.

The reason for his wrath? My inability to emulate his brilliant daughter, my cousin Chloe. His reproach for my perceived inadequacy felt stupid, might be a flimsy excuse just to relieve his anger.

As I ambled along, a scent wafted through the air, igniting familiarity like a spark in my senses. It was unmistakably her.

My pace quickened, guided by the invisible thread of that familiar scent. Trusty cane in hand, I marched confidently towards my target.

"Alicia...!"

The sound of her name rolled off my tongue, bearing a mixture of excitement and relief. But the reception was far from what I'd hoped for.

In response, I was met with an exasperated click of Alicia's tongue, a signal of her annoyance.

"Leave me alone!"

The command rang in my ears, her words cutting through the anticipation like a blade.

Undeterred, I stepped forward, determined to bridge the distance between us. However, before my intent could become reality, her hand stopped me in my tracks with a sharp, resounding slap.

"...huh?"

A momentary confusion gripped me as I instinctively lifted my hand to my stinging cheek. The mask I held in my other hand became a shield against both her touch and her retort.

"I..."

The words seemed to hang in the air, suspended in the tension between us.

"I see..."

My response was curt, my posture showing a clear inclination to disengage from the scene. But her next words held a cryptic edge, leaving me with more questions than answers.

"??"

Alicia's hand seemed to linger in the air, suspended in a moment of hesitation. Her gaze shifted between her own hand and my face.

"Vallen, I..."

I halted her words with a raised hand, my gesture sharp and resolute. Shifting my gaze away, I veiled my emotions, tapping a button that projected a cheerful expression on the exterior of my mask.

"I won't intrude any further."

And thus, I initiated my withdrawal, a blend of determination and despondency tingeing each step.

Whispers rippled among the bystanders. Soft chuckles resonated, mingling with pitying glances cast my way.

...

..

.

"You alright, man?"

As I distanced myself from the commotion, a boy drew closer, his hand offering a comforting pat on my shoulder.

I let out a faint clicking sound and employed my echolocation to discern his features. His distinct characteristics became apparent: a pointed horn protruding from his forehead, and a smattering of reddish scales adorning his hands and lower cheeks — He's a dragonkin. With this clear identification, I recognized him without hesitation.

"I'm okay, William," I responded, my voice steady as I kept my focus straight ahead.

This individual by my side is my childhood companion, a bond formed long before my vision was lost. He's remained true, displaying a consistent demeanor that defied the shift others undertook after my sight vanished. Though, curiously, an inkling of familiarity envelops him.

As I pieced together fragments of my previous life's memories, a realization emerged: this guy bears resemblance to not one, but two individuals from my past. The dragon dude that almost killed me when I was a scientist, and my bestfriend when I was still a PART of Athan.

"If you're sure," he replied with a hint of skepticism. He approached, his hand once again reaching out to gently pat my shoulder in a gesture of support.

Without turning, I nodded subtly. "Yeah, I'll manage."

He seemed to sense my reluctance to discuss the matter further, transitioning the conversation. "By the way, have you happened to see my girlfriend?"

I couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle, tinged with irony. "You know... I'm blind."

Realization dawned on his features, followed by an embarrassed grin. "Right, right. My bad, I completely forgot. Sorry about that."

This guy... Seriously, we've been like a package deal for years. And now he goes and pulls a 'Mission: Impossible' level memory lapse? How in the world did he manage to forget something this basic?

"...." I held my tongue, maintaining silence as I continued walking, accompanied by his persistent presence.

"Hey, by the way... You up for hanging out later?" he inquired.

I was on the brink of offering a reply when a sudden, intense gaze caught my attention from the periphery.

Turning in that direction, I couldn't help but let out an exasperated sigh after figuring out who it was.

"Hey there, Mr. Robo. Heard you're getting the royal treatment from your fiancée—slapped for the relentless pestering, huh? Guess you had it coming," the student piped up, his tone dripping with an insulting edge.

As William appeared poised to intervene and come to my defense, I intercepted his intention by lifting my other hand.

"Let's just move on, William," I suggested, brushing off the student's comments and signaling to continue walking.

After we departed from the school, William struck up a conversation as we walked together.

"You know, it might not hurt for you to pick up some self-defense skills," he suggested. As I clicked my tongue to employ echolocation, I sensed him crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'm visually impaired, man. Fighting isn't exactly on my skillset."

His brows furrowed, and he countered, "I've come across videos of blind martial artists online. You could try reaching out to them and begin training."

I dismissed the idea with a nonchalant wave of my hand. "Nah, sounds like a hassle."

He persisted, "But still..."

I interjected, cutting him off mid-sentence. "Don't worry, I'll handle that guy eventually..."

"Yeah, sure thing," he muttered, rolling his eyes, and we continued in the direction of the arcade that lay ahead.

Seizing the opportunity while his attention was elsewhere, I let a quiet murmur escape my lips, a sentiment meant solely for my ears.

"Erase him, huh...?"