So Now I'm Everyone's Problem Solver? Part 1

"So. You saw a long monster crawling out the window."

I was sitting in Dean's office. The sun dipped behind the horizon. A warm breeze rustled our hair.

"Yes, Professor. I have no evidence, but I'm not lying to you."

"Of course not, I believe you. You're not one to waste time on such nonsense. Let me clarify something for you."

He crossed his legs, picked up the bestiary with one hand, and stroked his chin with the other.

"Just don't tell anyone. This is already the third incident this year, and all the witnesses saw the same monster. There's no denying it exists. It's real."

"It's been around the academy for a year? And you still can't find it?"

"How can I put it…" he glanced at the crimson sunset. "It spoke to each student differently, as if it knew their fears by heart.

And although it never attacked anyone, each time… the students witnessed a strange force near it."

A line of magic flowed from his finger. He gestured, and I lowered my head.

WHOOSH...

"See? This is a memory from a student last week."

I saw it: just before the image ended, behind the worm-like creature, something else was standing between the trees…

"What is that… long being?"

My ears started to ring. Goosebumps prickled my skin every time I recalled its white eyes and stretched form.

"We can't define what you saw at the end either. It's definitely not human, but we can't say it's real, either.

Why didn't the first student see it? Why didn't you? And most importantly, Atheron…

Did you feel… a strange presence?"

I remembered. My bones tensed, pupils dilated.

"Not exactly. I felt a kind of anxiety. As if it was enslaving me just by being there."

"And that feeling — it wasn't coming from the worm creature, right?"

I swallowed hard.

And in that moment…

…I remembered.

I had felt something behind me.

"N-No way…" I stood up from the chair.

Dean smirked.

"I thought so. That long creature was watching you. What you felt wasn't fear,

it was its presence."

…

What the hell is going on?

"Hey, Professor. I'm a hero who lived three hundred years ago. I may not remember much about my past, but I can confidently say I've never dealt with such bullshit before."

"We don't know what to do either. None of the faculty have seen these things. It's strange. Even our sensors can't detect their energy.

I believe you. But sometimes I start to wonder — are they even real?"

Creatures that feed on fear… No, wait. Why did that monster ask me to play a ballad?

I have no fear of performing. Could it be… this creature feeds on our desires?

I didn't tell Dean that. It was just my theory.

"You know, Atheron. We live in a world where mysteries like this don't sit well with people. It's creepy when you think about it, especially since our world is already full of magic and secrets."

"Yeah. The modern world is terrible. You all live in the illusion that everything's perfect. Like some utopia. But none of you humans see what's lurking behind your backs."

Dean chuckled at my response.

"You may be my student, but you're far older than me. We could talk for hours if we were friends."

"Come on, Professor. Even I don't know my real age."

And with that, the school day came to an end. By that time, nearly the entire academy had heard about the underachieving student who managed to summon a legendary beast as his familiar.

The next morning.

"Hey. You're Atheron, right?"

A girl approached me. Hazelnut hair with twin ponytails. Her bright eyes were full of irritation.

"Are you ignoring me or what?"

"Huh? You talking to me?"

"Who else? There are plenty of bastards in this academy, but you're one of a kind."

I gave a resigned look. Is my reputation really that bad?

"I'm Aimer Grimmveil, third-year. I have a few questions for you."

"Denied."

"Denial not accepted!"

"Oh… What questions, lady?"

"Wanna know? Getting curious now? Then come with me."

I hesitated. Looked her up and down.

"No, I'm good," I raised a hand dismissively. "I have class soon."

"Fine. Then I'll say it here," she grinned.

What is this creature? Popped up from nowhere and now giving orders?

After a short pause, she said:

"Mind telling me how the hell a high spirit managed to summon a familiar? What kind of dark magic do you know?"

I turned to her, my expression blank.

Luckily, the hallway was empty.

"Oh no, don't even try to deny it. The Grimmveil family has an innate talent for mana perception. We see the energy of every being, and can even sense hidden thoughts through its color. And you, Atheron, have the same energy as my brother's summon."

"Oh, really? Not buying it. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't pretend," she crossed her arms. "I know enough about you. It's forbidden for summons to enroll in the Academy. That's cheating.

But I have a proposal. You help me out, and I won't spill a word."

A sly smile crept across her face.

"Blackmail is also illegal, in case you didn't know. Who'd believe a cute little girl anyway?"

"At the very least, the students will know. The teacher council would be forced to act before the rumors reach the entire kingdom. You'd get expelled. Is that what you want?"

I snorted. Great. Just great. Never in my life had I wanted to punch a woman this badly.

"So, are you taking the deal or not?"

I sighed. More problems.

Raising my hands, I said:

"Alright, alright, arrest me. What do you want?"

"Good. There's a mage tournament coming up. Students pair into teams of two and bring their strongest. This one matters to me, and I need to win first place.

You're a Light expert, right? Perfect. I'm a Master of Crystals. I can summon crystals of any thickness. We'll work well together."

Break time. She crossed her shapely legs.

"I'll explain everything after class. Meet me at the fountain. I'll be waiting."

Aimer turned and walked off.

I scratched my head. Why do I always attract problems like a magnet? Was it too hard to ask one of the top five?

Aimer Grimmveil, huh… That surname rings a bell. Her brother's one of the top 3 in Mugen Wars.

After that class, a few upperclassmen grabbed me in the hallway and cornered me where no one could see.

The strongest among them grabbed my collar… A tall guy with short, hazel-colored hair?!

"Listen, you slimeball. I know exactly who you are. Word on the street is you've been hitting on my sister."

"Hitting on?" I protested. "Not to mention that she blackmailed me? What kind of dumb rat told you that load of crap?"

"Blackmail? Funny guy. My sister wouldn't even look at trash like you."

Author's note:

The content of this chapter made me split it into 2 parts. Please forgive me!