Chapter 19: Random Encounter

Early in the morning, as the first golden rays of sunlight filtered through the scattered clouds, the birds were singing their melodic tunes. 

Kuroyami walked through the bustling marketplace where vendors hurriedly opened their wooden stalls, arranging colorful displays of fresh produce, handcrafted trinkets, and aromatic spices. 

The air was filled with the mingled scents of freshly baked bread from the bakery on the corner and fragrant flowers being arranged at the florist's stand.

The cobblestone streets were gradually coming alive with activity. 

Shopkeepers called out their morning greetings to regular customers, while merchants arranged their wares with practiced precision. 

The area was transforming into a lively hub as people hurried to their jobs, their footsteps creating a rhythmic backdrop to the morning symphony.

 Students in their crisp uniforms chatted animatedly as they made their way to school, their laughter carrying through the cool morning air.

'I hope I can get stronger soon,' Kuroyami thought as he navigated through the growing crowd, his eyes taking in the familiar sights of the marketplace.

 'All the events until now don't make much sense, but at least my job as class secret isn't too demanding. I think I'll be okay... I hope.' His thoughts drifted as he walked, shoulders slightly hunched and eyes downcast.

Suddenly, from behind, Yuusuke bounded forward and casually draped his arm around Kuroyami's neck, his energy a stark contrast to Kuroyami's contemplative mood.

"Yo, man! How are you doing?" Yuusuke's voice rang with genuine cheerfulness. "How did your meeting with the student council go?"

Kuroyami glanced at his friend, a small smile forming on his lips. "I'm alright. What about you?"

"I'm great! Feeling fantastic today," Yuusuke replied with infectious enthusiasm. 

He gave Kuroyami's shoulder a light squeeze. "So, tell me how it went. I want all the details."

"It wasn't interesting at all," Kuroyami sighed, kicking a small pebble on the path.

 "Just some boring explanation about our roles and responsibilities. Nothing exciting."

Then, without warning, Kuroyami found himself falling forward.

'Huh? What's happening? Why am I falling?' His thoughts raced wildly. 'Did I trip? No, I didn't... I was walking and then... I felt a push?'

Kuroyami landed hard on his face, the rough pavement scraping his skin. 

Slowly, he pushed himself up to his knees, wincing slightly from the impact. He turned his head to look behind him.

Ronald stood there with a smug expression the noble blondie who hurled insults at him In class earlier.

He was flanked by two boys—one tall and lanky, the other slightly buff with broad shoulders—and a girl with striking silver hair that shimmered in the morning light.

 They all wore the same school uniform, though Ronald's had subtle embellishments that explained his higher status.

"Oops, didn't see you there," Ronald said with exaggerated innocence, his voice dripping with sarcasm. 

"I couldn't sense any magic, so I assumed there was nothing there." He threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing off the buildings lining the street.

'It's happening again,' Kuroyami thought bitterly as he observed them laughing at his expense.

 'I guess all humans are the same no matter where I go or try to hide. It's like the world is always trying to devour me.' His hands trembled slightly as he pressed them against the cold ground.

Most students passing through that part of the street quickened their pace, averting their eyes and pretending they didn't see what was happening.

 Their faces showed a mixture of discomfort and relief that they weren't the targets.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Yuusuke snapped, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by fury. 

His fists clenched at his sides, and a vein pulsed visibly at his temple.

He then stepped forward and grabbed Kuroyami's arm, helping him get to his feet. 

Kuroyami brushed the dirt from his uniform, his movements mechanical.

"I clearly... said it was an accident," Ronald replied, his voice suddenly cold and serious. His friendly facade had completely vanished. "And watch who you take that tone with, peasant."

In that moment, Kuroyami felt a heavy weight in his chest, a familiar sensation that seemed to eat away at him from the inside.

 He placed his hand over his heart, feeling it pound painfully as he watched them laughing, clearly satisfied at his humiliation. 

The marketplace that had seemed so vibrant moments ago now felt distant and hostile.

Yuusuke stood beside him, grinding his teeth. 

The tension in his jaw was visible, his entire body rigid with anger as he supported Kuroyami.

"Besides, who cares what happens to a weak nobody?" Ronald added dismissively as he turned and walked away, the others following in his wake like obedient shadows.

 Their laughter lingered in the air long after they had disappeared into the crowd.

Kuroyami and Yuusuke watched them leave, the former with downcast eyes and slumped shoulders, the latter with barely contained rage.

"Hey man, are you okay?" Yuusuke asked, his voice softening with concern. "Seriously, what a jerk."

"Yes, I'm alright," Kuroyami said quietly as he wiped his face. Then, in a more serious tone that seemed to carry the weight of countless similar encounters, he added, "I just got a little bruise. Don't worry about me—something like this is nothing new."

"Oh... alright, if you say so." Yuusuke's response was hesitant, his eyes studying his friend with worry.

The two then continued heading to school, the incident casting a shadow over the remainder of their walk.

 The morning bustle continued around them, but Kuroyami seemed detached from it all, lost in his own thoughts.

Meanwhile, back at the Therion Guild, Ein leaned against the polished wooden counter, deep in conversation with Kurumi. 

The guild hall was a grand space with high, vaulted ceilings supported by intricately carved wooden beams.

 Morning light streamed through the stained-glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the stone floor. 

The walls were adorned with maps, notices, and trophies from past achievements, telling stories of adventures and glory.

Kurumi, with her crimson hair pulled back into a practical bun, had just finished explaining recent events to Ein.

 Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the thick registry book before her.

"So after the incident, the three never came back?" Ein asked, his brow furrowed in thought.

 He absently traced a finger along the edge of a wanted poster tacked to the counter.

"No," Kurumi replied, shaking her head. 

"Shizuri came by and explained everything I just told you. She then mentioned that they'll be taking a break from adventuring for a while." Her voice carried a note of concern.

"Talk about awful timing," Ein muttered, more to himself than to Kurumi. "I guess that plan will have to wait. For now, I'll just focus on training him."

 He gazed thoughtfully out the guild's large arched windows at the courtyard beyond, where a few early-rising adventurers were already practicing their combat skills.

"What was that?" Kurumi asked, looking up from her paperwork.

"Nothing," Ein replied with a casual wave of his hand. "Just thinking about ways to train this underclassman I met recently." His voice had a hint of intrigue that didn't escape Kurumi's notice.

"Must be someone special and strong if they've got your attention," she mused as she organized a stack of papers, the rustling sound filling the momentary silence between them.

"Quite the opposite," Ein said lazily, leaning back against the counter.

 "I can barely sense any Mana from him." He stared at the ceiling, seemingly lost in thought.

"Is he at the first stage?" she asked curiously, pausing in her work.

"No, weaker," Ein replied, his gaze distant. "But he has perfect control of his mana—it's almost unnatural." He tapped his fingers on the counter, a thoughtful rhythm.

"That's a first," Kurumi remarked, raising an eyebrow.

 "I thought you weren't interested in weak people. So what's your reason for helping this boy?" She turned to face him fully, her curiosity piqued.

"Well, he's only weak now because it's like he's trapped," Ein explained, a rare hint of passion in his typically lazy demeanor. 

"And I think when I open the cage, he's going to be the weakest strongest." A small smile played on his lips as he said this.

"The weakest strongest, huh?" Kurumi repeated, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "That's an interesting term to use." She smiled, intrigued by Ein's unusual interest in this mysterious student.