I... can't believe I'm doing this again.
Another morning, another day of school, and another day on the grind.
It's time to get dressed, I guess.
Knock. Knock.
...Never mind.
Who dares disturb the Dark Lord at such a time?
"Boles, are you there?"
The benevolent goddess graces me with her voice once more.
"Oh, uh. Gimme a moment! I'm getting dressed right now!"
"Y-you're getting dressed? O-oh dear, um! I'm sorry!"
She's totally heads over heels for me. I can totally imagine her squealing.
...
I opened the door after wrestling with this stupid school uniform. It looks fancy and all, but it sure is a whole pain to look good.
"So, what's this about?"
"Eh he he. It's just the same as yesterday. I still have to show you around..."
Her face was pretty red. I'm pretty red. I need to think of something to break this awkwardness.
"Riighttt." I said, stepping out my room and closing the door. "Um... oh, yeah! I've been wondering this, but how are you allowed in here?"
"Huh? Oh, you mean the boy's dormitory? Follow me."
I followed her outside. We took the same path as yesterday.
"You... didn't answer my question."
We arrived at the first class, thankfully before the second bell. I stepped inside the classroom but stopped midway as I felt her hand on my shoulder.
"Hey, I've got a favor to ask of you."
"Ask ahead! I'll do anything for my darling!"
"Okay?" She said, slightly raising her eyebrow. "So, I have to leave early because of student government stuff, and I probably won't be here for the rest of the day. Can you make sure to send me the notes and stuff later?"
"I mean, I don't see why I wouldn't. So-"
"Great! Thanks so much!"
Audi ran off at that exact moment, leaving a trail of dust behind. I don't mean that as an exaggeration, by the way.
Y'know, now that I think about it, everyone here should have some kind of magic or powers, as well. In that case, I should spend today leveling up my stats. It's been a while since I last checked everything, so maybe I got stronger.
The classroom was starting to fill up by then. Everyone took their seats, and the second bell rang. I could hear some explosions coming from upstairs, which made me grateful that this class was on the first floor.
"...Audi? Audi Gers?"
The teacher said, reading off her attendance sheet.
"Oh, she said she had some business with the student council."
"Hm. Alright. Then... excused."
It was a little empty without her next to me. I took notes as per her request, but there was this feeling of unease or uncertainty building up within me.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
I peered over to Stu, who was sitting at the opposite corner at the front.
He can't exactly see me. It's no use trying to contact him.
Dang. Then, I guess I'll speak with Elise.
I haven't spoken to her since we were in the principal's office, and she was kinda forced to join me, but... it's worth a shot, I guess.
"Psst." I whispered, tapping her shoulder. "Pssssssst! Behind you!"
She jolted up from her seat. Somehow, she learned how to sleep with her eyes open after a scolding or two from the teacher.
"Wuzzah? Who's speaking?"
"Shhh! It's me, Boles!"
"Oh. You mean that guy who kidnapped me and my brother and forced us to join your suspicious operation to find my boss and remove your title as the Dark Lord?"
"SHHH! Are you trying to out me right now?!"
Of all the things this bipedal goldfish remembers, why is it the thing that'll get me (allegedly) killed?!
"So, what's up? Do you wanna learn how to be an amazing ninja like me?"
"No, why would I- I was- huh? Wait, a minute. That sounds kinda awesome."
"I know, right? Meet me after school by the water fountain!"
...
The day passed quite uneventfully. It's not quite the same with only Stu around. We're supposed to be the group of three. Like the three musketeers.
Anyway, I had this feeling that I was being watched, but it was probably just the wind. Sometimes, I'd hear noises behind me, but when I turned to see, there was nothing.
I made my way behind the main building, which was where the water fountain was supposed to be.
In a romance story, this would be a nice place for a confession.
"There you are! I've been waiting!"
A girl with long purple hair dressed in some full black gi approached me. Her mouth was covered by a black mask that all ninjas wear.
