Guide to Not Getting Expelled from the Academy

..And when did I even become obedient to this family?

Maybe when I simply needed a helping hand?

Or because Lirael stood up for me?

In any case, right now…

"Atheron?!!" she screamed in shock. "Y-your hand..!"

Pain surged through every cell. Even breathing was hard.

"I know! Just stop yelling, please."

I laid my other hand on the wound and channeled the element of Light.

A high-tier heal. It all happened instinctively. I'd never used this technique before.

The blood stopped flowing. Cells and muscle fibers grew like branches, slowly forming a new palm.

I could barely stay on my feet. My eyes were trembling, but I didn't stop healing.

"As a dragonslayer, I can do a lot with Light. Plus, I have a passive regeneration ability."

"My god…" she came closer and grabbed my forearm. "Let me help stop the bleeding too."

She used a tier-1 Light spell. Her healing eased the pain.

"How did this even happen?.. Damn, if you were a regular human, you'd really be left without a hand. We should've just kept training at a normal pace..."

"No point regretting it now," I said with a raspy voice.

My knees stopped shaking. The hand had almost taken shape, though the fingers looked like a newborn's.

"I've never seen a backfire this strong. It must be because your soul is anything but calm. Atheron, is something really bothering you that badly?"

...

How to even explain it.

Soon, my hand was fully healed.

We sat on a bench under a canopy, watching ducks drift across the river.

"How would you explain what just happened?"

"How should I know? Maybe I'm not ready for tier-3 High Magic."

"Everything has an explanation. Well, if you don't know, let's find one together."

She stretched her arms.

"If we go by theory, Magic is directly affected by the user's soul. High Spirits — even as dead souls — know their fate and purpose. That makes their souls calm. But you, I guess, are a summoning hatchling? Come on, be honest. Is it… depression, darling?"

She poked my arm. I looked away.

"What is it with you? Don't tell me the hero from an ancient story is having an existential meltdown? What's next — writing poetry in the rain?"

"Can you all stop poking at me already?"

"Such arrogance," she pouted and pretended to be offended.

Why… didn't the spell work?

Must be because I haven't been able to calm my thoughts recently.

And what to do about that?.

I leaned forward and clenched my hands. The ducklings following their mother turned to me.

"Find the answers to your questions," Meliora pulled me out of my thoughts. "Only you can find the key to your door."

She smiled and rested her cheek on my shoulder. Moonlight shimmered in her shiny hair.

"Everyone has an existential crisis. Especially someone like you."

We parted ways. It was too late to continue training.

I was left alone with my thoughts.

Great. Didn't think this would ever happen to me.

This is exactly why I should've just lived by myself, annoying everyone with my apathy.

Slow and steady wins the race, huh.

The key to my door, huh…

Drowning in thoughts, I couldn't sleep all night. Thankfully, it was Saturday. No need to go anywhere.

I'd really turned into a regular teen with a mess in his head and insomnia.

The next morning went by like usual. The Ataraxia family sat down for breakfast.

Meliora, having finished first, immediately began pestering her little sister.

"My sweet little sister! You're looking even cuter than yesterday~"

Again, she was pressing Lirael's head into her chest.

"I believe we did this yesterday. Dearest sister, could you stop clinging to me like that?"

The maids near me giggled in embarrassment.

"Come on, hurry up and finish breakfast. Today, Mom and I have to visit relatives."

Lirael perked up.

"W-we're finally going to the city?!"

"Bingo, my baby!" her sister winked.

I was a bit surprised. If they were going as a family, I was obligated to come too. This news thrilled Lirael way more than it did me.

"To the city~!" Meliora sang, throwing up her hands.

"S-sister! Stop embarrassing me… I only talked like that when I was a child!"

On Monday, there's an exam. Only two days left. If I spend all day today away...

...there's no way I can master the spell in one remaining day. This is the end.

After breakfast, I changed into my guard uniform. Elegant, with golden embroidery on the shoulders and collar.

I walked toward the exit, fully aware that there was no more hope. I'll be expelled, so be it.

My second life sure didn't last long. When I get expelled, I won't be able to fulfill my assigned purpose. There's no reason for this family to keep me in this world anymore.

"Atheron, wait."

A gentle, feminine voice called from behind. I turned.

"Ah, Lady Stark. How can I help you?"

Mei Stark — the head of the family and mother of the three sisters.

"Today, you don't need to come with us. I'm temporarily relieving you of your guard duties. It seems you have some things to complete for the academy," she smiled.

"My lady…"

"We'll manage just fine. Other guards will cover for you."

But how did she find out?

Could it be... someone from the academy told her?

When I escorted the family to the car, Meliora turned to me.

She winked playfully.

What a dork. I'll never forget her kindness.

Meliora remembered how, two nights ago, she'd been sitting by the window, watching me train High Magic. Back when we hadn't even spoken.

…And so, I was left home alone.

I asked the maids not to tell anyone I was training.

Repeating tier-2 attack techniques, I dug into my thoughts.

"Arcane Shot!"

A thin line of magical energy fired from my fingertips.

Spheres, crystals, even runes — I repeated them all over and over.

I even removed my upper garments once I started sweating heavily.

"No time to rest!"

Maids watched me from the windows.

"This guard's totally lost it," one whispered.

"He's like a whole different person," another said shyly.

When I ran out of mana, I sat by the fountain and drank water from a flask.

A maid handed me a towel — I wiped my forehead, still breathing heavily.

She couldn't take her eyes off my lean body.

"Thank you."

"Y-you're welcome!" she stammered and ran off, completely red-faced.

Later, the sun began setting behind the horizon. How many hours had I been training nonstop?

I knelt down. My whole body relaxed. Breathing steady. Eyes closed.

And I felt calmer than ever.

"I found the answer."

When Dean gave me the ultimatum... all my peace vanished. I started worrying about my life. About the chance I was given.

In the end, I cornered myself.

...Why make friends?

I only started talking to others for my own sake.

I learned Magic for my own sake.

None of this happened by accident. Not just because I worried about my duty as a summon.

But even a summon like me… has a will of their own.

I am a person. A human. Not just a tool!

And I will definitely return to the carefree life I had last year!

I rose to my feet. Extended my arms. Energy flowed from my palms.

Winds condensed in my hand. A sphere formed. Scorching. Overwhelming other lights.

I opened my fierce eyes.

"Ray of Light!!"

A massive beam shot forward, burning everything in its path. Its heat scorched the grass. The violet laser reached the far end of the yard.

Shortly after, I closed the sphere.

"..It worked."

Dean... That bastard. Did you plan all of this from the start?

No, not plan. You pushed me! That's what you'd say if you could read my thoughts.

I leaned forward. My breath was intense.

Swallowing hard, I pressed my fingers together into a triangle.

"The final stage…"

Now nothing can stop me.

You hear me, Dean?.. I'm ready. Let the one who will become my first familiar come forth!