4-Middle School [1]

As I enter the school gates, awe washes over me. The school, even more impressive up close, radiates an air of magic and academia, its beauty undeniable.

Yet, amidst my admiration, a concern emerges.

"Where do I go?" I mutter.

Should I seek help from my schoolmates? I hesitate, not wanting to stand out as clueless on my first day at this middle school. Also, I'm Manaless—they might ignore me. Being clueless and Manaless is quite the combo.

"Hey, Doms, there you are!"

Suddenly, I feel the weight of an arm around my shoulders, the touch surprisingly familiar.

I turn to meet the source of the voice and find myself face-to-face with a guy with short blonde hair and green eyes. His smile is bright and undeniably handsome, and the firmness of his grip speaks of underlying strength.

"Who?" I manage to say, genuinely puzzled.

"Aww! Come on, Doms, don't tell me you forgot about me already!"

His tone is teasing, yet his expression shows a hint of genuine surprise.

His familiarity and the ease with which he interacts with me suggest he might be Dominic's close friend. Yet, a part of me can't help but wonder—could he also be someone pretending to be friendly, potentially a bully in disguise?

The guy's hand flutters before my face, snapping me back to the present.

"Sylvestria to Doms, are you there?"

His playful tone catches me off guard. I realize I have been lost in my thoughts, momentarily disconnected from the situation.

"Uhh...yeah?" I answer, feeling slightly disoriented from the abrupt return to reality.

He grins, his amusement apparent, but a hint of genuine curiosity shimmers behind his green eyes.

"Doms, are you okay?" he leans in closer, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "You're a bit...different?"

As I step through the school gates, awe washes over me. Up close, the building is even more magnificent, radiating an air of magic and academia. Its intricate stone façade, adorned with carvings of mythical creatures and magical sigils, exudes both prestige and mystery. The blend of tradition and modernity is captivating, making it clear this isn't an ordinary school.

Yet, amidst my admiration, a pressing concern emerges.

"Where do I go?" I mutter under my breath, scanning the bustling courtyard filled with students.

Should I ask for help? The idea fills me with hesitation. Standing out on my first day isn't ideal—especially as someone Manaless. My status here could easily make me an outcast, and being both clueless and Manaless is a combo I'd rather not highlight.

"Hey, Doms! There you are!"

A voice pulls me from my thoughts. Before I can react, an arm slings casually around my shoulders. The touch is warm, almost too familiar.

I turn to find myself face-to-face with a boy about my age. His short blonde hair catches the sunlight, and his green eyes sparkle with easy confidence. His smile is bright, almost dazzling, and his grip on my shoulder conveys a quiet strength.

"Who?" The word slips out before I can stop it, my genuine confusion evident.

"Aww, come on, Doms, don't tell me you forgot about me already!" His tone is teasing, but there's a flicker of surprise in his expression, as if my response genuinely caught him off guard.

I glance at him, trying to read his intentions. He seems friendly enough, but a small voice in my head wonders—could he be pretending? A bully masking his intentions behind a facade of charm?

Before I can dwell on the thought, he waves a hand in front of my face, snapping me back to the moment.

"Sylvestria to Doms, are you there?"

The playful tone catches me off guard, and I realize I've been staring at him, lost in my own thoughts.

"Uhh… yeah," I manage, still slightly disoriented.

He chuckles, the sound easy and genuine, but his green eyes narrow slightly as he studies me. "Doms, are you okay?" he asks, his voice lowering to a more serious tone. "You seem a bit… different today."

His observation sends a ripple of panic through me. Could he already sense something was off? Have I slipped up without realizing it?

"What do you mean?" I ask, feigning ignorance and hoping to steer the conversation in a safer direction.

He tilts his head, his brow furrowing as he considers his words. "Your walk, your gestures… You're usually kind of closed off, but today you seem more, I don't know, confident."

His insight surprises me. Dominic, it seems, carried himself with a shy demeanor—something I hadn't accounted for.

"Is that so?" I reply as neutrally as I can, trying to mask my unease.

"Yeah, but hey, that's not a bad thing," he says with a grin. "I'm glad you're looking more confident. It suits you."

As he speaks, my gaze drifts to the hanging ID clipped to his uniform, revealing his name: Arthur Lyon.

Arthur Lyon. I rack my brain, but the name doesn't ring a bell. He wasn't mentioned in A Magician's Path, so he must be an extra like me. That thought brings a strange sense of relief—navigating someone who isn't tied to the story's established plot is easier.