"So, what are we gonna learn today? How to walk on water? How to shoot laser eyes?"
"No. Pull up your stats. I must see whether you are strong enough."
"Oh, alright. Status!"
Please please please make my magic stat ten points higher. I need this, c'mon...
Boles Bose | Age: 16 | Title: Novice
Strength: 17
Fortitude: 12
Intelligence: 4.99
Magic: 1.01
Luck: 21
Idiocy: 40
It's rigged.
"U-uh... well, maybe magic isn't your strong suit. I can teach you some cool ninja techniques that require only physical prowess."
"No! I don't want that!" I wailed, rolling and thrashing around on the floor. "Give me magic! I wanna be magical, I wanna! This isn't fair! I wanna be cool! All the cool characters use magic!"
"Okay, well maybe the path of the ninja isn't for you, but what about your own strengths? After all, you are... the-thing-that-shall-not-be-named."
...
She's right! She's a genius!
"Status! Show me my powers!"
Abilities:
Dark Lord (4/500)
T-this is! No... it cannot be! That means...
Unlocked Spells:
500. Shower Spell
434. Graphing Calculator Spell
399. Slippery Power
66. Hellfire Blast
...
"I must give you my praise. Your insight has allowed me to evolve. Before, I was merely but a Dark Lord in name, only. However, I reign supreme in this world. As the Monarch of Void, the Emperor of Darkness, Ruler of Evil, I shall demonstrate a fraction of my true strength as a gift to you."
I pointed at a mountain, far from here.
"This should be enough."
A brilliant flame started to concentrate on my fingertip. Mana whirled around, scattering the leaves and creating great winds that threw chaos about.
"I see the void, the realm of death, and I say it is evil. Where the light was not, there was darkness. And let there be doom."
The fire shrunk, red intertwined with black, spiraling and growing ever hotter.
This flame was special, for though it burned, it gave no light.
"Hellfire Blast!"
There was a deafening silence. It seemed like time stopped.
I could see the birds which were in motion, now frozen in the air. The breeze had stopped right before my face. The clouds above hung still, as if they were painted onto the sky.
And then, the world began to move once more.
fwoot.
My attack traveled two centimeters before being put out by the wind.
...
"O, great sage, I beseech thee. Explain the meaning of this at once."
"I... I told you that you're not cut out for magic."
"Hm. Wrong answer. I think it makes more sense that I was just having an off-day."
In which case, it'd be futile to try again.
"hnkkk!"
A voice snickered from nearby.
"Who dares make a mockery of me? Reveal yourself at once!"
I saw a figure emerge from the corner, and I was blinded by her radiance.
"What kind of lousy attack was that?!" Audi laughed, clutching her stomach. "What was it? 'Hellfire Blast?' You could barely light a candle with that!"
"Yeouch. She has a point lil bro."
"I'm not your 'lil bro,' you brat! And how long were you even waiting there?!"
"Enough to see you throwing a tantrum like a toddler after seeing your stats."
Nnnghhhhhhh...
Sometimes she just acts all lovey-dovey, and other times takes joy out of my incompetence.
"Ugh. Here." I said, giving her my notes from earlier. "You owe me one."
"But... but..." She whimpered mockingly. "You said you'd do anything for your darling, right?"
"Well, I'm not so romantical today."
There was a moment of silence that passed between us.
"By the way, Stu said he's gonna head to the kebab place. You wanna come?"
"You mean the new one? We had burgers yesterday, though. I might have spare change."
I checked my pockets for some coins. I could've sworn I had more earlier, but this is more than enough so I can't complain.
"Oohs, you guys're getting food? Can I join?"
"Just... pay for your own meal. Whatever. And don't go dressed like that."
"What's wrong with my outfit? Ninja is cool."
Audi had a sly look on her face.
"I've been meaning to ask. Who is she to you, anyway?"
"Well, we're close pals working together in business."
"Actually, I was kidnapped and forced to-"
BONK.