"Hey, Doms, where's your ID?" Arthur's question jolts me back to reality.

Wait… my ID.

I pat myself down frantically, confirming what I already suspected—I don't have it. How could I forget something so crucial? This oversight could be a minor blunder or, worse, a significant misstep in a school like this.

"Oh, I must have… um, forgotten it," I stumble, my words coming out awkwardly as I try to think on my feet. "Do you think I can get a temporary one for today?"

Arthur raises an eyebrow, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Forgot your ID? That's not like you, Doms."

His words make my stomach drop slightly—another reminder that I need to tread carefully to avoid raising suspicions.

"But don't worry," he continues, his tone shifting to something lighter. "We can swing by the administration office before class starts. They'll sort you out with a temporary one."

Relief floods through me, and I feel a surprising gratitude toward him. "Thanks, Arthur. I appreciate it."

"No problem," he says with a wink. "What are best friends for?"

Best friends? I pause, momentarily caught off guard. His words resonate with a sense of closeness that feels foreign but oddly comforting.

As we begin walking, I glance at him from the corner of my eye. Maybe I was wrong to doubt him. Arthur seems genuine—his actions speak of friendship, not pretense.

I hope my assumption is right.

As Arthur and I explore the school further, the atmosphere immediately shifts. The steady hum of conversation in the hallways takes on a sharper, more focused tone. Whispers and murmurs ripple through the air, carried on the currents of curiosity and disdain.

"Hey, isn't he the Manaless one?"

"Yeah, that's him."

Sharp and unrelenting gossip pricks at the edges of my composure. I had anticipated Being Manaless in a society that places such heavy emphasis on magic, having read about it in the web novel. But knowing about it and experiencing it firsthand are two vastly different things.

"But hey, isn't that Arthur Lyon, the future heir of the Lyon family?"

"Yeah, that's him!"

The tone changes instantly when Arthur's name enters the conversation. Respect and intrigue replace the condescension in their voices. Their reactions confirm what I've already gathered—Arthur belongs to a prominent family, a status that elevates him to a position of admiration within the school's rigid social hierarchy.

"But why is he walking with Dominic, of all people?"

"I know, right?"

The sting of their words is hard to ignore, even as I keep my focus ahead. Walking beside Arthur, who seems unbothered by the whispers, I wonder why he'd associate with someone like me—a Manaless nobody.

Why would Arthur hang out with me? The question gnaws at me, fueled by the doubts I've carried from my previous life.

Could he be genuinely kind and doesn't care about my lack of mana? Or… is he the type who befriends those beneath him to feel better about himself?

The latter makes more sense. Based on what they said, Arthur is from a prominent family, someone destined for greatness. Why would he choose to spend time with someone like Dominic? The only logical conclusion is that his kindness is a facade.

"It's better if you don't hear them, Doms."

Arthur's voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts, soft yet steady. Before I can respond, I feel his hands—gentle and warm—cover my ears.

Startled, I turn to look at him. He meets my gaze with a soft smile, his expression calm and reassuring.

Wait… don't tell me he's that kind?

The simple gesture catches me off guard, disarming my defenses. His hands are steady, his touch sincere, and I find myself questioning the conclusions I'd just drawn for a moment. Could I be wrong about him?

Am I overthinking this?

Overthinking. It's a trait I've carried from my previous life, a double-edged sword that has shielded me from disappointment and isolated me. Always analyzing, always questioning, I've often mistaken genuine kindness for hidden motives. It's a defense mechanism—a way to avoid being hurt. But here, at this moment, it threatens to cloud my judgment again.

Arthur pulls his hands away slowly, his green eyes filled with genuine concern. "Ignore them, Doms. They don't know you like I do," he says, his tone gentle but firm.

His words hit something deep within me. He knows about the whispers and the judgment I face, yet he still chooses to walk beside me.

Maybe… just maybe… Arthur's kindness isn't an act.

After a while, we arrive at a vast arched door. Its sheer size and intricate carvings are both impressive and slightly intimidating. The grandeur of the entrance exudes authority, setting the tone for the administrative office beyond.

"Let's go inside," Arthur encourages, calm yet confident.

-Knock! Knock!

"Excuse us!" he announces as he turns the knob and pushes the door open, revealing the room within.

The administrative office perfectly embodies Sylvestria's unique blend of tradition and modernity. The wooden paneling along the walls adds warmth and nostalgia, while shelves filled with neatly arranged documents and magical artifacts lend an air of mystery and sophistication.

Sunlight streams through the tall windows, casting a golden glow over the room and highlighting the meticulous care with which it is maintained. The gentle hum of magic lingers in the air, subtle but unmistakable.

A large wooden desk stands at the center of the room, its polished surface reflecting the sunlight. Behind it, a handful of workers sit, their expressions a mix of focus and polite attentiveness.

One of the workers looks up, a welcoming smile softening their features. "How can we help you?"

"Dominic—"

"I would—"

Arthur and I both speak at once. The overlap makes us pause. Arthur blinks in mild surprise before stepping aside with a gracious wave.

"Sorry about that, Doms; you go ahead," he says with a smile.

I nod in appreciation and turn toward the worker, gathering my thoughts. "I would like to get a temporary I.D. I forgot mine today."

The worker nods understandingly and rises from their seat. "Ah, no problem. Can you give me your hand?"

"Uh… sure?"

I extend my hand, uncertain about what's to come.

The worker closes their eyes, and almost immediately, my hand begins to emit a soft, radiant glow. The sensation is warm and gentle, more surprising than uncomfortable.

What the…

The light intensifies, swirling with a mesmerizing rhythm as if magic itself is weaving something from the air. Gradually, the luminous energy folds and condenses, taking on a solid form.

Before my eyes, the glowing substance materializes into a pristine I.D. card, suspended momentarily in midair. With practiced ease, the worker plucks the card from its floating position and hands it to me.

"Here you go. Don't forget it next time," they say, their tone kind but tinged with gentle admonition.

I take the card, still processing the marvel I've just witnessed. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," the worker replies before returning to their duties.

"Arthur Lyon."

A new voice, deep and commanding, interrupts the moment. Arthur and I turn to see an elderly man dressed in a tailored suit standing at the doorway. His presence is as imposing as it is dignified, his sharp eyes radiating wisdom and authority.

"Good morning, Principal Cloud," Arthur greets, bowing his head slightly.

The principal nods in acknowledgment. "Good morning to you as well."

His gaze shifts to me, and I feel the weight of his scrutiny for a brief moment. "Good morning to you," he says, his tone polite but neutral.

Caught slightly off guard, I straighten and reply, "Good morning, Principal Cloud."

He nods once more before turning his attention back to Arthur. "Arthur, I need to speak privately in my office with you."

Curiosity stirs my mind, but I remind myself it's not my place to pry. Whatever they need to discuss is none of my business.

"Yes, Principal Cloud," Arthur responds promptly.

Before following the principal, Arthur turns to me, an apologetic look softening his features. "Doms, I'm sorry, but will you be all right waiting outside for a bit?"

I nod, understanding the situation. "Sure. Take your time."

Arthur gives me a grateful smile before following Principal Cloud through another set of grand doors. As they disappear, I gently close the office door and enter the hallway.

"Haa…"

I let out a long sigh, leaning against a shaded wall. The cool stone presses against my back as I take a moment to reflect.

The morning has been a whirlwind—navigating new surroundings, dealing with whispers of judgment, and experiencing Sylvestria's magic firsthand. The weight of adapting to Dominic's life, blending in while carving out a path for myself, settles over me.

And yet, there's a flicker of something else. Hope, maybe? The kindness Arthur has shown me and the small victories in getting through the day so far are enough to keep me moving forward.

"Well, if it isn't the Manaless boy."

The voice cuts through the air, dripping with disdain, and I instinctively turn toward the source. Standing a few feet away is a guy who radiates arrogance like a toxic cloud. His unkempt brown hair, cocky smirk, and puffed-up stance scream trouble.

Who the hell is this?

My mind races as I size him up. Is this Dominic's primary bully? His smug expression and the mocking tilt of his head suggest he's exactly that.

The way he speaks and the condescension in his tone light a fire inside me, one I didn't expect. In my past life, I was no stranger to bullies. Growing up poor, I'd endured taunts and sneers, the weight of their words grinding me down. Those memories simmer just beneath the surface, ready to boil over.

Before I can react, a familiar red holographic screen flickers to life before my eyes, its sudden appearance jarring.

New Quest!

Quest: Beat Dominic's bully and knock him out!

Reward: A weapon.